The train rattled along the tracks, the rhythmic clatter occasionally drowned out by the murmur of bored passengers.
I leaned back in my seat, trying to get comfortable with my boken by my side. The texts from Valentina, Ruby, Amethyst, and Armyn had lightened my mood, but the sense of foreboding still lingered.
"Looks like things are about to become hectic, I can already smell bloodlust heading this way." Tucker sniffed the air twice and sighed, it might be a good idea to meet up with the noble kid, just in case.
Suddenly, the door at the end of the car swung open with a loud bang.
A group of imps, led by a particularly muscular and scarred imp, swaggered in. They moved with an air of authority that screamed troubled childhoods.
The leader, Sneak, strutted down the aisle, almost like he had a squirrel in his ass crack.
"All right, boys," Sneak said loudly, making sure everyone in the car could hear. "Remember, our mission is simple: find and take out that fox bastard. But don't kill him, he's mine to finish off."
Tucker sighed, recognizing the demons that just walked on the train. 'So, they were after me. Great.'
One of Sneak's henchmen, looking a bit green around the gills, pulled out a bucket hat and promptly vomited into it. The sight was almost comical, and I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath. Classic.
Tucker took out a notebook and flipped to the fifth page to cross of witness a puke the bucket gag, followed by Oktoberfest(Ruby), Adele(Valentina), Thai food(Tom) and two girls one cup(Armyn😋).
---
Meanwhile, after resting enough I moved through the train cars, trying to find Oliver.
As I passed through one of the cars, I noticed the original shark gang from earlier. They had found the tied-up henchmen and were fuming.
'I should have hidden them better.'
"That damn fox!" one of the shark demons growled, pointing at the beaten-up thugs. "He did this! We need to find him."
Sneak and his gang hadn't noticed the shark demons yet. They were too busy making their way through the train, looking for me. I tried to keep a low profile, but luck wasn't on my side.
"Hey, you!" Sneak called out, spotting me. "Yeah, you! Fox!"
I turned slowly, feigning ignorance. "Who, me?"
"Yeah, you!" Sneak snarled. "I've been looking forward to this."
I tilted my head, trying to buy some time. "I'm sorry, but who are you again?"
Sneak's face turned red with anger. "I'm Sneak! Remember me? Highway of Hell, you humiliated me, you piece of shit! Well, I've been waiting for this moment. Your head is mine!"
Before Sneak could make his move, the shark demons intervened. "Not so fast! That fox is ours!"
The tension between the two gangs suddenly increased from zero to one hundred real quick. And it seemed like they were about to collide.
The henchman with the puke bucket hat reappeared, looking even more nauseous.
"Did I just walk into a bad episode of Hell's Kitchen?" I quipped, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Shut up!" Sneak yelled, drawing his blessed revolvers and pointing them at me. "You think you're funny, fox? Let's see you laugh when I blow your head off."
"Blessed revolvers, huh? Compensating for something?" I taunted.
Sneak's eyes blazed with fury. "You think this is a joke? You embarrassed me in front of my gang and made me a laughingstock. But no more. Today, I reclaim my honour!"
Before the two gangs could clash, Oliver appeared behind Sneak's gang, pulling gadgets out of his top hat.
A boxing glove sprang out and punched one of Sneak's men square in the jaw, sending him flying. Smoke bombs went off, filling the car with a thick haze.
"What the—" Sneak sputtered, turning to face the new threat.
In the confusion, I grabbed Oliver and quickly made our escape. We ducked into another car, trying to put some distance between us and the other demons.
-----
Oliver and I managed to slip away unnoticed.
We made our way to the back of the train, hoping to put as much distance as possible between us and the two gangs.
I could hear the muffled sounds of their confrontation fading behind us, but I knew it wouldn't be long before they resumed their search.
As we reached the end of the train, Oliver was deep in thought, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his top hat.
I scanned our surroundings, trying to come up with a plan to get all the non-criminal passengers to safety. Teleporting was out of the question; it would drain too much energy, especially with so many people.
'If only I had a bit more...no even in this situation, I can't use that!! otherwise the consequences would be too dire.'
Just then, Oliver snapped his fingers, his eyes lighting up with an idea. "Come here, I have a plan," he whispered.
I leaned in, my ears perking up as he detailed his strategy. A devilish grin spread across my face as I listened. "Are you sure you're up for that?" I asked.
Oliver snorted. "There isn't anything a von Eldritch isn't up for."
"Well, that's a relief," I said, "because one of those henchmen is about to walk through that door and blow our location."
Oliver straightened his back and adjusted his hat. "Move aside, it's a von Eldritch's duty to put those who don't know their place down."
Just as he said that a massive bear demon lumbered through the door, growling menacingly.
"..."
Oliver's confident stride faltered for a moment before he calmly stepped back, patting my shoulder.
"It's also a von Eldritch's responsibility to give to those who are lesser. I reluctantly give him to you."
I couldn't help but smirk at the kid's shamelessness. "..." My lips twitched as I stared at him. Typical noble brat.
The bear demon roared, baring his sharp teeth.
Tucker sighed for the umpteenth time today and slowly drew his sword.
"All right, you big fuzzy Care Bear... Let's dance."