I was surrounded by a thick fog. I slowly twist and stand, I couldn't see my own hand in front of my face. A familiar silhouette appeared, my father's. "I am disappointed," He said in his eerie deadpan. "Lives should be taken on accord Anton."
What do you expect me to do!?"
"What I do, make deals and honor your agreement."
"But,"
"Stop looking, I'm long gone Hijo," I open my eyes and find myself under the satin sheets and in Chrys' arms. She was fast asleep back in her real facade, with a smile on her face, until she opened her eyes and I saw they were full of something I had seen before at the Orphanage, yearning.
"Was that him?"
"Si, Hermosa," I sighed and ran my fingers through her gossamer mane.
"Why is he disappointed?"
"Because I was taught early on to only fight when something is on the line for all parties,"
"And you were the only one who had something to fight for."
"But that Techno guy, fought to protect, not for personal gain,why Tulio, why did you make me do it."
"What really happened?"
"Well,"
==============
Back at the Orphanage I wasn't the smartest, but I was durable, I would constantly sneak out and go exploring in the dark Peruvian alleyways at night. One night I was caught in the crossfire during a territory war. Bullet straight to the chest. I woke up days later in the Hospital, surrounded by dumbfounded doctors. "You shouldn't be alive, let alone awake." I remember thinking why are they speaking English?
"What happened?" I asked.
"Well you were killed, but your heart restarted just before we pronounced you dead. You lost a lot of blood but miraculously the bullet missed your heart by a hair and went clean through."
"¿Cómo llegué aquí?"
"He brought you." The doctor pointed to a tall man in the corner.
"Glad to see you're feeling better Kid," The man spoke like he was from Argentina. "Me llamo Tulio Etranek, and I wish to adopt you."
"You'll have to take that up with Ms. Teresa."
"Already taken care of hijo, after a few more days of rest we'll leave, I have some business to attend to."
Over the next ten years he taught me how to channel my inner strength outward, and on my twenty-first birthday he told me he knew where my father was and said that if I wanted him back in my life to do what he said. We went to America and saw the sights and stopped in Detroit.The crime capital of America, he said that if I could find two innocent souls in this city and take them he would bring me to my father.
==============
"But he lied." Chrys had pieced it together real quickly.
"At first I didn't want any part of it but two street thugs followed the two children into the alley and I decided to follow maybe, I could save those two from getting mugged. the boy was amazing he took on them both while the girl looked at me in fear, but she swallowed it and lunged into a kick, knocking me to the ground and I fired on accident. the thugs bolted and left me with a limp girl and an angry brother, I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger, the last thing I remember about that day was Tulio's voice in my head saying, I'll do it myself", standing up, and firing."
"That's terrible,"
"How are they?"
"They're worried, but Mari has made all of them new wardrobes for the journey to Canterlot. Your new clothes are in the closet, dress warm, we have a long day ahead of us in the snow.
"Well."
"You have to come, they'll kill me if I go alone,"
"You make a convincing argument, Hermosa. I'll get up," I reluctantly peeled back the satin sheets and sat up. I heard that squeak sound again, and noticed I was naked, and she was eyeing me, with that dreamy look in her eyes. "Not, now, maybe later,"
"Fine later, I'll hold you to it."
"I hope so." I strut to the closet in my birthday suit, and open the closet, and slip into the shirt, padded pants and long red trench coat that were inside. My eyes fell to a dust covered box about six feet long and three feet wide. "What's this,"
"Oh that old thing, I found that about two-hundred years ago," Two-hundred years, well I always had a thing for older women. "Never been able to open it, I don't even know what's inside, needs a key." I drag the case out and set it on the bed. I wiped the dust off, and I heard a click as it popped open. The Ankh glowed a faint purple as the box lid flipped over itself. The inside was lined with purple satin and A sword laid in the case like an instrument, why would this thing be so special? I grab the hilt and carefully lift the weapon. A note was on the underside,
If you find this handle with care, this is an early prototype for a Soul Wraith weapon, I call it the Buster-Scythe. If you had enough power to open the box then you can use this weapon to it's full extent, but it does in a sense have a mind of it's own and must grow accustomed to you, here is my gift to you tender soul is the shield to defend yourself against whatever may threaten you.
Rest in peace, Death.
"What, is it?" The hilt shot out, and the blade snapped into a angle, and another blade sprang out the other side.
"It's a new toy," I twirl it around like a baton, as I throw it into the air it collapses back into the sword and I catch it by the hilt again. "One I can't wait to play with." I Clicked on the belt that was in the case and turned to her. She still had that dreamy look in her eyes.
"It's amazing but you actually look sexier all covered up." She laughed still keeping the bedroom tone.
"Gracias," I smiled and took her hoof in hand and walked with her to the others.
"You're okay!" Nina shouted as she tackled me. Her long red hair still tied in a braid.
"You look great!" Mari was the second to hug me. "Red is totally your color."
"Well," I held out some extra room for Manny.
"I don't do hugs,"
"C'mon Manny," Mari and Nina begged.
"Fine," I welcomed the bro hug, and looked over everyone's gear. Manny wore a polar bear pelt jacket, and the same pants. Mari wore an intricate black jumpsuit, with gold trim. Nina wore a red sweater and blue jeans.
"Good, we're all warm and toasty now Vamanos," We had a mission, and set to embark.
=======(Frozen North Travel Theme.)=======
The driving snow pounded my shoulders Chrys and I took point while the kids stuck close behind, the glaciers jutted from the ground and from cliffs like fangs. Chills ran up and down my spine, I don't know if I was scared or just cold, could've been both. Suddenly I felt a familiar presence, whoever it was it was dark, way darker than Chupa's. I felt on edge I knew something was following me, but what? "Do you feel that?"
"Yes I don't know what it is but it's close."
"Hello there!" A dark laughter came from a nearby cave.
"Get out of my home!" Chupa's voice shouted.
"Let's go help Chupa,"
"I got this one," Manny cracked his knuckles,"
"You all got this. Make us proud. We've got your back."
"Really?"
"Let's go."
Chupa was thrown through the cave mouth, and a skinny man walked out. "The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest." The man laughed. Manny slid in front of him. "Another one, tell me you'll be better prey than that one."
"Just try me."
"The Hunt is on." The man reached for his sawed-off shotgun. "You shall decorate my wall.
Manny shot at him like a bullet from a gun, but the hunter parried each punch with the barrels of his gun. "Really try harder, have your friends join in." He kept a cold attitude, and seemed cock-sure of himself. Mari sprang up and heel dropped him but he easily dodged. Mari began unloading kick after kick. He parried each of those as well. Nina watched the whole thing with that questioning look on her face, until she had an idea. Nina jumped into a spin and as she landed a wave of snow cascaded over all three of them. Manny and Mari dug themselves out and walked over to us.
"Don't count him out just yet."
"I think I can take him."
"We didn't even hit him."
"You didn't know how to hit him."
"She's right,"
"The best prey is one who is smarter than the hunter." He dug his way out and loaded his gun. "Now, a beautiful one such as you shall decorate my bed."
"In your dreams Buck-shot!" She charged and swept her leg under him, he jumped to dodge she saw an opening and as he landed her heel had come full circle and clipped his gut. He staggered back, as she flipped over him landing in a handstand and wrapping her legs around his neck. She pulled him back and threw him into the air. He flipped mid-air and shot at her, she dodged with a cartwheel. and sprang to him and grabbed his arm. "Let's take it out for a spin." She twirled in the air and Hammer threw him through an Ice floe, and into the chilled water.
I ran over to where Chupa lay and thank god he's still breathing. "Chupa, wake up."
"You saved my life twice this week."
"We're amigos, Hermanos,"
"Don't think for a second that hunter is through."
"You have beaten the hunter," A familiar female voice echoed. "Now try your hand against me." a tall woman stood on a cliff bow drawn, In half a second she releases and an arrow sinks into my forehead. As I lose consciousness I fall forward.