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~Chapter 8~ Might Is Right But Tight |
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mad Xx:
Zepp, floating country of Blacktech
mad Xx:
“Will that be all, sir?”
The cashier asked Sol. He simply nodded his head, then looked up to watch the old style television that hung from the ceiling over the cashier’s desk.
“It has been nearly five hours since the enigmatic beast, dubbed Leopaldon, has gone rampaging through anything that stands in it’s way. The International Police Force (IPF) have tried futilely to halt Leopaldon in its tracks. Besides the IPF, with the near unheard amount of ten billion world dollars placed on Leopaldon’s head by an anonymous group of people, bounty hunters the world over are also trying to beat one another down for a chance at claiming the reward...”
The reporter said, showing some of the damage footage. The cashier gave Sol the black shirt he wanted to buy, and Sol just left a hundred dollar bill on the desk walking away and putting the long sleeved shirt on without even letting the cashier say anything more. The shirt was similar to the one Sol wore before he had it cut off by Leopaldon on the May-Ship. Unfortunately, “Riot” was out of the red colored half jackets Sol rather liked, but he could manage without one anyway.
‘Guess I should bag that ten billion reward...but why bother when it probably doesn’t exist? Those Post War Bastards are probably interested in getting back Leopaldon and dissecting the hunter who brings it in, and I had enough dissecting in my day, thank you very much.’
Sol thought to himself as he left the little store, sword supported on his shoulder with his right hand. He knew Ky was waiting for him out there, but he decided to play aloof and walk past the police officer who leaned against the wall, without a second glance.
‘Three...two...one.’
Sol counted in his head.
“Are you going to pursue Leopaldon for the reward, Sol?”
Ky asked as he turned his head to stare at Sol’s back. Sol smirked, though in the position, Ky couldn’t see it.
‘Knew boy scout would say something...always does.’
He thought. He decided he’d answer Ky’s question though.
“And have myself possibly fall into a trap by the Bureau? I’ll pass.”
Sol said calmly, beginning to walk away. Ky pushed off the wall to stand up.
“So you thought it was a trap then, as well. But you will still pursue it won’t you? Because you believe it has a connection to That Man.”
Ky stated. Sol’s face became stern as he turned to regard Ky with a sideways glance.
“Don’t stick your head where it doesn’t belong boy, or you may find yourself without it.”
Sol said in a low tone, his grip tightening around the Fire Seal’s hilt. Ky growled, baring Thunder Seal.
“It has been obvious that you’ve been seeking That Man for some time now, but I want to know what your connection to him is. You never want anyone to interfere, but there are others out there who have motives for their hunt for him, too. I want to know what your’s are. As I’ve said before, if he was truly the mastermind behind the Crusades, I, too, have a right to pursue him. But I will find a way to stop him without breaking this fragile peace the world has obtained. There is another way and I will find it. Your way is not absolute, Sol!”
Ky said in an enraged tone, Thunder Seal beginning to crackle as lightning streaked across his blade, faster than it usually did. Sol plunged Fire Seal in the ground, his face retaining a stoic expression as his head set over shadowed his eyes, though he looked as if he was on the verge of rage, something that was quite rare for him.
“I have to agree with Sir Kiske, Sol. There are others out there who wish to meet That Man, and all have their different reasons for doing so. You don’t have the right to take that away from them.”
This had been a man dressed in a blue pair of hakama and black tabi who stood a few feet behind Sol. His brown spiky hair was covered partially by some strips of white cloth and he wore small reading glasses over his eyes.
“You should mind your own business, fan boy. Or are you willing to lose your head, too?”
Sol said gruffly. Anji Mito was adequately dubbed as Fan Boy by Sol because the rare Japanese man used one of the Outrage weapons called the Stopping Fans.
“Actually, I’m quite attached to my head enough where I’d rather not have it removed. I simply am agreeing on a difference in opinion.”
Anji stated. He was about to leave, but someone blocked his path.
“It was a bit tough finding you, Mito, but this time you won’t escape.”
Baiken said, her hand resting on the hilt of her sheathed sword. Anji looked surprised, but then smiled cheerily.
“Yo, sis, it’s been awhile. We should get out of here before Mr. Badguy and Sir Kiske’s argument escalates any further.”
Anji said. Baiken, went into her fighting stance.
“Sorry, but we’re not going anywhere. You were the last one to meet with That Man, and now I want answers. Start talking.”
Baiken said, a dangerous glint in her eye. Anji gulped visibly.
“Now, now sis...didn’t I tell you that I couldn’t let you kill him yet? In exchange for the information he left me, remember?”
He said nervously, fanning himself with his weapon, since they were fans after all. Baiken’s eye narrowed.
“I remember what you said about giving me the information...but I also distinctly remember you running off and blabbing on about how you couldn’t reveal that information either. So now you’ve forced me to have to beat it out of you. Prepare yourself, Mito!”
She drew her sword to strike him, but he guarded with one of his fans. He used a twirling motion to send her off balance and out of his way, and soon Anji was running off at high speed, only looking back once.
“Sorry, sis, but the information can’t be disclosed to you now. Just wait when the time is right!”
He shouted back, running harder as Baiken gave chase. Sol yawned. He brought his hand and fist together to crack his knuckles as his head moved from side to side to crack his neck, before grasping the Fire Seal in his left hand from where it had been put in the ground.
‘So, fan boy was the last one to meet That b*****d before he disappeared...I guess I should be hunting fan boy then...let boy scout and those stupid pirates stop that Leopaldon or whatever it was called.’
Sol thought to himself beginning to walk away. This earned a growl from Ky.
“You will answer my question first, Sol!”
Ky shouted out. Not one to remain idle, Ky rushed towards Sol. Ky knew Sol would turn to face him so he didn’t mind attacking the bounty hunter from behind, something he usually did not do out of wanting to fight honorably.
“Needle Spike!”
Ky twisted in his sprint, slashing out with circling swing of the Thunder Seal. True to his speculation’s, Ky saw Sol swiftly turn to guard against his attack. But the Needle Spike was composed of two attacks. Ky went into his second, hopping up to deliver a midair kick to Sol’s chest had the bounty hunter not jumped back to evade the police officer’s foot. Once he touched ground, Ky kneeled, bring his left arm to the ground as he sent an electric current up from the ground.
“Ray Divider!”
Sol had not expected the attack and grunted as he was swept up in the shield of lightning that rose up underneath him. Ky wasted little time to continue his onslaught now that he had Sol opened to attack.
“Grand Vapor Thrust!”
Ky sped forward, cutting in a low fluid motion that sent Sol off his feet. Ky lept in the air, bringing Sol with him with a powerful uppercut of the Thunder Seal.
“Crescent Slash!”
Ky performed an inverted front flip in midair to send Sol higher, before swinging around to deliver a powerful downward chop of his sword.
“Greed Sever!”
Sol was struck and sent flying, rebounding off a nearby construction steel beam. Ky landed, moving his left arm in a clockwise motion and forming an electric ring with his fingers.
“Sacred Edge!”
Rather than swinging his arm out to create a blade, Ky brought his arm down to the ground, sending a wave of lightning bolts hailing down on the ground towards Sol’s falling form. This was a variant of his Sacred Edge Ky was working on for a while and hoped for great results with its stronger power. Sol recovered in midair, smirking slightly. With perfect timing, Sol air dashed through the attack when the lighting bolts came down one after the other. Ky looked on in surprise as Sol was coming towards him. Sol reeled his fist back as he descended.
“Bandit Bringer!”
Sol brought his fist forward as fire lanced out in a trail along his arm. Ky quickly evade back as Sol landed, striking the ground and leaving a small hole where Ky used to be. Ky rushed forward, preparing to go on the offensive again. Sol jammed his blade into the ground.
“Gun...”
Seeing the start up for the Gun Flame, Ky jumped up to evade the attack. But the flames were not unleashed as Sol took out his sword. Having fallen for the feint motion, Ky retaliated with a downward strike of the Thunder Seal to Sol’s head, but Sol jumped back as Ky landed. Sol used his momentum to ricochet off a wall and back towards Ky, left foot first as the Fire Seal left a small trail of fire behind him.
“Riot Stamp!”
Sol’s foot connected with Ky’s face, making the police officer flip back through the air from the force of the blow. Sol used his momentum at that split second to rebound off Ky, but rather than rebounding off backwards like he usually did, Sol made himself propel forward over Ky. Sol twirled to gain even more momentum before sending a flaming right foot down on Ky’s back to send him to the ground hard on his stomach. Sol finally landed behind Ky’s downed form. Ky got up slowly, standing up as a grimace shown on his face for a brief moment until he blocked out the pain. Sol was about ready to knock Ky off his feet again when someone interrupted with a loud shout.
“ENOUGH!”
Both swordsmen turned to see Gabriel, Potemkin, and the rest of the Jellyfish Pirates staring back at them. Johnny shrugged.
“What did I tell you? Always at odds with one another.”
He stated, matter-of-factly. Sol sighed, letting out another yawn before grabbing a cigarette and putting it in his mouth and lighting it with the Fire Seal.
‘What the ******** am I still doing here? I’ve dropped off Dizzy, got a new shirt and another pack of cigarettes. I should have been out of here a long time ago. Wonder if that Baiken chick finally caught fan boy? Maybe there’s still time to catch up with him and interrogate him myself, Badguy style.’
Sol thought as he began walking away in the direction Anji and Baiken had gone, ignoring everyone else. Soon he was out of sight. Ky sheathed his sword, lowering his head.
“I am sorry...I have shamed myself and fallen victim to my anger yet again.”
Ky said in a low tone. He then turned to the rest of them.
“Forget about Sol...he will probably show up later anyway. We should concentrate on stopping Leopaldon and it’s ravaging ways.”
Ky said. Johnny nodded before turning to Gabriel.
“Hey, Gabe, since Ky’s joining us, we’ll need a new airship. Think you can spare us one?”
Johnny asked. Gabriel nodded.
“Very well. I’m only lending it to you, however, so I expect it back. Follow me.”
Everyone was soon back into the President’s building, before he took them all into an underground hangar.
“Well, here she is, one of our main proto-type airships for transporting our mechas during the war. Too bad it never got used.”
Gabriel said as he revealed a massive airship. Johnny gaped at it, estimating it to be nearly three times larger than a typical airship.
“Whoa...this thing is awesome! Think of how many new recruits I could put on an airship of this magnitude!”
Johnny stated, a silly grin on his face. Gabriel nodded.
“Yes, that’s all well and dandy, but as I said, this ship is being lent to you. And to make sure you keep your word, Potemkin and a few squadrons from Zepp will be accompanying you on your flight, Johnny.”
Soon a mass of soldier lined up behind Gabriel.
“Whoa, whoa, Gabe. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the airship and return it back to you as soon as we crush Leopaldon into the ground. There’s no need for such big numbers of people to get onboard. Don’t you need your men here to protect Zepp, anyway?”
Johnny protested, but Gabriel shook his head.
“As good friends as we are, Johnny, your still a pirate and you steal things for a living. Consider my men as insurance that you keep your word. Besides, all these men are just about an eighth of the whole Zeppian army, so relax. I have plenty of troops to hold down the fort here.”
Gabriel said, laughing as Johnny grumbled.
‘Damn...so much for taking this baby out for a spin.’
Johnny thought to himself. Meanwhile, Sol had turned up empty in finding either one of Anji or Baiken.
‘Damn it...the scents are all mingled and I can’t detect one from the other anymore. s**t! Guess I’ll look around somewhere else.’
Sol went into the flock of noisy crowds that walked along the sidewalks, keeping a look out for any suspicious activity. A few miles away, in an old abandoned part of the city, Anji hid within a large structure which looked like the remains of a building, he breathed heavily as he leaned against a wall, fanning himself.
‘Darn...what a time to come to Zepp when sis is around, too. Not that I have anything against sexy women chasing after me, but none of them wanted to possibly kill me in the process, either!’
Anji slowed his breathing as he heard the footfalls of worn tabi against the abandoned sidewalks. He watched as Baiken’s shadow past by the entrance he was near and stopped, probably to glance inside briefly from what he figured. It was at this point he slowed his breathing even further and stood as still as the wall he leaned against. Baiken’s shadow loomed there, meaning she was still there, probably sensing for his presence, which he was hiding from her. After what felt like forever, Baiken finally moved on, her shadow disappearing as well. He patiently waited for her foot steps to fade in the distance before he gave a heaving sigh to release the breath he was holding.
“Phew...that was a bit close for comfort.”
He said softly. A blade came through the wall, right above Anji’s shoulder. Anji gritted his teeth and pushed off the wall to face it as the blade was removed. A few brief cutting motions could be heard before a square cut piece of the wall caved in, uplifting dust everywhere. Anji coughed, bringing a fan to cover his face. When the dust settled, he looked up to see Baiken’s form cast in fleeting sun, as her shadow cast over him.
“You think you’re the only one who can hide his presence from someone?”
Baiken asked in an offhand manner. Anji smiled, shaking his head.
“Of course not, sis. It was just one of the ways we’ve been taught to escape detection, I wager. Your much better at it then me, however...guess I’ll need to brush up a bit on my training.”
He said back, keeping his cheery smile in place. Baiken frowned slightly.
“You can avoid this...Anji. You said to me that day I defeated you that you would at least tell me what you learned. Just tell me that, and we won’t have to fight.”
She told him, using his first name for further emphasis. Anji lowered his head to stare at the ground, his optimistic facade dropping to show a very small melancholy smile, as regret shown in his eyes.
“I wish things were that simple...Baiken. I really do. But I can’t. The time is not right. But I promise you will be the first to know. Please just let me be for the time being.”
Anji said in an unusually serious tone of voice, actually using her name rather than favored nickname he often used. Baiken sighed softly.
“So that is your answer still. Then...prepare yourself, Anji Mito!”
She said, her face becoming stoic. Anji let his fans unfold in his hands with a small snapping sound.
“There is no way you’ll reconsider, will you, Baiken? Then I have no choice either.”
He said, his face serious as his mouth lowered in small frown as his face also became a stoic mask to match her own. Both charged at each other. Baiken drew her sword to strike Anji, but he took to the air.
“Kai!”
He spun in the air, falling quickly down on Baiken, who barely had a chance to guard the powerful head stomp. He kicked off of her, using a side flip to get close to her back as he thrust his fans out at her.
“Shin Nishiki!”
An energy sphere generated from his fans, but Baiken countered with a hidden weapon as she hit the ground to send a boomerang shaped blade ricocheting off the ground and up at Anji.
“Youshijin!”
Anji was propelled upward by the chained blade before Baiken jumped up after him.
“Yozansen!”
She drew her sword with a claw that came from her long sleeve, cutting in a large upward motion that sent sakura petals falling from the sleeve as well. Anji had recovered, though, and guarded against the blow with his fan extending in size. The two Japanese fell to the ground and Anji charged at Baiken with a spinning dance motion as his fans created a figure eight motion of energy that connected with Baiken’s sword.
“Fujin!”
That attack had almost caught Baiken by surprise, but she swiftly countered with an attack of her own.
“Sakura!”
She drew her sword, which was covered in a small pink aura, and thrust it out at him, but Anji jumped up into the air as sakura petals showered over him from the attack.
“Shin Ichishiki!”
He sent numerous fans down on her from his connected kimono sleeves on his arms, but Baiken swiftly evaded by charging past his attack to get behind him.
“Kabari!”
Baiken sheathed her weapon before shooting a chained tri pronged claw at Anji’s back when he landed, the claw snagging his fans as he guarded and pulling him in her direction. She then drew her sword in a mighty upward swing.
“Tetsuzansen!”
Her attack was halted as Anji used a giant fan to catch her blade.
“Kou!”
Anji crouched low before jumping upwards and spinning around to lift Baiken up with him in a flurry of blows.
“On!”
He finally halted his swirling motion as he grabbed Baiken and put held her between his fans as they changed to giant screens that sent jolts through her body. He released her, and both landed on the ground, Anji on his feet while Baiken was on her back. She rose up slowly.
“Not yet...”
She said tiredly. Anji looked at her with concern.
“You’ve been traveling without much rest and your body is starting to give in to fatigue. Please rest for now and regain your strength.”
He warned her, but Baiken snarled, silencing him.
“Shut up...I will have my answers on this day!”
She stated firmly as she charged at him.
‘Forgive me, Baiken...’
He twirled towards her with his fans, catching her blade.
“Kachoufuugetsu!”
He countered with a small series of dance movements as his fan struck her hard repeatedly. She fell to the ground as a large magical shoji screen painted with an image of crashing ocean waves appeared behind him, ending his attack. Baiken had been left unconscious, but thankfully not too badly hurt, only collapsing from overexertion.
‘I should probably take her to a hotel to rest. I just know she’s going to hate me for all this...but it can’t be helped...’
He picked her up gently and started to walk away.
“Hopefully you’ll learn to forgive me, Baiken...eventually.”
He said softly as he looked down at her cradled in his arms.
:*We will continue on*:
 Mariah_Silvermane · Sat Apr 28, 2007 @ 04:13pm · 0 Comments |
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