56 Mending Ties

Vash sighs to himself, turning back to Issac and the others. "What a mess this is. You got them, Todd?"

Todd nods to Vash's comment, "Y-Yes, that technology is scary..." He says, holding tightly to the girls in his arms.

Vash turns to Imogen, who was laying on the ground, "Guess we'll get him up, and head to camp Elysium. It should be close by. Again, you can't afford to take chances. Not anymore..." He says, walking over to Imogen's side.

Issac shot a glare to Vash, he was shaking with adrenaline. "Just what do you think you're doing?! Do you really expect us to just let you take them this way? I know for sure you have dealings with Kaos somehow, and like heck I'm gonna let you take any more prisoners back to them!" Issac snapped, angrily.

Vash looks sharply to Issac, as he stops, nearly grasping to Imogen. "...You think you really know the entire story? If you even stepped into my shoes, seen what I have. You'd know, I'm against all that crud. Keep barking though, and I'll show you exactly how wrong you are." He picks up Imogen, placing him over his shoulder. "As I said before though, you're forced to do things you really don't want to. At this rate. Kaos has spoiled this planet..."

"And you just think I'm gonna believe your word, after the things I've heard? Do you really think I'm that stupid? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not desire revenge?" Issac retorted.

"Heh, honestly, the way I look at it. Everyone can believe what they want... I already gave you my answer, to the problem. Thinking though, maybe something bigger needs to be done. So what if you find a way to bring them back? Nothing's really stopping the problem... Perhaps Ciel was right..." Vash states, catching himself. He sighs, "You didn't hear that..."

"What about Ciel? Queen Dread?" Todd inquired, quirking a brow, timidly.

"Shut your trap, Todd." Vash demanded, turning from them.

"You know what, you're a lost cause. You fought that woman, to stop her army from taking over Terra. If you're agreeing with her to any degree, just that statement alone... You're just proving my point." Issac didn't stand down.

Vash grumbles, "K.A.O.S Was made to keep order, people got out of control. With Ciel, it was the same issue... But... urgh...Think what you want... I know what's going down, and what needs to be done... Yeah, I fought Ciel, she was given a lot of power, and like Kaos...They're just messing things up-"

"Vash? Yo-You shouldn't get too caught up. We don't need them getting the wrong idea." Todd states, sheepishly.

"Quiet, this kid wants the info. I'll give it to him. Me and a friend founded K.A.O.S things got bad... So, we're trying to clean up this shit storm. You have no idea how many people I've lost on this damn mission, trial, whatever the hell you want to call it! If you think me killing those pieces of garbage is evil, bad? Nah... I'm just doing what I can, to save this piece of rock. Or whatever will be left of it... Maybe I missed things in the past, messed up. I don't know... I made a lot of mistakes, but this time... I can't let this slide." Vash states coldly.

"Wait, are you saying, that because of what you, and this friend did. We're dealing with Kaos now...? Then you're also trying to solve the problem? Why hide from us then?" Barret asked, quirking a brow.

"I do have to agree. It's awfully shady to say the least." Myde nodded.

"Do the math... Founder of a rouge organization. If I show up in the public eye, they'll want to erase me. I can't risk it... I still can't believe it's gotten this far, but...I'll fix it." Vash says looking to them.

"You're right, you messed up a lot of things. That doesn't mean what you're doing is fixing anything. You're just trying to avoid the problem, by 'erasing' it." Issac scoffed.

"Erasing it..." Vash says, thinking to himself. "You know...You're right... Running never fixed anything. I'd rather hit it face first....Thanks for the wake up call there..."

Barret steps forward, "Well, I'm glad you're understanding."

"Yeah, humanity stands a chance... I guess from all the crap going on... Heh, you loose yourself..." Vash says, turning from them.

Issac turned off from the group. "You know what, You guys deal with him. I'm still not buying this garbage. You wanna play nice, keep an eye on him, and make sure those kids stay safe." He steps away slightly. "I need to clear my head, and there's no way I can be around this guy. Just, no. I'm sorry." Issac began walking off. "(He has to be lying, there's just no way.)"

"Issac! You can't go out there alone! That crazy doll robot is still wandering around, not to mention, the possible Zodiac target."Barret shouts to Issac.

Myde placed her hand to Barret's shoulder. "Let him go, he's under a lot of stress. We should get the boy to their village, to make sure he's not going to die of blood loss. If you get worried, I can always go and find him. Just let Issac blow off some steam for now."

Barret sighs, nodding, "A-Alright..."

Vash looks to Issac, "He reminds me of myself, when I was younger..."

"Really? Well, we can discuss more back at camp... Hard to believe you're a founder of Kaos..." Barret states, turning his attention to Vash.

Vash sighs, looking back to Barret, "Never thought I'd ever be one in this position either... Life does stuff to you..." He says, walking off ahead of Barret and Myde.

Todd jumps, following after Vash quickly, "Wait, don't leave me behind!" He gasps, carrying the two girls.

They arrive to a camp, that held a large gate around it. They enter through two large doors, and spot living quarters ahead of them. A man wearing a long red cape, and outrageous clothing, walks up to them. His sharp yellow eyes, looking to Sheka and Lilly in Todd's arms. He then turns his attention to Vash,Myde and Barret.

"Sheka, Lilly, Imogen? Who are you all, and what happened here?" The man asked, sternly.

Some guards rush around them all, quickly holding guns at them.

"Whoa, whoa! We're not enemies!" Barret says, nervously.

Todd quirks a brow, "I-Imogen!?"

Vash sighs, "Sad when you forget your own kid."

Todd gasps, "Oh my baby!"

Vash shakes his head, "Malichai, it's me Vash. You remember me from the Atom Maker outbreak?"

Malichai nods, he holds his hand up to his guards. "You may rest your weapons. I almost didn't recognize you with that hat on...The older cap suited you better, though I can see your eyes have changed.."

Vash laughs, "Yeah...These days. I don't really deserve it."

"You don't? My, I suppose all the events finally caught up to you." Malichai says, looking back to Sheka and Lilly.

Sheka wakes a little, and Vash sets the cap on her head. "Here, I think you can put this to better use than me. Give it to a hero, or something."

"H-huh?" Sheka says, moving from Todd's arms, to get to her feet."Umm alright... T-Thank you for your help back there..." She says, bowing. Lilly was set down next to her, as the little one yawned.

Vash shrugs, "Yeah, not a big deal."

Todd looks to Imogen. "We need to get him into the infirmary!"

Vash forms an annoyed expression, "Oh, now you're noticing his condition?"

Todd growls, "Don't patronize me!"

Malichai laughs, pointing into the village. "You can find the infirmary that direction. He'll get better, don't over think things. He is half Elementar."

Vash walks off from them, not saying too much else, he was heading to the infirmary.

Todd jumps, "Wait!" He says, running after Vash.

Barret and Myde had just been listening to the entire incident.

"Well, I guess we can get to business... Umm..Malichai, was it?" Barret inquired.

Malichai turns to Barret, "Yes, and who might you be?"

"Barret Aldric, and Mydeline Gambit." Barret states, holding his hand out to shake.

Malichai simply looks to Barret's hand, "Malichai... So, I take it you both are with the resistance Medatros is part of? Sad that the same ones who caused this mess, are finally trying to clean things up."

"You don't sound too thrilled, if you don't mind me mentioning." Myde looked to Malachai.

"Far too many 'so called' heroes and such. I have no reason to really place trust in your actions as of yet, but bringing Sheka and Lilly back safe was priority. That I can be thankful of from you. As for the other problems. We will speak over those soon... Sheka? If you may, take them to the guest quarters for now." Malichai says, turning from them.

Sheka nods, "Yes Malichai.."

"Also weren't there to be three of you? Perhaps I was misinformed." Malichai says, walking ahead a little, "Nothing short of problems with those who think they have everything in order." He states, walking off to his office, which was center of the camp.

"Hmm, he must be having a bad day." Barret states, rubbing his head.

"Oh..Hee hee, Malichai has so many things going on. Sometimes he forgets his manners, but don't worry, he's kept us safe, though that last hiccup was pretty scary." Sheka says smiling. "Come on, we'll take you to the guest area."

Lilly pulls to Myde's forked tail, "Ohhh, kitty lady! Pretty!"

Myde glances down to the small child, she seemed curious, rather than angry as Barret was expecting. Myde crouched down to pick up Lilly. She stood back up, her ears shifting slightly. "You're so little."

"(Whoa, that's a reaction I wasn't expecting. She's really good with kids.)" Barret thought to himself.

"Yeah! I'm five!" Lilly giggles, hugging to Myde.

Sheka laughs, "She's taken a liking to you, it seems."

Myde glanced to Sheka, smiling. "You're very mature for your age as well. Where's your mother at?"

Sheka sighs, "T-Thank you but..Uhh our mom... She's not here anymore..."

Barret folds his arms, "Not here? Ohh...."

Myde furrowed her brows, with her ears going back. "You poor girls."

"We had a daddy too, but now we're stuck with 'bad man' Malichai!" Lilly says, still holding to Myde.

"Lilly, no. What did I say about talking that way?" Sheka says, uneasily.

"Meh." Lilly says, sticking her tongue out. "Can you be our mommy?" She asked to Myde, suddenly.

"M-Me?" Myde was taken by surprise.

Barret chuckles. "I don't really have any say in this Myde. It's up to you from this point."

"You can't just decide things like this, that's just..." Myde glances to the girls, but they had such darling faces beaming up at her. She sighed, "I'm sure there are rules to things of this nature..."

Sheka giggles, "I say as long as it makes Lilly happy. It's up to you."

Lilly grips tighter to Myde, "Plleeease!?"

"You both are really tugging at my heart strings here...." Myde laughed, uneasily.

Barret yawns, "Well, maybe you can make a choice soon."

Sheka gasps, "Oh yes! Please this way, I guess this can give your friend a chance to think over things."

Barret laughs, "For sure."

Sheka leads Barret off to the guest house. Myde gawked at him. "B-Barret!?... Uh..." She peered down uneasily to Lilly.

Lilly was still hugging tightly to Myde. "Mmmm, mommy!"

In the infirmary, Vash was sitting in a chair across from the bed that Imogen was in. Todd was looming over Imogen, checking his wounds that had been bandaged up.

"Oh my...I knew this was bad...I shouldn't have left...." Todd says, resting his hand on Imogen's head.

Vash sighs, "Three kids, one I had on accident... Honestly with a life that I have. You're best off just not even worrying. Maybe you still have a chance with him... Granted you can keep your penis to yourself."

Todd gawked at Vash's comment, "HEY! You're the one of the group who sleeps with... everything he comes across! Don't you even go there! My kid is hurt... (Besides that, you not once asked me to sleep with you..Never...Ever..)"

Vash sighs, "Honestly Todd...I'm gonna be straight up. I've messed up a lot of people's lives. Trying to fix things, your kid might not even be here, if we hadn't decided to bring Sheka and Lilly back to safety. This world of all places."

Todd looks to Vash, worried, "Hey, don't beat yourself up, no one is perfect. I-If we had a Dream Tear for every problem, I'm sure things would be much better. But as Peace Makers we have to keep doing what we umm... Have to do... Though I don't agree with a lot of things you have done...You had reasons...."

Vash stands up, " I can't help to blame myself....One of my kids are taking blame for my crap, another is perhaps gonna be over Vectrom... Then the one training in war... I hate it...I can't be a good father, because I'm not a good hero..."

Todd shakes his head, "No! You're a great hero! Maybe things got bad, but you saved this place once! You can do it again... I believe in you.."

Vash looks off from Todd. "You're only saying that, because you have something to look out for. I have others around Vectrom, and what not. But no matter what I do, It always ends up the same result. I'm tired of it... I guess what I can do though, is try to make up for my wrong doings...Until that time..."

Todd quirks a brow, "That time?"

"I gotta find the doc soon, but for now... For Gabe and some others... I should at least try and make sure their futures are good... I'm kind of thinking of setting up an arranged marriage." Vash states, placing a hand in his pocket.

"Oh!? (WITH ME I HOPE! But wait, he mentioned his kids... Hmm.....)" Todd thought to himself.

"Yeah, Gabe is my bastard child, but I still want him to have a good life, away from all that chaos up there... Last I spoke, it didn't go by too well... So. I'm setting him up with Sheka. I mean she is a princess... That could fix the status issue, get people off his back." Vash states.

"Wait, she is!? I didn't know that! Seriously? Wow..." Todd says, flabbergasted.

"We DID save them from their planet during the Atom Maker outbreak, dofus." Vash says, placing a hand to his head.

"Oh wait, the planet that blew up? O-Oh wow! I remember now, I must have fallen out cold..." Todd says, nervously.

"Leave it to you to pass out from fear... I'm going to give Kareen a call though. Talk over things... I know this though, after we leave, and I get back with the doc...." Vash stopped mid sentence, "Try to take care of your kid." Vash says, walking out.

"Vash... Don't go doing anything stupid..." He sighs, looking back to Imogen. "Oh what a mess this is though..." He says, checking around Imogen for more scars and wounds.

Imogen's eyes hazily opened, seeing a blurry view of Todd hanging over head. "...Huh?.."

"Oh my baby!" Todd says, happily.

Imogen jolted back, in panic. "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!?"

"I-Imogen, calm down. it's me! Your daddy!" Todd was right in Imogen's face, smiling.

Imogen shoved Todd's face away from him, with his hand. "Get away from me, you creep!"

"I-Imogen? Don't act like that... You were really hurt... You should be happy I'm here for you." Todd says, nervously.

"Go fuck yourself!" Imogen exclaimed.

"It's because of my likes, isn't it?... I can't help myself Imogen.... But please, I-I still want to be there for you... That's why I came back." Todd says, holding his head down.

"I call bullshit!" Imogen shuffled to the side, to get out of bed. He grunted a bit from the pain, but pulled on his coat. "Just... leave me alone."

Todd sighs, "I-If that's what you want... I'm just...Happy to see you breathing...."

"I hate you." Imogen kept his back turned to the man.

"..." Todd turns to the door. "...Okay...I'll leave..." he says, exiting the room.

Meanwhile, back in the forest. Issac was walking aimlessly through the brush of the wilderness. His expression seemed scornful, as he progressed without much consideration of his surroundings. Normally in this situation, he would be scared, however it was left in the back of his mind. All he could ponder, was Vash and his rage towards the man.

"I can't believe that jerk!! HE HAS SOME NERVE!!! How can someone just ACT LIKE THAT! THINK like that... Freak'n douchebag..." Issac was clenching his fist, as he gritted his teeth.

Issac just kept walking, shouting every so often, in anger. He just couldn't stand how this was going on, and what happened back there.

"If I saved Demi and the others in the first place... maybe this wouldn't be happening..." Issac was beginning to cool off, but his tone shifting. "This is my fault. I couldn't save anyone!" He punched to a nearby tree, and leaning his head into it. "I can't do anything right... Now that prick is around those girls... Why'd I leave Barret and Myde alone to deal with with him?... I should of handled it! I'm so STUPID!" Issac clenched his fist tighter, sulking now.

Behind Issac there was a sudden sound, causing him to turn around. Structured there, was the Witchhazel's Emporium, shop building. It was smoking around a bit with magic. He stared slightly, with his expression easing up. He quickly made his way into the shop, spotting Witchhazel in the entrance pathway.

"Welcome to Witchhazel's Emporium, one stop shop for your worldly and otherworldly needs. How may I help you? Oh? Issac?" She gawked in surprise. "I wasn't-"

Before she could finish, Issac had immediately wrapped his arms around her. He didn't let go, but she didn't seem to mind as she placed her hand to the back of his head.

"Everything will be okay, don't worry Issac. I know." She said, in a comforting tone.

"..." Issac sniffled a bit, keeping his hold on her.

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." Witchhazel went on, taking Issac's shoulders to shift him, so that they could make eye contact. "Everything will work out, even if it takes time. So, don't give up, alright? Eventually Kaos will fall, and those innocent people saved from their tyranny. It may not happen the way you expect, but I promise, that someday they will be free."

Issac was tearing up, but sniffled briefly. "We know what we are, but know not what we may be. However, thy lady knows more than I, and I believe her, for she sees what has yet to be." He said, smiling slightly.

Witchhazel wiped away Issac's tears, as they stared into each others eyes. As they were about to kiss, they were interrupted. "This is a very touching moment, isn't it?" Teased a voice. Issac gawked, looking over to see SJ standing there. "My apologizes, I didn't mean to intrude." He chuckled.

Issac took a step back from Witchhazel, sighing, with his hand scratching his head. "(Jeez man... some timing...)"

Witchhazel turned to SJ, "Oh, it's quiet alright. Did you find what you were looking for, Satoshi?"

"Eh, not really. I think Elusia swiped the last one... Once again." He admitted.

"Oh, I'm really sorry about that. I'll make sure to order extra inventory next time I restock the shelves." Witchhazel held her finger to her cheek, but she glanced over to Issac. "Issac, you may want to head to that camp your friends traveled to."

"W-What?" Issac gawked slightly.

"Mhm. SJ, would you care to escort him? I'm terribly sorry, but I have a few more stops to make, before I'll be able to rejoin you both. Is that okay?" Witchhazel giggled a bit.

"(Man...)" Issac sighed.

"If you want me to keep an eye on him, I don't mind." SJ smirked.

Witchhazel poked her finger, accusingly to his nose. "Now don't get any ideas, he's not for sale."

SJ held up his hands, "The thought didn't even cross my mind. He's not my type anyway. Relax. Clock's still ticking."

"Okay, well I should hurry these sales along them. Issac, keep your chin up, alright? I won't be long, promise." Witchhazel smiled to him, as she kissed his cheek.

"Uh, right. Yeah, probably should... check up on the guys." Issac rubbed his head, in embarrassment.

"Tick tock." SJ headed for the door. "We should be taking out leave then, my friend."

Issac sighed a bit, following after SJ. He peered back to Witchhazel as the door closed behind them. Then the shop was gone into a poof of smoke.