END CITY
Chapter 3-Hope in Memories
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"Your sins were forgiven but never forgotten, I was forgotten but never forgiven."
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Chapter 3-Hope in Memories
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"Your sins were forgiven but never forgotten, I was forgotten but never forgiven."
~~~~~
A few minutes before the explosion
"Zeke we need to talk."
"I said everything I have to say to you. Why did you come here?"
"This is not an official questioning. I am here on my own accord; in fact, I could be in serious trouble if they find out I am here."
Zeke seemed reluctant to speak with Eliza. This wasn't the same cold person she saw in the abandoned warehouse, or in the interrogation office. Make no mistake he was still as frostbitten as ever; however, it seemed as if he was forcing this instead of the natural way he made it appear earlier. After a short moment of silence he finally gave in and spoke without looking at her. "So...what do you want then?"
"Ezekiel...what happened to you?"
"Oh...well you see they locked me in these cuffs and beat me senseless. Totally unnecessary-"
"No, what happened to you Ezekiel. How did it end up like this?" Zeke instinctively turned to Eliza as if he was struck by a sword. His eyes were wide and for once he had nothing to say. He regained his composure then smiled.
"That doesn't matter. It won't help you whether I answer that or not. I really don't feel like going to prison. I'm kinda above that you know? Give me the chair, injections, a bad comedy routine. I'll take any of those instea-"
"Zeke, please stop that. Whether you like it or not, I still care about my childhood friend. I don't want to hear you talk like that." Eliza maintained her emotionless tones and expressions, but the words rung true. This would be twice Zeke had paused to think about what his childhood friend had said.
"Well, I couldn't care less about you. Just hurry and tell me what you want. I don't feel like sharing useless memories." Zeke said as he looked straight at her. He wanted to make sure his words were authentic as possible. Somewhere, deep inside Eliza, this hurt, but it was so deep that she probably didn't even notice. She just continued to look at her childhood friend without losing her composure. In a manner of seconds the gears of this meeting shifted.
"I need your help to take down the Tuxedo Dragons and you will need my help if you want to survive."
"Who said I wanted to survive? I don't feel like getting involved in your own personal grudges."
"I would believe that if I didn't know you well enough. Zeke, the Tuxedo Dragons want you dead, and we both have to deal with them. You aren't the type to lie down and die. This is the only chance I have to set you free, and if you enter Prison Zero II it is highly unlikely that I can help you."
Zeke frowned at the piece of glass separating freedom and captivity as he remembered what happened at the warehouse. "What if I decide to go on the run? What will you do then?"
"That is a chance I am willing to take. Of course you do realize they are looking for you, so whether you like it or not you will have to cross that path anyway. You can do it with or without my help, but the situation will remain the same."
"Well aren't you just the smart ass. Give me a minute, I want to think this over."
"Zeke...jail."
"And I have made my decision! Get me out of here and I will destroy the Tuxedo Dragons."
"Alright, we have no time to waste. Follow me to the bathroom."
"Oooh in a place like this? The naughty girl you turned out to be."
Eliza elbowed Zeke in the gut and then proceeded to drag him to the bathroom area. It was in another section of the train and guarded by two officers with their weapons drawn. "Just now I gave you the key to your handcuffs. Those handcuffs operate at a specific frequency and I am one of the few who have the device to counter that frequency and release you. Right now it is on a timer. Now this frequency is also in tune with the train's alert system. Once your handcuffs are deactivated the alarm system will trigger and you will have to fend for yourself."
"That's nice but where are you going to go?"
"I will leave during the commotion. Now get quiet and let me do the talking." Zeke and Eliza made their way to the guards. Eliza knew all of the protocols of transporting criminals with high threat levels, so she spoke naturally; yet she altered her voice so she would not be recognized. She knew how to speak with low ranking officers. Everyone had to know the codes and protocols but it was much more informal amongst loser ranking officers. Before they reached the guards she whispered something to Zeke one last time.
"Permission to enter. It would seem the prisoner pissed himself."
Zeke immediately jerked his head toward Eliza then back at the smirking officers, and then he looked back at Eliza once more. "Excuse me?"
"You're excused. This little maggot just wasn't potty trained." Eliza spoke as manly as she could. It also helped she had decided to steal one of the male uniforms instead of the female versions. The guards laughed and opened the door only to shove him into the room where another officer was standing to make sure nothing went wrong. Zeke rolled his eyes annoyed by all of the security measures they were going through. Even though he knew they probably wouldn't let him be in a room on his own, he had hoped that they would cut him slack. Eliza then walked off prepared to leave the rest to Zeke. She reflected on her decision and its consequences.
"Zeke was part of the Tuxedo Dragons, and no matter what I say to justify it...what I am doing is selfish. Who knows how many people he has terrorized? Who knows how many people feel the way I feel about the Tuxedo Dragons. Even now, for him to escape many good people might die and I have to accept that. In all honesty am I any better than the organization I am hunting? Probably not, and that is okay. Humanity's Justice isn't absolute, and if I have to become this monster to stop them then I will. I can atone after I cast my justice." Eliza's thoughts were interrupted by a loud, deafening noise, and a violent jerk of the train that swung her to a wall on top of shattered glass. Two more explosions took place and many of the officers began scrambling. "Ugh, what was that. Zeke didn't say anybody was trying to rescue him. No...this is an assassination attempt. Dammit why now." Meanwhile in the bathroom Zeke had a slightly amused look on his face while warning sirens began ringing through out the train. The red lights seemed to only add to the chaos at hand. He looked at the attending offcer and shrugged his shoulders as if to say it wasn't me, but then the timer of his frequency counter ended and his handcuffs fell on the ground.
"Oh.....its not what it looks like." The officer got ready to aim his gun at Zeke, but he was already in Zeke's range. Zeke kicked the gun out of the officers hand and then slammed his head against one of the toilets knocking him cold. He then took two of his handguns and contemplated on whether he should steal his uniform. "Nah, that’s not my style. I probably don't have time anyway." The plan was simple. The train was set to pass through Iron City. Zeke was to enter the cockpit of the train and they would switch routes and double back to Iron City after they leave the train in a less populated area; however, since they were being attacked many things were subjected to change. He exited the lavatory and to his surprise the other guards weren't there anymore. "Damn rookies. Makes my job easier." Zeke discovered Eliza recovering from the series of explosions. She was struggling to get up as Zeke kneeled down next to her. "Sooo. What's new?"
"Do you take anything seriously? Can't you see something is going on."
"I guess that sucks. What's even funnier is that I could kill you right now." Without warning Zeke kicked Eliza in the abdomen sending her flying to the other side of the cart. Eliza knew that he wasn't the same person he was years ago, but she didn't expect him to be this coldblooded. He laughed as he walked over to her, and then he stepped on her to keep her from moving. She heard the click of a gun and then the infamous bang that followed. She was dead, and her sins atoned, or so she thought. After a few seconds she realized her world had not faded into nothingness. The pressure of his foot had left; in fact he was gone. She was still confused while trying to regain her breath. She looked up and realized what had happened. She saw the cameras that he shot out meaning everything before that was an act.
"Couldn't he have done something else? Damn that bastard." Having to get up for the second time, she stumbled to a nearby broken window. The train was filling up with smoke fast. The explosions were causing panic and the sirens made everything near impossible to hear. Outside of the train Vulcan was observing the chaos from afar. He was disappointed that the train was still functional after all of that.
"Hmm I had to have marked the train at least 10 times. Normally I just have to mark something once. It must be military grade even though it looks like one of the normal ones. They thought disguising it this way would fool anyone trying to break him out or do him in. Damn that sounds wrong out of context. I guess I'll have to mark it from the inside; that should be fun, but at least I might run into Zeke." Vulcan easily maneuvered passed the numerous bullets firing from the train. It was clear that he was trying to fly to a particular spot. He had marked this single spot eight times just in case this situation occurred. With that many localized markings he easily made his way in after the consecutive explosions. "Alright let's begin."
"Man, this is a big ass train," Zeke said as he made his way to the front of the train. Even with the commotion, he was making good time. Many of the officers had their focus on the attacker because the believed he was here to break Zeke out of captivity, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Nevertheless, this made it easy for Zeke to take them on while moving forward. He tried to open the door only to find it was bolted shut. "Figures, they can't make anything simple these days." In order to break through the door he fired a couple of rounds at the handle, and just as he opened it a large man easily filled that space himself. The only thing deadlier than him was the bazooka he was carrying, and he already had it aimed at Zeke's face in point blank range. "What the hell!?!"
"End of the road Zeke." Said the armed giant coupled with the sound of a click. Instinctively Zeke ducked as the Bazooka fired off through the moving train. It flew past Eliza who quickly opened the doors to her cart through remote control. The electronic door opened in jet speeds dodging a collision with the bazooka missile.Vulcan was on the other side setting up marks around the train when he saw a door fling open and a missile fly through it.
"Oh perfect. I guess I can play with you for a quick second." Without flinching, he held out his mechanical hand with a smirk on his face waiting for the death missile to reach him. The two made the slightest contact and then a large explosion enveloped that area of the train. The explosion would have easily caused a normal train to be thrown off the tracks, and possibly dismantled. The fact that only half of the train was gone was a testament to the engineering behind it. Even with a half of it destroyed the train was still much larger than a standard bullet train. Eliza stared in brief shock at the sky. She was sitting next to the charred edges of what was left of the other half.
"Dammit, I was planning on separating the train so I could leave this scene unnoticed. I have no clue what is happening." She then took a peak outside the train to the area they were traveling to then she took a deep breath. When things like this happened it was best to stay calm. "Come on Zeke don't let me down." She tried to get up and move but she soon discovered she was pinned under rubble created from the explosion. For a few minutes she tried tirelessly to escape, but no progress was made. She then began to reflect on her decision again, and once again she came to terms with death. If it was to end this way she would hope that Zeke makes it out.
"Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!" After Zeke had dodged the bazooka's missile by ducking he didn't have anytime to breath. The imposing man had proceeded to smash Zeke between his steel boot and the floor. Zeke caught it in a split second, but it was all he could do to keep his foot a few centimeters from his face. The other man was silent. He looked determined to see Zeke dead and Zeke was determined to get off of the train. The train bumped slightly and that was all the leverage Zeke needed to move his enemy just enough so he could get back on his feet. He took a sweeping kick across his legs causing him to stumble backwards into the control room. Zeke would have prefered to knock him over, but this man seemed almost immovable. Zeke then rolled to the opposite side and stood on his two feet. "Who are you supposed to be?"
"I am Captain Iron Sides. I don't care what the hell is going on out there, but I do know my orders. You won't escape here alive."
"So you know our mysterious guest is not on my side."
"Yeah I already know that. He is not my concern." Iron Sides pressed a button and suddenly the room went on lockdown. Steel walls not effected by the explosions dropped down from all sides; however, this was not the most surprising moment. With a single blow he destroyed the control panel with his fist and the train seemed to speed up drastically. "Nobody escapes from this point. Do you know why I had this room locked down?"
"Do you really think I give a ****? You just locked me inside a speeding bullet that's on fire."
"HaHa! I can see your parents never taught you to respect those who are older than you. Perhaps it's better if I show you." Without warning Iron Sides launched at Zeke and threw a punch with all of his might. Zeke looked rather unimpressed as he easily moved his head at a slight angle to avoid the punch. "I guarantee you wouldn't have that smug look on your face if you saw the crater I just put in this wall. You see those explosions couldn't destroy this train, but the truth is that one of my punches is enough to put a giant hole in it. It is extremely dangerous to allow me to fight in enclosed spaces without having these walls reinforced. Now imagine what would happen to your small, worthless body if were to hit you. This is the least of your problems. I sped the train up to dangerous levels. If it approaches the upcoming turn at this speed, the train will certainly derail. You have 15 minutes to beat me and even if you manage to accomplish that impossible feat-"
Suddenly, Iron Sides was interrupted by two kicks to his ribs and a punch to his face. Zeke didn't want to show it but he was starting to understand why his name was Iron Sides. Zeke had a pretty decent amount of strength himself, and with it he was barely able to make him move back a couple of inches. "Shut up already! Jeez I get it."
"Foolish boy. DON’T BE IN A RUSH TO DIE!" Iron Sides clasped his hands together and lifted them above his head. His movements could be telegraphed, and they left many openings, but it would seem this was not a lack of skill on his part but rather a strategy. As Zeke attacked his open rib cage with a series of punches his original attack had not stopped. Zeke managed to dodge the attacks at the last moment by diving to his right. Another dent was made into the train and one could feel the entire train tilt forward only to become balanced again. After seeing this attack Zeke was certain this was deliberate strategy. His body was so strong that he did not need to evade, defend, or worry about openings. He can get the maximum power in any strike without worrying about any consequences. It felt like trying to punch through a brick wall.
"Damn, I cant dodge his attacks forever, and even if I could that wouldn't help me beat him in 15 minutes. There has to be a way to wear him down. Well, let's try to skip that all together." Zeke ran towards him and then leaped over the giant's large arm that swiped at him. He then kicked off his chest, drew his two handguns and fired off two shots at his chest, but to Zeke's surprise the giant had not stopped moving his arm toward him. He still looked like he was okay. "Damn, is this guy even real?" Zeke kicked off a wall and escaped Iron Sides fist once again. The bullets that were fired definitely connected but they only seemed to cause puncture wounds.
"Please tell me you're joking. Did you plan on catching me by surprise and killing me with only one shot?" At this time he finally got Zeke in a corner. In desperation Zeke fired off a couple of rounds but he either missed him or barely grazed him. "What are you aiming at?" With one swing Zeke was flung to a side wall so hard that he slightly ricocheted off of it. Zeke got up coughing up blood as Iron Sides moved in to land the final blow. "You are done." He grabbed Zeke and repeatedly threw him into the ground. Then with one last uppercut Zeke flew up into the air and crashed hard into the ground. Zeke was still alive but he was not moving. "You’re not talking so much now Zeke. Now you won't be able to talk ever again." Zeke looked up at the massive figure as he raised his iron boot. He meant for this strike to end the fight. It had been 9 minutes. Then as he was about to strike Zeke smiled and rolled out of the way again. To Iron Sides surprise his foot crashed through the floor of the train and even made contact with the tracks below. Due to the opposing forces his leg snapped and he became stuck. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, DAMN YOU!"
"You might have some strength but your brain could use some more development. You're right, I now see why you need to have walls reinforced. Too bad the floor wasn't."
"Y-You knew?!"
"Not at first. When you had me cornered I shot indiscriminately to figure out which areas were reinforced and which areas were weaker. Once I found out where I could exploit your strength I let you do the rest. Gotta admit it was a pretty painful process, but do you think I would have been alive this long, doing what I do, if I couldn't take a punch." Zeke took off his belt and wrapped it around his left hand as he attacked Iron Sides with a series of punches. Now that he was stationary it was much easier to attack and evade him. Instead of attacking in general strikes Zeke took a calculating approach and aimed at specific areas to repeatedly target and weaken. After doing this dance for so long Zeke landed another blow at a 45 degree angle under the right side of his jaw. After this particular strike he almost hit the ground. The crippled giant looked back up at Zeke who also had blood running down his face. Zeke knew where he would attack again. He charged toward the giant and attacked his left torso to open him up. The giant responded and Zeke dipped down to his left while Iron Sides swung up to the right. At that same time Zeke spun counter clockwise using his leg to come underneath Iron Sides' arm and knock it outward. He would complete this spinning motion and land the final blow with his fist as he connected with his jaw again. The giant had fallen . He lay on the ground unconscious and battered. It seemed like a sin to view a massive man like that crippled and attached to the floor."Okay, now I have to figure out how to slow this train down. Well first he smashed the control panel so that's not good. I am just now realizing...I DON’T KNOW HOW ANY OF THIS CRAP OPERATES!
"Do you honestly think I will let you LIVE," The crippled giant said. He seemed to have regained his conscience and was operating on pure will alone. He released a loud roar and placed his hands on the ground and pushed off of it as hard as he could. He eventually was released from the hole that had him immboilized, and then launched toward Zeke without any regards to self preservation. Zeke knew this was a desperate move from someone who realized they were defeated. He eyed that area of weakness one more time and as they prepared to close in on each other Vulcan bursted through the ceiling and ended up between the both of them. He grabbed the face of Iron Side and attempted to grab Zeke as well; however, Zeke was able to adjust his body so that he could escape his grasp. "W-What the hell Is this? Who the hell are you," Iron Sides grunted. Vulcan ignored his questions and continued to smirk in Zeke's direction. A drop of sweat ran down Zeke's face as his eyes widened in anticipation. He knew what came next.
"Vulcan...don't do it."
"I think its our turn to fight Zeke. I have orders to kill you ,and well...3's a crowd."
"No! Vulcan he's already-"
"Say bye to the 3rd wheel." In a split second the massive figure, who was encompassing a large area of the room, was suddenly obliterated in an engulfing explosion. The smoke cleared and there was nothing left of him besides one of his scorched iron boots and a few ashes.
In the blink of an eye Vulcan had zoomed over to Zeke and out of instinct Zeke moved his head, but Vulcan had his fingers on a few strands of Zeke's hair. "You'll have to get over his death fast because I'm going to kill you."
Thanks for reading feedback/comments appreciated!!! Hoped you enjoyed it.
Random thought for you: Who decided it was okay to put fish on pizza?
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