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Who: Falcon, Black Shadow
What: I dunno some kind of dramatic reveal and subsequent shit-flipping.
When: Thursday, June 11th, evening.
Where: Black Shadow's Classroom/Office ~~I am not actually sure what he has.~~
Rating: Let's give it a high PG-13 for fighting and cursing.

Falcon had to admit he'd never been on the parent side of a parent-teacher conference before. Then again, he hadn't actually been a parent until now. But he'd been on the teacher side enough to know how these things went. So why was he so uncomfortable?

Maybe it was the fact that this demolitions teacher genuinely creeped him out. At first, Falcon had written him off as "weird fan", one of many that he'd unfortunately accumulated over the years. But this guy. This guy was different. Falcon wasn't sure why, but Mr. Dolack gave him a huge case of the heebie-jeebies. It was for that reason that he'd taken to observing the class--if only to make sure Ionia was safe.

Creepy, yes. A threat? Probably not.

So when the demolitions teacher had told Falcon that he was concerned about Ionia's performance, well, it was his responsibility as a parent to go see what all that was about. It...didn't make sense to him. Maybe it was because Dolack was new and didn't really understand her little invincibility complex. That had to be it. The Captain was sure some discussion could clear it right up and then he could get the hell out of that creepy guy's office. As reluctant as he felt, maybe there actually was a problem. And then what kind of father would he be if he ignored it?

He reached the door and knocked.

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"Come in," came a voice from the other side of the door.

"Mr. Dolack" was looking forward to this. He'd kept himself undercover for longer then he'd hoped, and it would be good to be able to spread his wings, as Black Shadow.

Black and leathery wings, but still, wings.

Funny enough, but Mr. Dolack's office was completely dark. All the lights were off and the shades were drawn, and the whole place was pitch black.

"Ah, Falcon, you'll have to forgive me for the darkness of my office," said a voice that sounded like it was coming from the desk, "but I work best in the dark. The switch is to your right, if you care to flick it." The voice had just the slightest hint of malicious excitement in it.

Well that was certainly...odd. No. It was more creepy than odd. Upped the guy's creepiness factor several dozen points, really. Falcon was all at once apprehensive and incredibly uneasy, one hand instinctually moving upward until his fingertips brushed the gun in the holster at his hip as he stared into the darkness of the room.

Who the hell did all their work in the dark? A creepy demolitions teacher, that's who. The more he thought about it, the less he was inclined to listen to whatever this guy had to say.

He raised his hand to flick on the light but let it hang in the air. There was something not right here. And flicking on the light, though it would probably reveal exactly what wasn't sitting well with him, did not seem like a good thing to do right now. So Falcon stood, his hand hovering under the switch, ready to flick, but not until he got an answer or two. "Don't you strain your eyes like this?"

Falcon was uneasy. Black Shadow could almost smell it. His eyes were very good in the dark, and he could see Falcon's every movement, including the movement where he reached for his gun. Shadow's fist tightened a little under the desk, where he held a blue energy rope, already ready just for Falcon.

Soon...Very soon...For now, there was quite a bit of fun to be had.

"Only when I'm wearing my contacts..." He had been keeping his eyes closed this whole time, and he picked just then to open them, revealing that they were a blank white...but maybe that was just a trick of the dark room, eh? Darkness can play a lot of tricks.

...Contacts. What. What? What on earth did that have to do with anything? He narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses. Which, now that he thought about it, were probably a very bad idea. Then again, he hadn't really expected to be having a parent-teacher conference in the dark. But at any rate, tinted shades in the blackness really did not do much for his sight or his nerves.

Oh God he wanted out and he wanted out fast. Trying his best to keep that sentiment hidden, and keeping the tips of his fingers just barely touching his gun, he fumbled with the other hand for the doorknob, finding it shut behind him.

Another part of him screamed to turn on the light. Find out just what the hell was going on here, what that faint glow was were those his eyes what the fuck this was NOT GOOD he needed to LEAVE. Falcon found himself fighting his every instinct bolt, choosing to stand there in the dark and speak as calmly as he possibly could. "What's all this about?"

Falcon was about to run. Shadow could see all the little taletell signs of panic beneath his foe's calm exterior; the fumble for the doorknob and the fingers on the gun. This was going to take both precision and surprise. Slowly, he moved his arm so that the hand that held his powerful restraining magic was only just out of Falcon's sight.

The plan was simple: force Falcon's hand. Make him turn on the light. And get him in the split second before he could react.

He shook his head. "Oh, Falcon. Falcon, Falcon, Falcon." His tone was condescending, like you would talk to a child who'd failed a spelling test. "You still haven't figured it out? Pity. Such a pity! I thought you were smarter then this. Honestly, I thought you would've noticed from day one! I guess I've not been trying hard enough to make an impression on you. Just to think simple anagram was all it took to disguise myself!"

Not right not right not right.

It was still dark and he still couldn't find the doorknob and this was getting worse and worse by the second. Figured it out? Figured what out? An anagram? Was he supposed to scramble around the names of everyone he met or something?

Then the man's tone of voice changed. This was not...he'd heard this before. It wasn't saying quite the same things, but it was close enough. The arrogance, the inflections that froze him to the spot, the choice of words. Words that told Falcon that he should know what was going on because they'd done this more times than he could count and each time he'd barely escaped.

This was beyond getting worse. This was somebody he knew. This was a trap, and he'd walked right into it.

The light switch might as well have been a trigger. Something was going to happen the instant he turned it on, and Falcon needed to be faster than whatever it was. With a sharp intake of breath, as if plunging into frigid water, he squeezed his eyes shut, raising his gun with lightning speed and firing as he flicked the switch.

Edited 2009-06-11 05:57 (UTC)

It was at that exact same moment that Black Shadow shot the energy whip from his fingers. It was, as it had always been, true to it's mark, binding Falcon's legs and arms tightly together. Black Shadow towered over him, in his full racing costume, cape horns... everything. His head was cocked to the side, having avoided the bullet, the hole of which was in the spot on a wall, where he had had his head a moment ago.

Black Shadow blinked in mild surprise. He reached up to one of his costumed horns and touched it, looking at his own fingers appraisingly. Flecks of black rubber fell from his hand to the floor as he rubbed his thumb over his fingertips. The bullet from the gun had grazed the side of his horn.

"Mmmm..." he said. "Well, now! I'm pleasantly surprised, Falcon. The way you'd never been able to kill me, I'd have thought hitting the broad side of a barn was beyond your capabilities! Why, if you hadn't closed your eyes, I might not be here talking to you now! Hahahaha..."

~~Not the glowy blue nuclear duct tape! Anything but the glowy blue nuclear duct tape!~~

In the instant between the recoil of his gun and the force of the energy restraint slamming him against the door, Falcon realized that he had been a big stupid idiot. Everything clicked into place. But unfortunately, it was so much easier to see it in hindsight. Even the anagram stood out clear as day. Stupid. He had been so stupid.

How could he have been so incredibly blind!? Falcon had known it was only a matter of time before Black Shadow found him and made a move like this. Why was he so unprepared?

He struggled against the glowing rope and against sheer panic, all the while knowing that it was futile. Everything he hated, everything he had been hiding from, the sick fuck that had effectively ruined his life was standing right in front of him, and there was nothing he could do about it. Even if bullets or laser bolts were a threat to Black Shadow, the Captain's gun arm was pinned to his side and he was unprotected, vulnerable, and completely at the mercy of his greatest enemy.

Oh God, he was going to die.

His mind racing with frantic thoughts, he somehow managed speech, fighting against frozen vocal chords to produce a hoarse sound that dripped venom. "What do you want." He hissed, knowing full well what Black Shadow wanted but finding himself unable to say anything else.

Edited 2009-06-11 07:01 (UTC)

~~Yes! The glowy blue nuclear duct tape! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!~~

"Right now? What I'd like most is a nice chat. We've got quite a bit of catching up to do, don't we?" Black Shadow's tone had changed. It was now not unlike a cat's purr while playing with a mouse. Before breaking its spine and eating it of course.

Black Shadow couldn't help a chuckle and a grin. This was delicious. Falcon, tied up and helpless, reduced to utter panic in his grasp. Oh, but this would a treat to savor!

"Ah, but you can't chat on the floor can you? Let me make you a bit more comfortable," he said, sitting down behind his desk and snapping a finger. Falcon was lifted off the ground by the ropes, and turned upright in the air. A padded chair that was set to the side moved on it's own in front of the desk. Black Shadow nodded in approval as Falcon was lowered into the chair, the energy rope forming itself around the back and legs, firmly securing Falcon to it.

"Now," said Shadow, folding his hands on the desk. "I suppose you're wondering why I'm here..."

A chat.

Right. Falcon was completely helpless on the floor...oh, no, wait, he was being hoisted off the floor and now he was in a chair...and Black Shadow wanted a chat. The whole trip from cold tile to seat was spent struggling, knowing that he'd broken these restraints before and he could do it again if he could only try hard enough.

But no luck. It was not working why was it not working NO Falcon was not going to let this happen but it was happening. He was not going to give Shadow the satisfaction of knowing that he was scared, but all he could do was glare daggers at the other man and hope that a single look conveyed all of his burning hatred.

"Not really." He spat in response. "There's only one reason you would be here and it sure as hell isn't to teach."

Edited 2009-06-11 08:15 (UTC)

Falcon's look was returned with one from Black Shadow that made it clear he was just eating the rage up.

"Ha! Can't fault you there, Falcon! I've been waiting for this for such a long time," his face fell into a dreamy frown...

"You know, when you stopped showing up to my death traps I had to make a whole new plan for your doom. Do you know how much it hurts -and it really does hurt- when you go to all the trouble to plan someones demise and they can't even be bothered to show up for it? It's like not coming to your own funeral."

The smile was back. "Of course, if I'd have known you were off to be a teacher and a father I would've sent you a congratulations card and a pacifier...

"...Laced with cyanide."

That was a berserk button right there. Falcon hated himself for letting his composure slip, especially so early in the "chat" but those words from Black Shadow made him boil over with anger and force himself against the restraints in a desperate attempt to break free and do something. It dawned on him that the first words out of Ionia's mouth around the demolitions teacher were that he was her father. The Captain knew he'd been putting everyone at risk by being at the school...but now that the risk was actually here? A world of terrifying possibilities presented themselves in an instant. It was everything he'd been trying to avoid.

"Stay away from her. You do whatever the hell you want to me but don't fucking touch my daughter."

Who else was in danger? Had Black Shadow deduced who was close to him by now? He must have. And while he was stuck to a goddamn chair, where was Jeff? Ollie? Samus? For all he knew, they could be in terrible danger...soon enough they would be, he was sure...and it was all because of his own carelessness.

It didn't matter that Shadow was more than likely going to ignore his request, and was probably getting a huge kick out of his desperation to boot. But what else could Falcon do?

Edited 2009-06-11 21:42 (UTC)

Ooooh, touched a nerve, did he Falcon? He leaned back in his chair to watch Falcon struggle, enjoying every single moment of it.

"Really Falcon, you must learn to control that anger! I haven't even done anything yet, and there's so much more I've- No. No. Silly me, I'm getting ahead of myself. After all, today is the last time I'll ever see you and we have so much to talk about! And I wasn't going to kill her anyway, not anymore.

"Your daughter is far, far more then I expected. Very good with explosives, completely fearless...Just the sort of thing I want in an underling...I'll take very good care of her, don't you worry about that. Oh, I'm certain she'll resist at first, but seeing the slaughtered, mangled body of her father should be more then enough to crush her spirit!"

His next thrash was so forceful it skidded the chair a few inches but the restraint refused to budge. The thought of Ionia being forced to work for Shadow made him sick. And it was all his fault. If he hadn't been so inattentive to his cover, if he'd taken care of Blood when he'd had the chance, if he'd never come to the school at all because now he'd endangered so many people.

Falcon was not going to die here. He couldn't. But the good thing about Black Shadow was that he liked to talk. Smart as the guy was, there was always time for figuring out a mode of escape simply because he was one of those villains that felt the need to explain. The Captain wasn't sure how much there was left to explain, but he needed to take what he could get.

He couldn't shoot. His arms were pinned to his sides. And no matter how much he wanted to see the look on Shadow's face when a giant orange robot burst through the wall and start blowing shit up, the way he was bound ensured he couldn't reach his codec either. There had to be some other option, right?

Until he found it he'd need to keep Shadow talking. "It won't happen. I'm not going to let it happen. I won't let you."

Edited 2009-06-11 17:13 (UTC)

"HA! You certainly are a funny man, Falcon!" He stood up and walked around to the back of Falcon's chair. Putting his hand on Falcon's shoulders and letting the sharp talons he called fingernails dig in, he leaned in close to his ear. He was now speaking in low tones of menace.

"You see, Falcon, I want you to keep something in mind while you struggle: You are going to die. Here and now, you are going to die. And once you're gone there will be nothing standing in my way. I will be free to ruin the lives of everyone you hold dear, and destroy everything you know. And the best part about it is, you won't be able to do a single thing about it. True, I would have preferred you be alive to watch your world crumble around you, but I can be content with the simple knowledge that you'll be gone and there is nothing you can do to can stop me."

He straightened up, but kept his claw in Falcon's shoulder.

"There's nothing you can do now."

He winced at the grip on his shoulder and violently tried to jerk it away. Suddenly he felt a lot less confident about being able to somehow weasel his way out of this one. With each icy word he could feel his composure slipping, replaced by a fear he hadn't experienced in a long time.

No. He was not going to die. The people he loved were not going to get hurt because of him. And even if they did, eventually, Falcon was going to do everything he could to prevent it because he was not going to let himself die here. There were too many people that needed him, that he needed and he'd promised himself that he would do everything in his power to keep them safe.

Dying would not be keeping them safe.

He furrowed his eyebrows and spoke, a low growl, that, despite his best efforts, quavered ever-so-slightly. "Is that it? Nothing else you want to 'chat' about? No big elaboration on exactly how you plan to rip me limb from limb? Or have we just not gotten to that part yet?"

"Really so impatient to get to the finish? In these circumstances?" He could hear Falcon's confidence waver in his voice ~~and made a challenge to himself to get him to wet his pants before this was over~~. It was a nice little assurance that he could have Falcon begging for his mercy if he so choose.

"But now that you mention it," he said, strolling back over to his spot behind the desk, still standing, "I have a bit of a...curiosity you could satisfy while you're still here...

"Does the name 'Jay Gonzo Snaky' mean anything to you?"

Falcon had to admit he had a difficult time remembering the names of his astronomical amount of bounties, successful and otherwise. If this guy was even one of his bounties after all. The Captain could only assume so. Otherwise why would Black Shadow be concerned?

Still, he found himself racking his brain. Jay Gonzo Snaky... With a name like that, he obviously had to be at least a little memorable. But Jesus, it had been years since he'd heard that name, much less put a face to it.

"He was...he said he was some kind of...voodoo...doctor. I brought him in." Falcon paused, trying to remember more of the event. "Why? One of your grunts? Didn't think they were anything special, I put enough of them behind bars but you always seem to have a surplus."

Edited 2009-06-11 19:36 (UTC)

Grunt.

Oh, was that all he was to Falcon? Typical. Just typical. Just bring them in, don't spare a thought for who they are. Black Shadow's face suddenly turned from a playful but deadly smile to cold seriousness and intense, barely contained anger.

"A mere grunt? Ha. I should really rip your throat out for insulting a great man like that. No, Snaky was no grunt. He was well known in the underworld as a master of the dark arts. He taught me everything I know today. That little energy rope trick was the first thing I ever mastered from him, and I owe much of my success to that man, including the escape from the first crime I ever committed. I'd even go so far as to consider him a friend. A dear one."

His anger seemed to be rising. "We assumed he would free himself no problem, as he'd helped so many others do. But weeks then months then years went by and we heard not a peep. Caused a tear in the underworld we could never hope to mend and put you on more hit lists then you know...So, my question to you, and I know you can answer this from your time in at Internova, is simple: When people get lost in the system, where is it they go?"

Okay so it seemed this guy was not just a grunt. But he kept silent, at least until Black Shadow had finished his tirade. He couldn't believe it. That's what all this was about? The self-proclaimed Emperor of Brutality had gone to such lengths to destroy him because Falcon had brought in Shadow's friend? He knew there was more...mostly the fact that the Captain was rather good at foiling the operations of his group and throwing large wrenches into his plans but this!?

"You're going to rip out my throat anyway..." He hissed bitterly. Then he thought. A part of him was horrendously pleased to hear that he'd made such an impact just by bringing in one criminal. He'd really messed things up for the underworld, hadn't he?

That felt good.

It would have felt better if he wasn't strapped to a chair and apparently about to die. Falcon knew Shadow wanted him to say that Snaky was dead. That way it was all about revenge. But truthfully... "I...I don't know." He began tentatively, trying to muster confidence. "I brought him in alive. They locked him up. I don't know after that. I can only assume he got what he deserved. Just like someday you'll get what you deserve."

Edited 2009-06-12 01:58 (UTC)

Oh, it had always been about revenge, for one thing or another. But the incident with Snaky was the one thing that has always stuck out for Black Shadow, and now, to hear Falcon deny it was just...just...

"GRAAAAH!" His noise of rage was inarticulate, and was accompanied by him swinging his arm down hard on the desk. The flimsy furniture nearly imploded under his fist. His other arm then shot out and grabbed Falcon around his throat. The little bit of control that Black Shadow had over himself was keeping the grip just tight enough to hurt, but not kill.

While reminding Falcon that he could kill him. If he really felt like it.

"Deserve? Deserve? I deserve nothing! What I have, I have earned! And so have you. Your vigilante act has earned you the attention of some dangerous people, people who each would give an arm to see you dead and buried! And what I have earned is the chance to beat them all to the punch! If not me Falcon, then others. Countless others! People who won't show you the mercy of not destroying you right away. People who would never let you live long enough to know what was going to happen after they killed you!"

His rant seemed to calm him down a little, but he didn't relax his grip. "You're quite lucky in fact...I'll be willing to kill you and leave without touching your friends or family here....And all you have to do is beg for my mercy. Consider it a parting gift for being such a challenging adversary."

Now they were getting somewhere. Despite the fact that his air supply was suddenly being choked from him, Falcon had made Black Shadow angry. Angry was good. Angry meant he wasn't thinking as clearly as he had been a moment ago. Angry meant Falcon had a better chance of finding an opening.

Somehow this gave him a boost of confidence. Here he was, literally staring death in the face and...he felt like laughing. Black Shadow was just telling him everything he already knew. Everything he'd already accepted.

Slowly, his face twisted into a grin. "There was...another teacher here." He began, struggling to get the words out against the hand tight around his throat. "Played God. Thought he was God, really. Did genetic experiments. Destroyed homes, destroyed people, destroyed lives. Made....chimeras, he called them. All for the sake of some kind of fucked-up new world order. Reminded me of you."

He found himself needing to pause, struggling for air. "I told him the world destroys people who play God. And I took him down. Just like I...deal with the rest of you scum. You're going...you're going to pay. Even if I'm not the one to make that...happen...as much as I would...like to...someone will."

Black Shadow's offer...Falcon put no stock in it. Empty promises. Begging would do nothing if he was going to die regardless, and then his enemy would destroy everything anyway once he was gone. "I...won't." He gasped, managing to grin even wider. "You...you can take your parting gift and shove it up your ass, you miserable fuck."

"Play God!" That earned Falcon a laugh. An evil, evil laugh that could only come from someone who'd just heard a joke that the teller didn't even know he was telling. "You stupid fool!"

His grip on Falcon's throat tightened, completely cutting off his air. His voice filled with glee frantic and insane, shouting and snarling in turn. "Wipe that ignorant smile off your face! I don't play God. I am one! There is a difference between me and any of the other fools who work here, and you know what that is? I! DON'T! DIE! I have nothing to pay for and no one to answer to but myself! Send as many fools with a death-wish as you want! They'll all be destroyed, each and every one!"

He hoisted Falcon up off the ground by his neck. "Starting with you."

Funny how rage can cloud your judgement and leave you not noticing important things. Like how the extra weight of a chair can make energy ropes stretch and loosen...

Falcon would have kept right on grinning if not for the fact that he was now completely suffocating, unable to make any sounds more than choked, stifled grunts as he began to struggle again. Despite the fact that he'd made Black Shadow go from asserting his upper hand to full-on crushing his windpipe with his feet dangling a few inches above the floor, the Captain knew this was his shot.

Shadow was just angry enough, and he could feel the restraints loosening slightly as the weight of the chair dragged them downward. Now or never. And in this case, "never" was literally never. He was going to die if he didn't do something.

With a desperate burst of strength, he pushed his arms against the weakened bindings, ripping through them and hearing the chair fall to the ground as they dissipated. The grin returned as he cocked his now-free arm back with lighting speed and threw a blazing right hook at the side of his adversary's head.

Black Shadow reacted when he saw the punch, but not quite fast enough. He tried to move his head back, but the fist connected with his jaw. He lost part of his grip on Falcon's neck and let him fall as he stumbled to the side.

Catching himself on the wall and regaining his balance, he drew himself up to his full imposing height to let Falcon know that, yes, that was out of line, yes, he was pissed, and no, he won't be getting away with it. A little black magic to hover off the ground and surround himself with a dark aura, and suddenly Black Shadow was the very picture of mad, bad, and dangerous.

"You should have just let this end, Falcon."

He landed hard on the floor and scrambled away, managing to put some distance between the two of them before standing and trying to force air back into his lungs. With his arms and legs finally freed, Falcon felt a lot more confident about putting up a fight and facing Black Shadow mano a mano, as intimidating as the guy was.

He suddenly felt very small. Small, but not powerless.

"Not today." He said, grin leaving his face, replaced by stoic determination. "I know this whole shebang was probably brilliantly orchestrated and all, and I'm flattered that you'd go to such lengths just for me, but to be honest? I don't really feel like dying."

By now his gun was back in the holster, discarded in favor of his blazing fists. Though it was probably in his best interests to make for the door or even fling himself out the window, Falcon felt that burning hatred rise in his chest again and he knew he would stay and fight...for as long as he could ensure a safe escape.

In the meantime...he figured as he launched himself at his opponent with a snarl...he'd see just how much damage he could do.

Edited 2009-06-12 18:52 (UTC)

Shadow stepped to the side of Falcon's punch, kicking a potted plant over as he did. He grabbed his foe's arm and attempted to use his own leverage against him and swing him back down to the ground.

This wasn't part of the plan. This wasn't part of the plan! And suddenly he needed a new one in a hurry. Coming up with a plan B on the spot was one of Shadow's weaknesses, loath as he was to admit it and his mind raced with idea after idea. Go for the stomach...no, crush his head...that would take too long...Try for the crotch...uh, last resort...

The gun.

Go for Falcon's gun and kill him with it.

Perfect.

Now all he needed was his chance...

~~Oh, how nice it was to be wrecking an office that wasn't his.~~

Falcon had just barely leapt forward when he found himself slammed into the office floor, an involuntary grunt escaping him as he connected with the cold tile. His next immediate instinct was to spin on his palms, kicking outward as he brought himself back to his feet and trying to ignore the pain that came with...well, being clothes-lined into the ground.

He dashed behind the desk in an effort to keep distance between them while simultaneously trying to keep a mode of escape nearby. Of course, there was the part where his getup maneuver loosened his gun in his belt, and, seeing as it had already been put back hastily and not very securely. The next thing he heard was a metallic clatter as the gun fell to the floor, the swift motion to the other side of the room enough to dislodge it from its holster.

Well, that was probably not good. He sidestepped the desk and dove forward, hand outstretched in an attempt to reach it.

Black Shadow had tried to get in front of Falcon in hopes to pin him down, but instead took the kick and, without his feet on the ground giving him any friction, was propelled backwards into the wall. He was just about to try an attack when he heard the gun clatter onto the floor. Yes! Once he had that, it would be all over...

Why race for the finish when you can bring the finish to you? The gun started to rattle as Shadow attempted to use black magic to draw it to him. It was an easy spell but it required a second or so to start working. The gun lifted off the ground slowly, as the same black aura that surrounded him surrounded it.

Falcon's eyes widened as his hand closed around nothing and he looked up to find himself staring down the barrel of his own gun. Well then. This was a most unpleasant turn of events.

He scrambled to his feet and froze for a split second, trying to find his options but finding himself backing towards the window instead. What are you DOING you IDIOT don't just stand there if you stand there you're going to get SHOT just DO SOMETHING.

Unfortunately, he couldn't think of anything to do but lunge forward again and try to grasp the gun before it made its way to the hands of his opponent.

Black Shadow was also mentally smacking himself upside the head, as he watched Falcon move around the room. The window! Of course Falcon would head for the window! It was the only way out and Shadow hadn't even thought of it!

There wasn't time to do anything about it now. The only chance was to get off a shot before Falcon could escape, and it was about that time that Shadow decided that moving toward the gun while the gun was moving toward him. He made a mad lunge for the gun at around the same time Falcon did, trying to get it before Falcon grabbed his only chance at success.

Falcon was swiftly realizing that there was no time for this. He needed to get out and he needed to get out now, gun be damned. Could he be fast enough? Fast enough to turn on a dime and punch his way through the window and hope that he could make it out? If he gave up on the gun and concentrated on escaping, he'd have a much better chance...as opposed to struggling in close quarters for the firearm and risk getting shot at much closer range. Of course, this also meant that Black Shadow could very well get the gun and shoot him anyway as he attempted to get through the window.

...He really hoped they were on the first floor.

In an instant, he abandoned his lunge and faked right, turning the motion into a tuck and roll to get him out of Shadow's path and head in the complete opposite direction. Falcon skidded across the floor and scrambled to his feet, pivoting as quickly as he could and dashing towards the only exit, his fist pulled back and ready to break some goddamn glass.

Edited 2009-06-13 05:17 (UTC)

No no no no don't do this he wouldn't let him do this I won't let you get away from me again

Black Shadow had overshot how much speed he needed to grab the gun and he was now pulled off center and falling over and Falcon was getting away from him. Twisting his body around as he fell, he fired wildly in Falcon's direction, not even caring about his aim. Shot after shot after shot in a desperate attempt to stop Falcon or slow him down.

Whichever. Right now the important thing was that he not lose Falcon. Not let him get away. Kill him or disable him; It wasn't important right now. Just keep firing no matter what.

Much better plan. He cursed inwardly as he felt shots whizz by him and he overturned the desk in an effort to create even more chaos and hopefully avoid the wild rounds. Whyyyy did I have to bring the gun with bullets those are going to hurt so much more.

Unfortunately, in such an enclosed space it was only a matter of time before even Shadow's rage-induced, shoddy aim proved true. The first slammed into his shoulder, causing him to tumble forward and fling his hands out to catch himself on the window pane. The second tore into his side.

No no no no NO not now not like this. Not when he was so close. Fighting against white spots exploding in his vision, he shakily brought himself back to his full height and rammed himself into the glass, the fiery aura from his fists providing more than enough force to shatter it. With one look back, a half-smirk that clearly said "not today", Falcon hauled himself onto the ledge and let himself fall to the ground below.

Edited 2009-06-13 06:00 (UTC)

The impact of hitting the ground stopped Black Shadow's firing, but he was able to see that Falcon had been hit by one -no, two shots, but it didn't look like he was dead yet. He was about to get himself back into firing position when he saw Falcon pitch himself out the window.

He picked himself up off the ground and half-ran half-stumbled to the window where Falcon had been a moment before. Had he killed him? Was he dead? Was it over? He stuck his head out the window, mostly hoping to see a dead body splayed on the ground.

Pain exploded in his shoulder as he landed hard on it--the fall wasn't a long one but damn. There was no time to focus on that. He had to ignore the pain and concentrate on getting away. He was vaguely aware that he was losing a lot of blood, and trying to run (subsequently raising his heart rate) would only make him lose it faster, but he had no choice. It was get away, or die right here. And he'd just made it out...he couldn't possibly die now.

There was no way he'd make it to his apartment, and even if he could, like hell was he going to lead Black Shadow right to where he lived. The woods. Those were much closer, provided more cover, and he could get the Flyer into one of the clearings no problem...and then he could treat himself. And if worse came to worse, there was always the gunship.

The instant he hit the ground he was bringing himself back to his feet, albeit shakily, clutching his side and pushing himself into a run. The adrenaline from the fight dulled the pain but...well, he'd see how far he could make it.

He was running. He wasn't dead.

Damn it. Black Shadow aimed the gun at the fleeing figure and used what ended up being the last two shots in the gun. Tossing it aside, he watched Falcon head toward the woods...

...while taking note of the blood seeping out of Falcon's wounds. That would make a wonderful trail to follow later. Right now, Black Shadow was coming down off the violent adrenaline fueled rage he'd had just a moment ago, and was now feeling a slow-burning constant anger replace it.

Chasing after Falcon was first priority, but it would look bad if he disappeared without a word. He grabbed the keyboard from the mess that was now his desk, looked into the cracked monitor and, after a few false starts, typed out a quick entry. (http://brutalemperor.livejournal.com/2586.html) That should keep most people from following him.

He then turned to window and broke out in a dead run. One flying leap and suddenly he was floating toward the ground. Landing hard, he headed off in the direction he'd seen Falcon run. He'd catch up with Falcon, and it wasn't as if he could get far with those wounds.

It was a head start, but it wasn't much of one. Falcon was barely at the edge of the trees when he stumbled and fell, an all-too-familiar metallic taste filling his mouth. Fuck... No gun, no place to go, and certainly not enough strength to fight back if he was found. And he was sure Black Shadow was after him. He wouldn't give up just because Falcon jumped through a window and started running.

As he lay facedown in the grass he noticed the faint glisten of his blood from the direction he came and cursed himself. He might as well have been painting giant orange "HE IS THIS WAY" signs for the guy. Something needed to be done about that.

Falcon managed to crawl a few feet to the cover of a nearby bush and wasted no time in ripping off strips of his shirt, using the fabric to try compress the wounds. Stopping the bleeding would kill two birds with one stone: enable himself to go further and keep Shadow off his trail. But that proved to be easier said than done.

...Or maybe he didn't have to stop the bleeding. At least...not until he absolutely had to. It would be risky, and either very smart...or very stupid: he wasn't sure which. Mustering what strength he could, he made his way into the woods, walking back and forth, around in a circle, in figure eights, letting the blood drip everywhere, smearing it on trees and foliage, anything to create a confusing path that might just throw off his pursuer.

Satisfied with his handiwork (and about to faint), he returned to the bush and tied off his injuries as best he could before staggering deep into the forest.

Edited 2009-06-13 23:09 (UTC)

The blood trail was working so far. Black Shadow could see where Falcon had run, where he had tripped and fallen, gotten up again and continued to run. This was too good. "Faaaaalcon," he called. "Falcon, where are you? I know you're around here somewhere!"

Following the trail led him to...a mess. Blood was everywhere, in the bushes, in the trees, on the grass...looping this way and that, in loop-de-loops, splattered in seemingly random places.

"Well, well..." said Shadow, loud enough that Falcon could hear if he was close, "Falcon is either running around in delirious circles...or he's trying to throw me off the trail." Black Shadow then stood still and listened for movement. Flushing Falcon out seemed like the best idea, if he was close....but he wasn't. There didn't seem to be any sign.

He took in air and shouted as loud as he possibly could. "YOU CAN'T RUN FALCON, AND YOU CAN'T HIDE EITHER! THERE'S MORE THEN ONE WAY TO FIND WOUNDED PRAY!"

There was the air for example. No sense in being able to fly if you didn't use it. He lept up into the air and didn't stop rising until he was above the tree line. Somehow...this was funny. Falcon had got away, yes, but he couldn't escape.

Black Shadow's evil laughter filled the night air as he begin a slow sweeping search of the forest.

Falcon groaned inwardly, the sound of Shadow's booming voice ringing in his ears certainly not doing anything to quell the pain that wracked him as he struggled through the underbrush in search of decent cover. He gauged that Shadow was still far away enough for him to send out a few cell phone distress signals, including one really important one to a certain fellow bounty hunter.

Shadow wasn't giving up. Falcon didn't have time to wait for the Flyer and he was running out of...

The Flyer. That was it. It would definitely cost him some medical equipment...and possibly even the ship itself...but if Samus was coming with the gunship anyway...this was his final chance. And with Shadow sweeping the forest from the air, it seemed...one last ditch shot at a distraction was his best bet. Besides, he'd take his life over his spaceship any day. ~~The car, however, would have been a different story.~~

Finding the best cover he possibly could, he punched numbers into the device strapped to his wrist, changing the Flyer's destination ever so slightly...just to go to another part of the forest and just far enough away from where he was. Soon enough, he heard the roar of the spaceship's engines approaching. A few more button pushes and the ship was descending into the trees.

A fake landing, of course. It was landing far enough away for Falcon to be mostly sure he was safe, but close enough for the Captain to see the hatch opening, waiting a few moments as if someone was staggering on board, and closing again. Knowing that Shadow would not be able to ignore the sight of his beloved craft and could only assume that Falcon was using it to escape, he punched in more numbers and the ship rose again, rising above the treeline and zooming off.

Please go after it. Oh God, he hoped this was going to work. For all you know, I'm on it. I will fly it around the world if it means you'll chase after it and forget about this damn forest.

Edited 2009-06-14 04:14 (UTC)

Black Shadow was paying sharp attention to every nook and cranny of the forest, looking for any movement, any sound, anything that would lead him to Falcon's whereabouts. He could have sworn he heard buttons being punched on a small electronic device, and was just about to check the spot he'd heard it at, when the roar of the Flyer caught his attention even better then a small sound that might have been number keys.

His laughter increased in volume and intensity, rising almost above the din the flyer was making. He turned himself in direction of the Flyer and kicked off, flying over as fast as he could. The time the Flyer had taken to land, pick up it's imaginary passenger, and take off again, Shadow had covered quite a bit of the distance from where he had been to where he wanted to be. By the time it took off again, he was right on it's engines. But it was doing the job, getting him far away from Falcon in a big hurry.

But not far away enough that, if he listened, Falcon couldn't hear the GRUNNCH sound of twisting metal. Only time would tell if Falcon still had a ship when this was all over.

Oh God it's working it's working its--

And that was about when he heard the crunch of metal. He winced. Well...he'd bought himself some time. Probably at the cost of his ship (as he was sure Black Shadow would tear it apart when he found that the Captain was not in it), but...he'd exhausted all other options. He could do nothing but punch more numbers and set the Flyer's accelerators to full, hoping he could keep increasing the distance, all the while knowing it was probably the last he was ever going to see of his ship. In one piece, of course. Maybe if he was really lucky they'd be over a large body of water when he finally ripped it in half and Black Shadow could drown or something. Good riddance.

With his ship becoming little more than a dot on the horizon, there was nothing Falcon could do but wait for Samus. Then he would be safe.

~~Good night, sweet prince.~~

If Black Shadow had been thinking straighter, he might not have destroyed it. He might have kept it for himself. Put it in a pocket dimension, sent it back to his headquarters, and repainted it. Renamed it something. The "Shadow Siren."

Might've been nice.

But Black Shadow was angry. Very very angry. Angrier then he'd ever been. He'd torn a hole in the side of the thing and came on board, hoping to find Falcon and surprise him by destroying the Flyer while he was still inside of it. Black Shadow's face would be the last thing he'd ever see before his complete immolation.

Instead he'd been rewarded with a few security measures and the auto-pilot. It had been a wild goose chase and he'd completely fallen for it! Well, when you send out bait you have to be prepared to lose it. The metal of the Flyer began buckling in on itself, crumpling and compressing together like it was being squeezed in a vice...And then it rapidly expanded like a balloon before ripping apart like paper, raining down on the landscape like confetti.

Black Shadow had to admit that he was getting tired. Even his power wasn't infinite, and using so many of them was putting a drain on him. He lifted into the air. He'd at least use the last of his powers to get back to where Falcon was. Where he should still be with all the blood he lost.

Unless he's had help. The thought was infuriating, mostly because it seemed so likely. Well, whoever it was would have to be squashed just like all the others...

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