'cause it's better than nothing

[thespaceopera]

[ Calibration Rooms ]
( for N-Z characters )

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ROOMS BY CHARACTER

N - P Otono-Tachibana Makie Pavel Chekov Peter Parker Pidge Gunderson Prompto Argentum Psycho Mantis

Q - S Randolph Lyall Remy LeBeau Sandalio "Biffy" de Rabiffano Sanza Stark Shin-Ah Sorey Steve Rogers

T - V Taako Thor Tim Drake Tyrion Lannister Ulaz Vash the Stampede Victor Frankenstein The Vision

W - Z Wanda Maximoff Zaveid

(last updated: 1/25/19)

Comments

Vash the Stampede | Trigun

[goldenglasses]

When you enter Vash's room the man himself is no where to be seen. At first it may seem like there is nothing but endless desert, but squint and off in the distance there's a glint of light reflecting off a shiny surface. You will feel a pull towards that glint. Something you can't quite put words too, but a feeling of familiarity calls you towards it's direction. Continue forward and eventually soft colorful feathers begin to rain down from the sky. They drift down slow enough that they could be avoided or collected, but should you touch any of them a memory will trigger.

Once you reach that item out in the distance it is revealed to be a giant light bulb. If you have not viewed any memories all that will be inside in a round ball that somewhat looks like it could be made from organic tissue. Between one and two memories viewed and there will be vaguely humanoid shape of a naked woman starting to emerge from the sphere. Between you and the glass her skin looks as if tinted light blue. Her hair appears to look a bit like the feathers that still fall and are also tinted slightly blue. There's also the hint that she has extra limbs and body parts still waiting to emerge from that ball. Having viewed three or more feathers and the creature inside will be fully awake. Her eyes black open and empty, but a friendly smile on her face. She's strangely beautiful even with the strange extra body parts that seem to grow out from her. You feel no fear looking at her.

She reaches out her hands and presses them onto the glass. Waiting. That strange sense is stronger now that you are in front of her. She radiates the feeling of kinship and eventually you'll get the additional feeling of what she's waiting for. Ask her your question and she will try to answer it. The feathers still continue to fall all around.

*****

OOC: The Plant will tell you where the exit is if asked or where Vash is hiding. It will also answer any specific questions your character might have about Vash. Although the answers will be portrayed through feeling and could come out murky.

See the below list for the type of memory you'll see for each feather color! When it says random it is because I have a few key memories written and they'll be passed out though an RNG I have set up! A couple RNG have potentially triggering content in it, but if you let me know they can be easily removed!

You can pick multiple of the same color feather. You'll either get a different memory from the theme. Or at least a continuation of the the core memory.

White feathers: Random sad memory (CW: likely to involve death or violence)
Purple feathers: Random happy memory
Green feather: Memory of Lost July or the destruction of Augusta (CW: contains body horror, violence, and mass destruction/death)
Red feather: Random childhood memory (CW: RNG could land on child abuse – if you wish to avoid please let me know.)
Pink feather: The Big Fall (CW: Death of a family member)
Blue feather: The final showdown with Legato (CW: death and violence)
Yellow feather: Memory of how he got a random scar (CW: Violence, blood, ect.)
Brown feather: Random Gun-Ho Gun fight (CW: Violence, death)
Black feather: Random Wolfwood memory (CW: RNG could land on a memory involving death – if you wish to avoid please let me know.)

Re: Vash the Stampede | Trigun

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim doesn't notice the feathers falling at first, so focus on getting to that glint off into the distance. One only coming to his attention once it falls right in front of his eyes. He reaches out and takes it automatically before looking down and seeing it's purple.]

[goldenglasses]

[As soon as Time touches the feather the desert vanishes and he'll find himself sitting around a table with three people sitting around with him. Several empty bottles litter the table and each person has a glass in front of them.

A nearly forgotten poster advertising a quick draw tournament is currently being used as a coaster.

Milly, the woman with long hair is smiling.] Oh. Let's see. This is getting hard! [Her face is slightly flushed from all the drinking the group have done so far.] Never have I ever... oh! Crashed a car!

[You feel yourself pout.] I said I was sorry! And I carried the both of you to town in the end. Won't you ever forgive me?

[The shorter one smiles around her glass but she doesn't drink from it.] Nope.

[Milly looks a bit surprised.] Oh yeah. I forgot all about that.

[Both him and Meryl look back at Milly in surprise.] HOW COULD YOU FORGET THAT?!

[The other man seems to be too busy considering the drink in his glass to join in that amazement.] Does a motorcycle crash count? I don't think it counts. It's not a car.

Oh, well, I haven't been in a motorcycle accident either, Mr. Priest! So I guess that means you drink!

[The boys grumble, but in a good nature sort of way, and take a drink from their glasses.] My turn now, right? [Wolfwood smirks in Vash's direction.] Never have I ever had a bounty on my head.

HEY!

Drink up, Stampede. [Wolfwood sneers as the two girls laugh as you alone drink.]

Never have I ever- [Meryl starts before you have even finished drinking with a wink towards Wolfwood's direction.] Styled my hair in a way that tries to defy gravity.

[You takes another shot as your three friends laugh together.] Well, fine never have I ever stalked a man across the desert.

[Meryl shrugs and takes a drink where as Milly looks slightly concerned.] We don't stalk you, Mr. Vash. We follow you for work.

Well, fine then I haven't followed someone all over the planet because of work.

[Milly nods, satisfied, and takes her drink.] Never have I ever, um, [The tall woman pauses and tries to think quickly.] Oh! Spent a night in jail. [Once again both boys drink.] You too, Mr. Priest?

It was a misunderstanding is all! [You mutter: yeahright under your breath so Wolfwood looks you directly in the eyes in response.] Never have I ever been shot in the stomach by Brilliant Dynamites Neon before.

THAT'S CHEATING! [You cry out and shove your friend in the shoulder as he laughs at his own cunning.]

Nope! It's fair! Drink up, Vash! [Meryl says as she helpfully refills your glass. As you down your drink, enjoying the burn from the strong alcohol as it goes down, she takes her turn.] Never have I ever caused so much damage that I had insurance agents assigned to me.

Hey! [You take another drink as Milly now figures out what the other two have been doing.]

Hahaha! Never have I ever been chased by an entire town! [You drink once again. You also can't remember a time you felt so comfortable with a group of people to allow yourself to drink this much. In fact, you may actually finally be getting drunk despite your high tolerance.]

Can we play a different game now? [You plead as you put your head down on the table feeling slightly attacked by them, but in a good fr. The friends laugh and pull out a deck of cards to play instead.

It's a good night. Filled with friends and good times. It had been such a long time since you've had a night like tonight. It feels great.

That is until the drink really starts to add up. Then it feels a little less great, but still good. The four of them stay up really late and eventually the two Insurance Girls, as Vash like to call them, eventually leave to head to bed. Wishing you good luck at the competition tomor-- today as they leave.

The hotel room door opens as they exit and suddenly Tim will be back in the desert. The feathers still fall all around and in all colors still. The glint in the distance is getting closer. Do you continue on? Avoid the feathers? Or try to touch more.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim smiles at the memory, he's never played a drinking game before but they make it look like fun. He will continue to take even steps towards the glint in the distance but he can't help but reach out for another feather. This time is it a black feather.]

[goldenglasses]

(OOC: Keep reading or start watching from 15:14-15:52)

[When Tim touches that black feather a clear and certain thought will rush into his head.

This is stupid. This is so stupid, but what choice did they have? Milly and Meryl were waiting in the house behind them with a bunch of kids ready to make a run for the nearby town. The desert stretches on in a seemingly endlessness way as you gaze out from around the wall you're currently peeking out from behind. The ground underneath you rumbling with movement from somewhere down far below.

You steal a quick side eyed glance to the man holding a large metal cross in front of him. You instantly know that this man's name is Wolfwood. One of the very few people that you trust with your life. With a quick nod to your best friend the pair jump out from behind your cover.

Together your feet stomp and you holler at the very top of your lungs with him.] HAHAHA! Over here! Come and get it boys! [From their strange dance it may seem like the two of you are having fun, but the cold underlining feeling of terror belittles your manic laughter. And for good reason as the ground begins to rumble before a GIANT sandworm emerges from below your feet. Both men start screaming and running as fast as you can in the opposite direction the kids will be running for.

The planet rumbles again and there's a crash JUST behind the two of you as the sandworm falls back under the ground as two more join the chase.]

Nice wormie! [You nervously shout.

THEY'RE CATCHING UP YOU IDIOT.

[Wolfwood wasn't wrong either. You were in fact an idiot and they were catching up. The priest swings his large and heavy looking cross with ease as he skids to turn around and face the worms. As he swing the cross into position a barrel of a gun is reviled at the bottom of the holy symbol.

He wastes no time at all taking aim at the worms and just open fires. After all they're so large and so close there's no way he could possibly miss. Only he was best friends with an extreme pacifist and before he can pull the trigger you slam your weight onto the cross and causes the shots to go wild.

Wolfwood glares back at you with a look that was mixed with pure rage, utter confusion, and the certainty of impending death as his bullets fly harmlessly past the sandworm still speeding towards them. The shots didn't even cause the creature to flinch.]

WHAT'S THE MATTER?! YOU MEAN I CAN'T KILL THOSE EITHER!?

YOU CAN'T KILL THOSE! NO! [The look that promised death from Wolfwood should the two of you survive this mess doesn't matter at all to you. The very LAST thing you want or really need right now while trying to stay alive is to stop someone who should know better not to kill. Just these few moments alone to stop that attack had given the sandworms enough time to close the gap between them.]

Why do we always have to do things your way!? [The man is nearly in tears as he tries to run, but it's too late. The sandworm throws his whole weight into the leap and tries to eat the two bickering men. They both leap out of the way just in time to avoid being eaten. Only there's no time to rest, as soon as you land from your jump there's another worm coming up from below and you're both forced to jump again.

It's only their quick footwork and amazing timing that saves the two men from becoming dinner as they fall down an embankment and come to a skidding stop at the bottom.]

What the hell are those things? Pretty well organized for a bunch of normal sandworms.

Yeah, I agree. [You say as Wolfwood certainly has a point as he usually does. It's also now that the two realize they are currently not being chased. They pick their heads up above the embankment to see even more sandworms leaping into the air as they wreak havoc across the sandy landscape.

It was going to be a long day.

That's the last thought that Tim will have before the ground stops moving under his feet and the sandworms vanish. In the distance that glint is now oddly looking like it might be a giant light bulb? Do you continue forward among the feathers still falling like snow?]

blame RNG

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim picks up the pace a little, he can see the shape now. He feels like he's getting closer, but he can't help but pull another feather from the air. It's green this time]

[passingthrough]

[Sand. "Beaches are for invading." Something Reid always used to say when she'd try to coax him to the beach back in the prison. This isn't exactly a beach though. And it's been a long time since she's seen Reid, but something about these calibrations have a way of stirring up old memories.

She stops and looks up at the feathers, trying to discern their source before reaching out to catch a yellow one in her hand.]

CW: Torture, blood, mention of starvation and death

[goldenglasses]

[When Kitty touches the feather the landscape shifts. There's still two sun beating down, but where there was empty endless desert there is now rubble and destroyed buildings as far as the eye can see. Your body aches all over especially that dull throb where your left arm use to be. Dressed not in your red jacket, but tattered rags instead. Something happened to that jacket but you just can't remember what. Something big, something important, something bad.

There's wailing. It's been going on for days. Along with fighting and shooting as people scramble to find a way to survive in a desert when suddenly all the supplies have vanished. The only thing worse then the cries of anguish is the fact that things have been steadily getting quieter as more and more people succumb to the elements.

You're huddled with a few other people against half a wall that's still standing. Trying to hide in the shade during the hottest part of the day. It's during this time when the fighting tends to slow, but you can hear a gunfight off in the distance. You're trying to rouse yourself to go see if maybe you can stop the fight, but you're just so tired you can't find the strength to stand. You've used it all up stopping all the other fights that came before it.]

How? How did this happen? What happened to July? [One of the men mutter in despair.] Who did this to us?

I did. [You answer automatically without even thinking about it. Did you do it? You can't really remember if you did or how, but there's something deep down within you that knows, without a doubt, that you are responsible.]

What did you say?

It was me. I did this.

[More people are looking at you now. A new voice chimes in.] That's not funny.

I'm not joking. None of this would have happened if it wasn't for me. If I had just stayed away.

H-hey. Didn't they say it was a blond haired man at the centre of all this? [Someone else adds to the conversation with a nervous voice.]

Yeah. Yeah. They did! A tall man with blond hair!

I-- [Someone slugs you across the face before you can say anything more. With no energy left you crumble to the ground. You hardly have time to feel how scorching the sand is before he's lifting you up and punching you again.

There's a couple people who try to stop what's happening, but there is just so much anger that they're drowned out by the mob. They're screaming murderer in your face as they kick you and asking you why while they hit you in the face. The only thing that keeps them from killing you is the fact that you're not fighting back. They can't bring themselves to kill someone who can't be bothered to defend himself. You've hurt these people and if they want to take your life for it you can't find a reason to stop them.

They don't last long. Days of starving and the intense heat means they're quickly running out of energy, but the anger is still there even if their bodies can't last.] We can't just let this guy go! We can't let him run off! [There's a round of agreement.] Someone will be here to help us! They can deal with him! [Let someone else pull the trigger.

But they have nothing. What are they to do with you? Someone finds a bit of barbwire in the rubble only with only one arm they can't properly tie your arm behind your back. Instead they drag you to a post that's still crookedly standing. Between your elbow and shoulder of your right arm they tie one end of the wire tight. Already the barbs start to dig into your skin and it's even worse when they lift you up. Forcing your arm above your head so they can tie the short strand to the post above you. The pain is nothing compared to the white hot agony that comes when they let go and you drop. Not lucky enough for the wire to break from your weight instead it sinks into your flesh.

If the barbs were biting into you before, now they're ripping in. Already you can feel blood rushing down to your shoulder. The wire was too short and there's not enough length to let your feet touch the ground and your toes scrap teasingly close to the ground, but not enough to take the pressure off of that arm. Your hand grips a length of the wire and you hardly feel the barb cutting into your palm as you try to pull yourself up just a little bit. Anything to try to take some of the pressure off.

They watch you struggle and cry for a few moments before the mob moves out of the sun. Too hot to stay or perhaps suddenly feeling to guilty to continue watching. Eventually you're left to burn out in the midday sun. It's not until nearly both suns have set when you're found by a different group of survivors. You're so still that they think you're dead at first and are amazed to find out there's still life in you.

Quickly they cut you down, but the damage to your arm is already done. Many think you're going to lose it as they do their best to bandage it in up in dirty rags. The only thing close to bandages that they have. You don't lose the arm, but a deep, nearly perfectly round scar will remain on the upper part of your arm for the rest of your life.

The rubble slowly fades away back into that empty desert. The glint in the distance still visible and looking closer now as the multi coloured feathers continue to fall. ]

[passingthrough]

[At first when the scene shifts it's all too familiar. Rubble and destruction and pain just remind her of home, but as her eyes more fully take in the details she can tell these are not the structures of the Earth she came from. This isn't her memory. It's someone else's.

Vash. She can feel it. Feel him. It's not just what remains of his jacket. How many versions of that jacket does he even have? But there is little time for her own thoughts as she falls deeper into his, watching it all play out from his perspective.

Finally the feather drops slowly from her hand and she stumbles back a step before drawing a deep breath and steadying herself. Her hand comes up to her cheek to wipe away the dampness there.]

Vash? [Is he here? He was here last time with the donuts she remembers vaguely. But before he'd even have time to answer if he was a purple feather lands in her hand.]

[goldenglasses]

[When Kitty touches that feather she'll find herself taken away and out of the desert. The air is cool and the surroundings is that of a space ship. Not completely unlike the ships of Drift Fleet except for the fact that the room you are in is much, much larger with a giant light bulb jutting out from one of the walls.

You're also very, very tired, but so very grateful. When you had passed out in the desert several days ago you had been so sure that was the end of you. You never expected to be picked up by some people who spotted you dying out in the wasteland. Expected even less to find out that there was still a ship floating in the sky. Damaged and unable to propel itself out into space again, but they would be able to live in peace up in the clouds so long as they could keep their three plants running.

Here you were. Hair down around your face in a mess and without your trademark red coat. It doesn't even cross your mind because it doesn't exist yet. Instead you wear a pair of blue jeans and a long sleeved shirt that someone has lent you. Or, more like three quarter sleeve as it doesn't quite fit all the way down like it should, but that's fine. Your arms and hands have a couple scars, but nothing to be overly embarrassed about. That's the other thing different in this memory. You have both of your arms and why wouldn't you?

You stare up at the bulb above you and all around you is silent. As far as you're aware you're alone in this room except for one other person. With a smile you press both of your hands against the glass and wait. From the feelings pulling inside you, you know she wants to see you but is feeling a bit shy. It had been a long time since she's shown her true form.

After several minutes the round organic shape in the middle of the glass starts to morph and take a more defined shape. The head and body of a woman appear, but they're also clearly not human. Her eyes are nothing but pure blackness and a few extra limbs and body parts seem to sprout from her in odd angels. Yet, despite this inhuman shape you love her and find her beautiful. You send these feelings out to her through the connection that you share and she smiles brightly.

When she reaches forward and presses her hands against yours that's exactly what it feels like. It feels like touching her without the glass that was keeping the two of you from actually touching.] Hello sister. It's so good to see you. [Her happiness fills you and she is so quick to fill your head with thoughts and images. She's so proud of her ship of people and your two other sisters located in different parts of the ship. How brave and kind they were. Helping each other and caring for each other in the best possible way that they can. How great the humans were!

These feelings touch you as tears start running down your face. For a moment she worries, but through a complicated language that you two share without words you let her know they are happy tears. Your sisters are like a hive mind and struggle at times with their own thoughts, emotions, and experiences so while she can't understand your tears she falls back on the feeling of happiness that comes from her other two sisters that cannot currently see that you are crying.

It just felt good. So good to be among such kind people. To know that there were at least three Plants that were being well cared for and looked after. That these three sisters loved humans like you do. That they all didn't agree with Knives. These last few years have been hard as you have only run into people struggling to survive and turning on one another to do so. It was like a breath of fresh air to be among these saviours of yours.]

The ones who live outside of time... [You turn at the sound of a voice and see the man who you first saw when you first woke up on this ship. He was a very very short man with brown skin. Usually he always wore a smile on his face, but right now he was in awe. His small eyes wide open as he stares at you and the Plant.] I have never seen any of their true forms before, but I had read about it. They are more beautiful than I imagined. And you-- [You suddenly grow nervous. You've exposed what you really were to people before and have always been driven away so quickly out of fear.] --I knew you were special Vash. Please, can you teach me more? I want to be able to take care of them so they're with us as long as possible.

[It's like a huge weight is lifted off of you at those kind words. You weren't going to be driven away off of this ship. Numbly you nod and hold out your hand to the man.] Come here, Doc. She wants to meet you.

[Anxiously he walks up besides you a bit like a teenager getting ready to talk to a girl they've been crushing on. You guide his hand up to the glass as your sister moves her hand to meet him.] Thank you. [Is the first thing he says when he finds his voice.] Thank you. To all of you. Without you we could never have the peaceful life that we do. We are grateful to you. Please, continue to help us and allow us to take care of you in return.

[She smiles down for a few minutes before retreating back to her core.] She's just tired. [You explain. Hoping he's not disappointed, but he still looks absolutely thrilled as he turns to face you once again.]

Vash. you don't need to accept this offer right away, but I do hope that you might consider it. We wish to offer you a place to stay here with us. We have a couple of extra rooms and you could teach us so much that we don't know about the Plants. I hope that maybe you might some day see this place as a home.

[Home. A word that had lost all meaning to you during the big fall. Your heart swells so much it feels like it might burst from your chest.] You know what, Doc? I think that sounds very nice. If you would have me.

[He reaches out to give your back just above the small of it a friendly pat. Too short to properly reach any higher.] We would be honoured. And I would be even more honoured if you get back to your bed. Do you know how much trouble the two of us will be in with the nurses if they catch us here? You're suppose to be resting!

But I feel fine! Honest! [Actually, you were still pretty tired, but for a guy who had nearly died just a couple days ago you were remarkably well.

The two of you laugh and joke as you head back to the hospital ward. Home. That is what this place will eventually become for you. You know that eventually you will need to return to the dusty planet below you to help Rem's vision of Eden become a reality, but for now you could rest in your bed and just be home.

The memory fades away and this time Kitty will be able to clearly make out that the glint in the distance is another housing unit for a Plant. Not close enough to see if she's awake inside, but getting ever closer.

The feathers rain down from the sky in all the colours. If she's careful she might be able to avoid them, but she'll need to be paying close attention as there are so very many of them as they fall like snow from the sky.]

[passingthrough]

[It's strange, seeing the differences in Vash—the physical ones like having two full arms with fewer scars and the emotional ones. She's seen him happy before but not in the same way he is when he connects with the one he calls sister.

Kitty finds it hard in the fleet being one of only three mutants but Vash has been alone this whole time as the only plant. Even when he was home the only plant like him was also...nothing like him. What a lonely existence. But this memory isn't lonely. It's full of warmth and promise and it doesn't last, does it? Because his arm is missing and he does have those scars and most of his stories are about the desert planet.

She's glad he had this moment. But she also wonders if it hurt him all the more to lose it. That's been the double-edged sword for her. The good moments always ended the hardest. And much like her concerns so ends the memory that leaves her back in that hot place. Feathers still raining from above while this time the sparkle catches her eye. She moves toward it, but before she gets much closer she comes in contact with a blue feather.]

[cajunspice]

[Oh, damn that was bright, Remy instantly bringing a hand up to his brow and squinting his eyes to try and cut most the light away from them. Dieu, a little warning would had been nice. Fishing around in his coat he pulled out his sunglasses, covering his eyes before taking a proper look around at... nothing much really. With no better plan, and a sigh, he started heading for that light in the distance.

Tracking across the sand was bad enough, how it sunk under foot and liked to catch around his feet, so when those feathers started to fall Remy's slow paced slowed further for him to look up at them. If it wasn't the fact he seemed to be stuck in the middle of a freaking desert, then it may be pretty.

Reaching out a curious hand, he caught a brown feather between his fingers, holding it by the shaft and spinning it around a few times.]

CW: Violence, death by explosion

[goldenglasses]

(OOC: Read the below for extra introspective or watch this clip!)

[As Remy twirls that feather in his fingers buildings start to fade into view. The soft sand beneath his feet is replaced by the hard packed earth of a city. All around you are bodies laying out on the ground only they're not dead. They're all just slowly starting to wake up and look around. Everyone seems confused and unsure of how they ended up on the ground as they wake up. Everyone except you. You know exactly who to blame as you look up at the rocky mountain outcrop that he's told you to meet him at. Legato. Are you really going to go up there and face him? What were you going to do? How can you possibly stop someone who can control your body without killing him?] How dare you. [You growl softly under your breath. Glaring at the spot where you know Legato waits for you.] How dare you be so damn casual? To toy with people's lives?

You do the same thing. [You're surprised to hear such a calm and alert voice. Turning you see a well dressed man in a suit. His back is turned towards you.] You alone turned the cities of July and Augusta to rubble and put a huge hole into the fifth moon as well. You can deny it, but you're a monster. [He takes an unhurried drink from his glass as more of the waking townsfolk start to turn and listen to him.] You and he are the same breed.

Who the hell do you think you are? [There's something about this man that screams danger to you even though he has no weapon on him that you can see.

He sets down his empty glass as he turns to face you. It's hard to miss the saxophone he has resting on a strap around his neck.] I am the eleventh Gun-Ho Gun. [He starts to move off the porch he's standing on as he speaks.] Midvalley the Hornfreak. The man who plays the greatest music on the greatest stage of all. It's time to play. Join me for a number, won't you Vash the Stampede?

[The people who were still groggily getting to their feet now all snap to attention at hearing your name. They scream and they all turn to run. A part of you hates that people are so scared of you, but right now you couldn't be happier for that sort of reaction. The crowd clearing out before they get caught in the crossfire would make this easier for you.

You fire your gun as he brings his instrument to his lips. Not wanting to give him any time to try any tricks and needing to end this quickly. Legato was waiting for you after all. You never miss your mark, but you still watch to make sure that bullet intended for Midvalley's shoulder will be enough to end this fight. Only something remarkable happens. As the man plays his jazzy tune the bullet stops. The dust in the street billows and a rush of air speeds by you. All this from music?! You put your arms up and try to watch him. Trying to figure out how he's doing this. Then something that feels a lot like a heavy invisible stand-steamer slams into you. You're knocked off your feet and your breath is taken away as you fly backwards slamming into what use to be a building.]

What the hell was that? [There's not time to worry about injuries as the music starts up again. You take off and dive for cover behind a low wall. It explodes just as you duck behind it and you don't stop. Trying to run around him to where you think you might be able to get a shot in. You think you understand his trick now, not entirely sure how he does it, but he's somehow synchronising the sound waves to match the physical sensation of pain.

You fire off two more rounds right before you duck behind a building as windows break all around you. A building collapses nearby and you try to use the massive dust cloud it kicks up to get in closer. Maybe if you can fire before he can play your bullets will get through. You see a clear shot, but it's a kill shot and you need to adjust your aim. It slows you down just enough that you're wide open as the music swells again.

The full blast hits you in the face and you can even feel your cheek split open from the pressure of the air alone. You fall back in agony and need a moment to catch your breath. Sitting still like this means death and you think the final blow must be coming even as your mind screams at your tortured body to move. Only the music stops and Midvalley speaks to you as if you're just having a casual conversation.] Silvia is responding rather well today. Hey! You wouldn't know, but up close but the sound that's produced from even a famous and top quality instrument can sound rather flat sometimes.

[You find the strength to sit up as he speaks and wipe the blood way from your face. Something wasn't right. Something just wasn't adding up.] Of course, there are varying degrees, but you are the only one able to bring out the greatest sound. A beautiful melody is greeted with applause! The audience shouts with appreciation the acknowledgmentof a splendid performance!

[Shaking slightly you get back up onto your feet. Thankful for this reprise to get enough energy back to continue, but knowing that with the Gun-Ho Guns there's got to be a reason for that. Something worse than death? What could it be?] Why didn't you finish me off? What are you waiting for? It's obvious you could have taken me out by now.

[Finally the man frowns as he looks at you. Acceptance for his fate clear in his eyes. Eyes of a man who wants to live, but doesn't expect to survive for much longer.] The answer is simple. I'm under his orders. The choice is not mine.

[You know instantly who he speaks of and your lip curls into a snarl.] Knives. [Your brother.]

Can't defy him. Anyone working for Knives is at his beck and call. You relinquish all rights and free thought. End of discussion.

You're wrong! You're wrong about that! [Your brother was a threat; it's true, but there was always a choice. They could have walked away or never joined him to begin with.]

A superior being? Trying to show mercy?

[You hate it when people call you that. You're about to retort and explain that you and your brother are not superior; only different. Except suddenly a cry for help cuts through the quiet that's been left behind when the music ended. Your stomach drops through to your feet as you look behind you to see one of the towns people being forcefully walked back into the middle of the fight. There is no one around him, but his eyes are full of terror as he shakes with the effort of trying to stop his footsteps from moving him forward. You know instantly what was happening to him and snarl.] Legato again.

[Midvalley smiles. Understanding right away what his boss wants Vash to do as he starts to play again. You know too.] NO! [The moment that first note plays you do the only thing that you can do. You throw yourself between Midvalley and this innocent victim. Taking the full force of the attack. It feels like being pelleted by a dozen large rocks all at the same time all over your entire body.

You nearly fall to your knees, but mange to keep upright as you hear a second person crying out for help. Further away this time and the music was already being played. Running as fast as you can you almost don't make it in time, but you do. This time you do fall to one knee as the eyesight in one of your eyes blur. It stings so badly that you're forced to close it.

Still there's no time to stop and take full stock of your injuries right now as yet a third man starts screaming in terror. Oh god... he's so far. You're not sure you're going to make it, but you try anyway. You don't even notice that you're limping in your desperate attempt to save the man's life.

Somehow you make it. This time taking the blow to your back and it hits so hard it feels like a hammer being taken to your spine. For a moment your legs go numb and you collapse onto the ground. Get up. Get up. GET UP! If you don't get up more people are going to die. Even more people are going to die because of you. Just like Wolfwood and you just can't take that anymore.]

Talk about iron will. [Midvalley sounds mildly impressed while your body shakes with the effort to even just push yourself up. To get your face out of the dirt where you fell as Midvalley walks up to you. He sticks his foot under your chin and forces your head up so he can look at you. As you stare up you see there's a nervous sweat to his brow.] You're dedication is commendable.

[You try to go for your trick hand. Twitching the right nerves to trigger the hidden semi automatic to pop out of your prosthetic left arm. Only Midvalley either has amazing reflexes or he's known about that weapon with how quickly he stomps down to pin that gun between his foot and the ground.] It's not over yet. The show must go on. [He smiles as he looks back towards the three people you've just saved. The saxophone moving once more towards his lips.]

Stop it!! [A glint of metal just off in the distance catches your eye. If you can only hit it. If you can do that you're sure he'll move off of your hand. You fire, but miss.] You got to be cool. [He mocks you and all your frustrations over the last few days fuel you. Ignore the fiery pain in your body you throw your weight into your arm just enough to shift the man standing on you just enough to try shooting again with an angry growl.

This time you hit and the bullets come bouncing back and he does exactly as you hoped stumbling back off of your wrist. You waste no time shooting, not at him, but at his instrument. He snarls angrily for a moment before trying to play his saxophone, but nothing but a squeak of air comes out thanks to the hole you've put into it.] DAMN! By b flat! My b flat is gone!

Sorry, the show's over. [You say from the ground. Still too hurt to be able to get up.]

What are you saying? You've been trying for a ricochet shot!? [He chuckles briefly.] Maybe, but it's not quiet curtain call yet. [He presses a button and suddenly the saxophone transforms. A section opening up and several barrels of guns sticking out of it. Only you can see that one hasn't fully emerged. Too damaged during the fighting.] I have to accept this as my fate. The destiny of the dying. [He hasn't noticed! He doesn't know! If he fires with that barrel jammed up like that?!]

No! Wait! Stop it! If you shoot now-- [He doesn't understand your screamed, pleading, desperate cry to stop. As he smirks you realise too late he thinks you're still begging for the three men behind you and not for him.] Don't--!! [It's too late. He fires and the saxophone explodes in his hands and right in front of his face.

Thankfully for Remy the memory ends before the carnage is fully shown, but he can likely connect the dots of how likely it was Midvalley survived a giant blast like that.

The twin suns beat down. The glint in the distance is even closer now. All the colourful feathers fall lightly in the air. Slow to fall, but enough that it may be hard to walk without touching any. What does he choose to do now?]

[cajunspice]

[As those memories that weren't his own faded, Remy didn't move for a long time. His eyes closed behind his sunglasses, chin tilted down at first before he looked skyward at the rest of those feathers. So that was where he was, who he was seeing.

Don't pity me. It wasn't his own inner voice that said it, but a memory of another's; Rogue's. When she had spoke to him of her past, of what she had been through. And he hadn't. It wasn't pity, it was sympathy; the same he felt for Vash at this very moment. And maybe because he could understand it all to a degree. Not the hatred shared between brothers, he and Henri had never had anything more than a shouting match, and maybe at worse a punch thrown in anger. But he had been hunted. Had been a target. Had fought for his life against the odds and suffered from broken bones and gun wounds and knife stabs. Had been feared, had parents move their children away from him, had people talk behind his back and give side ways glances to. Le Diablo Blanc.

But that one thought, those words that stuck in Remy's head through all of this; not superior; only different. That same thought Remy had while working for Magneto and his attempt to bring down the humans. Of seeing Apocalypse trying to tear their world apart. Of all the hate and spite humans threw at his kind out of fear and bigotry. Remy had never wanted to be superior, never viewed himself as such. He had always just wanted to be part of the crowd, to not be looked down on.

To be equal.]

Mon ami, I had no clue. [Really, Remy had never questioned Vash was anything but human. A person he could joke and laugh around with, never take too seriously, but also was sure the man would have his back if he needed it. And after this, Remy still felt that way.

Though... curious.

Talking of curious, he wondered if this would work, as he continued on his way towards the light in the distance.] Vash, ya out here?!

[goldenglasses]

[There's no answer. Vash sleeps somewhere in this landscape, but he's too tired to wake up just yet.

The colorful feathers keep raining down. If Remy doesn't make an attempt to move he'll get hit by one sooner rather than later. There's also that glint out in the distance still. It looks like it could be a building, but from back here it's a little hard to tell.]

[cajunspice]

[Remy walked in silence for several long moments, waiting for an answer to come back to him, but when none did he let out a sigh.] Don't tell me ya goin' to leave me to talk to m'self here. Because don't think I won't. [He totally will. Because Remy did need to talk, especially to cope with memories like he just got. Talking helped, it distracted, it kept his brain busy.

He did also try to dodge those feathers, feeling like he was intruding too much after that last one, but these were feathers after all and despite his best effort when one landed on his shoulder he automatically moved to sweep it away without thinking. A black feather this time, and he had enough time to mutter out a merde once he realized what he had done.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith made his way carefully. Deserts were rough, though it didn't seem like a terrible trek the further along he got. He noticed the feathers after a moment, cautiously reaching out towards a red one that happened to be close enough to his hand.]

[chibiremlover]

[Keith will get a break from the hot twin suns that beat down against him when he touches that feather. Instead of the scorching heat of the suns and dry, endless desert Keith will see Vash as a young boy sitting under a tree. A gentle breeze rustling the green grass that grows all around. It's so peaceful here and Vash seems to have no worries at all.

He doesn't look to be much older than five years of age. His hair isn't in it's usual spiky style. Instead it's growing long and hangs down around his chin. He hands an apple to the boy sitting next to him. It's his twin, Knives.

They wear what appear to be matching hospital gowns. Just simple, thin, blue shirts and shorts that were clearly made with adults in mind. They've had to roll the sleeves and pant legs over multiple times to not be swimming in their clothes.

Laughing the boys take turns eating the apple. Sharing happily and without any arguments. Some paperwork with long division problems sit forgotten not too far away from the pair. Although, surely, at the young age they appear to be that's not their work or handwriting.] What do you think the surprise is? [Knives asks excitedly as he passes the apple back.]

I don't know. [Vash takes a bite and finishes chewing before he speaks.] Maybe it's a new game? [Suddenly the blue sky opens up revealing a doorway and a tall woman with long, dark hair stands just on the other side. She laughs as the boys quickly grab their pieces of paper and rush forward to her.] Rem! Rem! Look, Rem! We're all done!

Yeah! And we double checked it! We think we got them all right!

Well, Knives helped me. [Vash admits a bit shyly, but his brother simply shakes his head.]

Not that much! You figured it out all by yourself in the end! Besides, you remember what Joey said. A crew is like a family and they help each other! So of course I have to help my brother when he needs it! Isn't that right, Rem?

That's right. [Her voice is gentle and full of pride as she softly ruffles the boy's hair.] Knowing when to ask for help is even more important than figuring something out on your own. Everyone needs help every now again and it's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm glad you were able to help each other with your homework.

Do we get to know the surprise now? [Vash can hardly contain his excitement. Getting praised by Rem always makes his heart swell, but he couldn't wait any longer.]

Yes, of course. You two have been so patient while I got it ready; thank you. Come with me to the kitchen. [Together the trio step out of the green room and into a sight that Keith may be familiar with. It looks a lot like one of the fleet's space ships. Only it looks a bit more advance and there's a feeling of home and belonging here. No sense of being forced here against your will lingers anywhere.

It's just a short walk to the kitchen and a warm, mouth watering smell is in the air. It grows stronger with every step and it's clearly coming from the kitchen.

A couple other members of the crew are there when they enter. Joey sits at the tall bar stool counter talking to another crew member. The name Mary instantly comes to mind as Knives rushes forwards to climb up onto the stool next to the captain. He politely waits until the two are done talking before showing Joey the math problems that he had solved.

Vash joins his brother and looks over as Joey listens to his brother talk. Although he doesn't stay focused on the conversation for long. Instead he gets distracted watching as Rem moves towards the oven. No longer caring if Joey declares if their homework he gave them was done correctly or not. His feet swinging in the air as his legs are a bit too short to reach the floor.

Rem puts on oven mittens and hums a happy and catchy tune to herself as another crew member comes in and sits on the opposite side of the rest of the group at the counter. Rowan announces that the final member won't be joining them. Giving some sort of vague excuse of not feeling well. Mary scoffs and mutters something under her breath that Vash doesn't quiet catch as he's too distracted as Rem sets a still steaming pie in front of the gathered friends.]

Well, I suppose maybe we can save him a slice.

No way, Rem! [Mary helps pass around the plates that were stacked nearby.] You don't bake nearly enough. It just means more for us.

What is it? [Even without knowing what it was Vash's mouth was already salivating.]

Apple pie! [Rem beams and cuts everyone a slice.] The tree has so many apples I just couldn't resist! It's a treat we sometimes had back on Earth and I thought you two might like it.

It smells delicious! [Knives announces having finally forgotten about the long division again. Both boys nearly start bouncing in their seats as they wait for everyone to be served before digging in.

Once everyone has a slice the kids waste no time shoveling the sweet treat into their mouths. Vash had expected it to taste just like the apple they had only been eating moments before, but no, this was even better! Hints of spices he didn't have the names for yet. The mushy, warm goodness filling his stomach. The flaky crust. It was all so perfect!] This is AMAZING!

[The adults can't help but laugh at Vash's outburst.] Even better than the donuts? [Rem asks with a playful smile.]

No, but it's pretty close!

[The memory will fade away and the cool interior of the space ship is quickly replaced with a burning sun. The glint off in the distance is much closer now. It's hard to tell exactly what it is from this distance, but it's clearly some sort of structure.

All the colourful feathers still fall. Slow and soft. Easy to dodge if not for the sheer massive amount that is falling. What will Kieth do from here?]

[tempredmental]

[Keith stared at the feather a moment longer, smiling just a bit. He looked up, noticing he was closer to whatever it had been that was out there. A building? Maybe. He kept walking again, not really paying attention to the feathers for now, until a brown one landed on his shoulder and he tried to wipe it off.]

[goldenglasses]

(OOC: Read below. Or start watching from 12:13-13:36)

[As Kieth swats the feather away he's swept back into the cool inside of a ship again. Only it's a bit different this time. For one thing there's a large light bulb structure hanging on the wall and you're also a lot older.

Vash now wears his red coat and his hair up like a broom. You lay prone on the cold, hard floor. Your back feels as if it could be broken. It's probably not, but it sure feels like it is with the way you can't seem to tell your body to gather enough energy to stand up again. There's a creature... man? He told you his name was Hoppered the Gauntlet and he was one of the Gun-Ho-Guns. He's just a few feet away, shooting up at the Plant, your sister, above your head. If this continues he was going to kill her.]

Stop! Stop shooting!

[The twisted body of the man laughs at you.] Yes! That's it! Keep on hollering and making those stupid faces! I can't get enough of it!

[He's clearly relishing in your pain and struggles as you can hear the glass above you breaking. Once be breaks through that protective glass there will be nothing to stop the bullets from ripping through the delicate Plant inside.] Is it so much to ask? You've caused enough damage! Can't you just leave them alone?

Heh, heh, heh. Are you telling me I had this done to my body just so I could listen to your petty bleeding heart nonsense? [He laughs again.] You're even crazier than they told me you were! I'm going to pulverize you and this ship into tiny little pieces!

[He ducks behind his bullet shaped impenetrable shield as he prepares another attack. You're pretty sure if this one hits you're not likely to survive it with all your other injuries. He jumps into the air and comes spinning down aiming directly for you. You already know that shooting at that shield won't do any good.

I can't die here! This thought is clear in your mind as you steel your body for one last push. Another dodge to survive this next attack. Must keep moving. I promised her! I must keep moving!

You wait to time it. You'll only get one shot at this attack and you can't miss it. Once he is close enough you put all your remaining strength into your legs. Pushing forward you jump into the air to meet him. The tiny hole right in the centre of that shield rains out a hail of bullets. You knew to expect this with your earlier fight with him. This time you try something new and you don't bother dodging the bullets. A few sink into you, but if this works it will be well worth the pain. After all, it would ruin your aim if you were to dodge now.

To gain a bit more height you shot your powerful semi automatic at the ground. The explosion of the bullet leaving the barrel propelling you further a bit more. You sail past each other in mid air, but Hoppered seems unconcerned as even his back is covered with a protective shield. Only you know better what the real plan is and you yank hard on the nearly invisible wire that you've been holding in your free hand.

Off to the side, attached to that bit of wire, your hand gun fires away. Hoppered understands what you've done too late to stop it. The bullet hits perfectly and part of Hoppered's armour breaks away. He spins off wildly with his rhythm thrown off. When he lands on the ground he ends up skidding and coming to rest against an electric pillar. Normally not too dangerous, but with all the metal he's wearing you can hear the electricity as it courses through him. Thankfully he goes limp, but is still breathing. He didn't die, but he is finally stopped.

You also fall hard onto the floor. You have no more energy to give and start to black out, but from somewhere on the edge of your awareness you can hear someone worriedly calling your name.

Once more that interior of the ship vanishes away. Keith will be back in the desert. Even closer now to the structure in the distance. Close enough now to pick up that it looks like a.... giant light bulb? A bit like the one Hoppered was shooing at. Only this one stands alone outside of any ship.

Not too much further now. All the feathers are still falling like snow. What will you do from here?]

[tempredmental]

[Ouch... definitely ouch. But, Keith had to also acknowledge the level of awesome that went along with that maneuver. He had no idea Vash was capable of stuff like that. But, it did make him wonder what it was about that bulb thing. He'd gotten the sense that there was something important... a woman?

But he saw that bulb now. It was the same, wasn't it? He had to see it...

And he pushed on, hoping to avoid some of the feathers now as it had registered that's what was triggering the memories.

But he got one last one... a black one.]

[therewerefifty]

[Well, here is a place she'd rather not have found herself. Hot desert means hot sand, and sand gets into everything. Including her lungs. She pulls her scarf around to cover her face and protect it. Perhaps it's not needed in such an unreal place, but she's not about to take chances.

When the rain of feathers begins to fall, she doesn't think to avoid them. They're beautiful. Instead, she reaches out her hand to collect the first that falls near her to do so. It doesn't matter which colour it is.

(So give her anything at all you like, my guy.)]

CW: Mention of massive death of men, women, and kids

[goldenglasses]

(OOC: Watch here from 16:40-22:08 or keep reading!)

[When Makie reaches out and touches that brown feather the twin suns vanish. It's late at night now, but with over five moons in the sky there's enough light to still see by. Only she may wish she couldn't see as well as Vash can even in the dark. Her ears will be ringing along with Vash's from the loud sounds of rapid gunfire and crashing buildings that had only just stopped.

He picks himself up off the dusty ground where he had dived for some sort of cover. His head was pounding from a chuck of debris that had hit him. His lungs were still burning from running through the city trying to throw as many people out of the way while dodging his pursuit. Although as he stands it's painfully clear that all that effort was for nothing.

Bodies are strewn across the street and among the rubble where they had fallen. Most torn to shreds by bullets meant for himself and others crushed from the falling buildings. Monev, the giant man that was nothing but muscles and overpowered guns, had shot blindly through the buildings to get to him. Couples huddled together in the wreckage of the building they had been hiding it. Kids he had played ball with only hours ago lay motionless. No one had been safe. The silence of the once loud city was unbearable. Then came the excited laughter and Vash's world turned red.]

HAHAHAHAHA! I did it! So much for the legendary outlaw! He was nothing! He died like a coward! At last, at last I'm free! Now I can finally live the way I want to live! HAHAHAHA!

[Vash doesn't even need to take a step. Doesn't even really need to fully turn around to aim. Just with the sound of the man's voice his arm raises up and his revolver sounds off. He turns and there's another sound of a gunshot as Monev's head snaps backwards from the impact.

When the startled man looks back at Vash there are now three bullet impacts that weren't there before in the orange helmet that he wore. Makie would have felt Vash's finger flex three times, but only two gunfire shots could be heard due to the speed with which he had fired.

Vash stares his now terrified attacker down. Every fiber in his being telling him that this man must die. There will be no reasoning. Not after all the people he had just killed. He shoots off one more bullet as Monev flees, but he knows the man won't leave the city. Not yet at least. So it gives him time to think of a new attack.

What Monev was likely doing was reloading or finding a new weapon. He needed to prepare for any type of destructive force. The bank. Maybe with the-]

Mr. Vash!

[A woman's voice breaks through his mind briefly. Meryl. She had already been hurt trying to defend him while he had been locked away in the jail. He couldn't let her get hurt again.]

STAY BACK! [He doesn't turn to look at her. He can't bring himself to look at the bruise that will be swelling up on her cheek.] Stay away from me.

[He walks away without turning back. It was for the best. Everyone who gets close to him ends up hurt. He can hear her talking softly to Milly, but he ignores them and walks straight to the bank. Only now noticing the blood dripping down his face and the slight shake to his right arm. No time to check those injuries now. Not when another attack can happen at any time.

There's only one man at the bank. He's terrified, but still pleads for Vash to leave and that he can't open the safe. Perhaps under different circumstances Vash would have found the man's loyalty commendable, but for now it was just a hassle.] Hurry! There's no time!

[The man moves quickly to unlock the safe and to leave the area as soon as Vash pulls his gun out on him. Which is good as Vash didn't want him to be around when Monev arrived. Remarkably between the items he had hidden in the numerous pockets of his coat and what he found around inside the bank he rigs a quick bomb on the vault door before finally sitting for the first time in what felt like years.

A small trail of blood starts to form and his hand begins to shake a bit more as he takes stock. Only two bullets left for the revolver. How was he going to do this? Perhaps it was time to use it.

There's a crash from outside the bank.] I'll mutilate you! [Monev was here.] Along with that vault door!

[Vash stays completely calm as the bullets start to fly. He pulls hard on a string connected to the bomb's detonator. He hangs on with super human strength as the vault door launches forward. He feels the impact of hitting something large and unyielding. The gun. He tells himself because if he had hit Monev himself the man would have already been squashed.

The door bounces up into the cool night air as the man below stumbles backwards from the blow giving Vash the perfect angel to shoot his two remaining bullets. His aim is true and with one shot left and one shot right the outside casing of the large weapon Monev had been using falls away.

Vash jumps from the vault door as Monev rearranges his weapon. Showing that it still had one more trick to it. Not only was it an automatic, but it also had a rocket launcher hidden within.] YOU HAVE NO MORE BULLETS COWARD! [Yet, before the large explosive has even fully left it's barrel Vash's left arm suddenly pops open and downwards as a hidden gun is exposed in the prosthetic and he shoots the rocket dead center.

As it explodes Monev is sent flying backwards and lands onto the ground. His protective helmet now in pieces on the ground. He lays there stunned for a few moments at the revelation of Vash's hidden weapon as the outlaw lands gracefully on his feet and slowly stalks towards the fallen man who growls from down on the ground.] You'll pay. You will pay for this.

[Vash isn't phased by the man's empty threats. Pure anger taking hold once more now that he didn't need his clear head for the fight.] They're dead. People are dead.

[Monev turns his head and snarls back.] Who the hell cares?

[Viciously Vash lashes out with a kick to the man's face and doesn't hold anything back. There's a satisfying crunching sound as his heavy boot connects with flesh and the man falls backwards onto his back. Vash doesn't give him even a second to catch his breath before he slams his knee into the man's solar plexus and jams the barrel of his gun into his eye.] You killed all the people! You killed them all! [The man below him starts to shake and from his one uncovered eye tears begin to pour out. Yet it wasn't enough for Vash. Not this time.] And you are the one solely responsible for all their deaths. [He was also shaking. Only no longer for pain or fear, but from blinding rage.] Now, you are also going to die!

Don't kill me! Please don't kill me! [Monev begs for his life. His very voice shaking with terror.] I'm sorry! I don't want to die! I don't want to die. PLEASE!

[Through the man's cries and pleading to be spared Vash's trigger finger pulls down, but at the very last bit of pressure he can't bring himself to put the last bit of weight down. Not because of the man's pleading, no, if anything that made him want to pull the trigger even more.

An image flashes into his head. Of a woman so very important to him. Rem. Her sitting, smiling, as red geranium flower petals rain all around; her favorite. Her voice echos in his mind. I'm excited. To think that the ticket I was handed on the day of my birth was completely open! The choices we make in life have unlimited possibilities!

And what would she think of him? If he used one of those unlimited possibilities to end someone else's?

Slowly Vash pulls back his arm from the man's eye and cradles it close to his chest. A large crowd had already gathered around waiting to see what would happen and if the nightmare of the evening would soon end.

Was this all he could really do? The man below him didn't deserve to live, but-- but-- This was all he could DO!

This is the final thought she will have as the memory fades away. That conflicted feeling of knowing it would be better for this man to die, but unable to pull the trigger possibly lingering a bit longer than the memory itself. She's back in the desert with the twin suns again. All the feathers still fall like rain, but that glint in the distance is looking closer now. Will she possibly touch any more? Head towards the glint? Or do something else?

[therewerefifty]

[Makie lets the feather fall. Well. Now she knows whose world this is. Briefly, she's moved to pity that Vash is obviously damaged by his own past experiences.

But she doesn't agree with his choice here at all. She never will. That's hardly news.

She tries to avoid further feathers, though she won't overexert herself to do so. Makie heads for the glint.]

CONTENT WARNING: Character death/suicide-ish (shooting)/slight body transformation

[goldenglasses]

[The hot twin suns fade away and change spot in the sky. They're both close to setting now and only the sounds of Vash's own footsteps as he climbs up a steep hill overlooking a desert city below can be heard. The twin suns bathe the world in a golden light. It might have been beautiful if not for how absolutely tortured every muscle in his body was or how nearly shattered his mind was. (OOC: Keep reading or watch from here. MAJOR SPOILER WARNINGS FOR TRIGUN ANIME.)

So many people were dead. Enemies and friends alike. Having just survived multiple and very painful shock wave attacks it's only his raw, burning anger that keeps Vash moving. That and knowing if he stays still then more will die.

The narrowing of his anger to pin point at his target up ahead. A blue haired man with a skull strapped to one of his shoulders and an odd spiky torture device on the other standing at the cliff's edge. Legato. The name is growled through Vash's mind.]

This is the climax, Vash the Stam-

[Vash doesn't allow him to monologue. As soon as the man is in range he ruthlessly fires. A shot in each shoulder and each leg. Vash's breathing is heavy as he continues to close the distance between them. The last fight right before this one taking nearly everything out of him, but he has to end this now.

Legato doesn't fall even with a bullet in each of his limbs. Doesn't even flinch as Vash holds his revolver mere centimeters from his temple. His arm holding the gun steady at the man's head despite his labored breathing.]

So do you hate me? [The man in the white coat asks with an air of vague curiously. Not at all afraid of the gun to his head.] I'm not surprised. If you do I wouldn't blame you. So many sad things happen to you. [There is no air of mocking to his voice. Just monotone realism and truth. Vash isn't sure if that's worse than if Legato had been mocking him.] Whether they are friend or enemy the people you meet die. It's enough to sap one's tears.

SHUT UP! [Vash snarls and pushes his revolver closer to the man's temple, now burying the muzzle into Legato's hair. Only as angry as he is at the painfully true statement deep down he knows it's an empty threat. If he could pull the trigger he would have already done so.

They both know it. Legato continues on, undisturbed by Vash's outcry.] You know, this isn't finished yet. [He opens his yellow, pricing eyes and looks directly into Vash's.] Did you really expect the end to come so easily? [Now it was Vash who was frightened. Knowing Legato's threat wasn't nearly so empty despite the gentle way he spoke.] Don't you understand yet that you're not human? It's time to realize exactly who you are.

[Legato makes a fist with his left arm. An arm that use to belong to Vash. As he does the compartment of Vash's revolver flies open and shows a bright, white light within. Burning pain and electricity shoot up Vash's right arm as he feels his skin start to transform and change shape.] Oh no, please! It can't be! [Images of two destroyed cities quickly pass through Vash's mind.]

There is power in that light. Power which you have always possessed. [Legato continues on calmly.] Even more this represents what you are.

[Vash takes the gun away from Legato's head. Only it was becoming increasingly hard to figure out just what was his hand and what was the gun anymore. The two becoming quickly fused together and his whole arm transforming into a canon. July. Augusta. That weapon that wiped those two cities off the map. The weapon that earned him his bounty.] N-Not again! [And then he thinks of his friends. Milly. Meryl. Lydia. Wolfwood. Rem.] NOT AGAIN! [Focusing hard on his friends he manages to finally stop the transformation Legato had forced to start and his arm and gun unfuse from each other. Only it saps what little strength he has left after two back to back battles and he crumples to the ground onto his knees. Gasping for air.]

Haven't you given up yet, Vash? [Legato doesn't looks too upset that Vash manged to get control of himself. Only mildly annoyed as if he had just discovered his shoe had come untied and he would now have to stop momentarily to tie it again.] It's really quite annoying.

[There's the sound of gunfire and Vash is too tired to even attempt to dodge it. He feels the shot pierce his shoulder. The force sends him falling down completely to the ground. He looks towards where the shot came from and sees the people who were still alive in the town gathered together like a mob. Only Vash knew this wasn't any ordinarily mob. This group looked on with dead eyes and moved unnaturally. Almost like zombies, but clearly puppets Legato was controlling with the powers he had.]

Bastard!

You're out of options. Fight back or you'll die. [It's absolute. Now Legato only sounded annoyed that he had to take things this far to get the man to fight.

Vash panics as his mind races with possible solutions. He just had to figure out how Legato's powers worked! If he just-- pain flares up across his cheek as one of the villages shoots and just misses his head.

He won't have time to take out all the villages. He needs to stop this at the source. He aims again at Legato, but hesitates. The man already took four bullets and was standing as if he wasn't injured at all. Could he knock him out fast enough?] Why don't you go ahead? [Legato offers as Vash hesitates yet again.] I would welcome this to be my time. After all, there's no reason for an egocentric and incomplete life such as mine to be allowed to continue anyway. Give me the gift of nothingness. Give me death! My master is waiting for you. He's looking forward to your visit.

[A pause, but Vash is still unable to pull the trigger so Legato continues.] I was compelled to attach this arm to myself. I had to because you refused to be by his side. [Another gunshot and this one bites into Vash's thigh. He winces but doesn't drop his gun.] Kill me.

I can't.

Go ahead.

I CAN'T! [Vash lets the gun fall knowing he honestly can't bring himself to pull the trigger. Not even to save his own life. He looks away in shame and assumes that this will be the end. He's so sorry, Rem. He tried so hard to make this harsh world the paradise you always wanted.

There's a soft sigh from Legato. Almost as if he feels sorry for what must come next, when suddenly there's a nervous cry from the townspeople in the distance.] Milly!

[NO!NO!NO!NO!NO! Not them! Vash's head swings around and he can see Meryl and Milly bound tightly among the townspeople. Only they're themselves and fully aware of what's going on even if they can't understand it. They throw the kind and gentle Milly to the ground and then Meryl.]

Stop them! No more! [One of the villages shoots right between the two women's heads and they flinch with a scream. Legato stands, eyes closed and uncaring.] I said stop it now!

[Finally Legato's monotone breaks with a hint of frustrated anger.] Then shoot me!

[Vash's arm begins to raise once more against his will. It shakes with his effort to stop it, but he can feel Legato's strings pulling against him. Calmly Legato kneels down as Vash fails to stop his arm from raising and aiming the gun once more directly into the center of his forehead.] It's alright. Kill me. It's simple, all you need to do is pull the trigger. Once you have killed me this will all be over. [The madman smiles kindly at Vash as he speaks.] Come on. Time to choose. You have free will. [He would help Vash hold his arm up with his power, but he would not pull the trigger for the outlaw.]

Stop it. Don't make me shoot. [He's so tired, hurt, and scared. He's always found some way out of this type of situation before without killing. So why couldn't he find one now? There just HAD to be one somewhere. WHY COULDN'T HE SEE IT!? The insurance girls scream again. Begging for their captors to stop and leave them alone. He can see them closing in on the pair and Vash has to look away. He has to think, but his mind just isn't clear enough.]

Your faith is hopelessly obstinate. [Legato continues. Now sounding mildly annoyed again.] To actually believe in the prattling of a woman who speaks in idealistic terms that are worthless. I guess that kind of thinking is reasonable for someone who's lived for more than a century. [Vash's shock and anger slowly continues to rise as Legato continues to speak.] But that way of life is pathetic. Comical! Rem Saverem [Legato chuckles once in mocking amusement.] A wasted existence who only spoke in aggravating logic. [Now Vash's teeth begin grinding together in anger.] A worthless human being. Just like me, but unlike you-

THAT'S ENOUGH! [Vash finally finds a little bit more strength as Legato's verbal bashing of the woman he idolizes continued. He gets back up to his feet and Legato releases control on the man's arm. He stands determined, but hesitates once more on actually pulling the trigger.

He can hear the words Wolfwood once told him echo in his mind that luck and persistence wouldn't last him forever. Another shot to his shoulder as Legato waits kneeling below him still with a smile. Yet, he hesitates still. Rem clearly in his mind as she smiles. Telling him once again how everyone must strive to do their best to help each other. Yet at the same time Milly and Meryl are screaming for help.

Vash shuts his eyes tight. Conflicting messages playing over and over in his head. Wolfwood's cold reality and Rem's warm ideals clashing head to head once again.

If you keep your vision clear you will always find the future!

BUT HE CAN'T FIND IT! NOT THIS TIME!

BANG!

It took almost no effort at all. With almost no real strength needed the trigger is pulled. Legato crumbles at his feet with a peaceful smile on his face and the people he once controlled collapse with him.

And he can't see her face anymore. Rem's face. It was gone. Everything he had lived by. Everything he had stood for and against for over a hundred and thirty years was gone. With one simple press of a trigger he had destroyed everything.

And he couldn't see her FACE anymore.

The memory will end leaving behind a cold and empty hollow feeling deep inside.]