Chapter 21 - Black Wolves & Blue Summers

Previously, after arriving in Ripmela, Vash and company investigated a Plant theft. Vash found Lobo standing around a pile of bloody corpses. Although Lobo denied his involvement, that didn't stop the intergalactic bounty hunter from taking on a $$60 billion bounty head.

Now, after Vash successfully aided the damaged Plant, they return to Wolfwood and the incapacitated Lobo. Only to find one missing and another foe intervening. Elsewhere Meryl, Milly, and Clark almost get caught by the sandsteamer crew while in the Plant room. A whole new perspective on Plantkind takes root in our trio's minds.

—L&P—

The vision ended as Meryl and the Plant pulled away from the glass. The Plant exchanged no words, but somehow, Meryl sensed the Plant's shared curiosity and compassion for the human who helped her brother.

"H-how did you see what she saw?" Meryl asked, not expecting an answer.

The Plant merely tilted her head, like a puppy would do when trying to understand its owner. She blinked her eyes slowly, and to Meryl, they seemed to droop sleepily.

She glanced one last time at Clark and Milly before floating back up to the tank's center and wrapping herself back up.

The awe-inspiring spectacle ended abruptly as Clark whipped his head towards the door. His words were hushed and rushed as he said, "Uh, ladies? Sorry to ruin the moment. But, we're about to have company!"

—

Meryl and Milly froze for half a second in panic. Meryl's brain-to-mouth ability might not have worked at that moment, but the curses went flying through her head.

"Banana sundae with extra FUDGE!" somehow made it past her lips as she immediately dropped to her knees to scoop up the scattered papers. Milly followed not a second after.

Ugh, I just had to use the Plant room for storytime. Smart, Stryfe, real smart!

But before Meryl could even grab more than two sheets, Clark bent down and pulled her and Milly up by their upper arms. Meryl made startled, unladylike sounds of protest, Milly the most innocent, girlish of eeps.

Clark cut Meryl off from any coherent objection. "No time! You two hide." He caught her eye and nodded his head sharply to the side. "I'll get the papers."

Milly opened her mouth again, about to argue, but Meryl got the hint and grabbed her friend's sleeve. "C'mon, Milly." She tugged her friend over to the railing along the narrow platform.

Just below the raised walkway, a wide ring-like support beam circled the entire room. And was conveniently positioned just a few feelz below. Meryl leaned against the railing, hopped up, and swung herself over as if she'd overshot mounting a Thomas. Keeping her grip on the railing, she twisted around and slid down the vertical rails. Her feet didn't reach the lower ring, but she let herself drop down.

Meryl ducked partially under the clearance between the lower support ring and the walkway above. Enough for her to still peek up and urge Milly to hurry.

Milly gulped, hesitating for a moment, but then easily stepped one long leg over the railing at a time. With her heels on the sliver of the platform, she carefully turned around and lowered herself down. Meryl raised her arms to spot her friend, but luckily the newbie didn't really need it.

Milly crouched and joined her. The space wasn't all that much for the taller woman, but it would have to do.

Above them, Meryl could hear breezy whooshing noises that seemed out of place.

Just as the door to the Plant chamber swung open and new voices flowed into the room from the hall, Clark also dropped down. He had to practically crawl over to their hiding spot to squeeze in. To Meryl's relief, in his hand he held the folder stuffed with her articles and notes.

Three or so crewmen stomped in a hurry towards the Plant's tank. The vibrations of their bootsteps made Meryl's teeth rattle, but she bit her gloved fist, determined to stay silent.

"Huh? Plant seems fine to me," a gruff, deep voice said.

"Whadda the readings say now, chief?" a second man drawled.

A few soft tapping sounds.

"It appears the power spike is over," a third man said, his voice sounding younger yet more authoritative. "Energy levels are dropping back into normal parameters. Whatever just happened, it doesn't seem to have caused any damage."

"Whew. Dat's a relief," the second voice.

"Right? Captain keeps sayin' we need ta keep a Plant Engineer onboard. Ever since that freak accident on the Humpback a few years back," the first gruff-voiced man said.

"What? You think the port authority has a hundred spare engineers in their back pocket?" the chief scoffed.

"S'pose not…"

"Anyway, it looks like the Plant is back to normal. Just keep a closer eye on it. I must return to the engine room, but alert me the minute anything goes off-spec. "

Footsteps headed toward the room's entrance.

"Aye aye, sir," both men grumbled.

The pair of crewmen followed behind a minute later. As they walked, Meryl heard the tail end of their conversation.

"Man, those Plants creep me out," the drawling voice said.

"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. Power spiking willy nilly like that, it coulda blown the whole damn steamer up," said the gruff voice.

"Maybe da captain's right, though. Leave dis freaky stuff to da scientists."

"I'll stick ta mechanical engineering myself."

"Damn, straight!"

The voices began to fade out as they walked further to the exit.

Once the door was shut, Meryl, Milly, and Clark let out a collective sigh of relief. They all started to crawl out from their hiding place.

"Hmph! Those boys were raised with no sense of respect for others," Milly complained. "Oh, if only they saw how majestic and beautiful that Plant was, they'd be changing their tune real quick! Wouldn't they, Miss Meryl?"

Meryl nodded solemnly. "If only more people thought that way. I wish we all understood the Plants better…"

With Milly's help, Meryl hoisted herself up to the railing. She reached down to assist Milly as well. Meryl struggled giving a hand to the much taller woman. Luckily, once Milly grabbed the top of the railing, she was able to support her own weight.

Milly, in turn, offered a hand to Clark. He smiled and took it but seemed to have no trouble whatsoever getting back up.

With all three of them back up on the upper platform, Milly turned with another huff. She walked over to the Plant again, raising her hand to the glass. "Just because we don't know things doesn't mean we have to be scared of them. The Plants might look different from us…but I could tell. She has a heart and soul, maybe not the exact same as ours, but it's there nonetheless."

Although Milly was focused on the Plant, Meryl didn't miss the way that Clark listened and watched the young woman. He wore a look she didn't quite grasp. His eyes were vibrant and glossy, the glowing light reflected in them. His mouth briefly hung open but then formed into a wide smile.

Milly twirled around with a brilliant smile of her own, and a tear rolled down her cheek. "They do so much for us. I wish we could do something in return."

Meryl walked over and put a hand around her friend's shoulder. She leaned her head against Milly's upper arm. As she looked up at the restful form of the Plant, Meryl's eyes also caught its glowing light.

"That's what I want too, Milly. We'll find a way."

—L&P—

Lois rushed over to Vash as he dropped down to his knees in front of the Plant tank.

She and Jimmy had watched, frozen in place, as the man performed whatever kind of magic ritual to 'help' the alien-looking being. The red glow emanating from the entity shifted into a cool, soothing blue that somehow just felt right.

It didn't escape her that the strange markings on what little of Vash's skin was visible still shimmered an almost white blue. The patterns were similar if not identical to the ones covering the wings of the 'Plant', which was now curled up like a flower bud inside the tall glass tank.

Vash's breath came out heavily, and his whole body trembled as if he'd just finished running a marathon. Whatever he'd done, he'd clearly exerted himself.

Jimmy walked up beside Lois a moment later. His eyes darted back and forth, likely processing it all. They flickered to Lois, and they exchanged a brief glance.

Despite having pulled out his camera at some point, Lois hadn't seen Jimmy take a single photo since Vash approached the tank. For Lois, it wouldn't have felt right, so she was glad he'd shown restraint for once.

Lois kneeled next to Vash. She reached out a hand to touch his shoulder but hesitated, letting it linger in the space between them.

It took a minute before Vash seemed to recognize her presence next to him. His gaze flitted to hers, but he quickly looked away. Instead, he glanced at her outstretched hand.

Even within his eyes, Lois noticed the geometric lines shone in that whitish blue, making his face seem much darker in contrast.

"Hey, you're okay. The Plant thing… er, person? is okay. You helped them," she whispered.

Vash exhaled raggedly when she spoke and leaned forward ever so slightly. It looked like he was about to pass out and fall over. Since he didn't make a move to stop her, Lois placed her hand on his left shoulder.

Vash sagged at the contact, closing his eyes and letting some of his weight shift against her. The glowing, weaving lines on his face and hands began to dull, eventually disappearing altogether.

"You sure you're okay, man?" Jimmy asked after a beat. "You sure don't look that great. I think you could use a drink. I could use a drink."

Vash coughed out a single laugh in response. "Y-yeah. I could use that drink," he said, his voice weak but tinged with relief.

Out of nowhere, Vash snapped his head down to the floor covered in the leaked fluid from the tank, then towards them.

"You two need to get out of here quickly! It's not safe here anymore." Vash rushed to stand but stumbled.

"Okay! Hold on, we gotcha, pal!" Jimmy stepped over to the taller man's right side, and he and Lois helped Vash to stand.

Vash practically jogged to lead them out of the chamber.

"Woah, what's the rush?" Lois asked. Now that the Plant was cured and the alien guy was taken care of, the danger was passed, wasn't it?

"The Plant tank solution...a biohazard. Long-term exposure…" Vash huffed, short of breath. The three took another couple of steps toward the room's exit. "…can cause radiation poisoning… to humans."

"What?!" Jimmy cried. "Oh, man, what if I turn into a talking gorilla like Mallah? Or a Mothman?"

"Jimmy! Not the time or place!" Lois said, shooting him an aggravated stink eye.

"Should be fine. The tank leak wasn't severe. Exposure was negligible." Vash swung a smile to both, steadily regaining his strength.

Vash's smile wasn't at all convincing, but he sure knew more than them. Jimmy didn't look reassured by his deep frown. Lois sighed. She'd have to take Vash's word for it.

By the time they crossed the threshold, Vash was able to walk steadily without their support. And he'd finally caught his breath.

"What about Wolfy and that, uh, guy he… sliced in half…?" Lois asked.

Vash snorted. "Wolfy?" he said under his breath. "I suppose we should go make sure they didn't kill each other."

—T&J—

Clark took charge of navigating their newshound pack back to their cabins.

They'd gotten lucky on the way down, but heading up proved a challenge. And as much as Clark secretly enjoyed being dragged around by his thumbs, his unique talents made taking the lead a good idea. Having superhearing came in handy to keep them from getting caught. Especially with the crew patrolling on high alert due to the Plant's apparent power surge.

Clark felt disoriented at first, fleeing the dark belly of the ship into the almost blindingly well-lit passenger areas. He rubbed his eyes and saw spots.

It seemed the reporter trio had spent hours down in the Plant room. In a habitual motion, he went to check the time on his watch but remembered he didn't have one. He guessed it was well past midnight.

Meryl and Milly yawned the whole way back, not even bothering to muffle themselves once they were in the clear. And once they didn't have to sneak anymore, the exhaustion of the day began creeping in. Their pace slowed with each floor they climbed.

None of them had much to say. There was a lot to process: Meryl's discoveries on the lost knowledge of the Plants, the true story and innocence of the Humanoid Typhoon, the secrets and machinations of their cities' governments and religious authorities, and so much more.

Clark insisted on walking the reporter women to their rooms. He'd feel better ensuring they returned safely. Meryl tried to give a half-hearted protest, but when Milly accepted gratefully, Meryl just huffed and said fine, she'd allow it.

Wishing them a good night, Clark headed to his tiny coat closet of a stateroom. A second look inside had him feeling caged in again, the phantom sensation of unmovable restraints curled around his neck and limbs and the dim lighting prickled his skin.

With a big mental nope, he shut the door without setting a foot inside and headed… anywhere else.

Craving some fresh air, his feet led him up to the exterior deck. Clark closed his eyes, breathed in deeply, and then held it. Another step onto the top deck and the next breath hitched as the morning sky painted in fairytale pastel colors came into view.

Clearly well past midnight if it was already dawn.

Welp. It was a good thing he was used to pulling all-nighters. Between busy farming seasons as a teen, studying for college finals, and now moonlighting as Superman, he was practically a pro.

He carefully leaned against the metal railing. The cool, summer wind tousled his bangs.

The sliver of sunlight tinted the endless expanse of sand in a pinkish-purple hue. He stared blankly at the landscape as other images crossed his mind. The jigsaw pieces of this No Man's Land started to fit together.

A connection brewed between Clark and a person he, strangely, hadn't even met. Meryl had unintentionally seen that connection before she even knew for sure of his alienness. But it wasn't even so much the shared inhumanness between Clark and the man called Vash the Stampede she'd noticed. Just the opposite.

It was their secrets and fears kept close to their chests, yet their hopes and hearts worn on their sleeves. Their struggles to find a place for themselves in worlds they didn't seem to quite fit. They were square, alien pegs trying to fit into round, human holes. (He groaned and blushed, knowing Lois would tease him for that phrasing.)

But that's not what Lois and Jimmy and Meryl and Milly all saw. They saw the parts of their alien friends that were no less human than anyone else. And that Clark and Vash were special and wonderful just the way they were. Weird powers, endearing quirks, and trouble magnetism not excluded. All of it.

Gosh, if he couldn't hear Lois chiding him now. Something about handsome Kryptonians? He could hear her rampaging about, yelling, 'Where's Clark?' or 'Where's Superman?' and idle threats if he's been hurt.

Clark chuckled at her voice that he imagined. He shook his head. He must be more tired than he thought. But hearing her, angry rant and everything, calmed his racing thoughts. He yawned and stretched. His eyelids drooped.

Clark sighed and made his way grudgingly back to his itty-bitty cabin.

Maybe I can get some shut-eye after all.

—T&J—

Outside the Plant facility, Vash and the two Earthlings retraced their steps back to where they'd left Wolfwood and Lobo.

When they turned onto the right street, Vash's heart skipped a few beats. He mustered enough strength to sprint over to Wolfwood.

Behind him, Lois and Jim gasped at the sight and ran over too.

The undertaker was sprawled out on the pavement, limbs contorted into unnatural angles, eyes squeezed shut, and jaw locked tight.

"Wolfwood!" Vash cried and crouched down. His eyes traveled over his friend, thoughts spiraling on how to help.

Wolfwood's frame twitched. "L-Lega–to," he struggled to say. Something in him snapped audibly and he shouted and writhed in pain.

Vash's eyes went wide and his head snapped up. He swept his gaze around the supposedly empty streets and to the roofs of the buildings nearby.

The darkened pool of blood over to the side was missing its owner. Only what remained of Lobo's bottom half was left and slowly decomposing.

Vash stood up abruptly and unholstered his revolver. He sidestepped over to the kids and used his larger frame to cover them from any sudden attack.

"Show yourself!" Vash called out.

"I see the Punisher's devotion is still divided. A pity, Priest William had such high hopes for him." The voice came from directly behind Vash.

Vash whipped around, jumping between Lois and Jim and pushed them behind him. His revolver remained aimed as steady as bedrock despite his nerves shaking like an earthquake.

The man Wolfwood called Legato stood before them. One of Knive's misguided followers.

His cerulean blue hair framed his angular face. A complete lack of tension in Legato's expression only made Vash's guts twist even more. He dressed in a mostly pure white outfit. His unzipped jacket revealed a lean yet muscular build. The decorative teal shoulder guard caught Vash's eye. The glassy, translucent material bore a striking resemblance to his old prosthesis.

"Did Knives send you?" Vash hissed.

Legato merely smirked. His blue bangs fell over his eyes. "I was eager to deliver your reckoning, Fallen One. However, my Master will be delighted to know I've captured the alien Sinner responsible for stealing your angel kin. Perhaps I shall savor bestowing your punishment another day."

Legato's gaze rolled over to rest on Wolfwood's crumpled body. "Punishing the Punisher was also an unexpected delight."

Vash grit his teeth. "Make it stop! You've made your point. You want me, don't you? Leave Wolfwood alone!"

"As you command, Fallen One." The blue-haired man mocked a bow and then flicked his wrist, fingers spayed.

Wolfwood groaned and collapsed in a boneless heap. Out of the corner of his eye, Vash saw Lois step slowly over to Wolfwood's side and take a knee.

Legato turned on his heel and began to walk away.

Vash's finger lingered on the trigger. He refused to take his eyes off the cultist. Not that Vash could bring himself to shoot unless the other man forced his hand.

Vash was about to lower his gun, but Legato stopped and glanced back over his shoulder.

"Oh, and Punisher?" Legato's accompanying smirk made Vash grimace. Wolfwood could barely lift his head. "I'll give Double Fang your regards."

Wolfwood cried out, the sound of a cornered, beaten animal, and tried to sit up. The sudden movement had him rolling on the ground in agony and gasping to catch his breath.

Vash wasn't sure who Legato was referring to. But flashes of a silver-haired man wielding two cross-shaped weapons appeared in his mind. Of the silver-haired man and Wolfwood exchanging bullets and blows. A man groaning and grasping his head. A gunshot ringing out. Blood. Falling overboard into the depths of a sea of sand.

Lois, who had dropped to her knees beside the flailing Wolfwood, flinched back. One of Wolfwood's serum vials almost flung out of her hand. She recovered and then attempted to push him back down, struggling against the larger, stronger man.

"I'll k-kill you, y-you freak!" Wolfwood shouted between gasps.

Vash knew he meant it too.

Legato huffed a disbelieving laugh. "You can try." He swiped his hand in the air as he resumed walking away. "Until next time."

—L&P—

AN:

MAWS fans (18+), there's a new Discord server Char made! I'll be streaming season 2 episodes on Saturdays at midnight EST as they air live, so if there for anyone who wants to watch, join us there! Server name: My Adventures with Discord (PM for invite if needed!)

Thanks as always for following along! Please review to let me know how you're enjoying the fic, what you liked, or what you'd like to see in future chapters! I appreciate every favorite and follow too!

Next Chapter 22: Living & Longing

Wolfwood suffers the aftereffects of Legato's torture and the taunt of Livio's fate. Clark's past also tries to reach out to him, but the timing is never quite right. Vash takes a moment of reprieve, but foreboding, dark clouds hang above Ripmela.

Feel free to follow me crimson-amarone on Tumblr or crimsonamarone on X. Always excited to connect with other fans!

Also, an open invite to a few Discord servers I frequent: Trigun (18+) MusEq Meg's Trigun Hole My Adventures With Superman Fanfiction Social Connect