Justice... Differs between people? [HTH + Xiggy]

[High Tea Hero]

Justice - The quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.

The code of the Gamma Scouts... Follow Justice, whether it Benefits you or not. Be the light in someone else's darkness. Shine True, and never give in.

-~*~-

I sat there, playing my guitar in the streets of Traverse. Nothing special, just whatever tunes came to mind. It would never hurt to brighten the mood of some passerby, would it? These days, something nice could be hard to come by. I wouldn't be greedy. I shared what I had. A little girl came and sat down in front of me, seemingly listening intently. As I finished my tune, she started clapping and gave me a large smile. "Wow Mister! That was cool!I couldn't help but to grin. A child's innocence is such a beautiful thing. Such a shame it will probably end up corrupted in some way or another. "Thank you, miss. You have a beautiful smile, you should show it off more often!"

This went on for a while, but eventually there weren't very many people out and about. I packed up my guitar, and headed to my residence. When I had said I would share what I could, well... I let other homeless people use my apartment, and so it is somewhat crowded. On the way home, however, I spotted a strange-looking man on a rooftop. This was no ordinary man, no, He seemed to be looking for something. What was in his hand, however, was what caused me to stop. It seemed to be a gun, though strange looking. I guess I need to bring out the mask... I carefully set my guitar down, made sure nobody was looking, and donned my outfit. Time to go... I ran towards the building that the man was on. I couldn't let somebody get hurt.

[Xiggy]

The Mantis .King.

and the

The .Freeshooter.

"Where did you take her?"

"She is valuable, I know. Nevertheless, she is mine. Return her."

He stood on the roof, the wind sending his long black hair billowing about, tangles he'll have to get rid of later. He had found what he was looking for though. Yet his enemy's ceaseless bantering frustrates him so. These men in black hoods, were they not the silent enigmas he had heard so much about? Those who kidnap the pure of heart...like his little elf.

The Mantis King wants her back.

"Return. Her." It was his last warning.


"I'm sorry, who...?"

The cloaked figure cocked his hooded head, hands on his hips. The typical stance of one who mocks.

"Your lovely young maiden wasn't the only one we cage in our dungeon keep. So you'll have to specify...was it the pretty red head? Maybe the blue skin chick...what about that busty blond I picked up the other night?"

Impatient, the Mantis King drew his weapon. A black sword that does not glisten, even under the moonlight. The Freeshooter twirled his guns, grinning pleasantly.

"Dude...you're running out of time...

The Vampire charged, and the gunner returned fire." [/size][/blockquote]

[High Tea Hero]

As I charged up the stairwell, I couldn't help but to think to myself. What am I gonna say to this guy once I get there? What is he going to do? I threw open the door to the roof. When I had seen one man, I was sure I could take him. Now there were two, and I had no idea of who was on what side. The bright reflection of moonlight from the blade of a sword... It caught my eye, and I took a closer look at the second man. He had long black hair, and was heavily tattooed. His clothing was light brown in color, almost reminding me of some type of nut. The other man held his hair in a ponytail, with a black cloak. He spoke strangely, calling the other man such things as 'dude'.

"Both of you, Halt! I am the High Tea Hero, Defender of the Pure, and enemy of those who are unjust!" I struck a pose as I said it, and to them, I had hoped I looked like a cup of tea, the justice inside me steaming like a hot cup of Earl Grey on a cold winter's morning. "What is the problem here?"

[High's .Valentine.]

Luther Shiang did little to acknowledge the strange hero wanna be who had charged in on the scene. If Xigbar didn't have an angry vampire on his butt about to run him through, the nobody would have been brought to his knees laughing at the sight of the boy. But none of this stopped him from breaking into guffaws as he sprung into action. He leap over Luther, who controlled the stumble that followed an empty plunge. The Vampire brought his momentum around, pivoting to hopefully strike the nobody while he was in mid jump.

"TOO SLOW," came the warning. When comparing speed, there's nothing that can outdo Xigbar.

He turned and found himself face to face with the barrels of Xigbar's strangely shaped guns.

What followed was a barrage of firing. Luther had enough time to bring the large triangular weapon up to protect his armorless shell, but one struck him across the cheek, drawing blood. Another laser bullet embedded itself in his exposed knee while the other impaled his shoulder.

Xigbar landed a few feet away from the injured vampire, still laughing.

"Dude, I think you're way out of your league. Maybe I'm-A-Little-Tea-Pot there can help you out. Gonna sing and dance for me?"

Luther glared at the stranger with eyes that can kill. If he dared interfere and mess things up, he was going to hang him over the side of the building by his toes...

[/blockquote]

[High Tea Hero]

"Nghh.. Wha..?" I was dumbfounded. What had he called me?! Hmph. No use getting angry about it. What happened to that other man? He looks hurt. "You there! You need help!" At that moment, I called upon one of my secret techniques- To halt the strange-talking man with the guns, I encased him in a large Tea Bag. He wasn't going to be going anywhere for a while. At least, long enough for me to get this man some help. "You there, with the guns! I suggest you leave!" I didn't have any way to force him... But he may leave anyway. If he didn't... Well. I'd figure that out when the time came. "Sir, are you alright? I had extended him a hand. Maybe I could figure out what was going on?

[High's .Valentine.]

What. The. Hell.

If there's one thing the two polar opposites can ever agree on, it was that they had met a total looney of a stranger.

"Do I look like I require your charity?" came Luther's usual rebuttal, shoving away the masked marauder's hand with a grunt and a vicious glare. "Now leave."

Standing up was just slightly difficult...the bullet that had snagged him on the leg had disappeared, leaving a gaping hole. His shoulder was in a similar state.

From inside the teabag--it had caught Xigbar by surprise, how the thing just came out of nowhere--the Nobody stared at the two with lazy boredom. Nothing seemed to be happening to him, even though he was caught in the earthy smelling meshing. The boy seemed intent on just helping the old Vampire at the moment.

"And how does Missus Teapot expect me to go anywhere when you've trapped me here? What are you two going to do, plan on giving me a cup of tea, a crumpet, and a pat on the head and sending me on my way?"

Sitting down with his legs crossed, Xigbar rested his chin on a propped up arm. "Besides~ Do you really want me to leave, Mantis King? Not when your little maiden needs rescuing?"

Immediately, despite his injuries, Luther was upon the Freeshooter, blade extended. He was going to tear through the meshing and impale the Freeshooter on the spot, not enough to kill him, but enough to wrangle an answer out of his ripped throat.

Instead, a gun pointed at his throat. Despite the think barrier of the teabag, there was no doubt that at this close range, the arrow would pierce right through his neck. Even that was enough to kill a Vampire.

"Oho..." Xigbar grinned. The blade of the Mantis King was right against his neck. "I bet...I can kill you before you can strike me."

Luther did not move, knowing well enough that the eyepatch freak was right.

What was the High Tea Hero going to do...?

[/blockquote]

[High Tea Hero]

"You see? You may not want my help, but you seem to need it at this point." This man is filled with rage... What happened to this girl of his...? "You sir, with the blade... What happened to this girl of yours?" I didn't know if I'd be able to help... But I was sure going to try. To both of them, I added a warning. "Stop this senseless fighting! There would be no point in killing anybody. These days, you've gotta keep the good things around, not delve into the evil sides of the heart. If you stay true, than everything will work out in the end..." I had to keep them from fighting. It was needless, and the blood spilled wouldn't prove anything. "Why not settle this difference over a competition? A battle of wits, maybe?"

[High's .Valentine.]

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Xigbar almost lost his hold on the weapon, laughing his butt off. "Oh, you break my heart, dude. That is, if I had one."

Luther rolled his eyes. Way to make things more difficult. If the guy had just left...the Vampire would have ended this right here and now. But the distraction might be good...

Xigbar had underestimated Luther's willingness to risk his neck [literally] just for an answer. The nobody gave a surprised grunt as the Vampire tackle him with all the ferocity of a wild beast. Regardless of the teabag holding the nobody down, the two wrestled for dominance. Unfortunately, Xigbar was very much a range person, not one to engage in such close conflict.

"GET HIM OFF OF ME!" Xigbar shouted at Teapot Boy, all the while craning his neck as suddenly, the Mantis King was lunging at his throat with...fangs? Luther's yellow eyes was those of a beast's. "WHERE IS SHE?"

"Who?" Luther lunged at him again. "Hehehe...good dog...GOOD DOGGY!" The nobody managed to duck another chomp. "I SAID, get him OFF OF ME."

[/blockquote]

[High Tea Hero]

And this was where my story got interesting. The part where the man I had encased in the Tea Bag had said those words. '...If I had one!' he had said. I realized then that not everyone had a heart. So was evil necessarily in somebody's heart...? Hmm. I would have to think about it more later. For now... I pulled out my Tea Soaker, and let them both have it. "STOP IT! BOTH OF YOU! This fighting is senseless! You! What did you do to this person that he cares so much about? What good does it do to taunt him so? And you, Why do you egg him on? I recognize your desire to gain this person back, yet... You aren't getting any information from him this way." My mind quickly drifted back to my world... How our group had saved me from the Heartless in place of their own lives. Yes... I recognized his desire. Could I really do something about this? What if I sat them down, tried to get them to talk it out? Neither man seemed cooperative... But wait! Why does the ranger have the swordsman's lady? Perhaps a bargain may be reached... Sirs! Both of you, if you please! I have a thought I wish to express."

[High's .Valentine.]

"He started it!"

Luther growled in response to the childish accusation, the freeshooter's hand clenched around his neck and his fangs bared in the most animalistic posture he could allow himself to be. Xigbar had brought his foot up, pushing against the other's stomach in an attempt to create more space between the two. Luther's free hand restrained Xigbar's thin wrist, which he crushed with as much force as the Vampire can muster up. The two froze when the stranger had soaked them with something earthy and warm. Luther sniffed.

"Yech, tea?" Xigbar wheezed, trembling at the strength put into holding up the giant 6ft9 monster. Not to mention his wrist was about to snap under the pressure. His gun however, was pointed right at the animal's temple, the long part of the weapon nudging against his pale skin. Underneath the black leather gloves, the knuckle had turned white with strain. The two were stuck. If Xigbar removed his hand, Luther would tear into his throat with those glistening incisors. If Luther were to even think about loosening his hold on the other's wrist, he'll find an arrow right through his temple.

"...What do you want?" Luther managed to croak in as deep of a voice as possible for someone strangled.

"And make it snappy, will ya? We don't have all day here...and I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR LA-DI-DA HEROICS. JUST SAY IT, AIGHT, KIDDO?"

Luther gave as much of a not as he could.

[/blockquote]

[High Tea Hero]

The two were almost funny at this point. I admit, I smiled when they did the typical exchange of 'He started it!'. At least they were both restrained... Well... Here goes. I took off my mask, and threw it to the ground. I turned, and removed the navy-blue jumpsuit of the High Tea Hero, exposing my street clothes. "What do you call yourselves? I am Allen Zale. It would be easier for me to address you if I knew your names. Or at least what I can call you." I needed to introduce the idea soon, so as not to spark another struggle. "I propose a deal, a simple exchange. You there, with the guns. Why did you take this person that he seems so desperate to get back?" I needed something from the other man, too, but what? An exchange could not take place without the bargaining chips.

"Perhaps this tall fellow here could offer up something in return for her safety?" I knelt down, and summoned my guitar to me. Hopefully it would work from this distance. I had put some modifications on it, and wasn't entirely sure if it would come. However, those ill thoughts were quickly dispelled as it appeared in my grip. I moved my hands to get a better grip as I put the strap on. No playing yet... There could be no way to tell what these two would react.

[High's .Valentine.]

"Yeah, you heard him. Exchange like normal civil humans, alright? Now gerroff of me, dude." Xigbar attempted to kick the other off of him, but the overwhelming weight of the Vampire made the sudden movement forced his leg to buckle.

Luther's jaw sank in closer to the nobody's neck. He would have bit down if he didn't feel the cold steel of the weapon sink further into his skull. The two came to a standstill again as Xigbar's poor knee locked itself into place. The nobody remembered that he could sweat as he felt perspiration rolled off of his forehead. "You reeeally need to lose a few pounds, man..." the nobody managed to chuckle, even when the other's dead weight was about to give him arthritis in the knee. The Mantis King growled.

The boy was right for once though. He wasn't going to get an answer out of the cloaked man like this. Yet, he feared the minute he let go of the nobody, he would be off.

All he needed was an answer though.

"Do you have her?"

Xigbar raised an eyebrow. The sweating really was getting to him. "WHO?"

Luther released the nobody and pushed himself back, looking disgruntled as he touched his neck. He didn't trust the nobody and his one eye. One eye was harder to read than two. Still...

"The Elf. Faye. Short blue hair, pink eyes."

Xigbar backed up, rubbing at his wrist and limping slightly.

"Hey, the boy said an exchange." Xigbar wagged his finger, grinning delightfully. "What can you give me?"

Luther was silent.

[/blockquote]

[High Tea Hero]

I was almost shocked. The larger of the two had actually... agreed? And they had separated too... Maybe my friends were right. Maybe this job was for me. No. I can't decide that yet. I needed to see this through to the end. "He has nothing for you until you can answer his question. You must be willing to bargain if you haven't tried running or fighting yet, so why hold out? He asked a question; I don't see why he should answer you and offer something if you don't have what he wants." I gave a quick glance to the large man, with what must have been almost a nervous look on my face. I had hoped he hadn't seen it. I had to keep this under my control. I had to think of something to do next. "Please, both of you sit down."

[High's .Valentine.]

The human child was bothersome. Luther glanced at him through heavy lidded eyes. If not for the fact that he had got the two this far, Luther would have had him for dinner. Neither sat down when the boy asked them to. Nevertheless, there were no further fighting.

For now.

"Answer me." Luther commanded. He edged forward. The Nobody was backing towards the edge of the roof. All the while, Xigbar tapped his chin, pondering over the question. "She had one helluvah figure, right?" Xigbar made curves with his hands to indicate the well developed shape of this girl they were speaking of. Luther could not deny that his little elf was rather...feminine in shape, but the sleazy way this man had said it, as if just by mentioning it, he was dirtying his elf's chastity made the Vampire wish all the more for the answer to come. Fast. He nodded stiffly.

"Cute...short blue hair..." Xigbar continued to ponder. Luther stared with alarm at how close the nobody was to the edge of the roof. A few more steps and he would be gone.

The Mantis King roared in fury and ran at the nobody, but found himself limping thanks to his leg. He knew what was going to happen. And he knew there was no stopping it.

"Can't remember, my friend. They were all cute chicks! You two have a good one, yah? Catch ya later!" And with that, Xigbar was gone. Over the edge of the roof he went. When Luther looked over the edge, there was no sign of the nobody.

He trembled with anger, gripping the side of the roof...

[/blockquote]

[High Tea Hero]

No! What did he just do?! It appeared the cloaked man jumped off the edge. There go my chances... I better focus on the big one. "Sir, who exactly did this man take? This Faye, who is she? Why would he take her?" I had better start choosing my words carefully. Whoever it was, she was obviously important. "Come back to my apartment. You need some assistance." I motioned to his injuries as I said it. Am I crazy? Taking him to my apartment would be dangerous. But I can't just leave him here like this... I turned around, most likely an unwise choice. However, I could just encase this man if he tried to do anything... That is, if I was fast enough.