Taming The Shadows

Chapter Two

Pyrite Town, an old mining town hewn out of a canyon. Bits of trash and debris from the towns previous mining days remained as a reminder of their past. Buildings were covered in rust and seemed to be falling apart from the looks of things. There were a few signs of reconstruction as well as new buildings springing up. At the back of the town was a Colosseum shaped like a dome with a rusty metallic roof. In front of it was a bridge that led across a gigantic chasm.

Wes rolled into Pyrite Town around nine in the evening. He brought his motorcycle to the station and parked it, shutting off the engine and taking the keys. His partners were snug inside the seat and already napping. With a tired smile, Wes returned his companions and clipped them to his belt. As he placed his keys in his pocket, he heard footsteps stop behind him. His eyes narrowed as he felt a presence behind him. They were close enough to where he could hear their breathing.

"Whoever you are, I'd advise against whatever thoughts you have of attacking me right now," Wes warned.

"Ooo, a tough guy huh?" Came a feminine voice, prompting a few laughs from the group behind the woman who spoke. "You should turn around and see what you're up against, maybe you'll change your tone," the woman smirked, clasping a bat in her hands.

Wes raised a brow and chuckled. "I don't need to do that, I can tell there's more of you just by the confidence in your tone. You thugs always sound confident in numbers, but by yourselves...you're a joke," Wes quipped.

"A joke? H-How dare you say that!" The woman snarled, darting forwards and swinging her bat towards the back of Wes's head.

Wes, judging the distance before the assault, threw up his left arm which the snag machine rested on and blocked behind him, causing the woman to be taken aback by this. Wes shifted and grabbed the bat and gave it a yank, causing her to stumble forward while still gripping the bat. Wes turned to see about five more thugs cracking their knuckles or wielding their weapons.

"Another thing, you're too predictable. Attacking from behind isn't the best strategy, especially if your opponent knows you're going to do it," Wes sighed, shaking his head as he turned to look at his first offender.

She was a young blonde wearing a black bandanna with a red stripe on either side. They wore long-sleeve red top that stopped above the stomach, revealing her abdomen. She had on brown gloves, tight black pants and brown boots.

"Hmmm...eh, eight out of ten. You've got moxie, but you need to work on your skill," Wes taunted, getting a flabbergasted expression from the woman.

"Wh-what!? Y-you-!" She fumed, taking the bat and charging, prompting the others to do the same.

Oh come on...really? Wes thought, sidestepping the swing of her bat, causing her to knock her teammate in the face. Wes let out a long whistle as he stood off to the side. "I bet he'll be feeling that one in the morning," Wes teased.

A vein popped out of the woman's head as she clutched the bat again. She rounded on Wes and swung down, once again being met by the metallic attachment on his arm. "We've only just met, and now you wanna dance? A little forward don't you think?" Wes goaded her, ducking another swing.

"Keep talking jackass, I'm gonna enjoy knocking you around," she fumed, ducking down to sweep kick him only to miss as he hopped up to avoid it. She stood back up to swing around only for Wes to grab the bat and lean in close with a cocky smirk. He then shoved hard, causing her to lose her grip on the bat. She landed on her rear and watched as the others attempted to overtake him.

Wes dropped the bat and sidestepped the assault and elbowed them hard in the back, flattening them.

Who...is this guy? The woman thought as she watched his movements. They were hard to follow, mainly because they were almost too fast to track. He was too quick. With a sigh she stood up. "That's enough you guys," she said with authority in her voice.