Erron Black and Kollector
The Wanted posters were placed all over the table. Side by side in pairs of two. He wasn't surprised by the amount of them or even the doubling up. When the whole realms go to hell you gotta count on someone to get you through it.
But to Erron Black, he didn't need someone. He needed something. And that was money. A bounty on each head would get him through whatever this was. He wasn't a betting man but if he was going to make one that's where's he was going to hedge his bets.
He studied the table again and all the Wanted posters on it. Arraigned in pairs of two, four in total were lined across the table. So there were an awful lot of eyes starting back at him.
He started on the left side at the first pair.
At the top was Liu Kang and next to him Kung Lao whose hat was so big it could not fit into the picture of him. Beneath them was Raiden, his hat in a similar predicament as Kung Laos while Fujin next to him was not. Beneath those two were two more; Sonya and Jax who by all accounts hadn't moved from their base since this whole thing started. At least they would be easy to find. And beneath them were two more pictures. Though the problem was not a hat they wore, but a mask. Kitana and Mileena's picture was the same in every way down from the stare, the mask and even the bounty offered. In actuality Kitana was likely worth more, but not being able to tell the difference, everything was just kept the same. Erron himself puzzled by this wanted to know for sure who he was dealing with.
"Hmmm." He let out and turned Mileena's Wanted Poster over to reveal a picture with a maskless face. Now she instead bore piercing Tarkatan teeth and lunging at whoever was drawing the picture.
"Alright." he let out a huffed beneath his mask now at ease and then turned down the line to view the other posters. And they were just as telling as the others.
Sindel blowing a kiss in hers. Cassie Cage flipping the bird, Johnny Cage flashing a grin and winking at the camera. Hell, he even signed the poster like it was an autograph. Stryker ironically looking like a mug shot. Khameleon was merely an outline of a figure since she was transcendent.
But whatever they were doing in their posters and regardless of the fluctuating money value attached to each, Erron at least recognized them. The ones opposite them, he knew only by the name and face attached to the poster.
For on the other side of the table more posters lay. Lining up in the opposite side next were more pairs of fighters. Next to Liu Kang and Kung Lao were Ryu and Ken. Lining up with Raiden and Fujin were Gil and Urien. Opposite Kitana and Mileena were Chun-Li and Cammy. Squaring off with Sub-zero and Scorpion were Akuma and Gen. Looking at Gen, Erron thought he was dead already. He thought the same when he saw Oro's opposite Shujinko and Bo Rai Cho. As if goading him into battle now Zangief and Hakan were flexing breaking out if the confines of the poster. Poison looked like she was trying to seduce him just like Sindel was.
"Hmm." Erron let out again as he studied them. There were an awful lot of heads to collect. And even more rewards for each. The price may vary for each, but to get any one of them would be quite the payday. But to get any more? Or all of them? Now that would be quite the bounty, quite the reward. More than he would ever need. There were two issues he saw now. The first was that everyone seemed to be travelling in pairs; save for Goro, Sagat and a few others stranglers whose origin he couldn't name(or be bothered to care about). Even some 'Mighty' warriors had their travelling companions. And if they were together, that meant there would be twice the trouble of taking them down. It seems he'd have to rely on distance and speed with his rifle. Nothing he couldn't handle he concluded. That was one issue seemingly solved, but there was still one other. This issue wasn't one that he saw before him, though.
The other issue is one he heard from behind.
The steps of flat bare feet that were nearly silent against the ground. But to accompany them was the soft rattling of a chain, though there was no wind to blow it. The jingling of coins stuffed together in a bag could be heard that caught Erron's interest, but the soft hushed snuffling voice that came with all the sound that would send a shiver down anyone's spine. All of these together made for one hell of a symphony, but Erron Black was ready with his own sound.
He moved a hand to his belt and placed that hand on his revolver, pulling it up slightly and cocking it. The disarray of sounds grew louder though it was still soft behind him. But it wasn't until he heard the raspy voice behind him breathing down his neck that Erron swung around.
As quick as any quickdraw, Erron turned around and pointed his revolver, right into the face of whoever had the courage to sneak up on him.
A snarling blue face beneath a darker blue hood. His face was plain, his eyes gleaming red at him not in anger but their only color. And smiling at him were rows of bat like teeth.
And for the one gun pointed at his face four knives surrounded Erron, held up by four thin lanky arms. The two remained dead eyed with each other.
"Hm." Erron let out through his mask "Didn't anyone ever tell you?" he began "Doesn't matter how many you got, you don't bring a knife to a gun fight. Kollector."
"Ah." Kollector let out a breath amused at his words "Yet it is not a fight I come to." he stated "Not yet." he added at the end.
"How you figure?" Erron asked, as the gun and knives were still very much pointed at the other.
Kollector's head shifted slightly under the hood "The same as you, I think." he said as he withdrew his four arms and the knives with them. "Besides, these knives are priceless. I wouldn't stain them with any blood."
Seeing him withdraw, but still sensing something was up Erron slowly retracted his gun "How you reckon?" he asked as lowered his arm and gun, but did not holster it. Just in case he needed it.
The four arms went to work putting the knives away. One went into a sheath on his belt, two went back into the chest and the other tucked away into his blue coat not to be seen. From there they replaced the knives with what he had discarded on the floor. A bag of coins and a lantern on a long chain. Once everything was back in his two hands, the other two long ones began to count to make sure everything was there while the Kollector answered him.
"We are both Kollectors you and I." he stated.
Erron felt the urge to bring the gun back up "So that's what your after. The bounties."
"I have no use for money." Kollector told "For it is worth only the paper it us printed on." he said waving a wanted poster for extra emphasis.
"The papers still worth something." Erron said snatching it from his hand taking a look at before folding it up to put it away.
"For you perhaps," Kollector conceded "but not I." He paused as Erron raised a brow "What I want is not what they're worth. But what they have. What they covet and keep themselves. Now what a prize that would be." he said greedily as his hands began to rub together.
"What're you sayin?" Erron asked. It didn't sound like Kollector wanted the bounty. It sounded like he wanted something else. But something involving these new targets meant he might be getting in his way.
The Kollectors wry grin grew razor sharp.
"For us to find them together." he said menacingly.
Erron's hand rested in his revolver "And then what?" He asked just as menacingly.
"To take what we want from them. The bounty for you," he waved his two longer left hands at him "Their items for me." He brought them back in to himself.
Erron paused, studying the Kollector who eagerly waited for an answer, but the look in his eyes was that of when he got the glimpse of some great treasure. Erron mulled this over some more. Having someone else with him-and extra arms to boot- would certainly alleviate his problems. But what of the owner of those arms motivations?
"I heard you tried to make a play in Metro City." Erron prodded "Against this guy." he said holding up Haggar's wanted poster. Kollector recoiled and snarled.
"Yesss." he hissed "And I did not make away with it." he admitted shamefully before popping back up "But!" he snapped "I learned something from that encounter."
"What's that?" asked dryly.
"The same as you were just pondering." Kollector said, pausing to let that seep in to Erron "That I cannot go out there alone. Not if I wish to get what I want. Nor you either." he said pointing several fingers at him.
"You sure about that?" he asked unconvinced, but slowly coming around to the idea.
"Think of it yourself." Kollector saved a hand. Erron went silent at first, mulling over his options. Go alone and fast with the quickdraw or drop em dead with his rifle.
Or as appeared now, pick someone with the same interests but not split the money.
"We want the same thing." Erron began "Whether it be money or monetary, these fighters downfall would be to our benefit. And if they are doubling down, then why not us?" Erron finally concluded.
"Many handdsss make light work." Kollector hissed in as an agreeable voice he could make.
Erron took his hand off his revolver "Deal." he agreed and brought his hand up.
"Then we have an accord." Kollector said as his two liner arms reached back to hold his chest in place. And as they did that his three arms came forward stretching towards Erron.
He eyed them skeptically especially the smallest that was used to hold the crate.
But it did not linger there long for then Erron reached forward to shake it.
Eliza and Mary
The door opened to the back alleyway casting light out in the shape of a doorway. It opened spreading out across it, but soon crossed the ground and ended up trailing the wall. A shadow then appeared in the middle of the doorway of light hunched over and carry something. A large trash bag filled to the brim and smelling worse than any garbage she had ever smelled before.
"Yuck." Mary let out gagging before she reared her arms back and hurled the garbage bag into the alley. The crash of cans mixed the the mesh of squishing food when she heard hit land into the dumpster they had out back. As relieved of this as she was, the smell stayed with her. Lingering out from the kitchen was a mix of food. 'Abominations' as Mary called them. For whether sweet or sour, hot or cold, solid or liquid, the head chef of this restaurant would let nothing go to waste and would put everything together.
Of course he wasn't here now.
"I've enlisted!" El Fuerte proclaimed proudly and suddenly to her "So make sure the restaurant is clean and ready for customers upon my return!"
That was all he said before he went running-flipping really, like he was going right into the ring. And that left Mary once again on her own. Only now she was just a janitor. An extra hand to help out at this restaurant. It was the best she could do. After the Mad Gears fall and destruction, the gang disbanded. Some tried to stay up to their old ways. While others, found redemption. Others like her, had to do anything to get by. Wiping grease off floors and tables wasn't her ideas of living, but it was all she could do now.
But now that her job was done and she was the only one in the restaurant, what was there for her to do?
"Well wherever he went," Mary sighed thinking of the chef before he left "I bet it's better off than here." she said taking a seat on the steps outside and not letting the smell of trash and garbage not get to her so much. But something else did.
"You're right about that!" a woman's voice called echoing from the darkness of the alleyway and to her. It took Mary by surprise so much so that she got right back on her feet and instinctively pulled out two knives ready for a fight. Her eyes glared like knives all their own, into the dark alleyway were the voice had come from. Mary heard no more words, but did hear a small amused chuckle, which was followed by a person stepping out from the shadows revealing herself. The sudden surge of readiness slipped away from Mary now. She wasn't ready for a fight, but shocked at who she saw.
Eliza! Her old friend from the very thing she was just thinking about; The Mad Gear Gang. But she hadn't seen her in years. So what was she doing here?
"El-el-eliza!" Mary finally exclaimed. "It's you!"
"Of course it's me. Who else would it be?" she said as she came forward towards her old friend standing on the steps.
"But what-why are you here?" Mary asked as Eliza stopped before her.
"I just came in to see how you were." she answered though it was more than that "I heard of a pretty little waitress who has a fashion sense of high boots, short shorts and sharp knives." she said looking Mary up and down finding she fit the bill easily "You haven't changed at all since the Mad Gear."
"Neither have you." Mary commented for Eliza still wore a similar outfit, if only the colors changed. "But fashion is one thing." Mary replied "Works another."
"An honest day's work you mean?" Eliza asked "You sound like everyone else at Abigail's."
"Abigail? Everyone else?" Mary questioned.
"Yep." Eliza said with a pop "A scrap yard named after him. I saw Roxy, J, and Axl too."
"They're all there?" Mary asked "You wouldn't believe who just came by now." she pointed off to the door where she saw El Fuerte leave with Rolento.
"I can only imagine." Eliza shrugged "But I wondered why I didn't find you over there with them?" she asked leaning in to inquire more. Mary became a bit flustered by her intrusiveness.
"This is why." she threw her arms out showing the alleyway filled with trash and smells you couldn't imagine.
"Hm. Honest days work right?" Eliza smirked, the outer edge of her mouth churning upwards "Still in the gutter by the look of it."
"It's all I got." Mary said kicking her feet "I tried other things, but none of them worked out. So" she huffed "here I am." she said glumly.
"Well.." Eliza began "Did you want more?"
"More?" she asked "More what? More money? More fame?"
"More of the old times." Eliza asked but Mary shuddered at the sound.
"I think we're all done with that. There's nothing in it for us now that Cody's Mayor. He's continuing Haggar's policies." Mary also voted for him too.
"Yeah, you're right about that. No fun to be had. No opportunity to be made in Metro City." Eliza paused tapping a finger to her chin "So why don't we leave it."
"Leave it? To go where?"
"To wherever we can make a name for ourselves."
"And where's that?" Mary asked unconvinced and still unanswered. Eliza stopped tapping her chin to point down the alleyway.
"Out there." she answered. Mary followed her finger, but only saw the narrow black shadow, and if she peeked past it the edge of a world outside the restaurant.
"Where you came?" Mary asked unconvinced "I know anything's better than this." he pointed back to the smelly restaurant with her knife "But what'd you have in mind."
"Go everywhere and do everything!" Eliza exclaimed, so loudly and passionately that it took Mary by surprise but also kinda of livened her up at the same time "Everyone else is doing it!" she continued rambling on to her getting so close now that Mary eased back away from her, but Eliza just pressed forward "Going out in pairs," she leaned forward as Mary took a step back up the steps and Eliza took another step on them "Going out and doing whatever the hell they want," another step was made by each "Getting whatever they want out of whatever the hell was going on." Mary stepped back to enter the restaurant again as Eliza was on the top step. Mary was in the light while Eliza was lingering on the darkness. It was now that Mary wasn't sure what Eliza was asking or what was going on. It didn't sound like she was so sure either, but maybe that's the idea that let her think they could get away with everything and anything.
"And what's that?" Mary finally asked coming to a stop. Eliza eyed her up and down from the doorway before taking a step in and entering. Trespassing as El Fuerte would see it for she was no customer and that was why Mary was there in the first place.
"Damned if I know. Or anyone for that matter." she shrugged "But all that matters is getting ahead of everyone else. Who knows, maybe there'll be some cute guys out there for me."
Now it was Mary's turn to speak "You really haven't changed." she said "You're still chasing fads. You see everyone else doing one thing and you want to jump right on it. The problem this time is that everyone else has someone else with them. So you went to Abigail's first wanting one of them to come with you. And when they said no you came to me." she pointed to her chest getting angry now. Seeing herself at second best, as a backup plan. She scoffed and threw her head up "And to think I thought you came to check up on me in hard times. " she brought it back down "Even if you needed a job I would've tried to put in a good word for you. But you don't want that, do you?" she asked.
"No?" Eliza shrugged not seeing the difference "But regardless of where I went, I'm here now right?" she asked, and Mary stayed silent "So what do you say?" she asked. Still she was silent "Because I bet you want the same thing." Eliza said "To get out of this place for anything else."
Mary eyed the kitchen and the rest of the restaurant as they were inside. It was dirty. Worse it was smelly. But worse of all, it was lonely. It hurt not having friends around to help her. It hurt struggling away with nothing to show for it. If she left this all now she'd likely lose her job. But if this was rock bottom, the only way to go was up.
"You know what," Mary turned back to her "Let's try it out. You and me!" she pointed to Eliza and then herself.
"That's it!" Eliza cheered "A regular Mad Gear Reunion! And you know our brothers are out doing the same thing we are now."
"We'll make our own way!" Mary agreed throwing her hands and knives up. The two of them then passed through the back door and slammed it shut behind them. Leaving the restaurant behind them, they walked down the alleyway side by side. "Where will we go first?" Mary asked.
Eliza turned back to her "Let's go find out." she grinned.
Erron Black and Kollector Fight Your Rival! Jurassic Era Research Facility
The two of them stood side by side on top of a high wall. What was behind didn't concern them at all, but what was before them captivated both completely. Beneath their hat and hoods were to two perplexed blank stares as they gazed out into a green forest. But it was not the tall trees that captivated them so. Instead, it was what was poking out from them.
They stood on watching yet another battle unfold before them, though unlike any they had encountered so far. But this terrain, like the battles they've had recently just might have been the strangest so far.
"Now, what in the hell?" Erron let out. Kollector hunched down beside him, was just as stunned. For despite having six arms, he felt he needed no more eyes to see what was before them.
Far away, but not on the horizon extending up from the trees was the tall, long neck of sauropod. Flying past and around the forest was a pterosaur. But as spell bounding as that might have been it was not the closest thing to them.
That would be the two great battling Tyrannosaurus. They bore their great teeth which were as large as the two fighters who watched on. One snapped at one as the other moved it's great head out of the way before knocking it forward it the other.
"This is not a natural occurrence." Kollector stated, for though he was not native to this realm, he understood this was far from normal.
"No." Erron told him "It ain't." Whatever started this business with the realms, it must be really bad if it brought something like this up. Or was this research station already here? He didn't know and as long as he was on this side of the gate, he didn't care.
"Remarkable." Kollector said as one Tyrannosaurus roared at the other. He seemed captivated by the two creatures.
"You seem to be liking the show." Erron commented slyly looking down to him.
"Yes." he hissed "What I would do to get my hands on them." he stretched his many arms out to the fighting beasts "What a prize they would make."
"I don't think those would fit into your satchel there." Erron said looking back to the dinosaurs. Now Kollector turned to him slyly.
"Ah." he raised a pointed finger "But you have not seen all of my tribute yet." he said patting his chest on his back eagerly, implying he had more to show.
"Alright, I'll bite." Erron said right as one Tyrannosaurus bit down onto the others neck "What's the weirdest thing you got in there?"
Kollector's sly bat like grin only grew and he hissed "Guess."
"Hmm." Erron mulled it over. He knew he had jewelry, weapons, gold and silver. He must've been silent for too long for one of the Tyrannosaurus took a bit out of the other and both turned back to them.
"Or perhaps you'd feel more comfortable on a wager. Of which one of these two will win." Kollector's shifty eyes went from the battling two back to Erron as his four arms showcased them.
"You want to bet?" he asked surprised "Thought you weren't one to try."
"It would not be money I'd want to wager." he said shiftily.
"Alright," Erron rolled his shoulders "I bet-" he stopped short for he heard something approaching from behind. Kollector perked up as well and looked past him. Erron turned around just as quickly as he had when the Kollector snuck up on him, but this time Kollector went with him sliding alongside him. And there they saw two men approaching them.
One pounding his boxing gloves together with a snarl on his face. The other's face was obstructed by a mask, but long hair fell from around it and he had a gauntlet with a long claw on it. Erron and Kollector stood their ground as the two came forward, but then stopped. They glanced at each other before looking back to them.
"Hey!" Balrog called "What are you two punks doing here?"
"On the trail." Erron replied "Same as you."
"Yeah, whatever." Balrog said dismissively "You two punks see anyone by the name of Ermac?"
"Ermac." Erron repeated, surprised to hear a familiar name at first and wondering what they'd want with him "Yeah, I know him." he paused "But you won't find him here." he said looking around at wherever the hell this place was supposed to be. The dinosaurs continued on as they four of them stayed still.
"If he ain't here, then where's he supposed to be?" Balrog grumbled.
"Last I saw him he was in Outworld." Erron answered turning back to them.
"Outworld hmm?" Vega pondered "Where is that in all of this I wonder?"
"Sure as hell ain't here." Balrog said.
"No." Vega agreed "It is not." They could not see his face but they couldn't help but feel him staring at them beneath that mask with eyes filled with killing intent. One that he soon voiced "But before we go the question remains of what to do with you two." he stepped up swiping his claw.
"With us two?" Kollector repeated.
"Of course." Vega said "You are too ugly to live regardless. The realms are filled with disgusting creatures it seems." Kollector snarled at him.
"Yet you are the one who hides your face."
"To protect my beauty from the ugliness of this world." Vega replied. But Kollector had just the thing in mind for him now.
"Then perhaps I should take that face if it is so valuable." Kollector said rattling his four arms.
"We don't have time for low bit punks like you." Balrog barked stepping up to be alongside Vega again "So tell ya what. Just give us what you got, and we'll let you slide." he waved off with a gloves hand.
"You are Kollectors yourselves then." he concluded.
"We'll be the end of you if you don't beat it." Balrog pounded his gloves together. It was now that Erron stepped forward.
"Well we can't have that now can we?" he said. "You might want us gone, but you don't have to worry about that, we'll be out of here soon enough." he admitted, his small eyes from under his hand and above his mask shifting between the two "Not because of anything you two do though." he paused "So the question is what'll become of you two." he said looking to each of them "We can't let you leave. You see Ermac's my target and all the souls he possesses are gonna be his." he said speaking up for Kollector who took a step forward himself to be alongside Erron "So you two can't have him. So what should we do with you?" He asked.
"Let's konsult the khart." Kollector advised.
Erron did just that as Kollector's arms pulled out not one but two Wanted posters unraveling them at both ends. And looking over we're the two men in them.
"Well that's one for sure." he said looking to Balrog. He then glanced at the other. It showed the masked man right beside him. "Let's see what we're really dealing with." Erron said aloud as Kollector turned Vega's poster over to reveal just like with Mileena, the face beneath the mask "And there it is." Erron concluded.
"That image does nothing but insult my true beauty." Vega declared.
"Don't really care for your beauty." Erron said sliding his gun out of the holster halfway, eyeing both of them again. "But the numbers beneath it sure are beautiful."
"You cannot put a price on my beauty."
"Well whatever it is and whatever you are," Erron began "Kings, generals or even bounty hunters yourselves. If you're after Ermac you might as well be him. Because you won't get through us."
"Bounty Hunter?" Vega repeated "Such a lowly profession." scorned them.
"No different than an assassin or hired gun." Erron said before looking to Balrog "Bison's supposed to pay you a lot to be his bodyguard. Let's see if that's worth it."
"Man I'm tired of these punks." Balrog said "Let's just get rid of em!"
Both moved to charge them so Erron quickly drew his pistol. But found he was not the only one to do so. For right alongside him and just as quickly, Kollector switched the posters out for guns. Two revolvers in his right hands as his left ones held a rifle.
Erron paused slightly, eyeing the strange sight beside him. And wondering where the hell he kept all of that stuff. But wherever he pulled it from, whether from his chest, out of a hat like a rabbit or out of his ass for all he cared it meant they had them right where they wanted them. The two who charged them screeched to a halt as they were up against the firing squad.
With them right where they wanted them Erron eyed Kollector out of the corner of his eye.
"You still wanna make a bet?" Erron asked keeping his eyes on the two before him, but speaking to Kollector "Who'll win this fight."
Grinning Kollector answered "That's a wager even I would make."
"Bet those masks and gloves it'll be us." Erron proposed, using items he knew Kollector would want to stake his claim.
"I'll put the bounties on them that it will be." Kollector agreed, using money. as Erron's reward
Suddenly the two fired, but Balrog and Vega evaded the gunfire and were right on top of them. The Battle began along the length of the wall, as the Tyrannosaurus continued to battle alongside them.
Eliza and Mary Fight Your Rival! Dead Pool
The path they were on winded downward, getting narrower and darker the further they went on. Through cities, ruins, forest and jungles they've been so far, but now they found it finally opened up to come to a pathway. One that had green liquid on both sides, spikes growing out of them and meat hooks handing from the rafters.
The bubbling of acid made them feel squeamish, but given all they had seen and encountered so far, they weren't exactly surprised by it. If they thought the Mad Gear was hard, these guys went harder.
"Damn." Mary let out "I was hoping this would be a sauna. I could really use a break from all the walking and kicking." she said stopping to stretch her legs. She really hadn't lost any of her fighting prowess, Eliza was happy to see that. Eliza was ahead of her by only a few steps, but as Mary looked down to her feet she continued to look around.
"I wouldn't want to sit in this." Eliza said gazing down at the bubbling green sludge on each side of the small path. But also noticed the metal hooks chains and hooks hanging from the ceiling. The hooks were stained red. "It ain't Kapukon Yu, that's for sure." Mary came back up to her full height. And when she did she noticed more of the room, and how narrow the path they stood on was.
"You think they'd put up a guard rail." she said looking around herself and noticing how close they were to the acid "This is pretty dangerous." she said not realizing that was the point.
"I think that's the way whoever made this place likes it." Eliza concluded. Seeing how you could hardly fit two people side by side on the path to the other side, it made them feel like they were in danger all the time. So the sooner they were through it the better.
"Then you'd fit right in." Mary teased behind her. Eliza turned around glaring at her, but Mary just leaned over at her hips and stuck her tongue out, almost forgetting the acid flanking them on both sides and what where one trip could leave them.
"Please," Eliza scoffed turning to her fully "you're the one in matching green. With nice puke colored boots." she said taking a jab at the tall green boots Mary wore.
"Blah!" Mary gagged. Eliza chuckled at her response. But something made them stop short of their gagging and chuckling. It was a voice, but not one that came from either one of them. In fact it was a totally new voice, and another that spoke to it.
The two stopped and turned their heads towards it. Eliza looked back over her shoulder as Mary looked past her, down the narrow stone path and the acid on each side. But there was a doorway shrouded in shadow just like the one they entered to get into this pathway. It was here where two voices echoed out to them, not calling to them or threatening them like so many others had done. Instead, they sounded as if they were in conversation with themselves.
"Careful. I wouldn't fill my canteen with that." one voice warned. It was low and rugged.
"For how much money would you?" another asked in a voice, this one more slimy and creepy that the other low gruff one.
"How much you givin'?" asked the first in reply.
A shadow of two shapes could be seen before they emerged. One was clearly of a man, ripped right out of the old west. He had a cowboy hat, boots with spurs, a poncho that hung over his shoulders revealing nothing but belts and bullets wrapped around his waist and torso. His hands rested on his belt and they could see between the mask and hat, two eyes looking to his side and down at who was beside him.
Whatever the hell that was supposed to be.
A crouched, lanky creature. Hunched lower than the other with its head stooped forward under a blue hood with beady red eyes shining beneath it. Yet four arms sprouted from its's gargoyle like body; two raised up and two lower to the ground. And a great weight on his back in the form of a heavy chest.
The two's conversation stopped as they had the same realization Eliza and Mary had. That they had come to a narrow path flanked by acid. And that you could only cross two at a time and not very comfortably. And right now someone was in their way.
But despite that realization they did not seem as lost as Eliza and Mary were, because they at least seemed to know where they were.
"How the hell did we end up back in Outworld?" the blue one asked. It sounded like they were lost or had no idea where they were going.
"Maybe it's for the best." The cowboy said, his voice muffled through the mask "It means we can get to Ermac first."
"Not without others in our way." the blue creature said shiftily as he nodded off ahead. There for the first time they took notice of the two women who had been watching them. The creature seemed to sneer while the cowboy seemed more relaxed.
He rested his hands on his belt. But raised a hand to his hat to tip it.
"Ladies." he said politely as he did.
"Ohh." Eliza swooned a bit "Finally, we meet a gentleman on the road."
"A long one I bet. Just like ours." Erron Black said slowly.
"And what are you looking for on a road like this?" she pointed to the path that they shared.
His eyes followed to where she pointed before answering "Only the best." he said dryly as his eyes focused back on her.
"Then it makes sense you'd meet us." Eliza said confidently.
"And what is your..." Mary spoke up but then paused looking to the Kollector who starred blankly to them "Dog doing with you?"
Kollector's head turned up to Erron "Is she referring to me?"
"He's a Kollector. Named for his profession." Erron nodded to him answering Mary.
"...Charming..." Mary said when she had nothing else to say. But looking at him made her stomach churn. "What's he kollect?"
"Ain't that the million dollar question." Erron answered "And I hope it's worth that much."
"Maybe our paths were destined to cross." Eliza spoke up "Like some Star Crossed lovers or something." she said hopefully.
"Maybe they were." Erron said shrugging slightly "Well, let me see if I know who you are." he turned his head over to the blue creature who with many arms unravel the papers "Ah." he let out and turned to the two "Eliza and Mary." he pointed from one to the other.
"So you've heard of me." Eliza said flattered "You were looking for me."
"For us." Mary said warily.
"That I am." Erron said and at this point the Kollector turned so they would see the papers he was holding. There was their names and faces. With big letters above it reading 'WANTED' and beneath the picture a dollar amount.
"So that's what you're after." Mary realized.
"I thought I'd be worth more." Eliza shouted.
"That it is." Erron answered, and he took a step forward taking his gun out. "So, how'd you want to come. I'd hate to ruin a pretty face."
"Because I'm so stunning." Eliza stated and asked.
"Because I need you recognizable." Erron replied.
"Oh." Eliza pouted "And you were doing so well." she put up her fists and knives with them. Mary then came to her side.
"You freaks aren't gonna push us around." she said before slipping and almost falling off the side of the path if Eliza hadn't caught her.
Kollector chuckled "You had better watch your feet more than your mouth or else you'll be pushed yourself."
"You're already pushing your luck with us." Erron said.
"Test your luck against ours. We'll be the best bounty you bring in." Eliza smirked. "If you can."
"That's what I'm counting on." Erron stated before Eliza turned to Kollector.
"If you're named after your title. Then I wonder what I would be?" Eliza wondered aloud "I've had a a lot of talents." she said confidently. Though in actuality she only chased fads.
"You would be Whore!" Kollector spat "Nothing more." She snarled at him. Mary's jaw dropped taking offense as well and even Erron eyed Kollector strangely.
"Partner," he began with a sigh "You need some pointers on how to speak to a lady."
"I care not." Kollector snarled.
"You better care!" Mary snapped getting back on her feet "Cuz you're not getting us." she said putting her fists up alongside Eliza. But seeing their knives only made him chuckle again.
"Friendly advice that my associate once gave to me." Kollector said before his four arms reached back and then came back, with both on each side of his body holding onto two shotguns; one pump action and one sawed off. One of his smaller arms that held his chest that came forward. Smaller than the others and holding a small flintlock pistol "don't bring a knife to a gun fight."
"Well," Mary said steadying herself "That's another guy who rejected you. What do we do now?"
"We fight." she said determined and reflecting in each of her blades was Erron Black and Kollector.
"Fine... just watch your step."
Sub-Boss Necalli Hour of Battle! Erron Black and Kollector
The battle might have been over for them, but that doesn't mean this journey was. For starters the Tyrannosaurus on the other side of the wall continued to battle and bite at each other, though they were not their primary concern. With their backs to them now, Erron and Kollector attended to themselves as if they were never there at all.
Vega and Balrog may be gone, but there were still countless others to be found and countless bounties to collect with them. And it seemed they shared a target with those last two. Who knows who else was out there looking for the same thing as them. This calamity seemed to bring out people of all kinds. So in the meantime while they awaited their next battle and target, Erron Black and the Kollector did the best thing they could.
Prepare for the next battle.
Sliding a bullet through his fingers, it travelled up down and through them before coming back to his thumb, at which point Erron brought it down to reload his revolvers. Once both had been reloaded, he pulled out his rifle and began to fill it up with bullets. As he did that the Kollector crouched beside him pawing at numerous items in his hands.
A long chain that held a scythe seemed to be kinked and he was trying to untangle it. His other arm had a fishing line which he reeled in. Erron himself noticed it seemed to long to fit into his chest along with everything else. In fact seeing him fight by pulling countless items from it, it made his chest seem more like a bottomless pit than anything else. With a side-eye Erron watched Kollector as he untangled the chain with two hands and then try to rub away a scratch on a canister.
It was silent between the two, but behind them the Tyrannosaurus behind them continued to battle on.
"Got a lot of props in there." Erron commented breaking that silence and getting Kollector's attention "Guns, knives, bombs. A fishing pole. I even saw you throw a kitchen sink at them." he said as he loaded another bullet.
"I have many items of worth. This is well known." he responded pointedly.
"You've got a lot that comes in handy? Which is best?" he said finishing with his rifle and putting it on his back.
" 'Best' depends on the situation at hand." Kollector answered.
"Fair enough..." Erron nodded and was about to press the question. Instead, he paused before looking around the wall some more. He then stopped, his eyes narrowing on something ahead. Something appearing along the wall with them "How about now?" he asked looking ahead and putting a hand to his gun.
"Hm?" Kollector perked up to look around and with Erron. That's when he saw it himself. Rising up from the wall, though there was no ladder, but merely appearing out of the floor was something else. Something ghastly.
It rose to its full height reaching higher than Erron, before coming down to crouch becoming level with Kollector. It snuffled and snarled under long reeds of red hair. Then suddenly it shot back up reaching high and spreading his arms again as his voice echoed into the sky.
The hair parted revealing it's body and they saw a human form with streaks of red running over it's nearly naked body.
A roar was let out, one that was greater than the dinosaurs had made. Even they seemed to cower at this sone acknowledging a greater presence of a greater threat. Then he came back down to eye the two of them.
"Youuu." Necalli called and then swallowed "Haavee what I want. What I neeaaddd." he hackled and gargled.
"What is this thing?" Kollector asked Erron but both kept looking at it.
"Was about to ask you the same." Erron asked pulling his gun out slightly. "What's that?" he called focusing on Necalli.
"Souullss." Necalli grumbled.
"Ah." Kollector exclaimed as it he seemed to know already. Reaching back his arm pulled out a golden lantern though it was sealed off with only a skull emblem on it "Kome for King Jerrod have you?" he chuckled evilly.
"Soulss is what I was promised. But you twwwoo. You wish to take the for yourselff. But they are all mine!"
"Ah!" Kollector exclaimed seeming coming a different conclusion now "You are a Kollector yourself." he concluded.
"Guess the bounties he's after don't pay in money."
"They are paid with your life!" Necalli roared again "Aaaaunnndd it is forfeit to me!"
"That's the thing about bounties," Erron began as he pulled his gun out all the way. Beside him Kollector picked up his scythe, holding the blade with one hand and the chain with two while the fourth and final held the canister of King Jerrod's soul "You can't just fine em and ask em to come nicely. You gotta fight for it."
"I shall take you both! I will eat you two whole!" Necalli ruptured before charging them.
Sub-Boss Necalli Hour of Battle! Eliza and Mary
Another battle was over and this one was fortune enough to clear the way for them. By the time it was over Eliza and Mary had arrived on the opposite end of the Acid Pit while Erron Black and Kollector were on the other. Despite both duos having reached the other side, they were all ready to continue on their separate ways wherever that lead them. But there was one more obstacle the two of them would have to face first.
Kollector raised a hand to his ear and listened "You hear that?" he asked. Beside him, Erron titled his head to listen himself and then answered.
"Yep." he let out before turning "Let's get out of here." he suggested before holstering his pistol and tipping his hat one last time to the two women "Ladies." he nodded. The two turned their backs on the two women disappearing into the tunnel that brought the two of them into the acid pit. Mary and Eliza watched them go from the other end. Having made it to the other side was one thing, but they waited to see the other two leave.
"Oh." Eliza pouted as Erron retreated from her view "Another one got away."
"What?" Mary asked "The little goblin thing? You need a lot of hands to serve you that's for sure."
"Shut up." Eliza snapped.
"Besides," Mary continued "He may have been ugly under the mask."
"Then he'd keep it on." Eliza replied. He wasn't the only masked fighter they came across after all.
"But what do you think they heard?" she asked as she stretched "That made them want to leave."
"The sound of defeat." Eliza said confidently "Or maybe they just realized that since we each got to the other side of the walkway and out of each others way there was no point." she suggested an alternative.
"I dunno." Mary shrugged "It seemed more like-"
Suddenly a voice broke out from the dark doorway behind them. A low shrill voice spoke and with it seemed to come a cold wind rushed up from behind them, chilling them into place making them shiver.
"Soullss." his hissed to them, in a voice like bubbling water to match the acid around them.
Shocked and turning around they looked to the dark doorway. There they saw creeping out from the darkness like it was coming out of their nightmares and to life, some monstrosity. Whatever fright the Kollector instilled in them with his mere presence couldn't match this thing.
Bloody red instead of muddled blue, with an intensity and wildness to him that only a rapid animal could match. He came out from the shadows creeping towards them snarling like a dog in a junkyard with no chain to contain him.
Quickly Eliza and Mary put their hands and knives up.
"What is this thing?" Eliza shrieked.
"I was gonna ask you!" Mary exclaimed "It's disgusting!' she gagged "When's the last time you think it showered?"
"I-" Necalli called out to answer, one that caused the two to flinch and step back from. "Have come for youuu." his voice began to rise like bubbling water.
"US?!" Eliza repeated "Another one?!" she exclaimed though this one was far from boyfriend material.
"What could we have that you want?" Mary asked.
"Souuullss." Necalli gritted his teeth, shaking the two women more.
"Man, and I thought we got enough freaks already." Eliza said.
"Well look on the brought side." Mary leaned over to her "If he's come for you that means he wants to be your boyfriend."
"Blah!" Eliza gagged "Definitely not my type. But he's definitely gotta get the hell out of here and out of our way."
"Maybe a bath would do him goo." Mary said "Right in there." she pointed off to the acid on both sides.
"A one way trip." Eliza answered as she flipped her knives and Mary planted her feet.
"You speaaak." Necalli hacked "Only of your impending death." he shouted his voice rising like steam before erupting and the he lunged at them and another battle was taking place on the narrow pathway.
Erron Black and Kollector Ending
Having traded a dinosaur research facility for the Acid pit of Outworld, along with a few road bumps and fights in between and since then, it seems the two of them had stumbled down into a deep dank cave; an old and abandoned mining operation.
Deserted carts remained stationary on the tracks, while others were piled up at the end of them. Countless dark tunnels were around them on different levels of the cave. Some had tracks leading into them to be swallowed in darkness while others had discarded pickaxes and shovels. Needless to say whatever value there was in this place, gold gems or anything else it was long gone.
"Well," Erron sighed his voice echoing into a nearby tunnel "Ain't nothing for us here."
"It would seem not." Kollector agreed.
"Then let's get moving before we get stuck in here." Erron said, and they began to move through the tunnels. The sound of dirt under his boots shifted as the Kollectors steps fell with flat clawed feet. Erron looked over to him again, once again eyeing the chest which his two smaller arms from his back held on to. It seemed that whatever the situation, whatever the occasion he had something in that chest. Something worthwhile. Something valuable. With what was no less than a literal treasure chest on his back, Erron's interest was more than piqued.
"You know you never answered me." he said, his dry voice travelling father down the empty tunnel they passed.
"Eh?" Kollector turned his head up to him "What's that?"
"Your chest." Erron said more directly this time "What's in it?"
"Ah." Kollector raised a hand and chuckled "You've asked me of several things. You've asked both strangest, best, and greatest." Kollector said raising a finger for each one "And those are all different things."
"Alright." Erron shrugged as they walked "So which is which?"
"You've asked for strangest first." Kollector purred and then his two higher arms reached back into the chest. He flipped it open and Erron tried to peak in but saw very little, though Kollector's hands seemed to dive deep to reach down to it. He could hear them shifting through numerous items of different weights and materials. Yet soon enough they returned and all four of his hands were holding a small blue box by each corner. The arms swerved and came forward showcasing the box to Erron who came to a stop to look at it. Two hands were now on the bottom as two held the top. There was a pause as Kollector opened the box with a small key with his smaller fifth arm. Erron was half expecting a blinding light of gold or silver, but instead he just saw... clothes?
Grinning beneath his hood Kollector gauged Erron's reaction, who paused and even leaned in a bit to get a closer look. A few more moments of puzzlement and contemplating passed before he could only ask a question.
"Is that?" he began but could not finish. The Kollector nodded to him greedily. The small bit of Erron's face showed puzzlement "How'd ya manage..."
"From her own dressing room." Kollector answered "The princess wears only the finest of fabrics." Having finally got an answer for one of his questions, Erron shook his head.
"And I thought I had a strange profession, partner." he paused "That's just downright weird." But Kollector only chuckled putting his 'strangest item' away.
"You asked and I answered." he said humbly.
"Alright," Erron relented letting out a breath "How bout best or Greatest?"
"Best depends on the situation as I've said." Erron accepted that answer as Kollector paused "But Greatest is what is coveted most." he said.
Erron raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
A wider grin appeared across the Kollector's face.
"I shall show you." he said. His hands reached away into his chest and all four seemed to be at work inside it, digging deeper than they had ever gone before. Erron heard the sound of them shifting, once of again of different sounds and weights. His hands seemed to burrow deeper and deeper inside. Then he heard the sound of a key unlocking a door, the spinning of a combination lock, a special knock, and perhaps even a thumbprint scanner before finally all four hands returned, but they were pawing over each other making a ball of blue fists that returned. They started out together as a bungle of hands intertwined with boney fingers. Keeping them close to himself, they dripped down over his shoulders and back to his chest. Once again Kollector gauged Erron reaction. The puzzlement was gone form his face, replaced with his more deadpan stare.
Slowly Kollector brought his hands forward. The bundle of four hands soon split off into two, yet still he could not see what was inside. Then each of his hands opened up, blooming like a blue flower with fingers for pedals revealing inside of his palms, not one, but two items. And not just any items. Even stone kold Erron Black was astounded by what he saw.
"Are those?" he asked. Once again Kollector nodded.
"Yess." he hissed, low and guttural like Necalli.
In his right two hands was the Kamidogu of the Chaosrealm. A small orange talisman that was like a hook, but with more of curve to it's edge. In the other was the Kamidogu of Edenia; home to Kitana. It was circular where the other was curved, split between like the ying-yang simple, though instead of it being black one side was yellow. And here was the Kollector with two of them.
"I'll be damned." Erron gasped in awe "Two of em. How'd you come by this?"
"I always look for the most worthwhile items." Kollector chuckled greedily, sure of himself.
"I see." Erron agreed coming off his speechlessness. Though in the back of his mind he wondered if he snatched that Kamidogu the same time he was in Kitana's room grabbing his 'strangest' item.
"That answers your question then." Kollector said as his hands closed back up and he moved then to return these items to the chest on his back. He turned his head to watch his Greatest items leave him.
"It does. But now I wonder what you'll do with them."
"Hoard them for myself." he answered looking away.
"You can do better."
"It's for me to decide is it not?"
"Especially when you could do worse." Puzzled by that now Kollector turned his head back.
"What do-" Kollector was cut off for when he turned around he saw Erron Black's gun pointed right at his face. Only this time, he had no knives in his to defend himself with. His eyes widened, and a bead of sweat went down his bare face as he looked down the sights of the pistol. "What are you-"
"-You see that's the thing." Erron began cutting him off again "Everyone we met. They had a bounty. And I started this journey with the aim to kollect on it. And if you're here with not one, but two of those things." he nodded off to the chest on Kollectors back "Well then you might just be worth more than all of them."
"A fine prize I make then." Kollector grinned.
"That you are." Erron agreed "Quite the bounty too."
"So you'll take me in?" Erron nodded "With what bullets I wonder?" he asked and then brought not just four, but five of his hands out. In each one of them were not just spare bullets, but even a bandolier. Erron's eyes widened, and he pulled back on his pistol.
But not a shot fired. On the other end of the barrel, the Kollectors grin widened evilly.
"You thought you were the only one planning for this?" Kollector asked. Erron's eyes widened even more now. But before he could react the Kollector threw his many arms out knocking Erron away and onto his back. His gun and hat flew away as his fall echoed into the surrounding tunnels. But right as he fell the Kollector sprang on top of him with his many hands and claws pawing, ripping and tearing at Erron's body.
Before long he rose up, blood and cloth dripping from his many hands as Erron Black lay beneath him.
"This was a bounty you could not Kollect." he said. Then one hand swiped his hood off his head as another placed Erron's hat on his bald head. Taking one last look Kollector turned his back to him, ready to leave him behind. But he found no sooner had he rid himself of Erron had he encountered not just another pair of fighters, but two of them.
Special Forces no doubt by the look of two of them. The others were... ninjas? Schoolgirls? Under the brim of his new hat, Kollector raised an eyebrow.
"Well that was disturbing." Cassie Cage commented as her Jacqui, Sakura and Ibuki shared the same expression.
"EW!" Ibuki let out "That was freaky!"
"Be gone children." Kollector snapped "You have nothing I want, and I have no time for you."
"But you have something we want." Cassie said "And that means we have all the time in the world."
Kollector chuckled "Do you now?"
"But maybe you'd be interested in these?" Jacqui asked as she held something up in her hand. Kollectors eyes widened when he saw it. The Kamidogu of the Netherrealm.
"Over here!" Ibuki called as his eyes snapped over to her. Don-chan was sitting on her shoulder, but there was something else as well. Something she was holding on to. A small square blue jewel that shined. The Kamidogu of Ordereralm.
Each of his eyes reflected the two that were before him.
"We're making a little kollection of our own." Cassie said.
"Ahhh." he let out a breath "Perhaps we can wager something," he said reaching in with his hands to pull out three items. His two higher arms stretched out to reveal the Kamidogu's in his possession and showcasing his desire for the ones they had. But in the middle he showed something else.
The Amulet of Shinnok.
"Uh? Is that on your to-do list?" Sakura asked looking to Cassie and Jacqui.
"It's the fake one." Jacqui announced.
"So no." Cassie answered.
"You have a keen eye." Kollector complimented tossing it back over his shoulder and back into the chest "What would it take for you to part with those?"
"I'm guessing it's gonna be prying those from your hands." Cassie answered.
"But I have many." Kollector said gripping the two Kamidogu's tightly and then with his other two arms pulling out a sword and a gun in each.
"We have even more." Jacqui said as she put her fists up. Beside her Cassie did the same. Ibuki crouched low beside them.
"Yeah!" Sakura shouted "With so many hands you have to be a great fighter!"
"You shall see to your detriment child." Kollector warned. Then the four of them rushed him.
Eliza and Mary Ending
The two of them had been walking on endlessly with the only break ups from the walking was the stopping to take in the sights of the new, wild, exotic and extravagant places they found themselves in. And those usually didn't last long as they usually ended up in a battle in whatever place they had come across. Mary was beginning to loose track of the number of fights they had, and Eliza had stopped counting the number of men who had turned her down(so that way the number would be smaller.). The Shaolin Monk was too pious and thinking of another woman, while the other's hat was too offensive a fashion statement for her to take seriously.
But regardless of where they went, whether some far off burning hellscape or dense jungle they found themselves in something much more familiar now. Though they couldn't help but feel like they were in prison.
The base was lightly defended but compact at the same time. They made their way through the halls undeterred but always waiting for any threat to appear out of nowhere like so many others had.
"Sooo," Mary dragged out the word and it echoed down from away from them "what are we doing here?" she asked.
"Here?" Eliza let out as if it wasn't obvious "Taking out the competition of course."
"Competition?" Mary repeated. Eliza didn't answer this time as they entered another room. Inside it was a large control panel filled with buttons, screens, and monitors. Each one looking more classified than the last. The most noticeable of them was a large metal ring with what looked to have running water inside it, only it was standing upright and contained in the ring like it was a pool.
"And here it is." Eliza grinned.
"Here what is?" Mary asked, still not convinced.
"The portal." Eliza answered "The thing we need to go anywhere and do whatever we want." Mary's eyes widened as it seemed to her that Eliza finally found the thing she needed. The answer to all her problems and Mary's as well.
"This is it? This is really going to help us?" she asked unsure.
"Of course." she answered sure of her self "Why else would we be here?" At that Mary couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm surprised you stuck with this this long. You're usually one to drop fads, not keep em." Mary joked. Eliza blew a raspberry and made a move towards the metal ring. And she would have gotten to it too, if all of a sudden someone hadn't walked out from the side of the room. A woman in a uniform and a blonde ponytail. She turned her head and seemed startled to see two other people standing there. As for Eliza and Mary, they were just as surprised.
Looking down at them from the higher level, the woman smirked "Bout time you showed up."
"Bout time?" Eliza repeated.
"I was wondering when you'd answer my call." she said as she walked down to them "Sonya Blade of the Special Forces." she introduced herself. She continued to come forward. Eliza readied herself for a fight as Mary was unsure of what to do. Especially when she passed right by Eliza and stopped towards her.
"ME?!" Mary exclaimed.
"Naturally." Sonya nodded "I got your resume right before this all started." she stopped to look back at the monitors which showed each realm back to where it belonged "Could have used you during the whole thing, but better late than never." she turned back to her "If anything we've monitored your progress on your way here."
"I didn't even know I was coming here." Mary let out "Or that I'd be getting a job." she added at the end.
"A job?" Eliza cut back in between the two "You mean you signed up for this crap? What happened to not wanting to enlist?"
"Well not with Rolento-" Mary said all of a sudden feeling interrogated by Eliza, and not Sonya who had approved of her already "I mean they have cool uniforms here." she pointed back to Sonya "And it's a step in the right direction, like with Poison, Abigail and-"
"Forget those chumps!" Eliza shouted "What happened to going anywhere and doing anything? That's why I brought us here!"
"I'm sure they'll let you join too!"
"I don't wanna join them! I got us a better spot! In something just like the Mad Gear! Only Better! The Black Dragon!" her voice getting louder until she finally erupted with the reveal of that last name. It echoed out loudly throughout the base and the mere naming of it was taboo.
Mary's eyes widened. So this is what she wanted, to go back to the old days.
Sonya however when she heard that reared her head back and laughed.
"What's so funny?" Eliza snapped over to her.
"If you wanna join them," she began "You can go join them in the cell we have them in." she pointed off down the hall.
"What?!" Eliza exclaimed.
"Took a Special Forces, Interpol, Delta Red team up to get him this time." she said raising an eyebrow to her "What do you want to do now?" she smirked.
"We'll join!" Mary cut in happily.
"What?!" Eliza exclaimed to her now.
"This is our chance." Mary said to her " We can turn ourself around, just like everyone else in the Mad Gears. Only better!" she said excitedly. Eliza turned her head up to Mary looking like she was about to throw up. She glared at Mary before looking to a smug Sonya.
"Tsch." Eliza scoffed "And you say I'm one for fads? You went to the first people who'd right you a check. Hell no I don't want this I'm out!" she said pushing past the two women and storming out of the base.
"Eliza wait!" Mary called out to her and was about to go after her until Sonya put a hand on her shoulder.
"I wouldn't bother." she said "She's a lost cause." she then turned to look at Mary "You however have a bright future with us."
"R-really?" she asked shakily not believing it.
"I think so." she paused "Come on, let's go get you fitted." she nodded off down the hall she came from "You can meet the rest of the team."
Relieved as Mary was to have found more gainful employment, she felt bad that Eliza could not be here with her. She turned her head to look back down the hallway she ran down.
Far down it, Eliza had already left the base, grumbling and cursing at her prospects. It seemed now that their fates had switched. Mary was comfortable where she was, and Eliza back in the gutter and no gang to fall back on. She was the one who brought Mary here in the first place! The one who picked her up and got her a new gig. In the Black Dragon where they'd be high ranking members. But she had come all this way to find out Kano had blew those chances-which was shame because he could make a perfect boyfriend. What was she to do now? The old days of the Made Gear was gone, the new days of the Black Dragon looked like they would never happen. Eliza hung her head wondering what she would do next.
But it wasn't long before she knew what that was.
"I'll do what no one else can." Eliza said picking her head up "If there's no more Black Dragon.. I'll remake it. And I will lead it." she said grinning. Then the Special Forces will really have something to worry about.
Suddenly everything didn't seem so bad to her now.