Underbelly: Part 2

“Just had to waste one of the rarest shots I’ve ever made.” Scythe grumbled digging through a random junkyard. The sounds of clanking metal as it was tossed backward drowning out the sound of a machine turning on and looking towards Scythe as she pulled something out and looked it over. “Could be a bit tricky, but I think it’ll- hmm?” She turned to look at single, red-tinted camera eye, locking on to her. “Again? Just how many of you are there? I am NEVER going back there you understand? She stated right into the camera. The machine churred in response before shooting up several tentacles at once. They were flying in and out so many directions that dodging them took everything Scythe had. She thought she could at least get away until the machine drugged her. She saw a noticeably short human with a gas mask and some kind of white suit just before she passed out. The same human seemed to be studying her belongings when she awoke hours later. “Get!” she groaned and stumbled as she managed to get into a kneel. “Get away from those.”

“What for?” The, apparently male, stranger stated. “Inferior junk the lot of it.”

“Everything there is priceless!” Scythe shouted offend, and rocking her giant birdcage forward.

“If it is priceless, it is worthless. And worthless things are of no benefit.” He stated handing them off. “May we leave this filth faster, mother?”

“What is she doing? Scythe questioned as the woman nodded and open a furnace. Scythe eyes widen and she pushed the cage forward again. “No!” The child turn back towards as her head made contact with one of the bar. Her slightly overgrown red hair shadowing her eyes as she cried. The cage rocking slightly still. She stood up and started swinging the cage wildly her face going from sadness to pure rage.

“What are you doing?” The child stated watching her. “Cease your behavior at once! Stop!” He ran towards the cage and grabbed the bars as Scythe jumped up and bumped the cage into its own hangings. She gripped the pole above, and undid them in an instant before kicking the floor forward barely grabbing her cloak and flare as their transport swerved in a shocked response. Both children brace themselves as cage was thrown out of the trailer, and began its fog covered, down-hill, descend into swamp territory. Damian threw off his mask in rage. His hazmat suit already ruined.  “Get back here!” He shouted.

“That’s a togbog mushroom.” Scythe stated matter of factly. “Which means home is that way.” She turned around to point and froze for several seconds. “You?!”

“Your accommodations are that cage until you are cured of your inherit illness.” Damian stated brushing off his suit. “A mere few weeks within the city would demonstrate to you why your rejection of our invitation was completely irrat- Hey!” He ran best as he could after her, which only caused her to throw up her hood and ran faster. Still Damain managed to keep incredibly well despite every evasive maneuver Scythe could think of. Eventually curiosity got the better of her, so she stopped on a stump with crouching down with her arms between her legs staring at Damian.

“How the cog are you keeping up?” Scythe staring at Damian he nearly slid to a stop almost face to face.

“What?” Damian questioned. “What are you talking about?”

“We’ve like 12 leagues into the swamp” Scythe stated. “No one has kept track of me passed 9, vehicle or otherwise, so how did you?”

“Seeing as I’ve managed to impress you.” Damian stated. “Though I have no idea why. May I assume you while accept the offer to return and become my mate.”

Scythe blinked and blushed rather wildly. “I...you were...usually nicer to me… I suppose we could camp here and getting to know each other at least but umm…”

“Camp? That is for amusement parks not swamps.” Damian turned towards where they came from, and then back to Scythe. “I suppose we could rest before heading back to our transport, but I do fear the amount of worry that may cause.” Damian stared at her disappointed face with a brief smile before returning the look of disappointment. Scythe silently pointed in direct off center from where Damian had turned.
“Your home is that way.” Scythe stated. “I am going to my home.” She pointed in the near opposite direction “That way, and kidnapping me will not convince me otherwise. Understood?”

“I have already stated I desire you.” Damian stated. “As is the custom of Odonoplis, you will be coming home with me and trained in-”

“I’m not a pet!” Scythe rebutted. “And I will never, under any circumstances, return to whatever you want to call your city of cruel, vindictive, money hoarders! Now leave!” Both perked up a looking around the chatter and shaking of shells echoing through the trees around them. Scythe darted off towards home. Leaving Damian standing there and looking around.

“Yaaa maaa CHA” one mushroom looking crab stated before launching an incredible amount of fumes into the air. One by one a mass of similar creatures came out and did the same. Based on how much of fumes still manage to spread passed her Scythe guessed there was a couple dozen. She grabbed the mushroom she had put in her pouch, and clung to it with her teeth trying very hard not to taste any part of it. See had no idea how long she had run or which direction she had gone by the time she felt safe. She let go of the mushroom, and almost collapsed to the ground.

“Whatever pathetic moral qualms you have Odonoplis.” Damian stated walking towards her wearing a small breathing filter. “We did what had to to ensure we could have whatever we require a moments notice. A poisonous bite mark was on an arm of his suit but he seemed completely unaffected as he removed his filter. “There is not a thing we need.” He produced a fully cooked burger from somewhere. “Which is not attainable, and as such we are protected from mistakes such as anger.” He went for a bit of his burger, but with Scythe shoved the mushroom in his mouth. He split it out as fast he could before attempting to voice his protest directly to Scythe’s rather smug looking face. It was at this point he noticed. He could open his mouth all he wanted, but words were not coming out.

“If it’s so great and has everything, then just call a ride home.” Scythe stated. Damian pointed at her in response, and she twirled some hair in return. “I’m flattered and all, but-” She paused and patted around her belt. Damian tilted his head as patted again looking shocked, but then glared at him. She turned around in a huff, and stomped away. Her walk seemed a little off balance suddenly, and it was then Damian notice the empty revolver holsters. Scythe was setting up some strange looking “Nevermind.” She stated grumply turning a few knobs. A shot fired from behind her as her device exploded. Damian held up a shiny new revolver as she recovered. “What the cog is wrong with you?! It’s only goes off once, toggit!” She flipped the device over, and examined it. Damian mouth out several muted words, which slowly became voice gibberish. Finally, he could speak coherently again.

“I mean, what kind of a tool only works once?” Damian questioned. “What could possibly be the use?”

“It’s a standard issue flare” Scythe stated. “It’s points out location and then short circuit or explodes depending on how you set it. All was ever told was it had something to do with the city, so my guess is were hiding from insane people who FIRE WITHOUT WARNING.”

“Seeing as our people have better equipment, and no shame to hide.” Damian rebutted. “If I replace your revolvers with our clearly superiors one would you return with me? To proper living conditions?”

“You’re such a lug nut!” Scythe reached down, and throw some part of the pile next to her with such speed that it plowed Damian right in the forehead before he could respond. He wobbled slightly before passing out. He awoke to her facing away from him, and searching through some junk. He snuck up with the intend to grab the new flare dangling from her waist. “I set it off already.” Scythe stated. “And manage to find an extra part for it, while I was collecting for a new set.” She held up, and pocketed a new revolving chamber. “Forgot just how untouched this place is, but at least I’ll have plenty of time to look.”

“Ridiculous.” Damian stated digging around in his jacket. “It is well past time to leave.” fumbling through his jacket

“I’ll build you another one before I leave.” Scythe stated in an almost dark, regretful, tone. It was at this Damian stepped into a puddle of puke, and noticed his own flare was mixed into it. Scythe was silence as he looked at her.