Never Change

[doctorzero]

Ugh...

It was becoming a regular occurrence, Max realized, as he slowly regained consciousness. Sooner or later, he had to get into better shape, even if he had a good arm for punching people.

He got to his feet, checking his belt for his Pokeballs (present and accounted for, with James, Erin and Buizel shaken but fine) and examined his surroundings.

"...I really hope I'm not outside the mansion from Resident Evil."

That was really the best way to describe the building--a huge, creepy manor complete with gargoyle statues. There was a number of pillars strewn about. It didn't look like he was at the entrance.

He did a quick lookover. He was the only one present--he began to feel irritated. Someone, somewhere, was mocking him, he just knew it. This had to have been the third time he had gotten separated from most of his companions.

He was just about to shout their names when he heard footsteps in the grass. Throwing caution to the wind, he hid behind a pillar.

When he took a look at what it was, his eyes widened.

Zero?!

It was indeed him--still sans hat. Max had almost forgotten about that piece of headwear. Zero gave no indication that he had noticed Max and walked around the corner of the manor.

What the heck is Zero doing here? Was he the one who did that...warpy thing?

Max wasn't sure that it was a good idea to follow Zero, of all people, but he didn't think he had much choice in the matter either.

Regardless, he would've given anything--anything--to have a reason not to enter the freaking mansion.

He could already tell this was going to suck.

---

Jihl was no stranger to ballrooms. This one in particular was actually quite lovely, if rather dusty. However, the beauty of it was not her principle concern.

She had her back to the other two occupants of the room (one of which was unconscious) and was staring out of the large window in the back. She was having doubts about this whole thing--Kavma hadn't wanted her killed, after all. But still, a deal was a deal, and she intended to honor it.

And yet...

[gantzgun74]

As Jihl looked out the window, she likely either did or didn't notice Vanessa on what looked like a cell phone, which may or may not be stolen, talking with someone. Though just who was unknown. "Yeah boss. Yes, I do have her. It took some doing but I got her."

She was silent a moment as her boss spoke. A moment later she smiled a bit. "Well I'm glad you feel that way. So tell me again. How do you plan on making this trade off? I deliver the girl's head on a platter and you give me the money? Or will you send it to my digital account?" The bosses voice sounded quite curious at this. "No I don't have a digital account tough guy. If you want Red dead, I need to see paper cash, not numbers online. Get the picture?"

She grinned even more as she heard some men argue on the other end of the phone, a moment more, the voice returned to the phone. "Why yes, I am old fashioned. It's the only way I work. So what do you say? I see the cash?" She chuckled. "Tell you what, call me back when you actually have the cash, NO counterfeit, and we'll talk about how I kill the kid got it?" There was the voice of agreement on the other side before Vanessa calmly hung up.

"Real hard to find competent clientele..." She shrugged. "But hey, this job does have it's rewarding pay." She looked to Jihl Nabaat with a curious expression. "Though I have to say, I don't know why you would help me. You seem to work for the same guys that wanted to protect those kids... Care ta fill me in on what's going on?"

[doctorzero]

The foyer of the mansion was as creepy as he expected it to be, with cobwebs and dust everywhere. Oddly enough, a few candelabras were lit.

Zero did not acknowledge them, instead heading straight to the door between the two staircases. Max, severely regretting doing this, continued to follow as silently as he could.

What I don't get it what it is he's doing at a haunted mansion in Arceus knows where, he thought to himself.

Up ahead, he saw Zero turn a corner. I'm definitely going to regret this.

His fear was justified, as a fist greeted him as soon as he turned the corner.

"OW! W--"

Zero kneed him in the stomach, following up with an elbow to the face, knocking him back as well as knocking his hat off. He grabbed the hat, shoved his hand into it, and withdrew it to reveal his own feathered chapeau, swiftly placing it on his head as he stomped on Max's chest while tossing the cap away.

"I'm not an idiot. I could practically see you a mile away." Zero drew Soul Edge and pointed the tip at Max's neck. "Now give me a reason why I shouldn't just kill you now."

---

Vanessa's voice snapped her out of her reverie. "That information is confidential," she snapped as she turned to face her. "After all, I don't recall agreeing to share my reasons for helping you. Suffice it to say that I needed a way to get this girl off the island, and you provided a method. Besides..."

She spared a glance at the unconscious girl lying a few feet away. "It would be merciful for her. She has no chance of having a normal life, after what she endured at that asylum..."

She was beginning to have trouble actually believing those words at this point.

Maybe...

She shook her head. Deal with it, Nabaat. Kavma does not have to know.

"What do you plan on doing now?" she asked. "Do you intend to slay her immediately, or do you wish to wait for your employer to get back to you?"

She was beginning to get curious as to who Vanessa's boss was, but she could make an educated guess...

(Zero will barge in on them next time I post, for the record.)

[gantzgun74]

The Felpier held up her hands simply. "I plan on waiting for them to give me a call. I'm not laying one finger on the kid until I'm sure I'm getting paid for it right." She looked to Jihl with a narrowed gaze, "If I'm touching on nerves here, I'm sorry. But hey, you helped me catch this girl. So logically, I thought you just wanted a piece of the pie."

[doctorzero]

Max was now officially terrified. He couldn't reach his Pokeballs, and if he so much as twitched Zero would've decapitated him immediately. Thankfully, the sound of voices was what had saved him.

Zero looked over his shoulder, then back at Max. "I'm feeling merciful today."

CRACK!

Zero sheathed Soul Edge as Max fell unconscious from the kick. "THAT was for stealing my hat. Next time I see you, I'll kill you." He turned and continued toward the ballroom.

---

Jihl was somewhat relieved that they would have to wait. This was getting to her more and more.

"I'll be honest with you, Miss Vanessa," she said, "if I had any other option apart from this girl's death, I would've taken it."

"That is prime bullshit, coming from you."

Jihl drew her baton and brandished it at the intruder, who was leaning against the door. "Zero. How did you find us?

Zero shrugged. "Didn't even know you morons were here until I came it. Small world after all, huh?" He stood up and began to walk toward them. "I don't know what you're doing here, or why, but I'm not really in the mood to find out. But since you're Crystal, I figure that you would be a good ticket to getting to that asshole Kavma.

Jihl stepped between him and Red, tense. "Don't take another step, Zero. You have no idea what you're dealing with."

She whistled. Almost instantly, several CRL operatives stationed on the second floor of the room made themselves known, aiming their rifles at Zero.

Zero blinked. "I hate it when you do that."

"It's a talent we have," Jihl snarked. "Take one step, and you'll be hitting the ground before you know what hit you."

Zero smiled. "Ah, but I'm quite sure that Kavma's given you all orders not to have me killed, so your threat is rendered moot."

"I never said we would kill you."

Moment of silence.

"Tranqs?"

"Yes."

"Oh, fuck you."

[gantzgun74]

As this happened, Vanessa continued looking at Zero, looking somewhat confused.... After a few more moments she turned to Jihl. "Who the hell is this loser?"

Outside of the two's peripherals, neither of them noticed Red's hand twitch... The girl appeared to wake up slowly, looking both tired and dazed.

[doctorzero]

Zero blinked at Vanessa. "You have a catgirl assistant. If I had any respect left for you people I would've lost it at this point."

Jihl gritted her teeth, glancing briefly at Red behind her (she didn't notice her move). This was bad. Really bad. She had been trying to prevent this, dammit! How did Zero get here?!

"Vanessa," she said sharply. "I need you to take the girl and run."

---

SPLOOOOSH!

Max sat up, spluttering. "GAH! What the..."

When he opened his eyes, he saw that Buizel was sitting on his stomach, looking at him with worry. James was standing at his side.

"Guys...?" he muttered. He got to his feet, groaning. "Got out of your balls again..."

"We've been practicing," James snarked.

Max shook his head. "Well, thanks for waking me up. But Zero--"

He was interrupted by Erin running towards them, looking nervous. "I just saw him up ahead--that Jihl woman is with him, along with a cat girl and Red!"

He hadn't expected Red to be here. However, he could figure out the specifics later. He picked up his cap and put it back on. "Come on, guys."

[gantzgun74]

Vanessa snarled a little at this order, none to pleased about the catgirl crack Zero threw out. "Run? You have GOT to be joking. This moron deserves a thrasing-!" She stopped when she saw Jihl's face. Clearly this wasn't up for discussion. ".......................... Fine..." She wasted no time and moved for Red...

However the second Vanessa's hand came in contact with the insane child, there was a loud scream before Red jerked awake. Acting on pure instinct, she bit at the Vanessa's hand, the felpier barely pulling them back in time to miss getting chomped off. "GACK!!!!!" She didn't dodge, however, getting headbutted in the gut by the feral girl, knocking the wind out of her. "OOOF!!!!!"

Red was quick to clear out of the room and run into a nearby hallway before Vanessa could get back up.

[doctorzero]

Somehow, Jihl figured something like that would happen. "Dammit, wait!"

On one hand, the farther away Red was from Zero, the better. On the other...

She looked back at Zero just in time to see him directing his fist at her head.

---

Max was a little scared of what he was going to find at the end of the hallway. If Zero had managed to turn Wally into something like...well, THAT, then he shuddered to think of what might happen if he got his hands on Red.

"OOF!"

Speaking of which.

Max sat up to see Red sprawled over him. "Red?!"

He helped her up, checking her for any injuries. "Are you all right? Did you see Zero? What happened?"

Erin coughed. Max smacked his forehead. "Right, forgot she can't talk..."

"Not to be a killjoy, or anything," said Buizel, "But shouldn't we get out of here?"

Max nodded--he was in no mood to deal with either Jihl or Zero at the moment. "You're right. We can talk later, guys, now let's get out of here before Zero shows up!"

He grabbed Red by the rest and ran, his Pokemon following.

---

Jihl vanished before the attack could connect, reappearing a small distance away from Zero. "What are you standing there for?!" she yelled to her underlings. "Shoot him!"

The agents aimed their weapons at Zero and fired.

Click.

There were several more clicks before they realized that nothing was happening.

Zero raised his eyebrow at Jihl. "Really."

To say that Jihl was flabbergasted would've been an understatement. "What--what?!"

How could all of their weapons jam at once?! she thought wildly. That doesn't make any sense!

Unless...

"So. That girl must've been important, eh?"

Jihl looked back at Zero, who was smirking maliciously.

"See ya."

He jumped backward, landing at the door and slamming it shut behind him.

"NO!" Jihl immediately gave chase. "AFTER HIM!"

[gantzgun74]

Red was in hysterics when she ran into Max; crying quite a bit, holding onto him, whimpering fearfully. She only briefly regarded Max's attempt at talking to her with a curious expression, before she was quickly dragged off.

She vaguely heard a shout and a crash behind her, as they quickly ran.

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

As it had turned out, Vanessa had gotten back on to her feet, and had kicked open the door Zero had closed behind him. "What the hell is wrong with you idiots?!?!?! You're GUNS STALLED?!? What sort of big wig corporation are you?!"

She had her katana drawn and was quickly after Zero.

[doctorzero]

Max, Red, Buizel, Erin and James entered the entrance hall. "We're almost there, come on!" Max yelled.

"What're we going to do?!" Erin yelled, panicking. "We don't even know where we are!"

"I'll THINK OF SOMETHING!" Max yelled. "Just--AGH!"

Zero had jumped and grabbed the back of Max's head, slamming him into the ground and sending Red and the Pokemon flying in random directions.

Zero turned Max over and started punching him repeatedly. "That--"

PUNCH!

"Was--"

PUNCH!

"For--"

PUNCH!

"Stealing--"

PUNCH!

"My--"

PUNCH!

"Hat!"

He winded up for another punch--only for James to shove his hat over his eyes, distracting him long enough for Max to shove him off.

"Ow..." he stood up, wincing, as Zero attempted to grab the offending Riolu.

"Get OFF of me, you little piece of GUH!"

Max punched Zero in the face, knocking him back and causing James to jump off and land on Max's shoulder.

[gantzgun74]

From where she sat on the floor, Red watched in horror as Zero continued pummeling Max. Thankfully Riolu interferred giving Max enough time to get away and punch Zero away and a few feet back...

Where he backed right into the petite figure of Vanessa.

Vanessa wasted no time in grabbing Zero, twirling him around a few times...

BAAAM!!!!!!!! Before slamming him into the floor so hard, she left an indent in his exact shape there.

"Idiot." Growling, she stamped a foot into his gut, before turning her attention to Max and Red... Needless to say, the shadows casted on her face, as she held up the katana were none-the-less threatening. "Okay, kiddo. Either fork over the girl or your head is gonna start rolling." As she said this, there was a notable magical presence as Vanessa charged a spell.

Apparently she was assuming the worst...

Joy...

[doctorzero]

Max and his Pokemon stepped in front of Red, glaring at Vanessa. "You'll have to go through us first if you want her."

As Vanessa gave her retort, she felt a tapping on her shoulder, causing her to turn around.

Cue hand to the throat.

"I have had enough of your CRL bullshit," Zero said wearily as he lifted Vanessa off the ground. He causally threw her aside, then aimed his Gear at Max and Red.

"For the record: I hate you."

"AQUA JET!"

He didn't get to fire a single shot as Buizel slammed into his side, sending him flying.

Confident that Zero and the cat girl would distract each other for them, Max grabbed Red's wrist and turned for the door. "Time to Go!"

WHAM!

Max and Red were sent sprawling backwards. Max looked up to see an amber-colored barrier covering the door.

"Okay, what the heck?!" he yelled. "That just isn't fair!"

A loud yowl made him turn to see Vanessa flying into the staircase. Zero, satisfied, turned to Max.

"I don't know who you are," he snarled, stepping forward. James and Buizel stood in front of Red as if to shield her.

"But you have been a thorn in my side all fucking day. I have HAD it with you, pal." He drew Soul Edge. "So before I stab you to death, mind telling me your name? I at least want to know the name of the jackass I'm mutilating."

Max considered his options. The door was a no go, Vanessa was blocking the stairs, and even then Jihl was beyond that way, and knowing his current luck all the other doors in the foyer were locked.

He found that having to fight was becoming a distressingly common occurrence.

"Max," he replied.

Zero shrugged. "Okay, Max--"

He leapt forward. "Time to die!"

"ERIN! PROTECT!!!"

The blade of Soul Edge made contact with a square force field, causing a loud ringing noise. Zero jumped back, annoyed.

Erin jumped back onto Max's shoulder, who was now staring at Zero with determination.

"Red," he said quietly. "Get behind me."

[gantzgun74]

Before Zero could charge again...

"BOLTGAN!!!!"

BAM!!!! Zero was blasted aside by a blast of lightning magic lighting up his body and slamming him against the wall. Vanessa appeared to be the culprit, her eye blackened but her frown none the less focused on how much she wanted to KILL the guy before her. "Okay asshole... Get ready to say good bye to yer sorry HIDE."

She cast another spell, this one seemingly on herself. Foresight did it's job, and let her learn more about her opponent and his weapons... And found herself surprised when the spell warned her, no BEGGED HER to be EXTREMELY wary of the odd looking bladed gauntlet he appeared to be holding. The demon sword he was holding was also equal cause for worry.

Either way, the foresight gave her enough sense to quickly block Zero's strikes. Heck, it was giving her some amount of forewarning to a few of his moves.

Red was particularly fearful, knowing where this was going. She had seen some of these spells in action, and knew this cat woman was even more lethal with them.

"Sorry JERK. But you're messing with my paycheck." She quickly blocked another sword swipe, even redirected it so the Soul Edge would crash into the nearby wall, before she grabbed Zero...

A bright flash emanated before she punched Zero in the face and tossed him back, him sliding across the floor...

One couldn't help but notice however that Zero's movements seemed slower now.

With Vanessa, she had an evil smirk.

Slowgan does it's job again.

[doctorzero]

Back with Jihl and company...

Jihl led her agents down the hallway, cursing at her horrendously bad luck. I should have seen this coming! I should never have taken the girl out of the mansion!

She shook her head. There was no point in worrying about what she should have or shouldn't have done. She needed to get Red out of the building and far away from Zero NOW.

This would soon prove to be more difficult than she believed, however.

Almost as soon as they got close to the door to the foyer, the hallway stretched, causing the door to be no closer to them when they had entered.

Jihl was about to spew expletives when she remembered the information about the house she reviewed: apparently the building was haunted in some manner. Clearly this was some malevolent spirit's way to screw with them.

Two could play at that game.

Jihl stopped and pointed at the wall to her left. "Break it down!"

---

Zero had mixed feelings about the situation.

On one hand, he was actually fighting a serious opponent for once.

On the other? Take a wild guess.

The fact that he was currently as slow as a snail wasn't helping matters.

Zero gave Vanessa a glare that conveyed all of the sheer amount of hatred he felt towards her.

Meanwhile, Max was getting worried. He was currently stuck in a room with a man with a world-ending gauntlet and a catgirl that wanted Red for Arceus knew what, and he wasn't sure he could deal with both of them.

Frankly, he was at a loss.

"Any ideas?" Buizel asked frantically.

Max shook his head. There's got to be a way out of here...

After a moment, he came to a decision.

Take out the bigger threat.

"James, use Force Palm."

Zero didn't get the chance to retaliate (being slowed down and all) before he was sent flying onto the second floor of the foyer, smashing into a cabinet and wrecking it.