Chapter nine: battle royal
By Richard LeBlanc
The old Recycling Plant - the most action the place had seen since it was closed down was when rats fought over something they found amongst the rubble or when homeless people would pass through seeking shelter - that was until tonight.
"Damn it! We were set up! Finish off these punks and stand ready!" Samson shouted out. Hearing him say this mildly startled the prince. It was clear that the Iron Fists had to know more than they were letting on - but to what purpose?
"People! By the books!" Axis shouted. In a quick action he leaped away from the Iron Fist leader. He landed on a piece of machinery. He yanked off a piece of pipe and looked around. Once he knew where his target was. He threw the pipe like a javelin through the upper wall.
"Hope that gets his attention." He muttered.
***
Outside, where the anarchs were waiting. One of them pointed in the sky. Everyone looked up and saw the pipe that Axis threw and watched as it spiraled towards them. Skamms gracefully stepped to the side just as the pipe imbedded it self in the street were he was just standing.
"I was thinking a flare - but I guess that's our cue. Remember what I said people - mistakes will be very costly - so don't make any." Skamms stated with a smile. The crowd shouted out and rushed towards the building.
***
In the plant, most of those that entered with the prince had made it over to the far wall. From there they could see the two factions fighting each other. Axis looked at his people. Many were badly wounded. A third of those that had volunteered had perished.
"What now? Do you really think we can count on him?" Dagger asked.
"We don't have much choice. What's the ammunition status?" Axis asked seriously. Everyone checked his or her weapons. The looks on their faces were not very encouraging.
"Never mind." He added.
"So what do we do now? Just sit here and watch?" Toenail asked.
"No - we wait for an opening." Axis replied coldly. Just then, several anarchs filtered in through the only usable entrance. He watched as they specifically targeted the Dreamers.
"If it were any more obvious..." Axis muttered.
"Strike at those that defied my warning!" Axis shouted. With that, they rushed away from the wall to attack the Iron Fists.
***
Up where Mother was, she looked down at the anarchs in disgust.
"The fools are attacking us?" she muttered.
"I thought you said you could control him?" a Dreamer hissed.
"I'll check it out." Mother replied. She vanished from sight.
***
At that moment where Skamms was, his gun suddenly jammed.
"Hmm?" he muttered. Just then a woman fell at his feet. She looked as though she had been badly beaten. He tensed up. There was something disturbingly familiar about her. When she slowly looked up at him. He almost fell over. It was Nenia!
"Oh - I am so weak." She slurred.
"How - how is this possible?" he asked in disbelief.
"Their concentration slipped and I was able to break free of that horrid dark place. Help me please." She requested. He knelt down and carefully helped her up.
"This - is no dream?" he asked.
"I am as real as you are." She replied with a timid smile.
"I-I don't know what to say..." he muttered speechlessly.
"Help them! Tell your friends to stop attacking the Dreamers. It was they who helped break me free. Please Skamms. I owe them my life." She requested softly. Skamms tried to think clearly, but everything was muddled.
"But..." he began.
"If you ever loved me - I beg you - please stop them! The Iron Fist people are the ones responsible for all of the pain I have gone through. They were the ones that kept me in that cold dark place." She requested. His mind flashed back to all the times he had been locked in a cellar or attic. He snapped himself back into reality.
"I - I - uh..." he strained hesitantly. Just then she placed her arms around his neck and looked into his nervous eyes. She could see the clear signs of confusion in his usually steady eyes.
"I just want to let you know Skamms. Even though you are a pompous, arrogant, rude and a little presumptuous - I will never forget how you put yourself out to try to save me." she said softly. Before he could reply she leaned forward and gently kissed him on the lips. When she slowly pulled away - she could see that she was winning.
What - wrong? Not right... he thought as his hand twitched. His mind began to flash images of all the encounters with Nenia and his conversation now. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Eyes..." he muttered.
"Eyes?" she asked curiously.
"Your eyes are wrong." He muttered. Just then Axis leaped by. Skamms looked up at his hated enemy.
"Nice taste in women Skamms." He shouted.
"Shut up!" Skamms commented.
"Don't push me prince." She warned.
"Anything you say - Mother." He retorted. Her eyes widened. She released the Malkavian and focused completely on him. She could see he was looking at his hands shaking. She saw a streak of blood that had fallen down from his eye.
"Eyes wrong - no picture in file - Nenia dead?" he stuttered.
"He's lying. Believe me." she reassured. His eyes slowly moved up. He glared at her with a hatred that she had not believed possible in any save an Iron Fist.
"You - played me from the start - I'll kill you!" he screamed. Rage exploded from him as he lunged at her. She waved her hand at him and sent him soaring away. She watched as he slammed hard into a piece of metal machinery and fell to the ground. She smiled when he couldn't even seem to get up.
"The fool. I should have killed him sooner." She muttered. She looked up at the prince that had tipped him off and scowled at him.
"That was very foolish prince Axis." She commented.
"I guess that is a matter of perspective. Without Skamms you can't control the anarchs - can you?" he asked seriously. Her eyes narrowed. She was about to deal with the upstart prince when one of the walls was knocked down. Everyone looked over at the smoking wall and saw the real Iron Fist army.
"In the name of Lord Prince Graven!" the real Samson shouted. Mother looked at the Samson she had seen earlier and then over at the one that had just appeared.
"A trap - they tricked us!" she said in disgust.
"Happens to the best of us. Live with it while you can." Axis retorted. She was about to silence the mouthy prince once and for all when dozens people appeared before the charging Iron Fists - it was the Tremere.
"Keep them out of this! That looks confusing enough as it is!" the Regent ordered. The Tremere used near every means at their disposal to keep the Iron Fists out of the chaos.
***
Over where Skamms had fallen. He had taken a world of hurt from Mother's attack, but he was still alive. He was seriously hurting, but was alive. He focused on his most serious wounds so that he was able to sit up.
"That was ow." He slurred. His vision slowly focused to see what had happened. He saw that there was at least another hundred Iron Fists being held at bay by the Tremere sect of Eco. He looked over and saw the Dreamers getting attacked by the anarchs and Iron Fists. He saw the Iron Fists getting attacked by the Dreamers and those with the prince.
"Skamms! You okay? We saw you take that hit." His anarch friend asked. He looked over and saw that the two he had given the special instructions to had showed up.
"I've been better. You got what I told you to get?" he asked.
"It wasn't easy but here you are." The other said as they both handed him a shotgun. He looked at the guns and allowed himself to smile. He checked to see if they were loaded - when he saw they were he armed them.
"Thanks a bunch kids. Now get lost. Daddy has work to do." He stated.
"You sure?" the other asked. Skamms glared at him.
"Okay - I'm shutting up. Let's get out of here." He added. The two weaved their way out of the war zone. He looked around and saw something that was trying to remain hidden.
"What a mess." He slurred. He pushed himself up to his feet and leaned against the machinery that he was thrown against. He let out a sigh and wiggled two fingers over his head. Just then, a translucent liquid began to spill from the upper floor.
"Time to get his attention." He muttered. He pulled out a pistol and shot the prince in the shoulder. The prince looked over and saw Skamms standing.
"Get out!" Skamms shouted. Axis was extremely pissed at having been shot, but he remembered what he had said earlier. He shook his head and let out a frustrated sigh.
"Everyone fall back. This is a personal matter between these people." Axis called out. Upon hearing this, the remaining anarchs and ghouls hurried away as did those that were fighting in the center of the chaos.
"The prince is a fool to let them do such a thing. If he does not care - neither do we." The Regent muttered. On that note all of the Tremere vanished as suddenly as they had appeared. Now unopposed, the Iron Fists charged into the battle.
From where he was standing, Skamms watched as the two sides fought tenaciously. The newbies that the Iron Fists created as bait fell quickly when the real fighting began. He was mildly entertained as he saw members of both sides fighting until they were unable to fight on.
"Colorful shades of Alamo." He muttered in amusement. About ten minutes later, most of the Dreamers and Iron Fists were fallen. The remaining ones that were standing were the veterans. They made their way towards each other and stared at their hated enemies.
"You are far craftier than I gave you credit for Samson. I seriously didn't think you had it in you. But as amusing as all of this has been - you will not walk away from this one." Mother hissed.
"You stuck up whore! After we take you down - we are going to desecrate your wretched body in every imaginable way. We will then build a shrine around it so that all future generations of Iron Fists will see the remains of the last of the Dreamers." Samson hissed.
"Enough talking! It is time to see what is stronger on this day - your vile blood scream - or our Calling. In the name of the Princess die!" Mother shouted. Skamms watched as the Iron Fists let out a scream that was shriller than a banshee's wail. He saw the air before the Dreamers cackle and explode. The two attacks collided and desperately tried to overpower the other. Skamms smiled and limped towards the now busy attackers. He cleared his throat to get their attention. They noticed him from the corner of their eyes - but dared not stop what they were doing.
"If I might have your attention please. My name is Skamms. I don't think much of this city - but it is my home. I have been in a foul mood since both of your wretched factions darkened this city's doorway. I have been physically assaulted by you iron Fists - and I have been manipulated by the Dreamers. I want you all dead - so here is where we end this." Skamms stated. He aimed one rifle over at the standing Dreamers and the other at the Iron Fists. He then changed his mind and aimed each rifle at the other side by crossing his arms.
"That won't kill us - it won't even hurt us." Mother hissed.
"Hmm. Tell your god that Skamms sent you. In a quick action - he raised one shotgun up at a drum on the upper floor and the other at the now damp floor before them. When they realized what was happening - it was too late. White fire exploded from both guns.
***
At that moment outside, Axis and the anarchs heard the sounds of Dreamers and Iron Fists attacks - and then heard a familiar sound. Axis quickly hurried away from the building.
"Get back! That place is going to blow!" he shouted. Everyone scattered. Mere seconds later - a violent explosion expanded from all sides of the structure. They watched as an unusual amount of flames wafted out from the windows.
"He set the place up." Axis muttered.
"What?" Dagger asked.
"He had that place ready to blow." He clarified.
"He didn't come out." One of his anarch friends stated. Axis looked over at the burning building and tried to make sense of what the Malkavian had just done.
"Boss?" Claws stated. Axis looked over his shoulder and saw the resident Archon and his crew pull up in several cars. They all rushed over and saw the blaze.
"What happened? Our reports said that this was the place." The Archon asked. Axis looked over at the burning building and then over at the Archon.
"It is the place." He answered.
"You couldn't hold them here? Where did they run to?" the Archon asked. Axis allowed himself to laugh as he pointed to the burning structure. The Archon looked at the building.
"They are in there?" he asked.
"Yup." Axis answered.
"You did this?" he asked.
"No - Skamms did." He answered calmly.
"Did any get away?" he asked.
"I - have no idea. I doubt it though. Skamms was in there. I think he took a personal hand in dealing with them." Axis answered. The Archon looked at the inferno and shook his head.
"Your enemy did that for you? Wish my enemies were that thoughtful. Look, keep alert and make sure that everyone was accounted for. Especially Samson and Mother. I want a full report - faxed to this number ASAP. Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated by my employer." He instructed as he handed him a business card.
"Come on people. It looks like we came all this way for nothing." The Archon called out. Those that arrived with him made their way back to their vehicles and drove away.
"S-sir?" one of the prince's men muttered. He looked over at the fire and saw what had got his attention. Amidst the flames - a silhouette of a person.
"There is no way..." Axis muttered. everyone was beyond amazed when they saw Skamms walk out of the blaze without so much as a burn on him. He stopped in front of the building and turned to look at his handiwork. He then slowly walked towards the stunned vampires.
"I got everyone that was there highness." Skamms commented. He looked at the stunned look on the prince's face and allowed himself to laugh. This was one he would remember for as long as he existed.
"No one - and I do mean no one gets to kill you except me. No Dreamer - no Iron Fist - no nothing. You belong to me highness - and at a time of my choosing - I will collect." Skamms hissed with a deviant smile. He then tossed his smoking shotgun to the prince. Instinctively he caught it. It instantly burned his hands as he threw it to the ground.
"Come on boys and ghouls. Let's go to friendlier ground." Skamms called out with a laugh. The remaining survivors watched as the anarchs walked away.
"How did he do that?" Toenail asked in modest disbelief.
"I don't know." Axis replied.
***
A fair distance away from the blast, a badly scarred person was catching his breath in an alley. From there he could see the smoke coming from the old recycling plant. The place that almost killed him.
"I - I live. They are all dead..." he slurred. He began to laugh despite the intense pain he was feeling. His master Samson - perished - all of the Psycho Fangs - perished - all of the all of the Revolutionites - perished. But more importantly - all of the Dreamers were dead! He was one of the new ones that Samson himself embraced to use as bait. He managed to survive the onslaught by slowly slinking away from the fighting. He almost perished when the place exploded - but somehow - he survived.
"Final - victory - is ours..." he stated. He then collapsed into unconsciousness.
***
Later that night in the Warzone, everyone was still following Skamms around. It was cute to him at first, but now it was starting to get on his nerves. He turned around and glared at the mob before him.
"All of you..." he began as he noticed his younger friends.
"...except you and you - get lost!" he shouted. Everyone scattered except those he told to stay. He gestured for them to come forward. Without even thinking they hurried over to him.
"Thanks for the help. If you want to tag along - go nuts - just keep quiet." Skamms offered. The two nodded and walked behind Skamms. Within moments the three were at an old warehouse that had a cut up rose sign. They watched as a respected anarch elder exited the building with his friends. He gestured for his friends to stay away as he walked towards Skamms.
"I take it that everything was satisfactory." He asked.
"It was a work of art." Skamms replied.
"How did the suit fare?" he asked. Just then, Skamms dropped the mask he was wearing to reveal a fireproof suit. The two younger anarchs went wide-eyed in disbelief.
"Both worked like a charm. The body armor is in sad shape though." He replied. they watched as Skamms removed the fireproof suit to reveal a badly damaged chest plate.
"But here you are." The elder commented.
"It was worth the price my friend - you should have seen the look on the old prince's face when I waltzed out of the inferno as though it were nothing. But we'll keep this between us right?" he asked curiously.
"Of course. I don't want everyone here knowing I have that kind of influence. It was a pleasure doing business with you sir. Come boys. We still have work to do." He called out. Two of his men hurried over and collected the fireproof suit and damaged armor. He waved at Skamms and then walked away.
"Oh - and just so you know kids, if you talk about anything we were talking about just now, well, accidents can happen to anyone." Skamms warned as he began to walk away.
"He's something else." One of them commented.
"Yeah." The other agreed.
To be continued...
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