Here We Go. Again?

[Ash]

Another day, another nightmare or at least that how it seemed to Ash, the brash young man. It could be described as a cataclysmic hangover but there was no stray woman about, no unbearable headache and even worse, no alcohol. Getting slowly off the bed he moves towards the window to look outside at the darkness. “That’s what you gotta love about Michigan, buildings change themselves.” Shaking his head as he runs his only hand through his head Ash had no idea what was going on but, he did know what kind of evil lurked in the shadows that we pass by every single day. Kneeling next to his bed he pulls out a long wooden box that contained the only friend he could rely on; his old 12 gauge shotgun. Ash takes another glance outside as he slides the wardrobe door open, what the hell was going on this time? Reaching down into the depths of the wardrobe there it was, the other mister reliable, the chainsaw that, along with the hoseclamp next to it, would attach onto the handless arm of his.

Now, heading out of the apartment block fully equipped, Ash bursts outside swiftly examining everything around him. Where was all that noise coming from? The noise seemed to be all around him yet there was no one around to cause it, or was there? The darkness made visibility limited, extremely limited and the noise of loud suspects startled Ash who quickly took cover in the alleyway next to the apartment block, behind the bins. Peering from behind his sanctuary Ash examines the large figures that storm past were they human? They looked too big to be human yet they moved and had the figure of a human. Shaking his head once more, not believing his overwhelming luck when it comes to contact with unworldly beings Ash stands once again as the hairs stick up on the back of his neck. Flinging the old 12 gauge over his shoulder he calls out, “Who are you? What’s going on? I want answers, don’t make me pull the trigger!”

[Ayen]

“Don’t make me pull mine.”

The male voice was calm even after having a rather impressive looking 12 gauge aimed in his direction. To return the favor a special edition golden tiger striped .50 AE Desert Eagle was now aimed at the other man. Coming out of the shadow was a man who stood at 6'2 and weigh around 180lbs. His hair was short, combed back nicely and silver in color as his eyes were a dark shade of brown. He was dressed in an all black military uniform with the symbol of a crimson red vulture’s head on his right shoulder.

“Smuggling in weapons I see. Good way to get yourself beheaded.”

[Ash]

Ash smirks, typical there were never any straight answers in these situations, no one to just run him through what the hell was going on. That would just be too simple wouldn’t it? Surely if he knew the troubles that faced him then there’d be no shocking surprises, where would the fun be in that? Turning around to face this stranger Ash keeps his 12 gauge steadily focused on his potential target. “Me smuggling? I ain’t smuggling a damn thing. It’s you! You and the rest of these strangers who have smuggled all these buildings around me!” Ash flicks his eyes right and left to these alien surroundings, contemplating just how ridiculous that statement was but he was right; wasn’t he? Trying to make it seem as though he was in a commanding position definitely wasn’t one of his strengths even in these bizarrely familiar situations but he was always one to try. “So yea. Perhaps you should start talking pal or else.” Ash keeps his eyes on the tall stranger in front of him as he waits, set on getting answers this time around.

[Ayen]

Drake blinked at the man’s statement. He was acting strange and since Drake was still ignorant to the crisis involving alternate dimensions and the likes Drake could only assume one logical conclusion that explained why this man was acting so strange.

“Not only smuggling weapons but you’ve been taking drugs too. The boss is not going to like this one bit. All right I’ll play along for now.”

Drake thought it would be fun to amuse the man for a little while, he also thought it would be a good plan to catch him off guard. Lowering the golden Desert Eagle Drake watched to see if he would lower his weapon as a gesture of good will.

“I’m Drake White; first class soldier of the Crimson Vulture army and this is Isafaro, ran by the all so generous Koma Iz Vulture.”

There was heavy sarcasm in his voice when he said the word “generous” indicating that Vulture was far from a generous man. No. He was the kind of guy who’d shoot you in the face if you looked at him the wrong way.

“And that weapon you have in your hands is illegal.”

[Ash]

Ash loosens the grip on his trusted 12 gauge shotgun but he still keeps it roughly in the direction of Drake White he seemed to be someone who didn’t pose an immediate threat but better to be safe than sorry. “Knock it off wise guy I want some real answers from ya.” Taking a few steps towards Drake Ash shakes his head, clearly not satisfied with the tone of voice of this man and the lack of respect being given to him. “You know what punk we need to get something straight. I’ve been through all kinds of crazy shit that you couldn’t begin to imagine and you’re trying to tell me that I’m not in Michigan.” Ash looks around briskly for a moment, “Ok so perhaps this isn’t Michigan, then how the hell did I get here? Illegal or otherwise Ash didn’t care right now, he wanted answers the questions he was asking, he had nothing to answer for.

[Ayen]

“Michigan?” repeated Drake. What the hell is Michigan? he added mentally.

This guy had to be off his rocker from some kind of illegal drug or something. That was the only thing that made any sense to the silver haired man in black. Oh the people back at HQ would have a field day with this one. Ayanna and Zach especially.

“How did you get here? Good question. I’m going to say…. a wizard did it.”

Drake didn’t seem very concerned with giving the man answers even with that shotgun present. Drake wrote it off as confidence, in truth it was solely arrogance on his part.

“Either way you’re coming with me.”

[Ash]

Ash immediately begins to take steps back away from Drake, keeping the 12 gauge firmly pointed at him. “Oh no. You’re gonna give me answers before “we” go anywhere!” Ash shakes his head now as he stops his retreat, the last thing he wanted was to be in the open. “And what do you mean what’s Michigan? This is Michigan!” Looking around once more Ash notices that he may actually be in the wrong, sighing slightly a defeated look on his face “Well it was Michigan... Oh Ash what have you gotten yourself into this time?” The latter part of his statement obviously aimed at himself, Ash drops his head as he just stares at the floor.

[Ayen]

Drake continued to observe the strange looking man. Naturally it didn’t look like this person was going anywhere without a fight or until he was given answers. How typical. If what he was saying was true then some things didn’t change in people no matter what weird sounding place you hailed from.

“Quite frankly I think you’re out of your damn mind,” said Drake bluntly.

Although the more he thought about it the more he began to consider that this man was telling the truth. Ever since that tower north of Isafaro appeared strange things were happening around here. Very strange. He knew that Dr. Ayen Matthews and General Vulture was aware of what was going on but he didn’t know jack. Neither did Ayanna or Zach. They were all kept in the dark, as was to be expected in an army that operated such as this.

“That said, there may be some shreds of truth to what you’re saying.”

Drake hoisted his weapon at long last, for now he was no threat to the stranger.

“Look I don’t know who you are or where you’re from but ever since a certain giant tower appeared north from here some strange shit has been going on. Not to mention that every single nation on this continent you’re on right now has been gunning for that tower. So if I’m right in my assumption however you got here is connected to that thing somehow.”

[Ash]

Ash watches as Drake White finally hoists his weapon and slowly but surely Ash himself slings the 12 gauge shotgun over his back. Keeping all his focus on Drake still there is a moments silence as Ash tries to figure out of this was going to end up like some kind of old western draw or if the two of them were actually at some sort of mutual peace. “Crazy? You think I’m crazy? How about you go right on home, have a little nap and wake up in your home that isn’t even your home anymore!” Ash turns to face the wall of the alley, resting his forehead against the cold structure he slams his fist on it repeatedly working himself up until he was actually laughing about the whole situation. “You know it’s never Ash you have to go take candy from a baby, Ash you’ve gotta go into the nice green fields. No. It’s Ash you’ve gotta fight against the living dead, Ash you’ve gotta go take the book but don’t forget to say these words but here’s the catch... there’s gonna be three books but I won’t tell you that!” Reliving those old memories seemed to be the first thing Ash ever did when faced with something that put him in a situation so bizarre it’s more surreal than any fairytale. Approaching Drake now Ash puts his one and only good hand on his shoulder and shaking his head, ,his eccentric side without a doubt getting the better of him, he speaks out again “But I digress. So how about we head on down to this so called tower and I’ll do what I do best... make everything up as I go along. Smirking and laughing, Ash awaits for Drake’s response, either way Ash was going to be hitting the road and once again things the fate of wherever he was seemed to rely on him...

[Ayen]

Drake just stood there unsure what to make of the man as he started laughing. He could always just redraw his gun, having the fastest hands in Isafaro, and take the man out and then go about the rest of his night. Maybe sweep Ayanna off her feet like he’s prone to do and have some fun with her to end the day. But his curiosity about the towers were getting the better of him and perhaps now would be his chance to figure out what General Vulture and the higher ups has been hiding from them all this time. When Ash got closer and put his hand on Drake’s shoulder Drake was now able to see that on his other arm was…. a chainsaw? Okay now he’s seen everything. Drake didn’t know to feel sorry for the guy or envy the fact he had an arm for a freaking chainsaw! He’d go with envy for now.

“All right I’ll escort you to the tower. I’ve been curious to check the place out myself. If anyone ask though you’re my prisoner so…. act miserable. The ladies here eat that up.”

They really did, Drake would never understand women, of course he didn’t care to. There was really only one thing he wanted and needed from them if their name wasn’t Ayanna Kaktas. With that said Drake began to lead the way out of the alley and down the street of the city of Isafaro.

“Mister Drake White!”

Ash would be able to hear a groan from Drake as a short, lightweight, funny looking man with big round brown eyes and black hair, wearing the same uniform as Drake, ran up and looked the two over.

“Who is this suspicious person, sir!?”

“Prisoner.”

“Prisoner? He still has his weapons on him, sir!”

“It’s broken.”

“Broken?”

“Yeah. See where the barrels line up….?”

Drake trailed off and then knocked the man out with his back hand watching him fall to the ground ground unconscious.

“Let’s go.”

[Ash]

A prisoner. Great. At least in his previous encounters with unworldly beings Ash had been the lead, the hero. Now he was the prisoner, the low life, just fantastic. Women may have been a sucker for that sort of thing around here but Ash knew the one thing that all women wanted that worked every time, him. Listening to the voices Ash just kept his head down before following on with Drake White. Looking around, everything looked so different; the fact that this wasn’t and never has been Michigan is pretty much accepted as fact to him now.

After walking along for about a quarter of an hour Ash stops Drake, “How far exactly is this place and what do you actually know about this place?” Ash begins to slowly walk forwards again, allowing Drake to dictate the pace as he hoped to finally get the answers he was seeking. Any information had to be better than nothing right?

[Ayen]

Ugh. He was talking again. Why couldn’t anyone ever travel quietly down the street anymore? His questions were legit but Drake preferred the nice quiet sound of the city to him talking.

“I don’t know how big your biggest city is but Isafaro is considered the biggest city on the continent so it’s going to take a while. That’s why we’re heading back to my place to get my car so we don’t have to travel the rest of the way on foot. As for the tower itself I know jack shit.”

“The prison isn’t that far away.”

“Shit.”

Now blocking their path was the brunette Ayanna Kaktas. The one woman in Isafaro that could actually give Drake a run for his money, and not just on foot. She approached the two and eyed Ash suspiciously before looking back to Drake.

“Where you headed?”

“Uh. To a new maximum security prison. The man’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous? That’s why you have him walking around with a shotgun and a chainsaw?”

“They’re broken.”

“You’re a lousy liar.”

“You’re going to the Downward Spiral aren’t you?”

Drake sighed as Zach Tigerson arrived on the scene alongside Ayanna.

“You know we aren’t supposed to go there.”

“Come on, guys! Aren’t you the least bit curious what they’re keeping secret from us?”

“If they haven’t told us it must be for a good reason.”

“Figured you’d say that. Ayanna?”

“Hmm…. I guess a detour won’t kill us. But at least give the man over here a spare uniform to put on so he looks like he belongs. He’s too cute to play the role of prisoner.”

Ayanna smiled over to Ash and Drake looked unamused as he tried to look taller and more handsome than the one-handed man from Mic--- Mi--- well Drake couldn’t remember what the hell it was.

[Ash]

Ash raises his head again. Did she just say cute? A guy with a chainsaw for a hand was cute in this city. Maybe he shouldn’t be in such a hurry to find a way home! Looking around at the new cast of strangers the Michigan native focuses back on Drake White. “Ah dude you have spare uniforms but instead you choose to drag me round as a prisoner. Not cool.”

Drawing the trusty 12 gauge shotgun now, Ash raises it in the air as he looks round at Drake and the two strangers he has encountered. “You know what, I’ve had it. I say that we go to this tower and we find out exactly what the hell’s going on. Get me a uniform; don’t get me a uniform I don’t care. I’ve been through hell and look at me, still standing baby. Sure I may have lost a hand in the process but I’m still fightin’ ain’t I?” A small smirk crawls onto Ash’s face for the first time as he aims it and his attention at the brunette woman.

[Ira]

At first glance, it seemed similar. But she could tell the feeling of this place was far different than her normal sectors of Coruscant. It felt different. A thin smile slowly formed across Darth Ira’s black lips. A new place to play, perhaps? She continued to move through the streets of this new place, leaving behind the Downward Spiral, her yellow orange eyes sweeping from side to side, looking over the buildings.

She did not need to look over this place, she could tell something was off here. This place. The feeling. The tension. There was something. But, it felt somewhat pleasant to her. To a degree, it even excited her. Better yet too, the lack of any oppressive light was pleasing to no end. None of those pathetic weaklings to stand in her way and to waste her time. She could indulge.

She took in another deep breath and exhaled slowly with a slight growl, her smile only grew wider. With her exhale though, Ira simple let her aura go, stopping any control of it. Those who would normally hunt her seemed to be missing, however, if they felt that they would come…Or maybe they would run? Ah. Either way, it didn’t matter. She let her aura roll out like a heavy and thick fog traveling along the ground, the obvious intoxicating heavy and yet ghostly feeling of the dark side spread through the streets a few yards around her as she walked.

Darth Ira moved her hands behind her back, resisting the temptation to tear something apart for the time being. People here and there. Oh…How satisfying it would be to hear them. Ira closed her eyes for a moment. She needed to stop that thought process for a moment. When she opened them once more though, her eyes landed on a group of four. The only thing which held her attention to them though was the fact that they carried weapons so…blatantly. As well as the fact that one of them seemed to have a saw replacing a hand? Well that just seemed silly really.

Then again, nobody had ever said that people from this place were going to be smart.

[Ayen]

“Psst. You never asked.”

That was a dick answer and Drake didn’t care who knew it. Ayanna appeared to be impressed by the man and that only made Drake dislike him further. Zach only frowned as it was clear to him the only reason Ayanna took interest in the stranger was in order to make Drake jealous and Drake was terrible during states of jealousy. Zach looked over to Ash wondering what in the world he was talking about.

“So, before we go any further where exactly are you from?”

“Looks like we have company.”

Zach and Drake turned around to see the strange looking female in the distance. Zach and Ayanna were suspicious but Drake liked what he was seeing.

“Quite the beauty.”

“You have such disgusting tastes.”

Drake Ignored her and approached the other female.

“Hey there beautiful, how are you doing this fine evening?”

Zach only face palmed. They weren’t going to get anywhere at this rate.