For as long as he could remember when it came to being on Earth, Valefar never really recalled the amount of human beings who were willing to question beyond what they see, instead of slapping it onto their brains and accepting things as it is, let alone turning a blind eye and going on with their day.
Ignorance is bliss, The Representative once heard the humans say; the less they knew, the better off their lives will be. But not now, not with this Hellfire Arm crisis going on.
Before, he was used to hearing the birds sing; hearing human beings speak out their minds, even if it's their darkest confessions.
Now he was the bird.
By the time the crowd that was previously witnessing him chugging down hellish liquor was dismissed, he had officers of the MPD get a hold of the crate and take it to the back of the building, and had it guard until he were to explain further.
Right now he was the MPD office, where various officers were assigned to desk duty if not tasks beyond the Hellfire Arm crisis. The Representative was sitting across Barbie Keane in the meeting room, all alone with her; the woman who was the mistress of the late Lloyd Howitzer, the same woman who was also in her late 20s, as well as a singer at some other club in the Northern part of town; the Sapphire Lounge.
Even though Barbie was just a mere human, the woman did see him as a friend; an ally of her life (if that was even the right term from a demon's perspective). He was already acquainted with her even before the Hellfire Arm crisis, when she used to be a showgirl in order to make amends. She was a lively person at the time.
Right now, her cold eyes met Valefar, who explained in great detail about everything he had witnessed, including Chance Gordon and Bright. She was silent throughout the entire explanation. The truth. His voice was calm in spite of what she was hearing, about the hellish Hellfire Arms and their respective abilities.
She did not give any reaction when Valefar told her who he really was, and his actual name. No further reaction when he said that George Vale was just a cover name.
"But rest assured, I don't give a damn about what you think of me at this point." Valefar raised his voice. "I don't. I just can't. I've been getting too much shit from Chance and the others about my situation about the Hellfire Arm crisis. If I even dare disturbed any user's contracts I'll be fried to a fucking crisp."
Barbie saw Valefar's eye twitching. "So if you hate me for being a liar all this time, and for being connected to this whole Hellfire Arm situation, fuck you, cause I'm doing my part at getting them back straight to hell. I don't give a fuck about who you are. You humans are all the fucking same! Like I told Chance and the MPD, even without demons like me, you all will still find ways to be corrupt and even destroy each other."
As Valefar sighed, Barbie looked away from his eyes and was silent all the way. She sighed softly, before looking at him. Her eyes were full of sorrow now, no sign of clear anger.
"Even in your human shell, or disguise, am I really a bad human in your eyes?" Barbie asked. Her tone was soft but demanding.
"No, but as long as the corrupt live, then you're associated with them as humans." Valefar folded his arms. "There are some good apples once in a while, the kind ones, but never forget Barbie, unless you go up there to heaven, you're down here with the rest of these fuckers."
"If you really hated humans then you wouldn't have helped Chance Gordon, or even be concerned at my phone call hours earlier when I saw a Hellfire Arm user."
"Like I said Barbie, and drill this into your head: right now I'm on your side, because the people with the Hellfire Arms out there, they're technically my bosses guns, and he wants them back really bad before they cause damage. Not that the Gunsmith cares about the human race, but if he wants to taint it, he wants to be the one to do so. Now, unless you have more questions for me, I'll be walking out that door and helping the MPD with that crate."
Silence arrived as Barbie held her hand against her chin, her shoulder and elbow leaning onto the table. "You mentioned a Fiend in Hell freed your bosses guns in the first place?"
"Yes."
"So guess you demons do care about humanity, at the moment."
Valefar rolled his eyes. "Yeah, at the moment."
"You also mentioned Bright, he's the one who killed Lloyd?"
"Chance says so, but it doesn't take a scientist to figure that out." Valefar explained.
"These Hellfire Arm users." Barbie was asking more questions. "It also doesn't take a genius level individual to say Hunch Harvey is one of them, right?"
"Yeah, that's right." Valefar spoke. "I'd take him out myself but like I said-"
"Your boss doesn't allow it. I understand completely." Barbie sighed heavily and spoke in a calm tone.
Valefar snickered. "I certainly didn't expect this. Where's the anger?"
"I'll help you. "
Valefar's eyes bulged. "Wait, WAIT." he started. "Why?"
"I do believe Chance and the others are doing their best but I'm not going to stand here and expect those other Hellfire Arm users to destroy the city, especially Bright."
Valefar placed his palms onto his head. Why does this have to happen, he thought.
Technically, Barbie could be a good addition in terms having another Hellfire Arm user for support, but then again...
"Do you really want to sell your soul to the Gunsmith? Get into Hell once you're gone? Cause trust me, some Hellfire Arm users don't die naturally."
"Could I at least find the Hellfire Arms? Or ask the help of some friends?" Barbie tried for another method.
"I mean, you could, obviously." Valefar spoke as he took out the Hellfire Arm Gloves; the same gloves he once gave Chance. "Take these and wear them if you do find one."
"I'll help on ONE condition." Barbie said "one" with a strong tone. "When this entire Hellfire Arm crisis is all over, you'll show me your actual form."
Valefar's eyes widened in shock. What was this woman thinking? Did she drink something funny?
"Yes you are helping humanity until this is all over, but let me see who you really are, no shells, no disguises, no other forms. I want to see the REAL Valefar."
Valefar stumped into his chair, stunned and smiling like a bastard.
"You got a deal Barbie." Valefar spoke. In spite of the strange request, she did want to help.
Humans are odd creatures, the Representative spoke as he and Barbie went out of the room. But until this is all over, I'll look past their flaws.
***
"Out of the way!" Chance yelled at civilians on the sidewalk whilst he was sticking half his body out of the passenger seat of Fermor's squad car. The car was speeding somewhere near 80 mph, chasing against Mustang who was riding on Shelby.
Shelby was a fast horse. It continuously shifted to the left and the right avoiding certain cars. In some cases, the horse jumped an entire car whilst Mustang was holding onto her with those leather straps.
Mustang was looking ahead. Tombstone required both of his hands, but at the moment, they were both busy holding the straps on Shelby. He flinched slightly at the sound of a bullet, and he swore he took a tiny piece out of Shelby's mane. The horse neighed in panic.
"Easy girl!" Mustang spoke and used one hand to pat her fur. He took a moment to look at Chance aiming Showdown.
He never gives up, Mustang thought, before he yelled. "Shelby!" he pulled the straps hard as Shelby neighed once more, she was now dragged across the pavement, her hooves embedded into the concrete and shredding it, up until she made a full stop on all four feet.
Mustang took out a small circular canteen. He shook it and realized that there was little water left. "Sorry girl, but this'll have to do. Hope you can forgive me for this!" He positioned the canteen near Shelby's mouth. The horse used its tongue to get the water into her mouth.
Fermor's police wagon was still going until Mustang and Shelby came into view.
Mustang loaded his last Deadly Shell, and shot a bullet right into the front end of the police wagon, before the Hellfire Arm user ran away from Shelby. "Do what you have to do!" he yelled at Shelby, the horse soon neighed and tightened its legs as well as its body.
"Dammit!" Fermor spoke as the bullet started to burn away the hood, and make its way into the engine.
"Get out! Now!" Chance before the two men ejected themselves from the police car, and crashed heavily into Shelby. An explosion appeared, smoke getting into the air, and the police wagon tumbling across.
Even Shelby was thrown away a couple of meters.
As Chance landed on the ground, he tumbled and Showdown was separated from him. As he got onto his feet, he saw Mustang approaching him, before realizing his position from his enemy was straight, and the only enemy around.
He remembered how he faced Trent.
Chance gripped onto Showdown as soon as Mustang pulled the trigger to Tombstone, but Chance swung his own Hellfire Arm hard, and a barrier was formed just like his first proper fight with Trent.
Tombstone's bullet was hit by the wave of the barrier, and fell down like an apple onto the ground.
That's how it's supposed to be! The voice came into Chance's head again. A fair fight!
Mustang reloaded a bullet into Tombstone. "Just like those days, huh? I hope you're ready for this, boy."
"I could say the same thing to you, old timer." Chance yelled.
Both men had their guns at the ready. Showdown was in Chance's belt while Tombstone was on Mustang's back strap.
A tumbleweed passed through, and dust from the broken concrete went into the air.