Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Duo Maxwell, Gun for Hire ❯ Fight Ring ( Chapter 7 )

XXXX

 

We took a few moments to straighten up. Meaning, Heero went and washed away his tears. I guess he wanted to keep his tough guy rep. Yeah, like that wasn't already ruined the moment I drove into town.

 

We started down stairs with me in the front. Heero was just behind me with Trowa and Wufei basically guarding everyone's favorite blonde. You know, if this was any other situation, I'd think that was almost cute.

 

The Bishop was easy to spot. He was the only guy I didn't know talking to Milliardo and Treize. Dorothy was there, too. She was practically preening herself for some reason. How come I didn't like the looks of that? From the little I know of that woman, I've figured out this: When she's happy, it means trouble.

 

It was Dorothy that spotted us as we came down the stairs. She turned to the man that I assumed was the Bishop. This guy looked like he was a perfect poster boy for Creepy Catholics Are Us. Seriously, he was wearing a catholic priest outfit complete with collar. His skin looked like it had been tan at one point. You know, the faded tan from not seeing the sun in centuries. His black hair was pulled back into a ponytail that went past his shoulders. Even though this man looked thing as a rail, I'm willing to bet he could pack one hell of a punch.

 

Well, we might as well find out what's going on. I plastered a fake smile on my face and led my motley crew over to the party.

 

“Ah, It's nice to see that you joined us. Bishop Darcy, these were the kindred and… man I was telling you about.”

 

Nice to see the witch is minding her manners. Too bad her claws were already out. I hate politics. Seriously. They are so not my thing.

 

This Bishop Darcy seemed to look us up and down before focusing on Quatre.

 

“Quatre Rebarba Winner, why have you not returned to your pack? Have you forgotten your duty to your companions?”

 

I watched Quatre as this guy talked. Our sweet little Q-bean straightened up and his face grew emotionless. I could swear his eyes became like ice as he stood there between Trowa and Wufei.

 

That was all I needed to see to realize that this wasn't going to be pretty.

 

Quatre remained quiet for a few moments before speaking softly. “I no longer felt the need to continue to stay loyal to the pack. Quite simply, the vaulderie was lifted and another was put in its place. I do not need the need to destroy this new bond to go back to the old. I no longer believe in the cause of the Sabbat and would rather not partake in its meaningless existence any more.”

 

The Bishop didn't seem to take that very well. He drew himself up to his full height, a good six-feet at that. He stared down at Q with a scowl on his face.

 

Then, his attention turned to me. Great, just what I need. A 600-year-old Lasombra that can tentacle rape me. I did not like where this was going.

 

“This must be Duo Maxwell. I've heard stories about you. Some good, most bad.”

 

Gee, thanks. That was just what I wanted to know. He's heard stories about me. No shit there's stories about me. Hello! Only living necromancer. That sort of screams `I'm here!' Well, that and `Hit me! I'm a target!'

 

“Oh yeah? Did you hear about the one where I reanimated kindred's victims and had them kill their killer? Or what about the story of an entire cemetery coming to life cause I ordered them to?”

 

Okay, I couldn't help it. Me and my big mouth. Though, to my credit, those are true stories. Of course, they didn't exactly happen like that. Both times were in self-defense! I swear! How was supposed to know that the newly dead in that cemetery would act that way? Seriously, I wasn't doing it on purpose. It just sort of happened. Not that he needed to know that. Let's keep that on the down low shall we? Please?

 

For the moment, tall dark and creepy seemed to buy the act and didn't say anything more. Dorothy was grinning like the cat that got the canary. I really didn't like that look. Paranoia don't fail me now!

 

“If you truly want to leave, we can not stop you. However, I will not allow you to leave when this pack clearly needs a leader. Therefore, you are not allowed to leave the pack until someone defeats you in a fight for leadership. A battle to the death.”

 

I winced. Both Trowa and Wufei were giving each other worried looks. This didn't sound good and we all knew it.

 

Q-ball nodded. “So be it then. Judging by the fact that you already had this planned, who am I fighting?”

 

Sharp Q.

 

“Me.”

 

Yeah, I knew nothing good would come of that cat like grin. Dorothy had this planned from the start. I'm willing to bet on it.

 

 

XXXXXX

 

 

“Quatre, you can't seriously be considering the `to the death' part are you?”

 

Yeah, that was me being worried. Trowa wasn't saying anything and we were hard pressed to get anything out of Wufei besides mutterings and glares in Dorothy's directs. It's good to know he cares.

 

There was a tug on my braid. “He has to Duo, or at the least fight her to the point of killing her and then relent.”

 

I sighed. I still didn't like it. Not one bit.

 

As for Q, he was quiet. He was a little too quiet.

 

I looked up at Heero as I chewed on the corner of my mouth. Okay so it's a bad habit that I've had since I don't know when. When I nervous I chew on the inside of my mouth. Leave me alone. This was a nervous moment.

 

Heero gave my braid a reassuring tug and leaned in to kiss my forehead. “He can take care of himself."

 

I knew that. It still didn't stop me from worrying though.

 

During my worry session, the Bishop and Dorothy wasted no time setting up the fighting ring. Tables and chairs were moved out of the way to make room. The chairs were used to make the barrier around the ring so no one could get in and help. Like that's going to stop a kindred set on interfering. I didn't even think it would stop me.

 

“Are the fighters ready?”

 

Looks like it's show time.

 

Quatre moved away from us and entered the ring. He stood near us at one end while Dorothy took her sweet time getting in.

 

“The rules are simple. Only powers and skill or whatever weapons you have on you. You are not allowed to leave the ring or disturb the chairs. First one to kill the other wins.”

 

There was a pregnant pause before the Bishop's voice rang out. “Begin.”

 

Immediately, Quatre enclosed the ring with a dome of shadows that stopped right at the edge of the chairs. No one could see into the darkness. I was just so happy he confined it. Suffocating is not my favorite thing in the world. Far from it.

 

There was the sound of something hitting flesh. Did Quatre land a blow? Or did Dorothy get a hold on him and repeat what Victoria did? I was sure Dorothy couldn't to the long-range flesh trick. I hoped so anyway.

 

We stood there tensely as we listened to the sounds of bones cracking and what sounded like boards breaking. What the hell was going on?

 

As sudden as the shadows appeared, they started to race towards the center of the circle. Soon, Quatre was revealed as the shadows raced past him. He was standing there with his eyes trained on the receding shadows. His clothes were torn. There was blood dripping down his left arm. If I wasn't mistaken, that was a bone sticking out of the ripped shirtsleeve. I wasn't sure, the end of whatever it looked like it had been twisted into a spiral. His hair was a mess.

 

The shadows stopped two feet from him and started to slowly condense, getting smaller and smaller until it looked like there was resistance. There was a sickening crunch as blood started to pool on the floor around the shadows. The shadows held for a few more moments before they started to unravel.

 

I was going to be sick. I had to turn away. I felt Heero's hand on my braid as I tried to block out the newest material for my nightmares.

 

Dorothy… well, there was nothing recognizable of her any more. Her body looked like someone had put her in a car compactor. Her head was twisted at an odd angle and bones were sticking out of places they shouldn't be. She was laying in a pool of her own blood. The worst part was she was still alive. Her eyes gave that away.

 

The Bishop cleared his throat. “This mean's you're still pack leader Mr. Winner.”

 

Quatre looked at him with those cold eyes of his. “Then send in another challenger.”

 

Shit. He's lost it.

 

I glanced at Q, attempting to ignore the mess at his feet. She was slowly bleeding to death. I didn't know if a vampire could frenzy in that condition, but I could feel she was moments away from slipping into torpor.

 

“I'll take the challenge.”

 

Okay, that was unexpected. Mandy, the owner of Cloud Nine, stepped forward. She seemed to have no problem with the mess on the floor in front of Quatre.

 

The Bishop nodded and motioned for her to enter the ring.

 

She gracefully vaulted over the chairs. It was something that must have been quite the feat in that knee length business skirt and matching jacket. She calmly slipped off her suit jacket and laid it over a chair before standing there, one hand on her hip with her coal grey eyes starring directly at Quatre.

 

“I have one condition.”

 

The Bishop gave her an amused look. “Oh?”

 

“We fight until the other is incapacitated. Not to death. And remove that mess. It will interfere.”

 

The Bishop shrugged as he commanded his own shadow tentacles to remove the mess that was Dorothy. She was cast off to the side where Victoria appeared. She looked amused and interested in Dorothy's mangled form. I was going to be sick. If Victoria was interested, that didn't mean anything good would become of it.

 

“Begin.”

 

This time shadows didn't encompass the area. Mandy's body seemed to be encompassed by shadows with tentacles coming off her sides. It looked like some sort of armor.

 

Quatre looked wary as he formed tentacles of his own from his own shadow. His raced towards here trying, to grab her. Her tentacles locked with his, preventing him from getting near her as tentacles raced out of her own shadows towards him.

 

Q had to drop his concentration as he dodged out of the way. As he dodged, his tentacles unraveled.

 

That must have been her aim because the next thing anyone could see were all her shadow tentacles racing towards Quatre and grabbing him where ever they could reach. Several wrapped around his arms and legs and torso.

 

He struggled to get away as she pulled him towards her. Every time he tried to form his own shadow tentacles she would make him loose his concentration somehow. Usually did it by jerking him about or hitting him.

 

We watched as she pulled him right up to her and then pulled an arm back and punched him. A resounding thwack rang through the room as Quat went limp. She must have used quite a bit of strength to knock him out.

 

She gently lowered him to the ground before dismissing her shadow armor and tentacles.

 

She walked over to pick up her jacket and then walked off.

 

The moment she left Trowa and Wufei were in that ring. Trowa reached Quat first. He checked him over before picking up the small blonde. Wufei was hovering around them as they came back towards us. I already knew that Quat was okay, just knocked out.

 

The Bishop looked thoughtful as he disappeared into the crowd. He was probably off to find Mandy.

 

I could care less. We went back up to the empty office on the second level. I swear with how much we're in here we might as well just move in.

 

Trowa set Quatre down on the little couch in the office and started to examine that arm as he cleaned it up.

 

I sat on the desk and tried not to look. Yeah, that was bone. That was his arm bone.

 

“We need a Tzimisce.”

 

Wufei sounded thoughtful as he studied the damage along with Trowa. Heero was beside me watching them.

 

“The one who did this is unable to help. The only other choice is Victoria.”

 

Why did everything go back to her? Why?

 

“Or Johann.”

 

I looked up at Heero. Huh? Where did that come from?

 

“He has the same power she does.”

 

Here did he learn that? I guess I must have looked as confused as I felt.

 

“Baka. It's in his file.”

 

Oh. I forgot we had his too. Oops.

 

“Would he be willing to help though?”

 

“The file stated that he usually has a price for his services. The price varies.”

 

Well, it couldn't be any worse that the Nosferatu's price. So why not?

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

Wufei had gone down to get Johann. About 20 minutes later, he returned with the dark haired Lasombra in tow. They entered the room and shut the door. Wufei move to stand near Quatre as Trowa was kneeling there attempting to make Quatre comfortable. I guess the adrenalin wore off because Quat was in pain now.

 

Johann studied the scene before nodding. “And the price we asked?”

 

“Will be paid in full.”

 

There was another nod.

 

What did Wufei promise this man?

 

Johann motioned for Trowa to get out of the way. Trowa moved to stand beside Wufei as we all watched. Johann kneeled where Trowa had just been and reached out to grasp Quatre's arm.

 

He poked and prodded the area a bit before starting to mold the bone back together and then fixing the flesh around it. In moments there wasn't a hint that Quatre had a twisted arm bone.

 

Johann stood up as Quatre flexed his hand and moved his arm about, making sure it still worked.

 

“I will be by to collect my payment later. There is no hurry.”

 

He left. What an odd man. I looked over to Wufei. “Fei, what did you promise him?”

 

Wufei remained silent for a few moments before speaking. “He wanted some books that I have in my possession. It was worth it.”

 

I frowned. He wanted books in payment? Well, I guess that was better than the Nos' payment idea.

 

 

XXXX

 

 

We managed to escape from Elysium early tonight. I guess Milliardo decided to take pity on us. At least, that's what I'd like to think.

 

So we stopped by Wal-Mart before going home. What? It may be the devil, but where else can you get everything 24 hours a day?

 

Yeah, Fei and Heero objected to the detour. Quatre could care less. He was wrapped up in Trowa's trenchcoat, hiding the blood on his shirt.

 

Thankfully I managed to convince the weapons carrying members of our little crew to leave the weapons in the trunk. I'd hate to be the guy that has to review that security tape.

 

When we finally entered, I made a beeline for the bedroom stuff. I was on a mission people and I was going to succeed.

 

Success! They had those rollout futon like mattresses. You know those ones that you can roll up, tie together and bring camping or stuff. Yeah those.

 

I made Fei go get a cart, since he was complaining, and looked around some more. Clearance sale! Jackpot!

 

I practically grabbed the cart from Wu-man and started loading it. Two of the mattress things, and about three or four comforter sets. Hey, they were on clearance.

 

“Duo, why are we buying all this?”

 

I grinned at Quatre. “What, you three like sleeping on the couch everyday? If you three insist on staying, you're getting somewhat proper beds.”

 

That got two startled looks and one amused one. The amused one was Trowa. Take a guess who the other two were. Yeah, Quatre and Wufei.

 

What? I might not have liked the fact that Wufei didn't ask, but still, I did have a heart you know. It was just usually buried under my libido.

 

 

XXXXXX

 

About an hour and many odd looks later, we were hauling everything into the apartment. It took two trips, but hey, it was well worth it.

 

I left the guys to figure out how to arrange the living room and snuck off to my own bedroom. From my position on the balcony, I could watch everything they were doing.

 

Wufei and Heero moved the couch to sit in front of the window and the mattresses were spread out along the wall that was now free. They dumped the blankets they had been using and the new ones together and just left them as they threw various pillows into the mix. All and all it looked like someone was building a fort in the living room. It was kind of cute.

 

The boxes of who knows what from where they used to live were few, but heavy. They stacked those against the half wall.

 

I yawned and glanced at the bedside clock. It was nearly 4 AM. The sun would be rising soon.

 

I moved away from the edge and stretched as I started rummaging around for my pj's. I was reaching for my shirt when a hand stopped me. I knew that hand anywhere. That was Heero's. I looked up at him and grinned. “Hey Heero. What gives?”

 

“Hn.”

 

I should have known he'd say that. “That's not really a response Heero.”

 

He gave me an amused look and tugged at my hand, pulling me out of my reaching pose and closer to him. In moments I was up against his chest.

 

You know how in a situation like this most people blush? I'm not one of those people. I'm one of those people who get this big ole shit eating grin. Guess what I was doing? Yeah, grinning.

 

I felt a hand slide under my chin and lift my face up. My violet eyes met his Prussian blue ones and locked. We remained staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity before he moved closer.

 

My eyes fluttered shut as I felt him place a gentle kiss on my lips. His tongue brushed against the split in my lip and for once, I didn't care that there was a bit of pain. I really didn't. Why would I when Heero was kissing me? Pain was nothing compared to his kisses.

 

The arm not holding my chin slipped around my waist and pulled me even closer to him. Hello, what do we have here? Either that was a banana in his pocket or he was really, really, happy to see me. God I hope he was really, really happy to see me.

 

Crash. Swearing. Growl.

 

The growling was from Heero as he reluctantly broke our kiss.

 

“Hey Duo? Where do you keep the broom?”

 

I could have laughed this was so cliché. Instead I sighed and moved to rest my head against Heero's shoulder. I was so close. Damn it. I was so close.

 

“It's in the coat closet by the door Quatre.”

 

“Okay, thanks.”

 

Heero let out an annoyed growl as he held me. Yeah, I wasn't thrilled with our roomies either.

 

 

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

 

Glossary Time!

 

Ghoul: Ghouls are a being in between states of existence. A ghoul is a person who drinks the blood of a kindred and who is willed into servitude by that kindred. Ghouls have greater abilities than the average human but, do not have nearly the potential that a vampire does. In order for a Ghoul to retain his power, he must feed regularly on the blood of his master or one of several things may happen. The first thing is that, if he is a new or fairly new Ghoul, he will revert to being a human with little or no consequence. If it is a medium age Ghoul, it will revert back to being a human, but may be mentally scarred by the experience. If the Ghoul is considerably old, he will more than likely die after his supply of vitae runs out. This was a common occurence, due to the fact that if a Ghoul's master dies, he has little hope of catching and feeding from a Kindred and/or finding another master.

 

Sire: is the person who Embraced them, and is thus the vampire's "parent". There is no distinction between male or female sires

 

Childer: is the progeny of a vampire; a mortal being Embraced by a vampire making them a vampire as well

 

 

Character Spotlight! Here's the part where I tell you about the OC's

 

Okay so I've had reviewers wonder about some of the original characters in this story. I thought it would be neat to do a character spotlight. Most of the oc's are actually characters I've played either in a Vampires the Masquerade tabletop, or in my local LARP (live action role play) where I'm a narrator. Yeah, I'm a dork. But hey, it's fun. So here's where I tell you where I got them from!

 

 

Molly Beckett (AKA Sadie Dulamain): Okay, This character has actually had two incarnations. The one that I'm using here is the `Sadie in Disguise' version. She actually has a very long history. Hey, I played her for a year, it happens. To date she is my longest played character.