[04] Western Shootout!

[Victoria]

Bullets, they rained upon them, like endless water. Alex’s movements were fluid, and the gunslinger had to admire his skill. He moved into the fray, golden guns held in his hands, and cigarette blazing whilst clinging to his lips for dear life. His lips formed into a cracked smile, and the bullets rained, they poured towards him in such succession that she had to watch in disbelief. Mere cowboys couldn’t do this, no, they were digital monsters. She held up a hand, the scorching sunlight flashed across her view. A multitude of noise echoed across the open square, and the lead rain fell short of its target. He leaned his head back, and quickly shot a look to the side at her, a cocky one at that.

“See,” he said, and took a drag from the addictive product perched between his lips. The smoke filtered out from between his lips, and drifted upwards with the cool wind. “Can you do that?” He asked, and lifted his guns.

“No, not that,” Vic raised her hands to watch his stance, she slowly turned as the bandits and cowboys began to get ready for round two. She could hear each click of their guns, feel their eyes gaze eagerly upon her. Her hands began to glow, and she positioned herself at the gunman’s back. “But I can do plenty of other things.” She finished, and smiled smartly.

“We never got a chance to fight in battle together last time.” He stated, and made the first move. Bullets fired off from his guns, they blazed through the air, and buried into their respective targets. The men cried out in agony and collapsed to the ground. “This is more like it, don’t you think?” He laughed and as he turned, Vic matched his footwork to remain facing the opposite direction, almost touching back to back.

“Hell yeah, I’ll never pass on a gunfight.” She replied, vigor in her voice. “I’m just glad they gave me a partner that knows how to shoot. I’ve been on missions with bad partners, and if I don’t kill them for their stupidity they usually get themselves killed.” She shot out her hands and fired off her ki guns, nailing a bandit in the arm, and then in the chest. He spun with the force and smacked into the building. He slid to the ground, leaving a bloody smear on the wall. “I’d like to think I was named Victoria because I’m always victorious.” She chuckled calmly and admired her handiwork.

Bullets flew towards them from every direction, and the two trigger-junkies let loose everything they had. Victoria’s hands moved left and right, flaring ki shot off successively towards their enemies. Alex followed, turning with each of her movements, taking out desperados with precision. Lead dropped in front of them, a few stray shots whipped past the coral-haired fighter, but so far her partner did a good job at nullifying the attacks.

“There must be more to this game,” Victoria lowered her hands, and leaned over with labored breathing. Despite their quick attacks, and almost perfect performance, the enemies did not cease. They either fired on the duo, or at each other, it was nothing more than chaos. She looked around, eyed the buildings and the dusty street. Cowboys and bandits ducked behind doorways, boxes, and whatever else was lying around. The whole area rang with gunfire, and she scowled. “Do you have any idea what the goal to this game is? There’s always something.” She looked over her shoulder at her newfound companion.

“Not a clue,” he replied nonchalantly. “I just assumed we had to kill as many of these guys as possible.” He motioned with his gun and took another drag on his smoke.

“Sounds stupid.” Victoria stepped away and then hopped back as a shot exploded in front of her.

“Careful, they’re not as stupid as they look.” He looked at her in amusement. “I bet I can kill more.”

He wants to play a game now? She narrowed her eyes, but the man looked at her expectantly. “You’re challenging me?” She asked, raising her eyebrows.

“You afraid of losing? If that’s the case…” He turned away, and held up his guns. They glinted in the sunlight, and she had to look away. His attitude had a way of pushing her buttons, but not all the wrong ones.

Victoria grinned and planted her hands on her hips. “I’ll kill more, I’m not a rookie.” She nodded her head at him, a smug look overcoming her features. “What exactly is the bet for, then?” She asked.

“I’ll tell you win I win.” He took off and let loose an attack on the nearest targets. Vic watched in shock, and then tightened a fist in the air before her.

“Friendly competition, I can deal with that.” She held up her other fist and watched Alex take the lead on kills. “Meanwhile, I’ll find a way out of this town, or look for an objective.”

She leapt forward and past the man, and gunned straight for a group of criminals. She let loose a cry and cocked her arm back. They fired at her, but she hit the ground and rolled right towards them. She snapped back to her feet and began a vicious assault on the lead man. He hit the air from her jab to his chin. She quickly spun on one foot and forced another man into a pile of wooden boxes with her leg. The hunter unleashed a series of punches upon the last man standing, making him fall into a blood heap.

Victoria kept in the general vicinity of Alex, careful not to stray far from her only known comrade. If any other players were here, they had not shown themselves. She ducked down short alleyways, dodged bullets, and fired back excitedly. Her heart pounded, and her blood rushed. It was the thrill of battle, the eagerness of killing more than her pseudo opponent. Despite it being completely useless, the bet kept her going. She needed to keep ahead of the game, on her feet, and always ready to take the next threat down. The girl could feel sand cling to her sweaty skin, her dry mouth ached for water, and the awful sun beat on her like a relentless master. She laughed into the air, at the harsh world, and fired another energy bullet into her latest victim. “Twenty-Two, Alex, how about that.” She shouted.

“Not bad, but I’m at Thirty-Five.” He called back, and wiped his brow.

“Shit,” Vic swore under her breathe and held her own hand to her brow. She looked down the street she had just come upon. Past the tall buildings lay a bridge, it glinted in the sunlight and water trickled down the small rivulet. She looked over at Alex and raised a hand. “Hey, there’s a river!” She motioned at him.

Some water would do nice, I’m fucking dying out here. She shielded her eyes from the glaring sun, and looked at the river eagerly. Gunfire filled the air and Vic felt the force of the metallic object rip through her arm. She cried out and stumbled slightly as she grabbed her bleeding arm. My arm again. She looked at the wound, remembering the one she had received from her spar with Orion.

“What the hell!” She cried and looked up angrily. A large man stood in the street; he held up a pistol and blew off the smoke. He was dressed in black, and wore a matching cowboy hat. He stared at her intensely, and holstered his gun.

“Can’t let you pass.” His voice was cool, matching his steeled gaze. Vic grimaced and looked at her bloody hand. Her wound was beginning to heal, but the loss of blood had made her woozy. She lowered her bloody hand and twitched her fingers.

“Is that so?” She replied coldly, and both of her hands twitched slightly. She wiggled her fingers and narrowed her eyes. “A duel, is it?” She licked her dry lips, and tasted the gritty sand.

“I’ve got the quickest shot in town, you don’t stand a chance, girl.” His southern voice floated with the wind and she eyed him carefully.

Tumbleweed bounced between the two, and a strange noise echoed between the buildings. Victoria’s lips twitched and she watched the cowboy closely. She couldn’t underestimate this man, she hadn’t even seen him come out, let alone get the first shot on her. She parted her lips, and wiggled her fingers eagerly again. He’s fast, but how fast? If I put everything into this attack… She thought to herself, and smiled coyly.

“Go ahead,” she said, and grinned at him darkly, “make my day.” It would be a battle of speed, whoever got the first shot would be the one to walk.

The cowboy leaned his head back slightly to get a better look at her. He seemed amused, and his had moved closer to his pistol. “You’ve got guts, kid.” He replied and narrowed his eyes to match her gaze. He glanced at her hands and then back at her face.

“You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?’” Victoria retorted gruffly, ready to take the shot, put it all on the line. “Well, do ya, punk?” She spat and flexed her hands. It was now or never.