CH. 33 - As A Team

Finally…

Phoenix puts on an off the shoulder white long sleeve tucked into utility pants. She buckles her light boots and wraps the straps going around her legs. She clips the buckle of her vest with one strap under her chest, another over it and one around her neck with the cross straps going along her back. Finally clipping her wrist straps over her fingerless gloves. 

Nobody "Hunter Phoenix Geist and your partner…"

Wolf ties up her boots and puts on her cargo pants before slipping on her black long sleeve shirt rolled up to her elbows with thick white stripes going across her upper arms and down her body from her neck on the left. Lastly buttoning her leather cuff on her right wrist, holding it in front of her face before opening her eyes that are filled with determination and excitement.

Nobody "Vanguard Wolf Anderson. Your mission: in District 8, there are reports of a night serial killer preying on innocent souls to gain more power. Find the killer and bring him in or put him down. Your call."

He says as the moon shines brightly in the sky. The cool air blows through as a young woman waits at a bus stop in the deep of night. She leans against the pole of the small stop as a man sits on the bench on the other end of it. The woman looks anxious and reaches for her phone but drops it while trying to pull it out. As she turns to pick it up, the young man grabs it for her. He looks at her with gentle eyes and smiles softly.

Man "Here."

She smiles back a bit while taking 

her phone. 

Man "You okay? You seem a little jumpy."

He asks softly. The woman smiles awkwardly, embarrassed by her behavior.

Woman "Y-yeah.. Sorry, I'm just nervous. I'm not usually out this late and with the news of that killer on the loose. I'm just scared I guess.."

Man "I know what you mean. Being out here waiting for the bus isn't my first choice. Always gotta keep an eye out."

The woman smiles at him with a slight sense of relief as they go back to sitting in silence for a moment.

Man "What did they say he looked like again? The killer I mean."

Woman "Uh, I think they said he was tall, like really tall. Something like 2 and a quarter meters I think? And his arm is all deformed. *shivers* I hate thinking about seeing him in real life…"

She shakes as the man sweats a bit.

Man "Yeah… Sounds real ugly…"

The man reaches into his pocket for something.

Man "Here, take this."

The woman turns to face the man with a surprised look.

Woman "What-"

She's cut off when the sound of tearing flesh fills the air in an instant. She looks down and sees the man's hand reaching into her chest as blood begins to spill from her mouth and body. He slowly pulls his hand out, taking her heart with it. She wobbles a bit for a moment before collapsing on the ground. The handsome man with slanted eyes, long clean hair and a flawless complexion, speaks.

Man "Even so, you humans are all just as ugly."

He says, crushing her heart in his hand. In that moment, a soft green colored orb forms out of the woman's body and floats above her just a bit. The man reaches down and grabs it, lifting it close to his mouth.

Man "Serving as my food is the highest honor I can give."

He says before consuming the woman's Soul whole. He swallows it casually before a shadow approaches him from behind. He turns around with a neutral smile on his face to see a large, monstrous looking man with a deformed arm standing before him. The monster's three fingered hand has deformed into almost a bone spike as his other arm is long enough to almost drag on the ground as he walks, his muscular body heaving with every breath.

Man "You really are ugly."

He says as the serial killer lunges at him. Elsewhere in the city, Wolf and Phoenix walk along a lit path in a strip area. 

Phoenix "Oh Wolf, I was meaning to ask about your cuff."

She points out as Wolf looks at it.

Phoenix "I haven't seen that in awhile."

Wolf "Yeah. My mom gave it to me when I was little. I guess I felt it matched my outfit."

Phoenix "I know when you got it dummy haha."

She laughs as Wolf blushes a bit, embarrassed.

Wolf "Right.."

Phoenix "I'm just saying I'm glad to see you wearing it again. I always thought it mattered to you more than you let on."

Wolf smiles a soft warm smile.

Wolf "Yeah, I guess it does."

Wolf shakes her head a little before putting on a confident smirk.

Wolf "Anyway, how are we supposed to find this killer? Are we supposed to just walk around until he shows up?"

Phoenix "No, that could take forever. He hasn't been caught yet so we can assume he'll be sneaky about how he functions."

As soon as she finishes talking, there is a loud explosion as dust and debris goes flying through the air followed by the man from before leaping back from the killer's attack. Wolf looks at Phoenix smugly.

Wolf "Sneaky huh?"

Phoenix rolls her eyes.

Phoenix "Shut up, dummy."

Wolf giggles as the man lands and blocks the heavy fist of the killer slamming onto him. The ground crushes beneath him but he seems to handle it no problem, not concerned in the slightest. 

Phoenix "Killer Joseph! We're agents of the Academy of Superior Abilities! Turn yourself in, now!"

She commands.

Wolf "Or don't. That'll be more fun for me."

She says, cracking her knuckles. The killer looks over with a long tongue hanging from his gaping mouth. The man also looks behind him at them.

Man "Academy students huh? Guess I should make my leave."

He shoves the killer back and disappears with a dash, speeding by Wolf and Phoenix.

Man "Go ahead, have all the fun you like."

He says between them before disappearing. Wolf turns with a serious look in his direction but is unable to find him. 

Wolf "Damn…"

Phoenix "Forget him, Wolf. He wasn't doing anything wrong. He was defending himself from the killer."

Wolf "I know. Still…"

She says while facing the killer. He heaves as hot breath pours from his mouth, his empty eyes staring intently at them.

Wolf "Hey Phoenix, want me to show you what I've been working on? I think I got the hang of it now."

She says while rolling her neck a bit. Phoenix sighs and shakes her head with a smile on her face. 

Phoenix "You're not gonna master it in a couple days Wolf."

Wolf "Oh yeah? Watch me."

She says confidently, stepping forward as the killer crouches down before charging straight at Wolf. He leaps up in the air and prepares his spike fist to strike Wolf as she simply pulls her arm back.

Wolf "Arm…"

She says as the black mist from before begins to form around her hand. She thrusts her right arm forward and launches a powerful punch bursting with the black mist. Her fist drives directly into the killer's face, crunching bones and spraying blood out as his head blasts back from the force. 

Wolf "Shot!"

The killer's heavy body slams into the ground as Wolf stands up straight, looking at her fist.

Wolf "There it is."

Phoenix watches with a bit of awe. The killer screams on the ground as he starts thrashing about, holding its face in pain. He then quickly gets up and swings the spike arm at Wolf which she quickly ducks and jumps back.

Wolf "Woah! Hang on, let me bask!"

Suddenly, a hand grabs Wolf by the collar and yanks her back as Phoenix raises her hand covered in the flame energy and forms an energy shield in front of them, stopping the spike.

Wolf "And you gave me shit about mastering my power."

Phoenix smirks before getting a serious look and shoving the killer back. He stumbles a bit before noticing Phoenix jabbing her flame infused palm into his stomach and blasting him back. He tumbles across the ground until he crashes into a building. He lays in the rubble for a moment before yelling a monster roar and sitting up only to be met by Wolf's palm over his face and a wicked smile on her face, purple bolts sparking from her hand until a large lightning bolt blasts the killer in the head. He shouts in pain before swinging his large arm at her which she blocks with a spin, landing on the ground and throwing a black mist uppercut into the killer's chin sending him flying into the air, smashing through the building's wall along the way. He falls through the air for a moment when Phoenix jumps up and flips, slamming her heel into the killer's head and back down into the ground. A large smash booms out as dust bursts from the ground. The killer lays in a small crater on the ground, coughing blood and with weak eyes. Wolf and Phoenix step to the killer and point their fists at him, one covered in a black mist and the other in a flame energy.

Phoenix "Killer Joseph, you're under arrest by the Academy of Superior Abilities."

She says as the killer grumbles an unconscious sound. Phoenix steps back with her hands on her hips and a satisfied smile on her face.

Phoenix "Well, that was easier than I thought it'd be. We were only out here for what? A day? Come on, let's call him in for transport. … Wolfy?"

She says before looking over to see Wolf a step away, looking off in the distance between some buildings.

Phoenix "Wolf, you okay?"

Wolf stares for a moment before slowly turning towards Phoenix.

Wolf "Yeah. That guy earlier, didn't he feel a bit off to you?"

Phoenix "Not really. Like I said, he was just defending himself. Did you see him doing something wrong?"

Wolf shakes her head a bit.

Phoenix "Well, we can report it to Southpaw but for now, he's not our mission."

Wolf "Yeah, you're right."

She says while stepping next to her and preparing to depart as in the dark alley between two buildings, the man from before watches from around the corner. He smiles a twisted smile before shifting behind the building.

Man "The Dark Arm. And in the hands of an academy student no less. That will certainly make this more interesting."

He says while walking away. 

Eventually, they get back to the academy and walk down the hall towards Southpaw's office. 

Phoenix "Hello Southpaw sir! We're back! O-"

They stop dead in their tracks and sweatdrop when they see his withered drooped face.

Wolf "Dude, what's wrong with your face?.."

Southpaw "Hello students… How was your mission?.."

He asks with a hollowed tone. 

Phoenix "Uh.. It went great. It didn't take us very long either."

He simply sighs in response.

Southpaw "What did you blow up?.."

Wolf "Nothing?"

Southpaw "And what magical artifacts did you break?.."

Phoenix "There were artifacts involved?"

She looks at Wolf who just shrugs. Southpaw lifts his head a bit.

Southpaw "Wait, so you didn't destroy any relics or the past? You didn't demolish any structures of significance??"

Wolf "Does a small storehouse count? Cause I'm pretty sure the place was empty."

Southpaw's eyes get filled with excitement as he pumps his fist in satisfaction.

Southpaw "Yes! Finally!"

They both look confused.

Phoenix "Uh, sir? Is everything okay?"

He grabs her arms with tears in his eyes.

Southpaw "It's great! You actually passed! The first students to actually pass their orientation mission, oh how wonderful!"

Phoenix blushes a bit, being flattered as Wolf smirks.

Wolf "Wait, so all the others failed?"

Southpaw "In your team, yes."

Wolf gets an evil smirk on her face.

Wolf "That means that bald jerk failed too… I'm gonna taunt him with this foreverrr."

Phoenix looks confused as she turns to Southpaw.

Phoenix "Team?"

Southpaw "Yes. Your class is divided into two teams, basically a larger version of the partner system. And it's easier to keep tabs on you that way- didn't your professor explain any of this to you?"

He explains with a surprised look. Phoenix shakes her head as Wolf throws her arms behind her head and looks away.

Wolf "Not that I'd really listen anyway. Stuff like that is boring."

Southpaw sighs and puts his hands on his hips.

Southpaw "Your professor better take a look at the manual going forward and make sure he stays on the right path. Regardless, I'm proud that you both were able to succeed in your mission. Good job."

He says with a warm smile as Phoenix giggles and sways a bit and Wolf gives a proud toothy smile.

Southpaw "Yeah, unfortunately you still fail."

They both crack stiff. 

Southpaw "Yeahhhhh, seeing as how the rest of your team failed, I'm just gonna fail you too."

Wolf "How is that fair??"

Southpaw "It's fair because if your team isn't up to par, then you need to help them get there."

Wolf pouts and looks away, upset as Phoenix exhales trying to compose herself.

Phoenix "You're right. We need to be there for each other. If the greatest hero in the world says so, it must be right."

Wolf "Tch."

She clicks frustratedly. They eventually turn and begin to leave as Phoenix waves goodbye with Southpaw waving back.

Wolf "Whatever. I guess I'll get a chance to train my new powers more."

She ignites the black mist around her arm and smiles proudly.

Phoenix "w o w You're getting really good at that, putting black stuff around your arm"

She says with a sarcastic tone and look.

Wolf "I know right? I think I'm really getting the hang- … You know, that wasn't really funny."

She says, realizing Phoenix was mocking her as she giggles. Southpaw's eyes widen a bit seeing Wolf use her powers.

Southpaw "Wolf!"

He calls to her quickly causing Wolf to turn with a surprised questioning look. Southpaw pauses for a moment before smiling.

Southpaw "Careful not to hurt anyone with those powers. You wouldn't want that."

Wolf smiles back.

Wolf "Nope!"

She says with a big smile before leaving the South Range with Phoenix. Southpaw's smile slowly disappears as he watches them exit.