109 Schemes (1/2)
”Uhm...” Stone looked back-and-forth between Ed and Tai, confusion visible on his face. ”I don't understand. Who is he?”
”Ah, I suppose he is less recognizable without the scar.” Tai nodded. ”Allow me to properly introduce him. This is Ed, and he is essential to our prison break plans.” He turned around to walk away while waving his hand. ”Make sure to show him around the factory and give him whatever he needs after you two work your differences out. I've got other matters to attend to.”
”But Boss!” He shouted to no avail. Distraught, he waved his hands towards Ed, attempting to reason with him. ”Look. I remember you now, but that was a long time ago, right? Why hold grudges over something so insignificant? It's not like I really hurt you, right?”
”You certainly didn't directly hurt me.” Ed nodded. ”However, you were a catalyst that led to Jarrod becoming twisted, which in turn almost killed me and did kill my father. If anything, you should be quite grateful I'm sparing your life at all. I already killed Jessica and enslaved World Walker. You're getting off easy if you ask me.”
”Enslaved World Walker?!” He replied in shock. ”That's impossible! No one can catch World Walker!”
”There's a first time for everything.” Ed replied. ”Actually, now that I think about it, Bolin should be in quite a bit of trouble soon. His mana-collar will automatically kill him if he isn't within range of my switch within a year, and there's only about six months remaining for that. I'll need to make a new switch when I get out so I don't go losing the world's best taxi service.”
Stone felt a shiver go down his spine, but he still stood tall. He was a strong esper after all, and he'd hardly let mere words get to him. Still, the idea that World Walker and Jessica had been beaten made him feel great discomfort. Forcing himself to step forward, he rose his fists in preparation of the fight ahead. ”Don't think your words will scare me. You may have become strong outside, but the cage is the great equalizer. Only the Boss and other gang leaders are a match for my physical strength down here!”
”Is that so?” Ed grinned. ”I think I'd like to see it for myself.” He rose his fists and gestured with his right hand for Stone to come attack him.
”Humph!” Stone snorted as he threw a straight jab.
'Boxing?' Ed wondered as he quickly took a step back, narrowly avoiding the quick hit.
Stone continued throwing quick jabs, leaving few to no openings as he did so. Ed occasionally returned fire but was also easily blocked or dodged each time. The two men went back-and-forth like this for several minutes.
”I really took you for more of a brawler.” Ed laughed aloud.
”Only a fool wouldn't learn proper combat techniques.” Stone frowned. ”There's a reason I survived on the streets for so long. I grew up in the ghetto, and I relied on my boxing long before I ever became an esper.”
”Ah, I'm sure it was very tragic.” Ed commented nonchalantly. ”Anyways, I'm going to get a bit more serious now.” He lowered his body against the floor, adopting the combat style he had learned from Ochre. Not only was it suited to combat against humans due to the unusual methods, but it was also a particularly good technique for espers. After all, most established espers wouldn't need to worry about scraping their knees or gaining other injuries simply by fighting roughly on the ground. Yet it was these simple facts that often slipped the minds of espers that were still used to behaving like ordinary humans.
Charging forward, he lunged for Stone's legs, preparing to grapple him to the ground. Surprisingly, Stone managed to step back and return a kick, which Ed had no choice but to dodge.
”Kickboxing too?” Ed questioned in surprise before quickly growing annoyed. ”Oy! How are we supposed to gauge each other's strength if you keep dodging everything?!”
”I'm not the one that wanted to fight in the first place!” He shouted back. ”I've got work to do, and this is hardly the time for a grudge battle!
”Hmm.” Ed stood up while rubbing his chin. ”That's certainly reasonable logic.” He nodded.
”Good.” Stone smiled. ”So, we can call this whole thing off?”
”I don't want to.” He grinned while trying to stifle his laughter. Scales began covering his entire body as he initiated his chimera form. The purple lava around the cavern reflected the shadow of his claws, teeth, and tail, creating a menacing crocodilian image behind him. ”Time for round two.” He growled.
”What the fuck?!” Stone questioned in shock as he quickly took several steps back. ”What the hell are you?!”
”I am Forge!” He said in a serious voice as he charged forward.
”FUCK!” Stone hurriedly backed up in fear. ”Forge, my ass! What kind of Forge has scales? I use my forge every day, and last I checked, it definitely didn't have claws and teeth!”
Ed almost stumbled as he stopped and stared in disbelief at Stone. 'Has he really not heard of me? He should've been arrested after I had already become somewhat famous... Not to mention Tai knowing. Hell, I'm pretty sure World Walker knew before I met him in New York for the 2nd time. Shaking his head, he once again charged forward, refraining from shaming himself by explaining the name.
”GAHH!” In fear for his life, Stone abandoned his safe style of boxing, choosing instead to wind his arm back before throwing a strong right hook.
Ed hurriedly caught the punch, surprised at the amount of force behind it. 'If I was in my normal form, we'd probably be about even.' He returned fire with his left fist, slamming it directly into Stone's stomach.
”Pfft!” Stone spit out blood as he was shoved several meters backwards. Then he collapsed to his knees, holding his stomach while groaning in pain.
Ed crossed his arms while waving his tail back-and-forth menacingly. He stood directly in front of Stone and reached down to grab his black hair. ”How the tables have turned.” He whispered. ”It feels like it was just the other day when Blood-Lust fucked me over. Tell me, are there any other members here?”