Revenge is...Whose?

Salutations.

Here's the sequel to 'Basic Hero Stuff'. If you haven't read that one, I would suggest reading it before this one - but it's up to you.

REVENGE IS...WHOSE?

Greetings, friend. The name's Ash; scoundrel, mercenary, and vigilante-not-for-hire.

Do I know you?

Ah, forget it. If you don't, all the better. Means I can be more theatrical.

This stupid monkey. Keeps trying to mess up the paper. Sorry. I'm writing this by hand. If you can't read, it's probably because-

!@#*$(#)@ -writing is blurred-

-because I have horrible handwriting. And because of that darned monkey.

I should probably begin.

I crouched behind the mound of refuse, wrinkling my nose at the horrid smell. Ah well, such is the fate of those who keep justice in these parts-and by these parts, I mean London.

The two brutes I was tracking were just a few yards away. I could hear them mumbling in low tones. One gestured towards a building on the opposite side of the street, and their voices rose for a second.

“She has her guard! Idiot, I thought you had him taken care of.”

“Look closely.”

A pause. Then “A sleeping drug. How did you manage it?”

“None of your business. Let's go. Like I told you, a heavy purse is out for those who can nab her.”

“All ri-”

I'd heard enough, and the man's sentence choked off as I flying-kicked him in the back of the head. He crumpled to the street. I turned to his partner-who wasn't there. I looked around, confused.

Oh, there he was. I agilely climbed my way to the rooftops and began a flying pursuit, leaping from roof to roof. Finally, the man stopped, obviously thinking himself safe.

I slammed onto his shoulders and drove him to the gravel, my quarterstaff thunking into his head.

He went limp. I looked down at him and groaned. He must weigh a kilo from all that fat. And it was almost a mile to the Watch-house.

I stoically bore him to the doorstep, then plopped him in front of the gate. Not before tying his hands and feet, though. Leaving a note for the Watch, I returned for his partner.

When I reached the man, still lying on the ground, I glanced across the street, curious as to who they had planned to kidnap-then froze.

That was Laurel's house.

What did they want with her?

Change of plans. I lugged the man into a nearby alley, then took some reviving herbs from one of my belt pouches. Waving them under the man's nose, I waited.

He sputtered and sat up-halfway. My staff was planted on his shoulder, stopping him cold.

“What were you doing?” I growled, thrusting my face in his.

“No-no-nothing, your honor!” The man spluttered, startled.

“Que mentira. Lies.” I thrust my quarterstaff in his face this time. “Talk.”

“We-we were going to kidnap…her.” He nodded at the house.

“Why?!” I gritted.

“Because there’s a fat purse posted for those who bring her in.”

“To whom?” I impatiently spat out.

The man fell silent. I raised my finger, staring at him intently.

“I was trained,” I said, “by some of the best martial artists ever. You’d be surprised what can be done with just one finger. Unconsciousness, at best. Maybe burst an artery. Imagine, all that blood pooling inside you. There’s an even better point on your neck. If I hit that…” I trailed off, lowering my voice. “One more chance. Talk.”

The man’s eyes darted from right to left. He hesitantly whispered. “…Captain Skulk.”

I started. That man had killed my parents. That man had left me adrift at sea. That man had robbed me of my family. That man had changed my life…but –

“What does he want with her?” I asked.

The man shrugged. “Word is, she caused the death of his brother.”

Ah. Laurel’s father, Keith, had sold her to a pirate/slaver. I had managed to intervene in time to rescue her from his clutches.

And now his bro was out for revenge.

I looked at the man. “Relax.” I told him.

His shoulders slumped. My finger stabbed forward and hit him in the temple. He relaxed, all right.

I stood up and looked down at him. “At least you weigh less.”

The next day, I paid Laurel a visit and told her about the attempted kidnapping, as well as the bounty now on her head.

“Why get me?” Laurel frowned and leaned back on her couch, fingering her cup of tea. “You practically did all of it, as I recall. Cracked some skulls, beat the captain, sunk the ship. Why would they want me, not you?”

“I suspect,” I said, pressing my fingers together, “that they want me as well. There’s definitely a bounty on my head – I’ve already had to deal with a few misfits who think they could collect it. But the object of getting you would be just as effective – with you, they could lure me in.”

“Ah.” Laurel tilted her head, her blue eyes smiling at me. “Why hadn’t I thought of that.”

I smiled back. “Because you’re so unselfish, that’s why.”

Laurel grinned. “Well, we must be polar opposites, then.”

I shrugged. “Opposites attract. The man who posted the bounties – he’s the man who killed my parents. The man who started all this.”

Laurel’s grin faded. “Skulk?”

I nodded, my lips twisting. “The same.”

She looked at me for a long minute, then shook her head. “Ash, you mustn’t go. You shouldn’t.”

“Laurel, he killed my parents. I…cannot forget that. I don’t mind his goons. But when they came after you, that was the last straw.”

Laurel shook her head. “Well, his plan has already succeeded. I am the bait, and you’ve taken it quite enthusiastically.”

I shrugged. “No, he wanted you as leverage. But he doesn’t have you, so he doesn’t know I’m coming after him. Quite different.”

Laurel hesitated. “Well, I still don’t like it.”

I nodded and we fell silent for a moment.

I got up. “Well, I know where he is. Where he usually is, anyway – Singapore.”

I stared into her deep, sea-blue eyes. “Be safe.”

Our hands met – and I was gone.

Arranging passage to Singapore was no problem. I knew the criminal underworld, as a result of operating against it, so I quickly set up with a merchant captain whose credibility was…questionable. He trafficked opium from the Chinese port to Britain, where it was highly valued on the black market.

Nevertheless, I was soon on my way. One night, when we were nearing the end of our voyage, all was quiet. I was huddled in the crow’s nest, my cloak wrapped around me to keep out the wind. My thoughts kept wandering. Would I find Skulk there? What would I do? Was Laurel safe?

Then I saw them.

It was like a dream, but there they were – black shadows crawling their way up the sides of the ship and on board. I could just make out a dark silhouette by our ship-another boat. Smaller, lighter no doubt.

Waku. Japanese ninja pirates. I sprang up, yelling.

“All hands! Attack! Attack!”

I just managed to duck as a metallic object whizzed over my head and stuck into the mainmast. A second tore at my cloak and a third I caught on my staff.

A figure leaped out of the rigging ahead of me, blade slashing. I dodged behind the mast and rapped my assailant hard on the side, directing his flight into the pillar of wood. He hit with a sickening smack.

One down. Who knows how many more to go.

The assailants had blockaded the doors, and I could hear the crew banging on them furiously. I ducked as yet another star hurtled at me, and swung down to the deck.

Oops, bad idea. There were six of them waiting for me.

I looked at them and dropped my staff. They exchanged looks and dropped their weapons, too.

“Great,” I said. “We understand each other.”

They exchanged looks again. I took advantage of the distraction and downed the first ninja with a flying front-kick to the side of the head.

Now I definitely had their attention. The one closest to me advanced, his arms and legs a blur, forcing me to backpedal towards the ship’s rail.

I took him out with a well-placed snap of my hand to his neck. I had just enough time to see a foot coming at my face before I was slammed backward. I stumbled against the railing, barely managing to deflect the follow-up strike. As the ninja charged at me I dropped to the deck, planting my foot in his abdomen and using his momentum to catapult him over the side of the ship.

Three down. Three to go.

The next two didn’t last long. They tried to flank me-I simply backed up against the railing and when the moment presented itself slammed their heads together.

The last ninja, apparently the captain from the gray streak across his outfit, bowed. “It will be a pleasure.” His voice, silky and smooth, was nonetheless laced with anger and disbelief at my ease in dismantling of his companions.

“Apparently the quality of your training has diminished.” I said, bowing in return. “But I am sure you are up-to-date?”

His answer was an attack.

I was hard pressed at first. This guy is good, I thought. His patterns were unpredictable, and he flowed smoothly from one attack to the next.

But, however good his form, I noticed one thing. He did not defend. It was merely attack, attack, attack. Well, I would show him that offense is not the best defense.

Finally he slightly overextended, and I used the opportunity to dodge and flip over his head. He spun, launching a roundhouse kick simultaneously.

But I had already ducked, merely staying in a crouch after landing. I shot my foot out, catching him in his unprotected groin.

He made a most unmanly noise as he crumpled to the deck. It sounded all too much like, “Squeech!”

I stood up. Suddenly I noticed all the crew was surrounding me, their mouths agape.

“Th-that was amazing.” The first mate gasped. “You whipped a waku?.”

“Um, several, actually.” I looked around. Apparently the rest had been dealt with. “Let this be a lesson to you. Don’t ever, ever let me find you breaking the law, or you’ll end up like him-” I gestured toward the motionless ninja on the deck, still clutching between his legs and making little grunts. “-no manhood.”

“Aye aye, sir!” Lots of head-bobbing all around.

When I finally collapsed into my hammock that night, I slept soundly, a sleep without dreams.

The next morning, we sighted Singapore. It was rather easy – look for the dirtiest spot on the land and there it was.

“I’ll drop you off at the port.” The captain told me as we neared land. “My pickup is elsewhere.”

After I had reached the docking bay I began looking for the taverns. Spotting one with an English sign, I pushed through the door and boldly strode in, sitting down at the bar and sliding a coin across it to the bartender. “Anything’ll do.” I told him. As I waited for the drink, I noticed several burly men closely scrutinizing me. They muttered to each other, then one detached himself from the group and walked over to sit beside me.

“You.”

I pretended to ignore him. He grabbed my shoulder and jerked me to face him.

“Get out.”

That was a bit of a surprise. I considered for a moment. “Sure,” I finally said. “As soon as I have my drink.”

The man gave me an evil smile, his thick lips splitting over his yellowed teeth. Boy, did he smell bad.

“Get out now.” I noticed he had a pistol pointed at me.

“Such bad manners.” I clicked my tongue disapprovingly. “I advise you to shut up before you lose some of those things you call teeth.”

The man started. Apparently he thought he had all the advantage, since he had the gun. “You tellin’ me-”

Wham! The slap of my knife-hand hitting his wrist sounded dully through the room. The pistol fired, blowing a hole in the floor and the man doubled over, howling, clutching his broken wrist. His cronies looked at me, stunned, then suddenly recovered from their stupor and came at me. I twirled my staff, then laid it against the bar. It wasn’t good for such enclosed spaces.

Two of them stopped, drawing pistols and pointing them at me. The other advanced to within striking distance, his cutlass drawn and ready.

“Our boss said you would come.” That from one of the pistol men.

“So I’m here.” I smiled at them. “What now?”

“You come with us.” The cutlass man gestured.

“Certainly, gentlemen.” I offered my wrists to be bound.

The three men looked a little confused. Apparently they thought I would resist.

I rolled my eyes. “Come now, I don’t have all day.”

They obliged. After blindfolding me as well, they led me to a place where the hustle and bustle of the streets was dim, then uncovered my eyes.

There he was, the object of my mission. Sitting there watching me with a cruel smile.

“Thank you for obliging so readily,” Skulk sneered. “I half expected you to kill all four of them.”

“Oh no, that would have been inconvenient,” I replied. “I needed someone to take me to you.”

“And now here you are.”

“Indeed.” I looked him over. He was at least twice as ugly as his bouncers. Lead by example, I suppose.

“You killed my brother, scum.” Skulk’s face purpled in anger. “So I will kill you myself.”

I looked at him. “So you want revenge? For that disgusting hunk of flesh you call your brother?”

Skulk’s face twisted. “What did you say?”

“Oh surely the great Captain Skulk doesn’t remember me.” I said, my brows lowering. “Merely a boy when you lopped off my parent’s heads, slaughtered the crew of the merchantman, and left me adrift at sea.”

Skulk looked at me, his eyes slitted. “Wouldn't remember,” he smiled. “I've killed so many helpless weaklings, what does one more contribute? But you should have died then.” He growled. “Because now I’ll finish the job.” He gestured to one of the men standing near me. “Unbind him.”

The man did so.

Skulk got up out of his chair, drawing his sword as he did so. “So, Nightwatch,” he said, that familiar sneer twisting his mouth again. “Let’s see if you’re as good as they say you are.”

I looked around, taking in my surroundings. I was in a large wooden hall, a small balcony running around the upper level and doors leading off to the sides. It was a veritable arena. Good. That meant I could get out of his way better.

I looked back at Skulk to see him advancing, cutlass held at the ready. I smiled congenially at him.

“Frankly” I said, dropping into a ready posture, “I'd just love smashing that ugly face of yours in right now; but I’m afraid when I fight you it will be on ground of my own choosing.”

Skulk snarled and broke into a charge, swinging his sword in an arc at my torso. I spun to the side, the heel of my hand striking him sharply on the upper back as he passed. The added momentum made Skulk overshoot his feet and land in a heap on the ground. I snap-kicked the man nearest to me and grabbed his cutlass as he fell, narrowly missing a cut from the other thug.

Skulk was already up and coming again. I ran at his chair, using it as a springboard as I leapt to the balcony, grabbing the railing and pulling myself up. I looked down at Skulk, who was staring at me in mute rage.

“Adieu for now, Captain,” I said, making a sweeping salute with my captured cutlass. “We shall meet again.”

“When we do, I shall kill you, boy!” I heard him roar as I exited the building.

I leapt lightly from rooftop to rooftop, where I was at home. I knew where Skulk was docked. Perhaps I could stow away on board his ship. I reached the docks and stopped to catch my breath.

It was high noon in Singapore, and ships were coming and going all the time. Crime thrived in these dirty streets, mostly because the port officials were so easily bribed – heck, what was I thinking? They’re probably crime lords, not officials. Anyway, Skulk’s ship was one easily found. It was solid black, with red sails. The only problem?

It wasn’t there.

I looked for a while, wondering where it could be. Surely it wasn’t far, because Skulk himself was in town. Then I saw it.

Coming in on the horizon, it was easily identified. Most likely returning from a patrol – pirates were all over these waters. And whenever a ship came within distance, it was first come, first serve. Even the bloody pirates didn’t hesitate to attack each other, as long as there was loot.

I spat over the roof in contempt, ignoring the expletive that followed. Pirates, thieves, and beggars. This town went against all my honed instincts of justice. I needed to finish here, as soon as possible. And crime wasn’t the only thing that stunk here, I noted as I began working my way towards the ship. The streets did, the shops did, even the people did. This place must have been behind in time, because it sorely needed the gift of clean water.

I reached the ship just as it docked. The pirates began unloading their loot, giving me plenty of time to slip onboard with all the hustle. I hugged the back of the ship, crawling up the boards. As I came to the window of the captain’s cabin, I froze.

It couldn’t be. Impossible. She had been safe when I left her.

Laurel lay on the bunk inside, her hair falling over the pillow and sweeping to hang down the side. Her hands were bound. I pressed my lips together. So that’s why the ship had been absent. They must have nabbed Laurel right after I left and brought her back at full speed. I was a fool. Skulk had predicted me quite nicely.

I needed to get her out of there, and really soon. There was no telling what Skulk would do to her, especially in his bad mood because of my escape.

Unfortunately, the captain chose that moment to burst in through the door. Laurel started up from her bed, her eyes widening in shock and fear.

“Stay put and you won’t get hurt.” Skulk shut the door and went over to his desk. “All that’s left now is to wait.”

“What do you want with me?” Laurel said in a low tone, so low I nearly didn’t make it out.

“Bait, girl, bait, of course.” Skulk shot her an evil grin and leaned back in his chair. “Your dashing hero will arrive, sooner or later. And when he does, we will be waiting for him.”

I huddled on the spar, clutching my cloak about me and pulling the hood down further. It was a bit of a chilly night, unusual for a climate such as Singapore’s. I knew I should make my move tonight. When Skulk was asleep. The ship was crawling with guards, expecting my arrival – what they didn’t know was that I had already arrived. I looked in the window. Skulk was still at his desk, a bottle of rum sitting next to him. Well, all the better. Drunk means less cautious.

I looked in twenty minutes later. Skulk was slumped on his desk, his head between his arms, snoring loudly. I waited another twenty minutes just to be sure. I then very carefully picked the window open, and slipped in. Cautiously I moved over to Laurel’s side. I took a bit of cloth bandage out of one of my belt pouches and tickled her face lightly with it. She stirred, rolled over one direction, then the other. I kept at it. She finally fluttered her eyes open, then suddenly sat up. I stood there patiently, my finger on my lips.

“Ash.” She whispered.

I nodded. “Let’s go.”

“Unfortunately, it's too late for that.”

I spun around, just in time to catch his sword. It ripped through my right shoulder, making a deep cut. I only just managed to roll out of the way of his next one. My right arm screamed in pain, harmonious with Laurel’s shriek.

“So sorry,” Skulk grinned nastily at the sight of my blood on his blade. “Gotta be careful with these sharp things.” He gestured towards the door. “To the deck.”

I shook my head, but he merely extended his sword at Laurel and repeated “To the deck, boy – now.”

I opened the door and stepped out. A half-moon of crew members surrounded the cabin, looking on with eager faces.

“Now, boy, take a sword.” He gestured toward a pirate, who obligingly tossed his blade to me. I caught it, feeling its balance. It was crude, but effective.

“You’ll do as I say,” Skulk shoved Laurel into the hands of the first mate. “Or she gets hurt.”

I nodded, ignoring Laurel’s “Ash, no!”

“What now?” I stood still, the sword in my left hand hanging down point-first at the deck.

“Wasn't I clear? This is the part where you die.” Skulk charged me.

I was no expert at sword fighting. True, I knew some basic techniques, but against a master such as Skulk, I wouldn’t last for long. The only thing that kept me from getting slashed apart was the fact I was left-handed, which meant my strikes seemed awkward to deflect.

Skulk slashed horizontally at me, and I parried. He slid his blade over mine and I ducked just in time to avoid getting my throat cut. His sword point grazed my cheek, leaving a red line where it connected. Slash, block. Stab, parry. It was a dance of death. I was just barely holding up.

Skulk finally stopped and stepped back. “Enough playing.” He pointed at me with his sword. “Kneel before me, boy.”

I hesitated. Skulk pointed at Laurel, the first mate’s dagger at her throat. “KNEEL!” He roared.

I was in the motion of doing so when I heard a somewhat familiar whirr. I looked up to see the first mate standing with a confused expression on his face – and a metal throwing star sticking in his neck.

“We’re under atta-” The boatswain’s sentence was cut off by another star hitting him in the throat. The other pirates looked around, startled and confused. No attacker was in sight.

And then, all of a sudden, they were. The ninja swarmed over the sides and dropped down from the rigging, engaging the pirates in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Pistol shots boomed and stars whirred, dropping both pirates and ninja – but a lot more of the former than the latter.

Skulk stood for a moment with a surprised look on his face. Then his features flushed red with anger and he lunged.

At Laurel.

But suddenly Laurel was swept off her feet by an invisible force, and lifted to the poop (uh, command deck).

Well, almost invisible. I could just make out a familiar ninja with a gray stripe across his chest who lifted her to safety.

I turned to Skulk and found him in my face, yelling and spitting curses. I dodged one swipe, then another. A ninja shouted at me and I turned to see my quarterstaff hurtling towards me. I caught it and blocked Skulk’s next lunge in one swift movement, snapping my hand to his back. Skulk stumbled forward and fell, his momentum proving too much.

He didn’t get up. I walked over to him and turned him over, wincing.

He had fallen on his own dagger, drawn. I recognized his previous move as the exact same his brother had attempted to fool me with – overextend on a thrust, then follow through with a dagger upon getting close in. Guess his luck had finally run out.

“Ash!” I turned to see Laurel running towards me. I swept her into a hug, then winced as my right arm protested. Silencio, I mentally berated it. Can’t you see we’re having a moment?

Laurel drew back and gasped as she beheld my right arm. It was totally limp, my sleeve soaked in blood. “You’re badly hurt!” She took out some bandages that I always kept with me and wrapped my arm with them. “Are you all right?”

I smiled at her. “That’s a stupid question.”

Laurel smiled back. I looked around. We were surrounded by ninja.

“Er.” I turned to face the captain. “Are we supposed to be friends or enemies?”

The captain stepped forward. “Our debt to you has been paid.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What debt?”

The captain bowed deeply. “You defeated us, therefore we owe a favor to you. Consider it done.”

“Uh, sure.” I nodded in appreciation. “Thanks for the help.”

The captain bowed again and the ninja left.

“Well,” I covered my mouth as I yawned. “I’m tired.”

Laurel laughed her tinkling laugh. “Me too.”

No, we did not sleep in the same room, you dirty little pervert. We managed to catch a transport the next day to India. From there, we traveled back to London by horse. And that’s a whole other series that would take too long to tell, because I’m tired.

Aha! Monkey!

Wham!

Okay, that’s one pesky little irritant put to sleep. Now for me. Until next time, this is Ash, siggggggGgg~~~~…….- author has fallen asleep-