I was prepping up the coffee machine for myself and the store as we were getting ready for business. I sip on some coffee before serving it for Rubin and Jane Doe.
"So you have information on Perlman..?" I sip on my coffee as I glanced at them.
"Of course! What kind of business do you think I run here if i didn't~?" Rubin giggles, "Best way to get around the Outer Ring is to get a connection to the Sons of Calydon."
"The...what??? I never heard of that group before..." Bunny said.
Jane booped her nose with her tail, "It's a motorbike gang. They deliver and transport goods all over the outer ring. Very important information to know~" Bunny huffs and smacks her tail away, making Jane giggle.
"Even so how are we supposed to get a connection like that...?" Spot sighs as he thinks of some people.
"Actually...I think Billy used to live in the outer ring. I can ask him for some help..." I say.
Rubin giggles, "Ah yes. Of COURSE he would tell you. Might as well say you've found your connection already. Oh but be a dear and be careful not to overheat the boy's mechanical components or else he'll explode~ See? I'm a good business partner who cares~!"
Jane giggles and kisses her cheek, "As always love~"
"Ew- not in our shop-" Bunny spritzes them with a spray bottle.
Spot sighs, "Well...should we head out then? Whenever you're ready..."
Guess we had a new adventure on our hands! After discussing with Billy, we set off to the outer ring! Bunny, me, and Billy went on the truck Billy brought. I was in the passenger seat as he drove.
"Ok when I asked about you knowing the outer ring in general, I did NOT think you actually WERE in the Sons of Calydon themselves..." I said as we were on the road.
Billy laughs, "Heh yeah. Been with them for a LONG time before coming to New Eridu! Plus I don't mind showing you around! If it's gonna help...but I'll admit I'm just excited to show you guys off too!"
"Really? How come?" I tilt my head.
"I uh..." His fingers drummed on the steering wheel, "Just...excited for ALL my pals to meet! Yeah! Something like that..."
Bunny sighs, "Seriously? You guys gonna start this now? In front of us too..."
"HEY-! Don't start messing around dammit! Seriously have SOME kind of mercy on me will yah...?" I muttered that last part.
"Eh m-maybe we should just drop it for now! ...huh? What's that up the road...?" Billy spotted a woman up the road...?
I look out the front too. And my heart sank. That woman...Is that Asil herself?! "Shit...! Drive back now! Reverse-!!!"
But it was too late. Asil pulled out her ring blades and sliced down at the road before us. The land started to slip before the car fell into a hollow. Asil unsheathed her blades and wore it as bracelets before turning to two people.
"Lucius. Reappear. Finish the job and I will reward you accordingly. As well as a high ranking member in the Eclipse Incorporations," Asil glares down at them but mostly at Reappear, "And don't disappoint me like that pathetic brother of yours. Do you understand me?"
Reappear giggles and politely curtsied, "Oh don't worry. He always was a disappointment to the family. I'll break that girl's spirit just for embarrassing my family name. Gotta keep up appearances after all!"
Lucius chuckled, "Such a cute little lady with sadistic tendencies and a power obsessed attitude. I like you already~"
"Know your place cretin-" She immediately scoffs before they both head off together while Reappear summons her shadow like chains, "Besides focus on the old man. Just in case if she DOES manage to escape every attempt."
Lucius grinned maliciously, "Don't need to ask me twice...~"
...Where am I? I eventually woke up to feeling a stick poking my cheek. The fuck...? Ow-! That stick hurts dammit-! I sat up making the two people jump. Eh..? A kid? Wait a damn minute I know them-
"Clive...? What the hell kid...why are you in a hollow...?!" I groaned. Shit...My arm is killing me.
"Oop-! My bad! Heya auntie Lee!" Clive smiled. "Didn't recognize yah! Thought you were a goner there- I was wandering in here looking for something to do! The rest of the group been busy and whatnot so I wanted to go on an adventure! I bet I can find something SUPER cool! Like uh starlight knight merch?!"
...This kid is gonna give me an aneurysm. Billy actually took this kid in. I can see why though. Poor kid doesn't have a family. And those robotic arms...Not every family can afford that maintenance. So does that mean Billy let his old group take care of them? Huh...that guy is sweeter than I give him credit for.
"Well I'm here now and you're getting your ass home kid. No crazy stunts. Just stick behind me and I'll lead the way..." I hiss as I got up, my arm still hurting.
"That looks real painful Auntie...I mean I do appreciate it. But I can take care of myself. But hey. You take the lead and I'll support you from behind!" Clive smiles with a toothy grin.
I sigh, "...fine. I guess I can't fight that."
I let them hold my long sleeve as we walked together. Dammit...My crowbar AND gun are missing too. Is this another assassination attempt? That Asil is insane! I hope the others aren't hurt because of me...ah! I hear fighting up ahead! We run up ahead and we see Bunny and Grim fending off for themselves.
"GYAAAAAH-!!! Why is there so many monsters?!" Billy panics before Bunny high kicks yet another ethereal with her powerful legs.
"Stop complaining and focus...! AND A LITTLE HELP HERE?!" Bunny shouted at him before continuing the battle.
That's when she noticed me with Clive...and we didn't notice a sly ethereal slowly creeping up on us. Surprisingly she jumped into action, stomping down at the ethereal's core making it shatter. I look at her surprised. Sometimes I'm still in awe by her skills...it reminds me of the day we met.
"GUUUUUUYS-" Billy suddenly ran up to us, while being chased by a larger Ethereal, "WE GOT A WILD ONE-!!!"
"IDIOT DONT LEAD IT THIS WAY-!" Bunny shouted.
Billy skidded to a stop in front of us, ready to start shooting up but suddenly we hear motor bikes engines roar before flames and metal clashing took down the ethereal. We all looked up to see Caesar King and Lighter.
"Sup bro! Looks like we made it!" Caesar laughs, "Welcome back!"
"Heh well this is some family reunion. A car crash, a kid, you've been busy bro?" Lighter chuckles, "I know you've been talking about that proxy a lot but didn't expect you to move that fast."
"H-Hey it's not like that bro! Don't make it sound bad-!" Billy says quickly.
I stare at the trio for a hot minute, "Damn...that was fucking epic-"
"What was that, proxy?" Lighter smirks.
"Huh? Oh- OH- It's hot as hell! Here! Outer ring! And with all these fire powers..! Yeah..." I internally cringe at my own sudden awkwardness.
"Pffft- simp. Ah...Hey wait a minute. Lisa are you ok?! Your arm-!" Bunny squeaked.
Caesar looked shocked, "Woah she's right! It's all scratched up and bruised. Even the sleeve is all ripped up...was that from the accident? Come on. We'll patch you right up back at base!"
"Huh-? W-Wait I'll be ok! Ack-! HEY-!" I was already being dragged away despite my protests.
Bunny sighs but noticed small chains from the fallen ethereals start to vanish along within the shadows. She frowns a bit but joins the others, making a mental note of this.
"STAY STILL IDIOT-!" Lucy shouted, "You're injured!"
"LET ME CURSE THIS IDIOT OUT FOR FUCKING LETTING CLIVE BUILD A FIREWORK ARM CANNON ON HIS SYNTHETIC ARMS-!" I shouted back.
Burnice tilts her head, "Hm? Was that a bad thing? But it's sooooo awesome!"
"YES IF A KID HAS IT, YAH JACKASS-! BE MORE RESPONSIBLE-!" I huffed back.
Lighter, Billy, and Piper watched us bickering for awhile now.
"You sure know how tah pick them..." Lighter chuckles.
"Heh yeah. She's a little scary at times but her and the others are really sweet and reliable. So you guys can trust them!" Billy sighs, "She's been dying to figure out about what Perlman knows so they can do their personal investigation...It seems really important."
"Well make sure you youngins don't be pushing yourselves too much. There's only so much a person can take before they crash and burn..." Piper says with a shrug.
"Shes right yknow!" Caesar appears, "And don't worry! We actually have Perlman! He's just...kiiinda in a coma for now. Had an accident here himself. But don't worry. We'll watch over him and make sure to let you guys know when he does wake up!"
"We appreciate it! Thanks sis!" Billy was practically beaming!
"Hey...! I'm here...!" Spot ran up them. "I know I managed to contact them once I lost your signal but...I drove here as fast as i could! Is everyone ok?!"
"Don't sweat it manager! Er...well other than about Lisa injuring her arm...and Bunny having a scary look over there...," Billy gulped.
Spot looks over and sighs, "Well...It was an accident so don't worry. As for Bunny...well she is very protective over people she cares about. Especially Lisa. Her mom took her in and raised her so in a way, she feels responsible over Lisa...just give it some time. She'll probably scold her later once she's feeling better..."
Caesar laughs it off but she had a sympathetic look, "Well...maybe you guys could stick around for the tour de inferno! Maybe that can liven up the mood for everyone!"
"A-Are you sure...? We're just outsiders though..." Spot was surprised at the hospitality.
"Course yah can still enjoy it. Don't matter to us. Friend of Billy's is a friend of ours!" Piper yawned, "So now that this been sorted out...Imma take a nap." She walked off.
Eventually I get dragged over by Lucy, "T-Take this stupid lizard already...! She keeps tryna spar with the other idiot!"
"She lucky she can't catch these hands..." I huff as she plops me down next to Spot, "Oh hey Spot! Wassup?"
Spot sighs, "Lisa...pipe down? We ARE new here yknow. Be a little polite...?"
"Ah? Ohhhh right sorry my bad..." I chuckle awkwardly before noticing something. "Ah...hey where's Bunny...?"
"Oh she's right...huh? She was RIGHT there a second ago-!" Billy exclaimed.
I groan, "That girl...Im going to look for her...!"
"Woah woah woah slow down there." Lighter stopped me, "Calm it down. Let's not rush into this. With the tour de inferno going on and you not being familiar with the place, you can't just rush ahead. Especially injured. Just let us go instead..."
"No! Sorry bud but I don't play about certain things. Money, my food, my phone, or my family and friends! So I could care less about a damn injured arm!" I snarled a bit.
"Heh...fiery one aren't you? Fine. I'll compromise. We'll join you and you lead the way. Fair enough?" Lighter crosses his arms.
"...Fine." My ears lowered. Dammit. At least he'll be helpful.
"Billy can join you two as well. I will be here in case she comes back. And we'll set up the H.D.D!" Spot said.
As we all got prepared to look for Bunny, Lucy snuck off to another area. Sure enough she actually found her already. But that's the thing we didn't know...they had their own plans.
"...You really wanna confront this Reappear girl?" Lucy asked.
"I know she's the one who made those ethereals attack us. That's her ability. Those chains...to control both people and ethereal alike. Her family have a bad reputation. Not to mention her brother is Lisa's ex..." Bunny sighs, "And considering I heard another person with her and Asil and considering people keep sabotaging your group...its possible you have a mole around here like you said."
"See?! I told you! But do you know who it could be...? Me and Piper suspected Kasa..." Lucy explained. "Due to her suspicious rendezvous' at night..."
"...hmm. No. I heard a male voice...one that sounds annoying and pompous...very full of himself...," Bunny said simply.
"Ah...! Lucious! Of course it's him!" Lucy scoffs, "The nerve of him to think he could outwit ladies such as ourselves. He truly doesn't know who he's messing with!"
Bunny sighs and looks on ahead, "I'm...more worried for Lisa. That girl never wants to ask for help but she's literally in danger! I just don't get how she doesn't care!"
Lucy sighs, understanding her frustrations, "Yeah...Caesar's the same way. Reckless and careless. And a little dumb. Sometimes WE have to do all heavy lifting to pick up the slack..."
Her words were harsh but it was obvious she had a soft spot for Caesar just like Bunny did for me. We were family to them. Of course they want us safe. Even if we induce their headaches.
Bunny smiles, "Then let's get to it!"
Lucy smiles as well, "Right!"
As they went to go interrogate Lucious, me and the others were still looking around. Luckily Spot has been efficient in tracking down her location. It still worried me though.
"Hey. Don't be too worried...we'll find her. And if anything happens, I'll wipeout any sorry ass who tried to pull a fast one..." Lighter said, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"...Thank you...," I sigh, "How much farther Spot?"
"Should be pretty close. The area they headed to is the hollow in the old oil fields..." Spot said on the phone.
"There...? But that's where the tour de inferno is supposed to take place..." Burnice tilts her head, "Maybe she's heading to cinder lake...?"
"But that's dangerous...! Why would she be there...?" Caesar thought about it hard.
I did too. The reason I wasn't sure. But the intention is clear: It's a bait. A trap just for me. Dammit...why can't I have a day of peace?! I looked at the others before looking at the hollow ahead. I...Don't want anyone else to be dragged into this!
"Heeeeey what are you planning...?" Spot could see the gears turning in my head, "Don't think about flying off ahead-" I suddenly summon my wings and flew on ahead, "DAMMIT-! NOT AGAIN! BILLY-!"
"Woah hey wait! Wait don't leave us!" Billy shouted before I disappeared into the hollow, "Dammit Lisa...Why can't you just let me in...? Come on everybody! We got a new problem now..."
Caesar noticed too, "We need our bikes now!"
"Not until you get through us," They all turned to see three people. The one who spoke was Pulchara, "Sorry. Nothing personal. Just the bosses' orders."
"Well it is for me! You and me got things to settle Lighter!" Bellum exclaimed.
"Right! No time to waste! We'll kick your asses and get back to business!" Lighter said proudly, "...what's your name again-?"
"BELLUM- ITS BELL-UM- EVERYTIME MUST YOU FORGET IT?!" Bellum stomped his feet.
"Stop whining. We still have a job to finish..." Mors approached the group, "We distract them until the boss does his part. Thats it. Once that girl is dead, we get the money-" BANG. Mors avoids a gunshot making his ears lower.
"So that's the aim huh? Guess it's clear now...Im gonna kick that bastard's ass once I'm done with you...," Billy was pissed.
They gulped a bit. They might have fucked up by revealing that...
Burnice giggled, "Let's have fuuun~!!!"