Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ A Moment In Time ❯ In The Air Tonight ( Chapter 4 )

Hello my exquisite readers! Im cursed I say. As soon as FF starts working again AFF gets all malfunction on my keister and now im not even bothering getting my self worked up over all that mumbo jumbo. Sooo instead of sitting around moping I worked on this instead! And here it is folks!--

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Never did, never will.

Chapter 4:

In The Air Tonight

Lies. What I had just told her were all lies. The truth was, I probably was going to die. It didn't matter as long as I brought Vicious to hell with me. So here I was, sitting in my baby, pumped and ready for my little suicide mission.

Watching the sand sweep around the Swordfish II in funnels of red, my grip tightened keeping my eyes peeled for the syndicate building. Knowing the bastard, he was probably on the top floor acting all high and mighty. Good, more syndicate scum to blow to smithereens. They would never know what hit 'em.

Finally spotting the building I landed my ship and took one last fresh breath of air. Eyes flickering towards the cigarette box in my pocket I couldn't resist the urge. They were practically screaming 'smoke me!'. Flipping out my Zippo and lighting one last cigarette, I savored the taste. Watching the cigarette slowly dwindle into nothing butt a used butt, I tossed it to the ground and made my way towards the building ahead.

Right, left. Right, left. All I heard was the clicking of my boots against the pavement. It looked as if the building was getting further and further away. My mind was playing tricks on me, as if it was one of those freaky dreams where you're walking down a hall but the door was just so far away and you would never make it.

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord

I've been waiting for this moment all my life, oh lord

Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord

Nearing the entrance I ran my fingers through my hair and reached in my pocket for my Jericho. Several heads turned in my direction as soon as the single body I had shot slumped to the ground.

"And so it begins." Letting a smirk spread across my lips, I ran up the stairs picking off people shooting at me. Reaching the top of the stairs I stuck my hand in my pocket and pulled out a grenade. Bringing it to my teeth first then tossing it over my shoulder I heard the explosion of the stairs collapsing and screams of agony. One floor down, four more to go.

For a one man show I was doing pretty damn good. I was half way through the second floor when I could here the running footsteps of men coming. I leaned back against the wall and waited. Trying to catch my breath I tightened my fingers around my gun. I was sweating profusely from the heat. From behind me I heard a loud ding and snapped my eyes towards the elevator. The kid's face rang a bell.

"Lin?"

"Shin." the casual voice rang out, as if accustomed to the false accusation.

Hearing a shot ring out Shin and I went back to back and picked off the new wave of oncoming lackeys. The position seemed so familiar. Vicious, thats why. How do I even know I can trust this kid? After all of these years I learned that trust doesn't mean shit. Don't even know why the word existed, because there was no damn trust in this world. No truth, just lies and lots of 'em.

"Vicious is waiting on the top floor, go I'll watch your back."

With a nod of approval Spike ran ahead with Shin in tow. Frantically looking around I chanced running for the stairs. Bad chance. The searing hot pain of a bullet entering my shoulder cause me to wince. I 've been shot before, come on suck it up Spiegal.It felt like acid burning away at my body, numbing it completely causing my aim to become shaky.

Well if you told me you were drowning

I would not lend a hand

I've seen your face before my friend

But I don't know if you know who I am

Ignoring the pain we headed up the stairs. Wrapping my fingers around the doorknob to the next floor I swung it open and started shooting. Listening to the silence of nothingness made me uneasy. Which is around the same time I realized I hadn't been the only one shot. At least not in any vital organs, but than again, when did I ever?

Taking a step towards Shin I got shooed away.

"Forget about me, I'm not going to make it. Get Vicious. Kill him, kill him for everyone, Mao, Shin, the Van..Julia" Sad down trodden eyes gazed into mine as I returned the stare.

Oh the sly son of a bitch knows exactly what he's doing. He's thinks he's playing all the right cards. Sadly enough, I played right into them. Hearing the name Julia usually did result in turning me into a fool. Well, love is a game of fools now isn't it? He knew that one little word will keep me from turning back. I never was going to though. I came here for a reason, and if there is one thing I lived for, it was this moment.

Relishing in my encourager I let the adrenaline take over my body. It was like somebody had possessed my body because everything after Shin died, and before I reached Vicious seemed like a blur. I remember hazed vision as my gun let to the demise of countless beings. Beings with families, lives. Not my problem though, that's what you get for doing dirty work for the syndicate. But then there where the innocents. People forced into the lifestyle, not by choice but because there was no other option available. Like Annie. And where was she now? She was six feet under. Current occupation? Worm chow.

Well I was there and I saw what you did

I saw it with my own two eyes

So you can wipe of the grin, I know where you've been

It's all been a pack of lies

I stood in front of the giant oak doors leading to the devil himself. I knew he was waiting for me. Probably sitting there with his deranged little smile sitting upon his features. Cool as ice. Calm as water. Slick as oil, probably just as greasy too.

Opening the door I cast my gaze upon the heavenly sight of Vicious himself. (A/N: ohhh the irony! Get it, heavenly? Vicious? Oh thats a knee slapper! Not) When I spotted him he had already been looking at me. Sizing me up, more then likely. Our eyes met and locked. At the moment it was all a battle of wills. Well I didn't give a shit anymore, all I wanted was his dead carcass licking my boots. Snapping my arm up I aimed my gun at him.

"When angels are forced out of heaven, they become devils. You agree, don't you Spike?" His golden eyes flashed with malevolence. Jesus, I hated when the man talked in riddles. As if anybody cared, all I wanted was to beat his ass down.

"I'm just watching a bad dream I'll never wake up from." Take that, he's not the only one who can talk figurative. Well actually no,what I said was the truth.But still, it takes two to tango.

A white skeletal hand reached across Vicious' body as it went for the sheath residing by his hip. Curling his long slender fingers around the hilt he slowly pulled his katana out as a strip of light reflected off of it. Swirling it in a circle he finished his fancy little show with pointing the sharp end at me.

"I'll wake you up right now."

"What's the rush, Vicious? It's been a long time." I Fired off one shot right above his head. There, that should close that discussion for good.

Well I remember, I remember don't worry

How could I ever forget

It's the first time

The last time we ever met

That had to be the last clear thought running through my head that I can remember. I remember Vicious running at me, katana posed and ready. Maneuvering myself out of the way I made it out with only a scathe to my neck.

Rocking from side to side I tried to predict his next move. I was at the definite advantage. It was long range versus short range. Aiming my gun at his chest I prepared for the shot.

Before I even had the chance my arm had been slightly pushed back. His katana had rammed into gun and they clashed. We both battled for the upper hand. Bringing our arms around again we lot grip of our weapons and I cringed as they skidded across the floor in a deafening screech.

Our eyes met once again as both our weapons landed as the opposings' feet. With a silent agreement we both kicked each others rightful weapons to each other and caught them skillfully in our hands.

We ran towards the other. I watched as he brought down his katana right to me. He was like the grim reaper, angel of death. With a sweep of his hand everything he touches dies. Only doing his bidding during the dark hours of the night. It really was an uncanny similarity. As if Vicious was the reincarnated devil. Wouldn't surprise me in the least.

I could feel the sleek metal make its way into my side and through my stomach. This was it, make the shot or my attempts were all in vain. I pulled the trigger and watched as it entered his chest dead on.

Still having an iron grip on his katana Vicious fell backwards dead, pulling the long knife out with him. It always did feel worse coming out then going in. Satisfied with the death of my former best friend and devil incarnate I staggered out of the doors in which I had come from. Outside stood the surviving syndicate members Shin and I had failed to decapitate.

Every step I took was like a visit to hell and back. All I needed was somebody to through some salt on me and I'd be done. Sticking my fingers into a tilted L form I pointed it at the forming crowd before collapsing to my certain doom.

"Bang." Yup, always did want to go out with a bang.

It was really quite ironic. Dying in, and from the same place I had been trying to escape my entire life. People always said you leave the world the same way you came in. All I ever wanted was to leave, be free. I guess, I was free though. Free as dead people could be.

The hurt doesn't show

But the pain still grows

It's no stranger to you, or me

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The shadows of the orange and red flames licked against Laughing Bulls old face.

"Look my son, do you see that falling star there?" Pointing to the dark night sky above a little indian boy, no older then ten looked to the heavens above.

"Every time a star falls a great warrior has succumbed to the raging flames of life. That star right there, it is a star no more. It is nothing but a black hole. A dark cold abyss of nothingness. Resembling his heart," The fire crackled and grew larger as the boy watched wide eyed to the sky,"Do not feel pity, for he has no soul."

And I can feel it calling in the air tonight

Authors Note:

Er-lak! heh I forgot the Vicious and Spike fight! So sorry!!

Soo .. you know another filler chapter sort of. But I'm getting 'em out as fast as I can!

My loyal reviewers!-

ni9htdream12: Glad yea like it !

Bloody Love: Ah, my faithful reviewer, and how I love them so! Yup, well I just had to add that last line because basically I was watching the movie again and I thought 'gee he's a real snot ball' but it shall all click soon!

Kendra Luehr: Thank you so much for the reviews and encouragement. Yeah well I tried to keep everything in character so you know what else is better then some nice, profound drinking?

Peace, love, and nutrition to you all !!

Okay, Okay I gotta admit. My heart wasn't really in this chapter. What can I say I'm not an action scene kinda person. ( im anti-violence!!) But ohh I triple doggy dare you to guess who's star fell!! Go ahead guess! lol, cumon we all know Vicious died, but we didnt hear so sad story bout his star going ka-poot now did we? Hmmm? ::sniff sniff:: I smell a sequel to the series, dont you folks?!

And yes, I do know that the conversation between Spike and Vicious happened during Ballad Of Fallen Angels. But hell, cut me some slack man!

I Disclaim any rights to the song In The Air Tonight by:Phil Collins

See ya'll.around now, yes'm? ( Always wanted to talk like that!! =] )