Post by Argula on Oct 4, 2019 19:39:16 GMT -8
A slick haired middle aged man stared out of the screen, finishing saying, "-and I bet that won't come out in the wash." He grinned and winked at the camera, inviting the audience to join in on the joke before turning to his co-anchor, "So, Whitney, I hear there are more reports of masked vigilante stalking out streets. What more can you tell us about that?" The pleasant looking young woman glanced down at her handheld Capsule Corp tablet for a second, eyes darting as she said, "That's right, Theo." She looked into the camera and smiled - she was much prettier, almost stunning when she smiled, Argula mused as he kept watching, "For the last couple of months we have been getting reports of a masked man in our streets, protecting people by beating their attackers with, get this, of all things, a lunchbox. A bit unconventional, but hey if it gets the job done, right folks? Police are looking for this man for questioning about the damage he has done to some properties and the assault of the suspected criminals. They say that vigilantes left unchecked often..." Argula pressed the button on his remote, the absence of the wan light of the tv leaving him in the shadows of his living room lit only by what light streamed in from his kitchen.
Argula stood and stretched his tall muscular frame, covered in a red tee-shirt and blue jeans today. He walked to the window in his 6th floor apartment and placed on of his hands on each side if the window, fingers idle drumming on the wall as he looked out over the night time streets. I know the cops is out looking for me as much as any of them crooks now. I don't feel like I'm doing nuttin' wrong. I'm helping people out. He shook his head, he knew he should stay in tonight... but he needed to be out there using his skills and powers. He liked protecting people; also life felt like a pale imitation without being able to fight. Really that made it no real decision at all, he was going back out there tonight. He turned from the window and started walking to his bedroom.
He flicked the light switch, flooding the small room with pale yellow light. He knelt next to his bed and pulled a wooden trunk out from beneath it before reaching out to it and picking up the combo lock on front of it and flicking the numbers around to his mom's birthday. The lock popped open and he tossed the lock on the bed as he opened the lid with the other. Inside was a yellow skull cap, a black mask that covered most of his face, leaving his chin and mouth exposed, his red lunchbox, and a pair of rough and thick black leather gloves. Grabbing it all he walked to his wall mirror and set the stuff on his dresser next to it. First he picked up the skull cap and smoothed and held his hair back to slip it on. The gloves were next, then he tossed his mask in the lunchbox. It wouldn't do to have someone see him leave his apartment in mask, that would make it pretty easy for the cops to find him. He wasn't quite that foolish at least. It was time to get out there.
He stepped out of his apartment, just another construction worker on the way to work. There was enough projects all around West City that there was almost always workers on the to and back from one or another. The night air was a little crisp tonight, it was invigorating as it hit his lungs. Adventure felt very near and his adrenaline starting pumping a little... but he walked at a normal pace for a few blocks. Can't lose control... that's what the cops is afraid of. That is what Master Roo was afraid of when he kicked me out too. They was right, I have to be in control of myself. And I am, now.
About 10 blocks away he slipped into a shaded alley and ducked behind a dumpster to open his lunchbox. He slipped the mask out and looked around carefully, extending his senses as well. Sensing no one, he put the mask in place. It felt good... it felt like permission to let go a little and fight. He closed the heavy steel lunchbox again and latched it shut. He ran his fingers down the steel, still able to feel some of the whorls of the Damascus steel from the sword it had been once... but know was not the time to lose himself. He had other things to do tonight. Standing, Argula started prowling through the night. He mostly stuck to alleys and shadows, looking and listening for danger. His stomach was tight against his spine, is palms were a little sweaty and his breathing grew kind of shallow. He was looking way to forward to this he knew.
He let his feet carry him where they would through the back alleys and dark ways of the city. It seemed to be a bit calmer tonight... maybe the word was getting around that it was a bad idea to break the law at night. He sighed as he neared the next corner of the alleyway he was walking in I mean it's a good thing if crime is dying down.. and also frustrating. Turning the corner he saw he had ended up near his old dojo... he hadn't been back here since he had been stripped of his status as a student and cast out of the school. He just stood there, remembering the happy times for a few minutes. The lessons learned, the pride of accomplishment, friendships forged.. all ruined. None of them would even answer his calls when he got back home. The pain got to be too much and he turned away, going back the way he had come. He would find another way. Unnoticed, a shadow detached itself from the roof of the school and followed the saiyan into the alleyway.
Argula walked a bit faster, trying to cover more ground on his patrol, and soon reached the worst part of West city. He hadn;t actually made it here too much yet... which meant this was a fresh hunting ground for him. He was fortunate, in only 10 minutes he heard a woman cry, "My purse! That guy took my purse!" Argula stretched his arm out from the alley as the running footsteps neared him and clothes lined the thief. The thief grunted in surprise as he was knocked from his feet, but immediately stood up, swinging at Argula. Argula caught the fist and squeezed it, drawing a pained sound from the smaller thief, "Good, a lively one. Let's just leave this here for the lady." He reached out and plucked the purse from the mans other hand and ttossed it on the side walk before spinning back towards the alley and using the momentum to make the man stumble against the wall and back into the shadows. "Come on, thief. If you can beat me I'll let you go. If you can't, the cops will be here soon... and they'll find you unconscious." He smiled as the thief bounced back at him, fists pumping a flurry of undisciplined punches at him.
He contemptuously slapped a few clumsy punches aside and dodged more before he snapped his head forward and headbutted the man. the thief staggered back and Argula leaped forward and smashed a fist into his gut. The air whooshed out of the man and his legs seemed wobbly... Well this guy wasn't that entertaining after all. He brought his lunchbox up into his face in an uppercutting motion, almost flipping the guy over as the impact slammed into him. As sirens began to sound in the distance, he ran back down the alleyways. It was time to put some distance between himself and the subdued criminal.
He had only made two turns when he felt something strike he side and send him flying through a rotten bay door into an old abandoned factory. He whole world spun for a few seconds as he pushed himself up to he hands and knees, then a kneeling position. The world began to come back into focus and he brushed the pieces of the door and the dust that coated the floor from his shirt and finally climbed to his feet as a masked shadowy lithe figure stepped through the hole he had left in the door. The figure reached over it's shoulder and drew a sword... a sword with a green dyed manta ray skin grip that he knew all too well. The figure called out in an aristocratic clipped voice, "Nice to see you again Argula. I should have known you weren't done embarrasing our master yet. I had hoped you learned your lesson. It seems you haven't so I am here to finish instructing you."
Argula grimaced, "Jerokin, the only lesson you could teach me is how to lick someone's bootheel. If you want some, bring it and I will stomp you into the earth. Otherwise get out of my way."
"Oh, hoh, gotten cocky now have we old boy? Let's see what you remember..." The small man, darted forward, a blur of speed as he darted in and slashed at Argula's face. Argula brought his lunchbox up and angled it, deflecting the strike and launching a straight kick at Jerrokin's stomach. The smaller man swayed away but still grunted as he took part of the impact. The fighters stepped away and started circling around each other, dust coating their boots and jeans as each step sent up a mini cyclone from the floor.
Argula was the first to strike this time, charging in and sending a flurry of left handed punches that were mostly dodged, though one or two drew glancing blows... Jerrokin swept Argula's legs out from under him with a quick reverse ducking sweep. He hit the ground in an explosion of dust and started rolling away immediately, which was the right move since a blade almost immediately hit where he had been but a half moment before. Argula gained his feet and immediately was forced to parry a blow from the slashing sword of his opponent, then batted away a thrust with his left hand by smacking his palm against the flat of the blade. Spinning he knelt and let out a shout as he smacked the lunchbox into his opponents ribs, causing Jerrokin to grunt and fly a few feet, coming up in a roll. Once again they circled each other for a few moments before Jerrokin said, "You know, it is quite ridiculous that you've taken to using a lunchbox to fight with, Argula. A shame you couldn't afford a proper blade. Instead you dishonor your training with every move you make." he ended with a sneer.
Argula shrugged and grimaced, "This is enough of a weapon for me to beat you into the ground. It's made with my old blade you know... it knows me and my ki. We do just fine, it and I. Let's finish this so you can go home and cry to your sensei. I have work tomorrow." Once again, the fighters charged at each other. Argula started feeding ki into his lunchbox as he parried a slash then dodged a trust, answering with a few kicks just to keep his opponent occupied. Soon his lunchbox was softly glowing a deep red and Argula smiled grimly at Jarrokin; it was time to end this.
Jarrokin seemed to feel it was time to end the fight too... he stepped back and studied Argula for a few moments then started channeling a sickly yellow light into his blade. Argula began to charge and Jarroking slashed the air, sending three crescents of whirling ki at him, calling out, "HA, HA, HAI-yah!" Argula waited until the nearest crescent was nearly upon him before he reached inside.. and flashed forward, appearing by Jarrokin already swinging his imbued lunchbox at his face. The collision was brutal, Argula could hear the man's cheek crack and maybe a tooth fly out as a loud hollow metallic BONG echoed through the air followed by a groan and a thud as his enemy fell before him. Argula cleared his throat of dust and spit on the floor. "Thanks for the fight, Jarrokin. It was a lot more interesting then what I've been getting lately." He used his foot to flip the man on his stomach and kicked his blade away from his hands. Jarrokin was a bit of an ass, but he didn't deserve to die choking on his own blood and spit. He stopped and listened - the sirens were very near now, it was time to go. He ran to the opening in the door and ran out into the night. It had been really fun, but it was time for him to get home. He had to work in the morning after all, the new Capsule Corp dam wasn't going to build itself.
2202 words.
Argula stood and stretched his tall muscular frame, covered in a red tee-shirt and blue jeans today. He walked to the window in his 6th floor apartment and placed on of his hands on each side if the window, fingers idle drumming on the wall as he looked out over the night time streets. I know the cops is out looking for me as much as any of them crooks now. I don't feel like I'm doing nuttin' wrong. I'm helping people out. He shook his head, he knew he should stay in tonight... but he needed to be out there using his skills and powers. He liked protecting people; also life felt like a pale imitation without being able to fight. Really that made it no real decision at all, he was going back out there tonight. He turned from the window and started walking to his bedroom.
He flicked the light switch, flooding the small room with pale yellow light. He knelt next to his bed and pulled a wooden trunk out from beneath it before reaching out to it and picking up the combo lock on front of it and flicking the numbers around to his mom's birthday. The lock popped open and he tossed the lock on the bed as he opened the lid with the other. Inside was a yellow skull cap, a black mask that covered most of his face, leaving his chin and mouth exposed, his red lunchbox, and a pair of rough and thick black leather gloves. Grabbing it all he walked to his wall mirror and set the stuff on his dresser next to it. First he picked up the skull cap and smoothed and held his hair back to slip it on. The gloves were next, then he tossed his mask in the lunchbox. It wouldn't do to have someone see him leave his apartment in mask, that would make it pretty easy for the cops to find him. He wasn't quite that foolish at least. It was time to get out there.
He stepped out of his apartment, just another construction worker on the way to work. There was enough projects all around West City that there was almost always workers on the to and back from one or another. The night air was a little crisp tonight, it was invigorating as it hit his lungs. Adventure felt very near and his adrenaline starting pumping a little... but he walked at a normal pace for a few blocks. Can't lose control... that's what the cops is afraid of. That is what Master Roo was afraid of when he kicked me out too. They was right, I have to be in control of myself. And I am, now.
About 10 blocks away he slipped into a shaded alley and ducked behind a dumpster to open his lunchbox. He slipped the mask out and looked around carefully, extending his senses as well. Sensing no one, he put the mask in place. It felt good... it felt like permission to let go a little and fight. He closed the heavy steel lunchbox again and latched it shut. He ran his fingers down the steel, still able to feel some of the whorls of the Damascus steel from the sword it had been once... but know was not the time to lose himself. He had other things to do tonight. Standing, Argula started prowling through the night. He mostly stuck to alleys and shadows, looking and listening for danger. His stomach was tight against his spine, is palms were a little sweaty and his breathing grew kind of shallow. He was looking way to forward to this he knew.
He let his feet carry him where they would through the back alleys and dark ways of the city. It seemed to be a bit calmer tonight... maybe the word was getting around that it was a bad idea to break the law at night. He sighed as he neared the next corner of the alleyway he was walking in I mean it's a good thing if crime is dying down.. and also frustrating. Turning the corner he saw he had ended up near his old dojo... he hadn't been back here since he had been stripped of his status as a student and cast out of the school. He just stood there, remembering the happy times for a few minutes. The lessons learned, the pride of accomplishment, friendships forged.. all ruined. None of them would even answer his calls when he got back home. The pain got to be too much and he turned away, going back the way he had come. He would find another way. Unnoticed, a shadow detached itself from the roof of the school and followed the saiyan into the alleyway.
Argula walked a bit faster, trying to cover more ground on his patrol, and soon reached the worst part of West city. He hadn;t actually made it here too much yet... which meant this was a fresh hunting ground for him. He was fortunate, in only 10 minutes he heard a woman cry, "My purse! That guy took my purse!" Argula stretched his arm out from the alley as the running footsteps neared him and clothes lined the thief. The thief grunted in surprise as he was knocked from his feet, but immediately stood up, swinging at Argula. Argula caught the fist and squeezed it, drawing a pained sound from the smaller thief, "Good, a lively one. Let's just leave this here for the lady." He reached out and plucked the purse from the mans other hand and ttossed it on the side walk before spinning back towards the alley and using the momentum to make the man stumble against the wall and back into the shadows. "Come on, thief. If you can beat me I'll let you go. If you can't, the cops will be here soon... and they'll find you unconscious." He smiled as the thief bounced back at him, fists pumping a flurry of undisciplined punches at him.
He contemptuously slapped a few clumsy punches aside and dodged more before he snapped his head forward and headbutted the man. the thief staggered back and Argula leaped forward and smashed a fist into his gut. The air whooshed out of the man and his legs seemed wobbly... Well this guy wasn't that entertaining after all. He brought his lunchbox up into his face in an uppercutting motion, almost flipping the guy over as the impact slammed into him. As sirens began to sound in the distance, he ran back down the alleyways. It was time to put some distance between himself and the subdued criminal.
He had only made two turns when he felt something strike he side and send him flying through a rotten bay door into an old abandoned factory. He whole world spun for a few seconds as he pushed himself up to he hands and knees, then a kneeling position. The world began to come back into focus and he brushed the pieces of the door and the dust that coated the floor from his shirt and finally climbed to his feet as a masked shadowy lithe figure stepped through the hole he had left in the door. The figure reached over it's shoulder and drew a sword... a sword with a green dyed manta ray skin grip that he knew all too well. The figure called out in an aristocratic clipped voice, "Nice to see you again Argula. I should have known you weren't done embarrasing our master yet. I had hoped you learned your lesson. It seems you haven't so I am here to finish instructing you."
Argula grimaced, "Jerokin, the only lesson you could teach me is how to lick someone's bootheel. If you want some, bring it and I will stomp you into the earth. Otherwise get out of my way."
"Oh, hoh, gotten cocky now have we old boy? Let's see what you remember..." The small man, darted forward, a blur of speed as he darted in and slashed at Argula's face. Argula brought his lunchbox up and angled it, deflecting the strike and launching a straight kick at Jerrokin's stomach. The smaller man swayed away but still grunted as he took part of the impact. The fighters stepped away and started circling around each other, dust coating their boots and jeans as each step sent up a mini cyclone from the floor.
Argula was the first to strike this time, charging in and sending a flurry of left handed punches that were mostly dodged, though one or two drew glancing blows... Jerrokin swept Argula's legs out from under him with a quick reverse ducking sweep. He hit the ground in an explosion of dust and started rolling away immediately, which was the right move since a blade almost immediately hit where he had been but a half moment before. Argula gained his feet and immediately was forced to parry a blow from the slashing sword of his opponent, then batted away a thrust with his left hand by smacking his palm against the flat of the blade. Spinning he knelt and let out a shout as he smacked the lunchbox into his opponents ribs, causing Jerrokin to grunt and fly a few feet, coming up in a roll. Once again they circled each other for a few moments before Jerrokin said, "You know, it is quite ridiculous that you've taken to using a lunchbox to fight with, Argula. A shame you couldn't afford a proper blade. Instead you dishonor your training with every move you make." he ended with a sneer.
Argula shrugged and grimaced, "This is enough of a weapon for me to beat you into the ground. It's made with my old blade you know... it knows me and my ki. We do just fine, it and I. Let's finish this so you can go home and cry to your sensei. I have work tomorrow." Once again, the fighters charged at each other. Argula started feeding ki into his lunchbox as he parried a slash then dodged a trust, answering with a few kicks just to keep his opponent occupied. Soon his lunchbox was softly glowing a deep red and Argula smiled grimly at Jarrokin; it was time to end this.
Jarrokin seemed to feel it was time to end the fight too... he stepped back and studied Argula for a few moments then started channeling a sickly yellow light into his blade. Argula began to charge and Jarroking slashed the air, sending three crescents of whirling ki at him, calling out, "HA, HA, HAI-yah!" Argula waited until the nearest crescent was nearly upon him before he reached inside.. and flashed forward, appearing by Jarrokin already swinging his imbued lunchbox at his face. The collision was brutal, Argula could hear the man's cheek crack and maybe a tooth fly out as a loud hollow metallic BONG echoed through the air followed by a groan and a thud as his enemy fell before him. Argula cleared his throat of dust and spit on the floor. "Thanks for the fight, Jarrokin. It was a lot more interesting then what I've been getting lately." He used his foot to flip the man on his stomach and kicked his blade away from his hands. Jarrokin was a bit of an ass, but he didn't deserve to die choking on his own blood and spit. He stopped and listened - the sirens were very near now, it was time to go. He ran to the opening in the door and ran out into the night. It had been really fun, but it was time for him to get home. He had to work in the morning after all, the new Capsule Corp dam wasn't going to build itself.
2202 words.
