Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ All Falls Away ( Chapter 58 )

Disclaimer: Hmmm... I own my kids (Because I made them) I own my husband, (Because the Marriage License says so) and I own a REALLY big mortgage. (Because I'm stupid and signed on the dotted line.) However I don't own Trigun. (Because if I did, I wouldn't have said mortgage.)

 

“blah blah” : talking

`blah blah' : thinking

“blah blah” : telepathic talking

blah blah : other misc. stuff.

 

*~*~*

 

Forever Mine

Chapter 58: All Falls Away

 

 

 

`Gotcha,' the Bringer of Chaos thought as a smug smile crossed his handsome features.

 

Upon hearing Cruz's overconfident statement, he immediately contacted Vash and advised him that everything went as planned, except for the fact that Meryl was still present. Although, Caden assumed that Vash already knew that. The Marshal simply replied by saying that he was on his way right before severing the connection. Turning his complete attention back to his nemesis, Walker egged the crime boss on by boldly asking, “You think you have this won, don't you?”

 

“Don't I?”

 

“No, you don't,” Walker said with a chuckle, while raising a hand to adjust his Stetson. “You made a grave mistake, old friend. You thought Meryl was mine, but in all actuality, she isn't,” he added, knowing that he had Arturo Cruz by the short hairs and he couldn't wait to see his reaction once Vash made his entrance. `Which should be about… now,' he then said to himself right before the study's door swung wide open, instantly stopping Cruz from retorting.

 

“She's mine!” the tall blonde man in red cheerfully said while walking through the threshold and raising his left hand to waive at the other occupants in the room. “Sorry, I'm so late, but man… the bed that I was laying on was so comfy that I just couldn't bring myself to get up!”

 

“Who in the hell are you?” Arturo asked angrily, while watching as the spiky-haired man instantly rendered Snider unconscious by sharply jabbing his extended fingers into the base of the other man's neck.

 

“Well… if you must know,” Vash started, while holding on to Snider's limp form long enough extract Caden's guns from his waistband before letting the lackey fall to a heap on the floor. Then striking a pose, he began his mantra, “I am known as a hunter of peace…”

 

“He's Vash the Stampede!” Keele spat out, cutting off ex-outlaw, each word laced with venom, while tightening his hold on Meryl. He wasn't going to let her go without a fight.

 

“Oh man… you just had to steal my thunder, didn't you?” Vash whined overdramatically, looking at the two and winking at Meryl. Then as a mischievous smile crept across his face, he corrected the ex-Bernardelli associate. “However, that isn't exactly true, at least not any longer. I'm now known as Federal Marshal Vash `the Stampede' Saverem,” he said proudly with his chest puffed out, while tapping one of Caden's guns on the badge pinned over his heart. “And you all are under arrest!”

 

“What?” Cruz bellowed, finally noticing the Silver Star before instantly motioning for Orn and Olaf to intercept, only for them to stop mid step as Vash instantly pointed the same glock he used to show off his badge at the huge men, while still staring at his short-girl.

 

“I don't think so,” Vash said to the two before giving Meryl a wolfish smile, while telepathically telling her that he really liked her in satin. Then turning his attention to Caden, he threw the second gun to him and asked. “Did you get it?”

 

“Oh yeah!” Caden smugly replied as he reached into his left shoulder holster and pulled out a thin white object, about the size of a lighter. Hitting the stop button, he tossed it over to Vash and watched while the Marshal rewound the device and hit play. The very next instant the conversation that just took place started to replay for everyone to hear.

 

“What's the meaning of this?!” Cruz yelled, realizing that he had been caught on `tape' admitting to ordering Regan Walker's death.

 

“It means your political career is over, Cruz. Unless you decided to run for chancellor of cell block B once you're in prison,” Caden said with a big smile, while Vash laughed out.

 

“Good one,” Vash said still chuckling before adding, “So, you might as well be a good boy and give up. We'll be lenient on you, I promise. Oh and by the way…” the golden blonde then said, tone becoming hard, while turning his attention back to Keele and Meryl. “Let go of my insurance girl!”

 

“I don't think I want to do that, Marshal,” Keele retorted snidely, while simultaneously pulling a nine millimeter handgun out of his pocket and shoving the barrel up against Meryl's temple.

 

“Vash…” Meryl bit out lowly as a warning to the very capable gunman, while her molten silver orbs glittered dangerously. Silently telling him that he had better hurry up and get her out of the life threatening situation or else she was going to inflict some serious harm on his spiky head.

 

“You bastard, I told you to let her go,” the ex-outlaw whispered ominously right before his eyes started to glow eerily. Taking over the Bardeaux's movements, Vash commanded him to lower the gun and to let Meryl go.

 

“What the hell…” Keele muttered in disbelief. His own body was betraying him, like it suddenly obtained a mind of its own. He watched in horror as his left hand lowered, dropping the gun to the floor, and the right un-snaked itself from around Meryl's waist. Then just as Meryl was free to rush to Vash, a piercing alarm echoed throughout the estate.

 

“It's still too early to say whose won yet, Walker,” Cruz declared as he removed his hand from the keypad on his desk, gaining everybody's attention. Caden and Vash were so preoccupied with Keele's threat, that they gave him little heed, but it was enough for him to activate the ground's alarm. “I have just notified all of my men that I'm being attacked.”

 

The very next instant, a large resonating blast shook the very foundation of the home as Knives sent Cruz's ammunition store sky high. The vibrations shook the windows on the eastern half the estate with such a force that they simultaneously exploded, causing shattered glass to go flying through the air, including in Cruz's study. The distraction triggered a series of events in the confines of the space as most of its occupants ducked for cover, all but Bardeaux Keele, who was still under the command of another.

 

Then he wasn't.

 

As the sounds of gunfire immediately followed the explosion, Keele regained his mobility and instantly sprung into action by picking Meryl up off of the floor, throwing her over his shoulder and sprinting through the room's exit.

 

“Vash…” Meryl cried with her left arm extended, reaching out to the blonde as he rose from the floor and prepared to follow.

 

But he didn't get very far as one of the two brothers jumped him from behind. Falling back to the ground, Vash not only lost his breath because of the jarring blow, but also Caden's gun as it went sliding across the walnut floor. He didn't have time for this! Keele just took off, to who knows where, with his insurance girl and he needed to get her back now! Unable to keep his simmering rage from boiling over, he snarled Keele's name before snapping his head back, hitting the bald man squarely in the nose to stun him enough so he could slip free and give chase.

 

Walker absently watched as the Federal Marshal dashed out of the doors, his attention completely on the other hulking man, who started to pursue him viciously, while Arturo stood in the background laughing maniacally. “What's so funny, asshole,” Caden bit out, ducking to the left and then immediately right, dodging the blows being delivered by Orn before returning a punch into the bigger man's kidneys. Quickly stepping back, he raised his gun and took aim, shooting his pursuer in both of his shoulders and then his thighs. It didn't stop him, though. Orn kept advancing. “Shit!” he cursed, wide-eyed.

 

“You are funny, Walker,” Cruz retorted as Olaf rose from the ground and pulled on his nose to set the break. Then as the sounds of gunfire ceased outside, he added, “And you should know that a few bullet wounds won't stop these two. Their enhancements saw to that!” He was still laughing as his spiced rum colored eyes started to glint viciously, while he told himself that he couldn't wait to watch the brothers take Caden apart before ordering Olaf to join the attack.,

 

“I guess I had better take them on, then,” the platinum blonde man in a neutral colored duster arrogantly stated as he stepped through one of the front window casements. Then with just a thought, he immediately froze both giants into place before ordering their massive bodies sleep.

 

“Now who in the hell are you?!” Cruz spat out, hiding the feeling of dread that was washing over him as he watched the two giants simply crumble to the ground and without so much as finger being lifted from the new arrival. He just might not win after all.

 

“I'm your worst nightmare,” Knives sneered, while taking his blackened shades off and pinning the Mayor with his artic gaze. Without looking over to Caden, he asked, “Is this the lowly spider in charge?”

 

“Yeah he is,” Caden replied, walking behind the desk to turn off the alarm, which was becoming quite annoying, before moving to stand next to Knives on the far side of the sitting area.

 

“I thought you wanted to kick his ass?” he then asked, totally disregarding Arturo.

 

“I do, and I'll get to that in a moment,” the outlaw answered with a sadistic grin before asking a question himself. “What about the men outside?”

 

“Easily taken care of,” Knives said with a matching smirk ahead of finally turning his attention to Cruz. Stepping around the small leather sofa and one of the high backed chairs, he walked up to the shorter man and instantly let his right fist fly, punching him in the face. As Arturo fell to the floor, Knives muttered, “That was for what your men did to my McKenna.” Moving back, he advised Walker that it was his turn before walking over to the other side of the room and calmly sitting on one of the stools in front of the bar. Grabbing the crystal decanter and a glass, he poured himself a drink and took a sip. “So…” he then started casually, setting the glass down on the real wood bar. “Where's Vash? I felt his rage spiking.”

 

“He's chasing after Keele,” Caden bit out, focusing his anger on the man rising from the floor. “The coward grabbed Meryl and took off.”

 

“Well then… you had better finish him off quickly, so we can make sure Vash doesn't go against his no killing policy,” Knives said brusquely, crossing his legs and leaning back, while resting his right arm on the bar and the left on the chair's armrest.

 

“Please…” Cruz snorted, now standing erect and licking the corner of his mouth to remove the blood. “I'm not going to be that easy to defeat,” he announced, while flicking his wrists to make them crack before raising his arms. Extending them outward and level to his chest, he slightly bent them at the elbows with his hands positioned into partially opened fists. “Bring it on, Walker!”

 

“Okay,” Caden simply replied as he re-holstered his gun before shrugging off his over coat and tossing it on the sofa in front of him where his hat soon followed.

 

Then in a flash, Chaos vaulted himself over the couch, landing directly in front of Arturo right before he pivoted on the ball of his right foot, whipping the other long leg up with the intent to thrust his shin into Cruz's waist. Except that the Mayor of Espoera anticipated the move and caught his leg with his right arm and side, while he slammed his free fist down onto Caden's exposed left knee at the same time. Then without pause, he let go of the trapped leg and punched the outlaw in the face, snapping his head back, and causing him to reel off balance until finally falling to the floor.

 

“Is that all you got Walker?” Cruz taunted, while Knives snorted in the background and lifted his glass to his lips. Ignoring the other man, he went on the offensive, preparing to attack, while Caden was getting ready to kip up from the ground. Except this time, Walker was ready for him.

 

Just a the smaller man reached him, Caden laid back flat and shoved both of his booted feet info Arturo's stomach, sending him flying into the walnut desk right before he completed the kip and quickly returned to his feet. The longer haired man growled out, watching as Cruz righted himself and sneered back. Then without delay, Caden rushed up to his opponent where both men met, delivering a melee of punches and lower body kicks, while simultaneously defending themselves with blocks and perfectly timed movements.

 

Knives, simply watched as the two fought back and forth. He would have thought it was all quite entertaining, except for the fact that his twin was somewhere close by and now deeply involved in a heated exchange with Bardeaux Keele. Suddenly, a feeling of dread washed through the one time human hater and he knew something bad was about to happen. A moment later, his intuition rang true as a muffled sound of a single gunshot echoed through the house. He instantly tried to contact Vash, but he didn't get a response. Instead, he received the overwhelming emotion of absolute horror that swept through Vash's body. Then the white hot fury flooded him as several more shots were heard being fired. Knives knew for a fact that something terrible had happened and he needed to get to his brother right away.

 

Launching himself from the seat, Knives yelled to Caden, “Stop fooling around and finish him off.” Then without another word he, drew his black long colt and rushed out of the study.

 

Caden had also heard the gunfire. The grim sounds instantly sent a penetrating sense of apprehension ripping through his gut. And even though he wasn't adept in using all of his Plant skills, he could sense that there was something definitely wrong with Vash and he needed to finish Cruz off immediately. Then he heard Knives tell him to quit fooling around…

 

So… he listened.

 

Spotting an opening, he whipped out his arms to grab a hold of Cruz's shirt and jerked him forward in order to head-butt him. With his opponent now dazed, Caden took advantage of the situation and threw several punches to Arturo's midsection before delivering a vicious right hook that snapped the other man around, making him rotate in place, completing a perfect circle before falling to the floor, out cold.

 

“That was for Regan!” Caden spat, before looking about the room to find something that he could tie him up with, while wishing that he had a pair of handcuffs. Glancing to the burgundy window treatments, he noticed the braided silk ties that held the curtains open. “Perfect,” he muttered, before rushing over to snatch them from their place.

 

A few minutes later, he had Cruz's hands securely tied together with the other end of the make shift rope wrapped snugly around the front left leg of the very sturdy walnut desk. The man was still unconscious, but he didn't want to take any risks. He had been waiting too long for this day to just let him slip away because of his carelessness. Smiling over his handy work, he cockily announced, “I bet you don't think you've won now… now do ya'!”

 

Walker then quickly turned, walking up to the sofa to slip his coat and Stetson back on before heading over to retrieve his gun that was still lying on the floor by Snider's feet. Stepping over Orn and Olaf in the process, he made his way over to his weapon and picked it up just as the smaller blonde man started to stir. Without hesitation, he slammed his gun down on the base of the man's neck, once again sending him to oblivion, right before swiftly running out of the room.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

“Put me down you coward!” Meryl shrieked, while pounding her fists on Keele's back. She couldn't believe it. Just as Vash came to rescue her, the S.O.B. who, at that particular moment in time had her thrown over his shoulder, had to screw it all up by running away. That irritated her to no end, especially since she felt so helpless. She was a Stryfe and `helpless' was one word that should never be used to describe her. And there was absolutely no way she was going to let that portrayal start now. Not when she was still perfectly able to something about it.

 

But the question was, `what?'

 

In her current position, Meryl couldn't do much of anything but kick and pound him with her feet and fists, hoping that Keele either got sick of her or that she would get in a lucky shot. Unfortunately, she had a feeling that neither would happen, particularly the second. She was just too darn short to kick anything vital. Deciding to keep her options open, she intently scanned their surroundings while he raced down the hallway that led toward the dining room, wanting nothing more than to find something that she could smash over his head.

 

A moment later, they arrived at the closed pocket doors. Skidding to a stop, Bardeaux instantly reached to slide them open, while Meryl tried to picture the opulent room in her mind. She recalled the large rectangular dining table that sat in the middle of the room with a table runner lying down its center that had silver candle sticks, of various heights, positioned along the lustrous sapphire material. While the left wall harbored a swinging door that led to the kitchen and a sideboard immediately left of the opening that also had candles of varied sizes on top of it.

 

`That's it!' the astute woman thought as Keele started up again. He was taking her to the kitchen since it probably had a doorway leading outside. Now if she could only reach the sideboard before he made it through the exit. Paying attention to the distance and his speed, she waited for the right time to act and when she felt him slow to push open the door, she acted. Leaning hard, Meryl reached for one of the candlesticks just as he loosened his hold on her tiny form so he could push the door open.

 

The idea worked better than she imagined, because she not only managed to wrap her fingers around a candle holder, but with the combination of her momentum and his lax hold, she was able to fall free from his grasp. With a muttered curse, the raven-haired beauty hit the floor hard, before rolling over just as Bardeaux realized what happened. By the time he turned around, Meryl was standing and taking a big swing with her makeshift bat, instantly connecting with his steel clad jaw. Then without pausing, she took off back toward the study and Vash.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

In a scarlet blur, Vash swiftly flew down the narrow hallway. His heart beating frantically with every step he took as the dreadful thoughts of Keele doing something reprehensible to Meryl raced through his, unfortunately, very vivid imagination. If something were to happen to her, the ace gunman could only blame himself. He was the one who let his hold on the bastard falter after the explosion and gunfire erupted outside. And he knew that his lack of mastering the skill was a big part of the issue. Knives would never let such a distraction trigger the release of his hold on anyone. Then, upon entering the foyer, he was greeted with a sight that set his worst fears to rest. It was Meryl and she was running toward him and she was alone.

 

“Oh thank god,” he breathed out in relief right before the two met in the middle of the room. Without pause, he scooped her up in arms and held her close before whispering into her ear, “Are you okay? I was so worried…”

 

“I'm fine now, Meryl happily replied, unable to keep the tears from her bright heather-colored orbs. She was finally in his arms.

 

The two simply held on to one another as if their lives depended on the embrace. Both were elated that they were finally able to hold each other, while whispering apologies and declarations of love to one another. But, regrettably, they knew their blessed reunion had to remain brief since Keele was still on the loose and probably extremely pissed that Meryl got away.

 

After another moment, Vash knew that he had better get his insurance girl some place safe so he could go hunting for Keele. Setting her back on the floor, he slowly pulled away and smiled softly as their eyes met. “How did you get away?” he asked, while raising his real hand to lightly caress her cheek.

 

“Well…” she started as her eyes twinkled mischievously. However, before she could elaborate, Vash's eyes went cold right before he pulled her behind him with his prosthetic hand, while simultaneously drawing his long colt and pointing it at the figure emerging from the hallway she just came from a few minutes before.

 

“Keele,” Vash roared, his loathing of the man apparent as he pulling back on his gun's hammer. This made things easier; he didn't have to look for the bastard now.

 

Bardeaux instantly stopped in his tracks and raised his hands in the air. He didn't expect Vash to be free from the brothers yet and needed to think of something quick or else it would be all over for him, especially with the way Vash's eyes were glowing eerily again. Then he remembered what Meryl's thorough reports stated about the very intimidating man. He was a pacifist. And even though, it didn't look like it right now, the ex-Bernardelli associate knew that the petite beauty wouldn't be wrong about something like that. “Now you wouldn't shoot an unarmed man, would you Marshal?” he called out, banking on the hope that Vash hadn't suddenly changed his ways.

 

“Don't tempt me, you bastard!” he spat, while his index finger twitched over the trigger. Oh how he was tempted, really tempted.

 

“What and finish me off quickly?” Keele then asked before pushing the ex-outlaw a bit further. “And I thought you would love nothing more than to get your hands on me,” he added, while watching as the blonde man repeatedly clenched his teeth, working the muscles in his jaw. He could tell that Vash was very close to complying and decided to go in for the proverbial kill. “Or are you afraid that you will be beaten? I'm sure that wouldn't look to good to have your ass kicked in front of your woman.”

 

Vash just stood there and angrily stared at the half-masked man before him. Bardeaux Keele just had the balls to call him out, and in front of Meryl, no less. The very idea sent a jolt of hostility through him like nothing else could. He had already wanted a piece of Keele to begin with and now that the electrifying fury was making his blood spark, the Humanoid Typhoon wouldn't settle for anything less than beating him senseless. With his mind made up, Vash eased the hammer back into place before slipping his gun back into its holster. “Meryl, go find Knives,” he said curtly, without looking at the raven-haired woman. “I need to take care of this.”

 

“I don't think so!” Meryl yelled, pulling away from his grasp and moving to stand next to him. Placing her hands on her shapely hips, she started to tell the golden blonde off. “You've got another thing coming, Marshal Saverem if you think for one minute I'm leaving this room while your fighting him!”

 

“Fine,” he bit out, fully expecting that answer from his short-girl. And even though it could be dangerous for her to stay, he knew he wouldn't be able to change her mind. Never taking his gleaming eyes off his opponent, he pointed back toward the stairs in the left corner and ordered, “Go stand by the stairs and stay out of the way!”

 

Bardeaux observed the entire exchange, hardly able to conceal his glee. His makeshift plan was working out far better than he had dared to hope he realized, while watching as the woman dressed in pale amethyst satin stomped over to stand by the steps. With a broad smile showing on the uncovered half of his face, he lowered his arms and brought his attention back to the ex-outlaw and wickedly shouted, “Are you ready for this Vash the Stampede?”

 

Without answering, Vash took off, rushing toward Bardeaux with fists raised, ready to strike just as Keele quickly started stepping backwards. In a swift movement, he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out an item that glinted metallic in the morning's filtered sunlight prior to directly pointing it toward the far stairwell. Before Vash could even digest what was happening, let alone move to intercept the attack, a single shot echoed through the air.

 

As the soles of his boots stuck to the high-gloss walnut floor, Vash instantly stopped his advance as the most dreadful sensation washed through his very fiber. As he turned on his heel to verify what the sickening feeling inside his body was already telling him, time slowed to a snail's pace for fright filled the Plant. The color of the room faded away, turning everything black and white as his eyes finally reached the corner and found their way to Meryl's wide ones.

 

There she was, simply standing in shades of grey, with her mouth partially open and her delicate hands clutching her body just under her left breast. He could easily sense, feel, the numbed shock that was enveloping her petite frame as she ever so slowly looked down and pulled her hands away to reveal…

 

Blood.

 

Bright red blood covered her hands, vividly contrasting with the muted gray of Vash's very real nightmare. He watched in all encompassing horror as the brilliant crimson liquid started to spread, moving slowly down her flat stomach, while the excess in her hands started to seep from her fingers to form a scarlet pool on the floor below. The scene made him absently think of a sodden paintbrush being applied to a blank canvas with drips of paint falling from the fine hairs, while the sadistic artist let the vibrant color flow freely down his work.

 

“M…Mer…” Vash choked out as she dropped to her knees and gradually brought her attention to him. Meryl mutely mouthed his name as a single tear fell down her cheek right before she crumpled to the floor. “No…” he breathed, terrified, as his now very heavy legs tried to carry him to her. However, before he could take a step, a vicious cackle pierced his grief-induced trance.

 

“I guess I wasn't unarmed after all!”

 

Time and the hues of the room instantly returned to normal as the golden blonde's entire demeanor changed. He realized that only seconds had pasted since Meryl was shot and the shooter was standing, with a gun still in his hand, less than fifteen feel away. Absolute and unrestrained rage filled him as he turned on Keele. The demon within was finally set free and before Cruz's second in command could squeeze off another slug, the devil in red had drawn his long colt and shot the gun right out of his hand. Then without remorse, he proceeded to fire the remaining five rounds at his target, not caring if the shots hit anything vital. Even after the chambers were emptied, the hollow clicking sound of the long colt's trigger being squeezed rang through the cavernous space. When he realized that his enemy was lying on the floor in a bloody heap, Vash finally snapped out of his vindictive state.

 

“Meryl!” Vash cried out a moment later as he turned and rushed over to the love of his life. Falling to his knees next to his insurance girl, he immediately leaned in to check her vitals before a shaky breath escaped his parted hips. She was still breathing at least and he found a little comfort in that at as he tore away a large piece of her robe and compressed it to wound just below her chest. It still didn't look good and Vash knew that her chances for survival were slim, especially with the amount blood she was loosing.

 

“VVV…Vash…” the petite beauty wheezed before a coughing fit seized her, making specks of blood spew from her whitening lips.

 

“Shhh… Angel, don't talk,” he said, trying his best to remain calm.

 

“I…I'm sorry, Vash…” she faintly whispered as her dimming grey eyes met with his watery aqua-blue ones.

 

“No… Meryl, I'm sorry…” he started only to be cut off as she used the last of her strength to caress his cheek. Keeping his right hand securely on her wound, he brought his left up to cover hers as the tears started to fall in earnest. “Oh god… I just got you back! You can't leave me now!” the breaking ex-outlaw pleaded despairingly, although knowing that she really didn't have too much say in the matter.

 

“That's why I'm…” She stopped momentarily as another series coughs, only weaker, escaped her lips. Taking a shallow breath, she continued, “…sorry.”

 

“I love you…” Vash said in desperation on the exhale of a very shaky breath. He was about to lose her and he knew there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. Then the words rushed through his head. It was a simple sentence consisting of four little words, but it still took him utterly by surprise…

 

Save her, damn it!

 

It was as if the person was standing next to him shouting them, telling him to use the gift he was born with. But Vash didn't know if he could. Knives had told him how it was done after he had saved the child on the fallen SEEDS ship and it seemed simple enough, but what if he failed? Or worse, sent the energy incorrectly and it ended up causing a meltdown?

 

“Love… you…” Meryl's faded voice muttered, instantly bringing Vash out of his inner battle right as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her body went slack. To weak to go on from the loss of blood, she succumbed to the darkness.

 

“No… Meryl! Hold on, please,” the gunman croaked frantically, instantly entering her body and feeling her life-force slipping away. He was too late, the golden blonde realized as the panic set in, which made him start to tremble violently. He couldn't understand why fate was so unkind. Why everyone who got too close died, while wondering what he ever did to deserve such torment, such hell? All he ever wanted was to lead a peaceful life with the people he loved. But, instead, it seemed that he was destined to live with only pain and suffering as his companions.

 

Not knowing what else to do, Vash started sobbing uncontrollably as he called out to the same person who he heard in his head just moments before. “Wolfwood, help me. I can't do this alone…” When he didn't receive an immediate response, he became all the more desperate and implored, “Oh God… please Wolfwood… Rem… help! What should I do, Rem? I need her!”

 

Suddenly, Vash felt a deep sense of calm envelope him, instantly setting his panicked state at ease. His plea for help was answered, giving him much needed reassurance along with the awareness that he wasn't alone. Nor would he ever be. But the assurance didn't come from Rem or Wolfwood. It came from Alexander Saverem, his twin. Then and there, he knew it wasn't over yet and without a moment to lose, he cradled her limp form in his prosthetic arm, while keeping his real hand resting just below her chest.

 

Finally lowering his head, Vash Saverem kissed Meryl Stryfe just as a positive energy started to flow throughout the space.