Paint the Town Red

[gantzgun74]

The Industrial Park of Void City... Possibly one of the most disliked areas in the entire city. It was dark, it was musty, and it was generally everything else that woulda made it the perfect villainous hide-out; after all, who would dare enter this place to look?

For Gantz, his reason for entering was entirely different from some of the other heroes that had came through here before. Back at the House of Blue Leaves, he happened to see a News article on the TV about some rather... Graphic and Gory deaths that had been found in this area recently. Bodies slashed apart into segments, limbs being severed off the body so cleanly there was no blood... The boy didn't know if this case was indeed one he had been looking for, but he was willing to take that chance.

Now here he was...

"So... What are we looking for?"

Next to him, Rosaline had revealed herself, prepping her sword. Ever since the whole deal with the Wizard, she had proven herself a capable fighter, and it grew to the point that Gantz was more allowing of her to come along... Mostly because she would invite herself if Gantz refused. "Are you really sure that the person here is-..."

Gantz sighed. "I don't know honestly... It's just... a feeling I have." With a quick move, he pulled out Soul Calibur. "As for what we're looking for, just keep an eye open. Whether the person causing these murders is who I think it is or not, we should be careful."

----------------------------------

Meanwhile...

"Grrrr.... Ah... ah..."

It was a true pain, really. The figure in the shadows continued to grip at an area of the chest, as if it had been wounded previously. A look at the figure would reveal very little since most of it was hidden in the dark of the multiple level parking lot made of concrete. All around the figure, one could find many cars that had obviously been abandoned who knows how long ago.

Grunting the figure slowly picked him/herself off the ground, and took a careful look around...

As it did, what came to attention was a tattered red cloak, that may have been a dress with a hood at some point in the past...

[B gal]

Faith and Dementia walked over the town. They than looked over towards Rosaline and Gantz.

"I heard about that guy. He amuses me. Can we go meet him?"

Faith looked towards her master, and sighed. She was a big fan of Gantz.

"He's looked busy...."

Dementia gave her pleading eyes, looking as sickeningly cute as she can get with her frightening appearance.

"Very well."

Dementia walked behind Gantz.

"May you require any assistance?" She asked him.

[gantzgun74]

Gantz looked at the two mildly confused, he had never seen these two characters before. Truthfully, he had wanted to find Red himself. Anyone joining in would probably result in the girl becoming distrustful and violent. "Who are you?"

Looking herself, Rosaline was a bit put off by the unnatural appearance of the two women. With a sigh, she crossed her arms. "Help would be welcome... But forgive us, if we act distrustful. I don't believe we've ever met before."

[B gal]

Dementia looked over at her.

"Well, truth be told, we didn't. But, we heard very much about you, Mr. Guntz."

Faith walked over towards the two.

"I gathered up several stories about you from the local museum. She was very interested in them. My name's Faith, and the semi-monstrous humanoid that's stood before thee is Dementia."

Dementia gave a curtsy. She would offer a handshake, but her claws might get in the way.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," She said in a calm voice.

[gantzgun74]

Gantz lowered his guard at this point. Sure they looked weird, but in his experiences, weird usually didn't mean hostile. What really meant hostile was if you were attacked first, and these girls didn't seem willing to do that. "Well... Okay, I suppose. It's good to meet you."

Meanwhile, Rosaline still looked a bit confused, these girls had read up on Gantz? She wasn't even aware there were any books on him... Hmm, must've been newspaper articles. "Yes, pleasure." She looked around the desolate place, a moment before turning to the two. "In that case, have either of you two seen a young girl around this tall?" She motions her hands at around the height of her chest. "Light brown hair, and wearing a tattered red robe? She's a friend of mine and Gantz's and we heard that she was somewhere in the area."

"Or at least we saw an article on the news that LOOKED like it was her. We came by to look for her." With that correction made clear, the boy took another careful look around Industrial Park.

[B gal]

"No, none that we have seen," Dementia sighed.

"I'll scan the area."

Faith adjusted her eyes a bit. Her eyes scanned the area for a while.

"There. I detected another aura other than ours. It's not far from here."

[gantzgun74]

Well, these two were proving useful already. Looking in the direction Faith pointed out, he saw an old abandoned several level parking lot... Hmm, looked about as good a place as any for someone as out of sorts as Red to hide. "Okay, in that case, we'll start there." He turned to Faith and nodded. "Thanks you were a big help."

Looking up at the Parking lot, she frowned lightly. "We'll have to be careful. If our friend is as crazy as she used to be, then this place is the perfect deathtrap"

--------------------------------------------

With Red, she took deep breaths as she massaged the bruised area on her chest. She couldn't believe she had been taken by surprise earlier. She was NEVER taken by surprise so easily. She was nothing if not a fighter, and persistent. Growling, she walked over to a nearby car, and sat down beside it, likely attempting gain more cover...

----------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, not too far away from the parking lot, on the opposite side Gantz and the others were climbing...

All we see for a moment, is the cold abandoned road... Suddenly however, a tiny shred of red cloth blew in at the mercy of the wind...

However, the shred of cloth was caught in the left hand of an unknown figure who took a very close look at it.

With a small sniff, the figure looked toward the high up parking lot, frowning greatly.

"So this is where you were hiding..."

[B gal]

"Don't mentioned it," Faith told them.

The two nodded at the warning, Dementia looking a bit nervous. Faith went up to her.

"It'll be fine."

Dementia held Faith close, who rolled her eyes. They followed the others.

"Why are we-"

"I detected another presence."

"alignment?"

"Conflicting..."

Dementia grew a bit worried.

[gantzgun74]

Walking up the ramp to the first level of the park, Gantz and Rose looked around taking in the mass of abandoned, and probably useless cars, there was definately a lot of places that someone could hide in here, whether it be inside one of these cars or behind one. Either way if their friend was indeed here, she would be out of immediate sight. So it was with that in mind that Gantz decided it would be smart to try sensing around for her life energy.

As he took a careful look around, Rosaline took notice of the cars nearby, looking quite confused. "Who would leave cars like this around here?" Scratching her head, she looked to the window of a nearby car window, which was covered in dust. She gingerly wiped off the dust before looking inside. "It's like some kind of graveyard..."

As much as Gantz didn't like that word due to sheer creepy factor, he had to admit that the description fit quite a bit. "No kidding..." After a second, he pulled out the sword on his waist. "Soul, whada you think? Is Red nearby?"

There was a light glow that came from Soul Calibur, before the sword answered. "From where I am currently, there is a life sign, two floors above us... It feels a bit weak though."

That really worried both Gantz and Rose. "Oh... I hope Red is alright..."

"If this is indeed Red we're talking about... It could be someone else for all we know." With that said, Gantz twirled Soul Calibur, and resheathed the sword. "Let's just hope it is her we're dealing with..." He sighed after saying that, "But if it is Red, I hope she's okay too."

[B gal]

Dementia and Faith listened on to the conversation in interest as they explored the parking lot. Dementia hoped to god that everyone was okay, especially since another aura other then theres detected in the fray.

[gantzgun74]

Meanwhile...

Two floors up, Red continued to huff, quite pained, hidden behind the car. "Hah... Huff... Gack..." In her current state of mind, all she could think about was the pain, and how she wanted it to stop...

... Clip... Clop... Clip... Clop...

Red froze upon hearing that... Oh how she knew that sound.

"So this is where you've been hiding." Red didn't dare look over the car to see who it was, for fear of being seen. But she knew who it was... She was the reason she was hurt.

Just past the car, there existed a young girl, with blue hair, and light silverish cat ears, her facial expressions blank at best; uncaring about most everything around her. She wore a dark black kimono, ended with samurai sandals, and was carrying around a big katana in a sheathe on her belt.

From where she stood, the Black Cat Samurai, Vanessa, glared around, attempting to find Red. Ever since she got up to this floor, the thin layer of dust covering everything messed with her sense of smell lightly... But she KNEW her prey was here.

Upon undoing a strap, she pulled out her katana, and very powerful looking magic charged into the blade. "Now then 'Bloody Red Riding Hood'. Let's finish this shall we?" She reeled back her sword...

---------------------------------------

Two floors below...

Gantz lifted his head in sudden surprise. This easily caught Rosaline's attention. "What Gantz? What is it?"

The boy clearly looked panicked, "Did anyone else feel that sudden increase in magic just now?"

No-one could answer before-

SHIIIIIIING!!!

BOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Park shook violently.

Okay, Gantz was convinced... There was NO-WAY that could've been Red... As far as he knew, she didn't know magic... But that was when he felt a second life force two floors above. "Oh no..!!" He turned to the others quickly, as he drew Soul Calibur. "Come on guys!!! We need to hurry!!!!"

----------------------------------------------

Back on the third floor, many of the cars that had been abandoned were now sliced in half; Some were in flames because of that. As for Red, she was forced to dodge aside, ultimately revealing herself to her enemy. She looked with fear at the samurai, as she let out a hollow grin. "Ah, there you are. Good of you to show up."

[B gal]

Before Faith could give them an answer about the other figure, an explosion went off. Dementia screamed as she heard an explosion. She held onto Faith in fear for a few seconds, but Faith got her off.

On Gantz's orders, she drew out her laser cannon. Dementia looked a bit nervous as they ran off, Faith getting a good head of herself.
-------
Faith was the first of the group to head to the floor the two girls were on, she went behind the girl.

"Leave the girl alone if you want to live," She calmly instructed Vanessa in her usual emotionless robotic tone.

[gantzgun74]

Vanessa looked over her shoulder at the group, katana raised. “I don’t believe this is any of your concern.” Magic charged into her blade. “I was hired to kill this girl, because she is becoming a menace to society. It is better that she meets her fate now, instead of continuing her killing streak.” She raised her magic filled sword over her head. “Now if you’ll excuse me-”

She swung...

CLANG!!!

And was met by Soul Calibur.

Gantz growled furiously, as he clashed with Vanessa’s sword, slowly pushing it back, much to the Felpier’s surprise. “NO… WAY… She is my friend… And I… WILL NOT… LET YOU…” CLASH!!! SHING!!! Gantz forced Vanessa’s blade, and sliced outward with Soul, Lightning coursing the blade. “TOUCH HER!!!!!”

Vanessa smoothly dodged aside with all of her feline grace. Charging magic in her hand, she snarled angrily. “Fine… You want to stand in my way… So be it…” She threw her arm outwards. “FLARE!!!!” A Firaga power spell blasted out of her fingertips. When everyone dodged aside, the spell hit a car somewhat far behind them…

BOOM.

The car was taken up by flames in less then seconds.

Charging in, Vanessa swung her sword outward, with maximum precision. Rosaline was the one that caught the blade, easily holding it back. “Gantz! Go get Red! We’ll handle her!”

[B gal]

Faith was very unfazed by Vanessa's comments. She silently watched as the events passed by. When Rosaline blocked the sword, Dementia ran off towards the group, panting. Dementia pointed her claws at her.

"Listen," Dementia sneered at Vanessa, "I bloody hate all the killing Red's done, but I just hate killing period. And, as long as Gantz can take care of her, I suggested you leave quietly, so we cause any more damage to you."

Before Vanessa could give a response, she used her claws to slashed her stomach, and hurled her away five feet. She death glared her, making herself looked threating, which, thanks to her demonic features (pointed ears, glowing red vampire eyes, pale skin, a long fang pointing out of her mouth, one foot long claws on her fingers, and pointed claws on her toes), it was rather easy.

Faith walked in front of Red, pointing her gun out in self defense.

[gantzgun74]

If there was one thing Vanessa was known for, it was that she didn't scare easily. With but a single healing spell, the wound she had gained, was gone within an instant. Holding her katana in self-defense, she charged magic into the blade before swinging it at Dementia, causing a Sword Beam to be sent firing out. Rosaline focused her own magic quickly, and quickly placed her hand on the cement below her. "Contortion!!!"

Almost immediately, the cement in front of Dementia spiked upward, effectively keeping the sword beam from hitting her.

With Gantz, Faith, and Red...

"No... Put your gun down."

Gantz's sudden order might have come as a surprise, but what came as an even bigger one was what happened next.

Gantz placed Soul Calibur at his feet. "Red. We're here to help you. Okay?" He bent down to the girl's eye level since she was sitting on the ground. "Red... I know it doesn't seem possible... But it's me... Gantz... Remember?"

The psycho continued to stare at Gantz, as if she didn't recognize him at all. Gantz sighed, figuring the loneliness must've hit her harder then he thought. "Red, we don't want to hurt you. But your going to have to trust us okay?"

Staring at the boy, Red looked anything but trustful... But still...

Something about this boy almost seemed... Familiar...