The Return Chapter 19
The First Challenge
By Firstborn Dragon
It did not take Zed and Boomerang long to find him. Rudy had managed to coner Emmas assistant, and was desperately trying to see if he could get his ARMs improved. The assistant suddenly found himself carrying a dozen ARMs off to his workbench, to see if there was any way to improve them. Rudys mind was so distracted, that he didnt even notice the two, until he ran into Zed.
"Oh, sorry. My mind is elsewhere right now."
Zed waved his hand. "No matter. We need to talk to you about something. It was a choice between you and Jack. And given what weve found out, I dont think Jack is a good idea right now."
Rudy laughed at that comment. "As far as you two and Jack are concerned, never is a good time for it."
Boomerang nodded his agreement. "I can see why. Thats what we came to talk to you about. Is there somewhere we can talk without quite so many people watching?"
Rudy though for a moment, then nodded. "Yea, follow me."
The three soon found themselves on the roof of the castle. "Its the only place I can think of."
Zed looked around. Well, at least we will not have to worry about anyone sneaking up on us."
Boomerang sat down on the roof. "Thats for sure."
Zed, Rudy, and Lucied quickly followed his example.
"So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Rudy was quite puzzled.
"Guess its my turn to start off." Zed nodded, so Boomerang continued. "I want to fight with you. I never realized what Zeikfried had done. Lady Harken or Elmina, which ever you prefer, was a good friend of mine. She was the only on Id trust my back to. I can see why Jack hates us so much. But I would have never gone along with such a plan. It lacks honor. You, and your friends have proven that you have honor. I know after our last few meetings , What Im trying to say is Im sorry about what happened before. I never realized what Zeikfried, or any of the others would do to win."
Rudy started to laugh. Boomerang looked hurt. Rudy noticed this, and tried to explain. "No, its not your story. I just had a vision of what Jack would do if you went in and told him that. If he didnt die of shock, hed die of disbelief."
Suddenly, Zed and Boomerang started to laugh too.
Zed tried to respond. "Guess youre right. Jack would have a hard time with that one."
Suddenly, Rudy stopped laughing. "By the Guardians! Not now!" He turned to the east, where a black shape was barley visible.
Zed looked at the form in disbelief. "Dont tell me. Its "
Rudy nodded, as he drew his hand cannon from his belt. It was the only one he hadnt tried to get upgraded. "Our friend from the woods. And the Arena."
"Great." It was impossible to miss the sarcasm in Zeds voice.
Rudy looked at the form, the to Boomerang. "Jack will hate me for this, but youd best go tell him that we need him up here. Fast."
Boomerang nodded. He knew how useful hed be in this battle. But five minutes latter he came back up, holding Slayer. "Jack doesnt want to leave her. Im a little surprised that he gave me the sword. Id figure hed rather put it through me."
Rudy listen, but he didnt take his eyes off of the approaching beast. "We can figure that out latter."
Just then, Cecilia came up. "Trouble?"
"Yea. Best get everyone out. Fast." Rudy gestured towards the shape. It was now close enough for him to be sure it was in fact one of the Forsaken.
Cecilia took one look at it, and nodded. "I see your point. Be careful. All of you."
If it hadnt been for the fact that all eyes were currently on the beast heading towards them, Cecilia would have seen two very shocked faces looking at her. Boomerang looked down at Lucied, and quickly placed a hand on her head.
"This is not a fight for you."
"It is a beast. We have hunted such before. Why now?"
"This one is one of the three."
"The Legends are true?"
"Yes." Boomerang turned to look at the departing figure of Cecilia. "Go with her, and guard them. I fear Zeikfried may not hold to his deal."
"You fear for them?"
"Times changes, as do friends. I ask you this, please?"
"For you then. Good hunting my friend."
With that, Lucied ran after Cecilia. Zed looked over towards Boomerang. He noticed this. "Ill explain it latter Theres a lot I have to explain to you latter ."
This served to only increase Zeds curiosity. But just then, the creature landed. Or tried to. The section of the roof that Rudy, Zed and Boomerang were on was not large enough to allow the creature to land. Its back legs were forced off by its body, and the creature was forced to take to the air again, or risk falling over, and doing great damage to its self. This time, it landed on the space around the front of the castle. Which left it in a bad position to attack, but at the same time, made it incredibly difficult for Zed and Boomerang to hit it. The creatures head came up, and it attempted to attack them. Rudy couldnt get a clear shot with his ARM. Hed also forgotten another fact
"DAMN! I forgot to get this reloaded. I only have one shot left."
Zed started to laugh. "Nice joke."
But Rudy shook his head. "Im not joking. I used up most of the ammo before. I just dont use it so often, that I forgot I even had it. Only one way to get a clear shot "
The creatures head was still above their position. "Come down and fight, little men."
Rudy looked at the head, and made his move. "With pleasure." He ran forwards, and leaped from the roof of the castle, to the creatures neck. This only served to enrage the beast, who began to thrash its head around. Rudy underestimated the distance from the creatures back, to the ground.
Suddenly, he was thrown off. Before he had time to react, the creature placed its foot on top of him, pinning him to the ground. "Well, well, well. One down, two to go."
With that, the creature slowly began putting more weight on its leg, crushing Rudy. The creature was so intent on watching Rudys suffering, that it didnt even notice Zed rush forwards. Zed swung Slayer with all his might at the creatures neck. The blade barley scratched the scales, but it did gain the creatures attention. "So, youd join your friends fate?"
The creature brought its head down low. Only the head was changing. No longer was it the head of a tired old king. Now it was a monstrous head, which seemed more appropriate to the body. More appropriate, and more deadly
There was a giant horn coming out of the center of its face. The eyes had become smaller, but it did not appear to affect its vision. If anything, it became better. Large scaled ridges covered the eyes, and there were several horns sticking out of the sides of its head. The mouth was now similar to that of a dragons, full of teeth.
That was exactly what came streaking towards Zed. Zed began to desperately attack the head, trying to draw blood. While Zed kept the beast busy, Boomerang rushed around to the now exposed neck. He began to attack it over and over, in an attempt to injure the beast. Rudy was desperately trying to free himself from underneath the creatures foot. But with little success. Suddenly, Slayer cut through the scales.
And the beast roared in pain. In its anger, it forgot all about Rudy, and raised its self upon its back legs, in an attempt to break the castle down. But Rudy now had a clear shot. He raised his hand cannon, and hit the beast right in the center of its underside. The beast was now seriously injured. It turned, and flew off, blood dripping from the wound in its chest. Zed, and Boomerang wasted no time in getting down to Rudy. He still laid in the impression of the creatures foot.
Zed reached him first. "You okay?"
Rudy tried to turn his head to look at Zed. But the pain was too great. He blacked out.
.