[Dark Elite_H2]

SURGERY, LIES, AND OUTLAWS--The hunt for 20,00$ (cont.)

The Clakkers didn't greet the two bounty hunters, but watched them pass by, and walk in to the Bounty store. The clerk stood upright when it heard Stranger's boots jingle on the hardwood floors. It's olive-green eyes were locked on both of them, as they pressed up against the counter, and Stranger slipping the poster to the clerk. Umi was becoming impatient, tapping her foot against the floor, and her arms crossed over her chest. Stranger looked over his arm, seeing Umi having impatient eyes locked on the clerk.
What's up? Stranger asked. Umi looked to Stranger, having a brow raised high.
What'cha mean? Umi said cooly, trying to keep her patients. Why you actin' all...serious-like? Stranger flicked his wrist. Umi shrugged, but kept her pose. The clerk gave Stranger back the stamped poster and his moolah. Then, brought up another poster, that nearly looked similar to Filthy-hands Floyd, but had devious red-yellow eyes locked on to Stranger. He gazed over the information over the bounty: Meagley McGraw.
Does Meagley love them Oppals He took over the Oppal farm down the road. I bet you passed it when you first got here. But anyways, he's locked himself up in that farmhouse, countin' his loot. His gangs all around the farm, so reckon in with caution, the clerk said. Stranger nodded at the extra info, stuffed the poster in his poncho, and tipped his hat respectfully to the clerk as they left. Umi gave an irritated sigh, dropping her arms to her sides heavily. Stranger shook his head. Now I know somethin's up. Why don't you tell me what's wrong? Stranger this time knelt to Umi. She turned away from Stranger, not even saying a thing. Stranger became frustrated. Look, if yeh don't tell me what's goin' on, I can't help you, Stranger lifted his arms out. Umi sighed, then turned to him.
Well, since we've been in a sewer... Umi spoke. Stranger waited for more, but he knew what was going to come up. I just want to take a bath, Umi shrugged sheepishly. Stranger grinned a little jokingly. Umi had a confused grin when she saw him smile. That's it? Yer actin' all inpatient 'cause you want to take's a bath? Stranger laughed a bit. Umi nodded. Stranger continued to laugh, then ruffled her head of hair. If that's all you wanted, why didn't you jus' say so? Stranger still kept his smile. A female Clakker walked over to Umi and Stranger.
Couldn't help but over-hear yer conversation, guys. But human, if yeh, want's to take a bath, I'm sure I can let you to my house and take a quick bath, the Clakker offered. Umi looked back to Stranger. If yeh want to, I'll just wait out 'ere, Stranger leaned against the wooden post with arrows pointing to different directions.
Ok, then. Just wanted to make sure, Umi nodded, and followed the Clakker to her house not too far from Stranger's sight. The Clakkers inside the home greeted her friendly-like, and they directed her to their bathroom. She though she wanted them to trust them more. But just in case, she locked the door. She washed herself down good, with all the dirt and nasty sewage running down from herself and down the drain. Then, she washed her clothes old-fashion like, and then dried them. She dressed herself, and then walked back out to Stranger. His hat was tipped down over his face, and his eyes were closed while his arms were around his belly. Umi pulled on his arm, and he woke back up.
You happy now? Stranger asked. She didn't reply, for she knew it was a slight smart-ass remark he just wanted to say. They followed the path from where they first came from down to Beekly's Oppal farms. When they arrived there, they seemed a little bit too late. The farmhouse outside the town was set fire, and the dead Clakker farmers layed burning to a crisp out front. The sign above the entry way was graffitied over, with a little dead face marked over an oppal. Oppal cores layed around the ground inside the farms. A trail led straight to the farmhouse, where Stranger and Umi practically stole from. Out front of the farmhouse was a roasting chicken, which Umi could figure out that it was actually a roasting Clakker over a hand-made spit and a rotisseri stick inside the cooked Clakker. Minions were all over the farms, watching and waiting for anyone to mosey on in and become trapped. Meagley was walking out from the storage room on the second floor of the farmhouse, looking over his minions from a walkway that led around to another entrance to the storage room. He held what seemed like an old shotgun and wore a tall hat like all the rest of the minions around.
Now, don't none you idiots let anyone on the farm. Ya hear me? Meagley roared out to his minions. Two minions standing next to a caged oppal tree whispered to one another.
“Ain't that a double-leggative?” a Shooter whispered to a Shredder. The Shredder snickered to himself, and Meagley looked over to the minions. I HEARD THAT he yelled, and turned back in to the storage room. The outlaws just kept making rude comments, then walked on away from each other. Stranger and Umi held in reeds, watching Meagley walk back in to the farm house. He knew that there were more outlaws inside the house than there were outside. He could see nearly five outlaws vacating the outside and around the farm. He didn't use Chippunks or Bolamites this time to take down the outlaws. Instead, he used his sniper/snooper scope once again, and used Snuzi darts to snipe the outlaws down. He got in to a prone position, laying on his belly, and peeking through his scope. He saw a Shooter, trotting around the farmhouse. He had a hard time seeing through the thick reeds, but he got a clean shot on the Shooter's chest. The other outlaws didn't notice a thing, but Stranger shot down the other four. Now they made their move closer to the house. They could hear the footsteps and muttering of minions upstairs. They peaked through the window they were about to break when they first came to the house, and saw nothing more but mere Shooters and Shredders. A simple challenge.
But getting inside quietly was going to be the biggest challenge. Breaking a window would alert all the minions, and entering the front door would also draw attention. There was no simple way to get in quietly. So, they just crashed in through the window. The minions on the bottom floor spotted Stranger and Umi immediately, reloading their rifles (how stupid of them) and snatching up knives. The upstairs outlaws trampled on down the ramp to the bottom floor. Stranger's bow was already unfolded, so he locked on Boom-bats, and blew up the hoarde of minions. Shredders tossed knives, flinging passed them and nearly cutting them. Umi had splashed down them with her Plasma Rifle. She headed upstairs to get any straggler minions left up. This is going to get worse. She felt her rifle shake a little, then make a puff sound at the prongs. She kept squeezing the handle, until there were no more bolts firing out of the prongs. The light in front dulled down to a lifeless blue. She shook the rifle, thinking it was over heating in a stranger way. She opened the flaps to inside the rifle. All she saw was a dull blue. Not even a hint of light. She threw down her Plasma Rifle in panic.
My rifle's dead Umi cried, hoping Stranger would've heard. He most likely did. He jumped up the stairs, seeing Umi fending off with a Needler. He shot a stream of Stingbees at the outlaw pestering her, and ran up to her.
What'cha mean yer rifle's dead? Stranger asked. She picked it up, and looked in once more, hoping it was just a little glitch, but the blue was duller than ever. My rifle's out'a batteries And I don't have the god damned equipment to recharge it Umi stamped her foot on the floor in frustration. She looked to a dead Shredder with a knife in it's grip. She knelt to it and plucked the knife out of it's dead hold, and strapped it on her belt, along with her rifle. This's what I'll have to use fer now, Stranger. I can't use anything else, Umi shrugged. He understood, but he really didn't want her using her Needler, especially what it can do to the outlaws. unless you rather me use a dead rifle, Umi shrugged again. Stranger shook his head. Just, don't use them...needles, too much on an outlaw. You know what'll happen, Stranger said, then looked up and around the house. It was akwardly silent, for a house supposedly to be filled with outlaws. He figured the Boom-bat took out most of them. They trotted around the house, searching for Meagley. They didn't notice a blocked doorway behind them, with a nailed sign that said: KEEP OUT
C'mon out, Meagley I know's you in here Stranger beckoned, waiting for something to happen. The blocked doorway then crashed open. Stranger flung aside, grabbing Umi along. He stood in front of Umi, while gazing up at one monstroucity of an outlaw that carried Meagley. It wore a white mask that reminded Umi of a movie character she saw, Jason, but with horns baring out on it's head. It held two handles with four long metal spikes on each. Small white beady eyes locked on and glared at the bounty hunter and his partner. On it's back was a type of chariot that Meagley stood in and holstering his shotgun. Stranger regained his balance, gazing up at only Meagley.
You ready fer us, Stranger? Meagley cowled. Dead 'r alive, yer ass is, comin' with me Stranger bared his teeth down to the monster carrying Meagley. He snapped his neck around, and jeered at Stranger. C'mon, Tiny Let's get this fur bag then locked down to Umi, who held up her Needler to Tiny's face. Hey It's that human Doc's got a big bounty on that thing Meagley mostly said to Tiny. Tiny rumbled an affirmative growl, looking to Umi with devious white eyes in a black shadow from the mask. Stranger put his arms out near Umi, then whispered behind his shoulder.
Run, Umi. I'll get this Outlaw, Stranger whispered, eyes still locked on Tiny and McGraw. Umi nodded quickly, and ran back downstairs. Hey It's gettin' away Go after it, Tiny Meagley pointed forward. Tiny roared under his mask, and began to follow Umi's trail. Stranger put his bow to Tiny's face, literally, and launched several Fuzzles in to his mask. Tiny flailed around, his knuckles nearly scraping to Stranger. Tiny scruffed the Fuzzles off, then growled at Stranger. He knocked him away from his path and in to a wooden beam holind up the house. Stranger grunted as he smacked in to the poll, and slide back down to the floor. Tiny stomped downstairs, seeing Umi making a run for it passed the Oppal smasher. Tiny continued to run towards the human, faster than her. Stranger regained his conscious fast, and broke through a window on the top floor and land behind Tiny. Umi made an attempt to delay them while firing needles at him, but his arms blocked the whole attack like they were mere feathers, knocking them away to the sky. She had no other option but to still run. It gets more worse. She felt her foot get caught under a rock in the dirt, and fell straight over. She lifted her head slowly up, then remembered Tiny, and they were coming for her. She turned on her back, and scrambled from Tiny, but he was too fast.
Hold it right there Taking out it's legs'll slow it down more Meagley ordered, and Tiny halted. He aimed directly to Umi's legs, and clicked back the trigger. Then, pressed his face to the barrel of the gun, and put a finger on the trigger. What seemed of an hallucination, Stranger zoomed by, snatching up Umi. But the unfortunate side of this was that Meagley had already shot, but didn't get Umi's legs. It got Stranger right in to the boot, which left a bloody hole inside his boot. He grunted, releasing Umi straight in to the reeds. Meagley looked around confused, seeing the human nowhere to be found. Hurry, Tiny Find that human Meagley slapped Tiny's arm.
Stranger hissed in pain, but kept it quiet. Umi panted heavily, looking down at Stranger who was in mass pain. She saw the bloody hole in his boot, and scrambled to that side. Stranger looked up weakly to her.
What...are you, doin'? Stranger strained. Lem'e just help you, Umi reached for his boot. Stranger's eyes widened, his green eyes lighting up in urgency. No. Don't', Stranger said with a small growl. Umi looked to him, but then back to his foot. Hang on, let me get this off- No Stranger slapped her hands away from his foot. Umi bundled her hands together, looking at Stranger with total confusion. He tried sitting up, not hurting his wounded foot further more. Umi kept knelt near him, holding her hands together and not saying anything. I'm fine. Don't worry 'bout me, Stranger said calmly, his hardened face relaxing more. I'm's supposed to worry about you, Umi's face drooped down slightly, lowering her hands slowly. Don't let Meagley get you, Stranger said.
But, what am I supposed to do? Umi asked a little whinefully. Here, he reached in to his ammo sack, and pulled out a couple of Fuzzles and a few Boom-bats. He then looked back up to her with eyes of concern. Just be careful, ok? Stranger put his hand on her hand. She didn't say anything, but felt a slight tingle to what he said. She now knew he truthfully cared for her. She nodded, and stood up and out of the reeds. She kept the critters bunched up in her hands. Tiny was searching around the storage house with all the Oppals, when he glanced back to Umi, her holding her hands behind her back. Tiny roared, and ran to her with a fist in the air like a Nailer would do. She didn't show a sign of fear towards the growling Tiny.
Well, now You ain't so tough with that furry bastard around to protect you now, are ya? Meagley roared in laughter. so now here's the question: Are you;s gonna come quietly, or bein' the hunted? Meagley growled with a little chuckle coming out.
Just one second, Umi nodded, and flung the Fuzzles she held on to Tiny. She could hear Tiny say, Not again , and the Fuzzles attached on to his skin and chomped down. She then threw two Boom-bats at his face. Meagley's eyes opened in anger. What ? NO Meagley shouted. The Boom-bats detonated within a second. The dust settled from Tiny, and there was, literally, nothing left of Tiny's face, when the dust disappeared. His body tumbled down on the ground, and Meagley rolled on out of the chariot on his back. Blood trailed under Meagley's feet. He looked back to Tiny, checking if he would move in any way. Then looked back to Umi, his red-yellow eyes sparking in anger and grinding his sharp teeth together.
DAMN YOU, HUMAN You ain't gettin' away with 'dis Meagley roared, snatching his shotgun by the barrel. 'cause I'm gonna kill you That ain't gonna happen, Stranger's voice trailed off from the reeds. He limped out of the reeds, with his bow loaded with a Bolamite and Fuzzle. I'm surprised to see you still alive, Stranger No matter I'll finish you off, then cash in the human Meagley's head turned to him, but kept his rifle leveled to Umi.
No you're not Umi shouted, and threw one last Boom-bat she held secretly. Meagley turned back to Umi, seeing the Boom-bat fly towards his face. Huh? Meagley grunted. The Boom-bat attached to his lower jaw, gibbering in excitement. He knew what was going to come next. The last second he had fearful eyes, looking on to Umi. Then his whole world shattered in to tiny pieces. Umi turned her head away from the gruesome sight, then back when the echo of the explosion died away. All she saw was Meagley's headless body, crashing on the dirt. She felt some sense of sorrow she did that. Stranger limped up to her side, she not even looking up to him. He knew what she was feeling right now, but couldn't help to put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Good job, Stranger said. She snapped up to him, she not noticing he came up to her. She didn't make an acknowledging movement nor sound, but looked back to Meagley. Stranger looked at Meagley as well, thinking of something else to say to calm her down. Well...you did what you had to do, to defend yerself, Stranger said softly. Umi nodded slightly, but still felt a bit bad for what she done. But all she could think of Meagley's face, his eyes wide and fearful. But what was done was done, and nothing could change it.
Yeah, Umi finally said. He was happy to finally hear Umi speak. Well, bounty him up, and let's get back to town, Umi looked up to him. He agreed as well, it would be better to just bounty him up so Umi wouldn't have to see the horrible sight again. She slung his arm over her shoulder, and helped him to Meagley, and he bountied him up, and locked up his bow. She helped him out of the farm as well, and followed back to Buzzarton. She kept a distance from Stranger so she wouldn't trip over his foot. He made another playful grin, and pulled Umi closer to him. She grunted, but played along. He tightened his grip around her neck in to a one-armed hug, but she only smiled.
Oh, stop it, Umi said, making him loosen his grip over her neck. He only chuckled, and kept on lugging himself to Buzzarton. Umi kept a smile that Stranger couldn't see. 'Yeah, I know,' Umi thought, looking over to Stranger's face. 'I love you, too,'