Topic: Third storyline: No Sympathy for the Devil

[Lum-chan]

By Jocko on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 22:48:
(RP ON)

Megane sighed, he was dressed up like a woman and guilt over shooting Cygni was eating him up inside. 'I'm...worse than a jack off I'm a hired thug,' he thought furiously. Meanwhile Beavis and Butthead were watching an Oni/Playboy produced porn movie on hotel Pay-Per-View.

"Huh-huhuuuhhh-huh...ass, Beavis." Butthead gasped.

"Uh-heheheheheheh! Boobs!" Beavis grinned his usual grin.

Megane picked up the phone, before he did anything else he needed to set things straight with Cygni, Hudson, and Sakaguchi.

Sakaguchi's shitty one room apartment in Tomobiki...

"Erm...Megane?" Sak gasped, "Is that you? I heard you went nuts and tried to start up a gang."

[No! It's just I've gotten caught up in something big. I just want to thank you for being my home video retailer these past years.]

Megane hung up.

Hudson's BMW heading to the Moroboshi residence...

Warren's car phone rang loudly, he picked it up.

"Hudson here, it's your dime; spill it."

[Hudson-sama...it's Megane.]

"!!!This better be good, pal!"

(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By ataru devo on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 04:36:
I'm new at this, please pardon any suckage.

(RP ON)

[Listen, Hudson-sama, and listen good. What if I
offered you the whereabouts to the others in
exchange for my own freedom?]

Hudson chuckled slyly.

"Kid, it doesn't matter what you wanna offer me.
I'm gonna track down you and your lowlife gang
down and send you straight to prison, if not to
hell with a revolver."

Megane gulped.

[I know, I know. But I just want this thing to
end. I can give ya the location, they're right
here with me. All you have to do is clear my
record, let me off the hook so I can slip away.
It'll be much easier on all of us.]

Hudson rubbed his chin in thought. It was an
interesting proposition. He could always double
cross and track down the punk afterwards...Just
then, he pulled up to the front of the Moroboshi
household.

"Okay, kid. Let me know where you and the others
are now, and I'll give ya a clean getaway."

As Beavis and Butthead continued to giggle, and
Mr. Huge sipped his tea, Megane thought. He would
be able to slip away for now, but it sounded like
this "Mr. Above Average" character wouldn't have
any problem tracking him down and offing him. He
could claim a narrow escape, maybe? No, this whole
gang business had been a bad idea, he didn't want
any more connection with it. Maybe he would wait
for now.

"Kid? KID!!!"

[Sorry, but I gotta reconsider. I'll call back
momentarily.]

"You bastard! You think you can just make offers
like that and then take them back, like some damn
corporation exec? You screw with me, I'll-"

Megane hung the phone up, and sat at the edge of a
bed. What now?

Suddenly, without warning, he saw the odd head of
a familiar old monk pop up in the corner of a
nearby open window, and nearly had a heart attack.

Cherry signaled for him to be quiet and slipped in
as stealthily as a ninja, making his way past the
easily-distracted Beavis and Butthead.

"I'm glad I found you, Megane-San..."

Meantime, Hudson tapped the radar screen of the
call tracer installed on his carphone, and
grinned.

"Offer or none, I've got you now, you now, you
little dirtbag."

(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By Jocko on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 05:45:
Pretty good, ataru devo. If you have any Gonzo ideas just let us know and welcome to the club.

(RP ON)

Meanwhile, Hudson stopped off at the Moroboshi household to get Ten. It was a tough sell...

He knocked at the door, and Ataru answered; seeming oddly awake.

"Ataru!" Hudson tried to keep his voice down. "I need to talk to Ten-chan, now!"

"I need to get Lum to Sakura-sensei right away! Can you give us a ride?"

Hudson stood shocked in the pre-dawn chill, "sure."

Ataru showed him Lum asleep on the floor. "You can move her to the car, right?" Hudson whispered.

Ataru nodded and picked Lum up in his arms and quietly moved out the door.

Hudson removed his shoes and began stalking up the stairs, no sense in risking an encounter with those freaky parents of Ataru's.

When Warren reached Ataru's closet he found Ten asleep in his futon.

"Jariten!" Hudson said as loud as he dared.

"...mmm?" he opened his eyes and yawned, "Hudson-sama? What're you doin' here?"

"Kintaro and Kuma are in trouble."

Jariten sprang up and floated around the room, obviously looking for Lum or Ataru. "Lum's sick and Ataru's taking her to Nurse Sakura," Hudson nodded downwards, "they're in my car."

"Where's Kintaro!?!" Ten nearly screamed.

"Las Vegas, Nevada. It's in the United States."

Jariten looked up at Hudson, "when do we leave?"

"Now, get whatever you need together for weekend getaway."

In a few moments Hudson, Ten, Ataru and Lum were in the car heading to Sakura's shrine. When they arrived, Hudson violently blared the BMW's horn until Sakura angrily came out to see what the hell was going on.

After Lum and Ataru got out Sakura faced Ten. "Ten-chan? You aren't staying with Lum-chan?"

"No Sakura-onii-chan," the alien toddler yawned, "me and Hudson-sama are gonna save Kintaro, Kuma, Megane and those two idiots from themselves."

Sakura glanced to Warren; who nodded tensely, "that's about it, Sakura-sensei. Do me a favor, all right?" Sakura nodded carefully, "in a couple hours go over and wake Ataru's parents up and explain the situation to them. I don't need a kidnapping accusation on my back."

"No, you probably don't," Sakura grimaced. And Hudson and Jariten were soon off to the airport.

(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By Parias on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 06:08:
Welcome aboard Ataru Devo, nice to have you on!

Man, my ISP borked up and died most of the day, so I've been stuck offline.. and my Allegiance beta came in today.. joy!

(RP ON)
Sakura bent over Lum's body, examining it closely, nodding, and simply mumbling "Mmmhmm..."

Ataru was getting tired of this act. "What the hell is it? What do you see?"

Sakura cast an icy glare at him. "Be quiet you fool! I'm trying to see if her mind hasn't been ripped away from her!"

Ataru looked surprised. "Her.. mind?! But who would.."

"SHHHH!!!"

Ataru sat back, deep in thought, trying to figure out what was going on.

Meanwhile, out in Vegas, a plane landed, and Hudson, Sergei, and Cygni dis-embarked. Cygni had caught Hudson before he had stormed into the plane, and managed to delay him enough so she could get Sergei and head off together. She had a feeling a piece of the puzzle would lie in this city.

Upon leaving the plane, Cygni found the city to be surprisingly warm, and removed the large trenchcoat she was wearing, handing it to Sergei.

"You're going to attract a lot of unwanted attention.. especially in a place like this.." he said, making a face.

"They can shove it." Cygni put on a determined smile, and they walked outside of the airport area, flagging down a taxi.

Before Cygni could enter, a man in his 20s walked up to her, nearly creating his own small lake from his drool, and his eyes never glancing above her chest. She glared at him.

"I'll give you two thousand dollars if you stay with me tonight!! You're the most beautiful girl I've seen in my life!" He dug into his pocket and removed two crisp $1000 bills.

She snatched the bills out of his hand, cracked a smile, and delivered a hefty punch to his face, breaking his nose and knocking him unconsious. She kneeled down and shoved the two bills into his mouth, stood back up, and entered the taxi.

"I stand corrected" said Sergei, grinning.

Cygni nodded. "So Hudson, you said you managed to trace where that phonecall came from?"

Hudson turned around from the front seat and nodded. "Yup. And if we're lucky, they haven't moved yet." He turned to the driver and fed him an address, and the vehicle took off with a lurch.

"What an ungainly vehicle.." Sergei said, making a face.

"It'll keep our profile down" Cygni replied.

Hudson turned around in his seat again. "Not to sound rude, but a sexy green-haired girl going around Vegas isn't exactly 'low profile'."

Cygni delivered a playful punch to his arm. "Thanks for the compliments."

The vehicle stopped suddenly, nearly sending the passengers flying out of their chairs. Hudson recovered, paid the driver, and opened his door.

"We're here."

"That was quick.."

After warding off a few more gawking on-lookers by patting her gun, Cygni and the group entered the run-down building and began scaling the steps.

"What floor was it again?"

"Fourth..room 51."

Cygni signalled them to stop. "In a place like this, people don't go by here very often unless it's for a good reason. They'll hear us coming up. I'll head on ahead. If you hear screaming, people dying, or gunfire, that's your signal to come."

"Erm, ok.." replied Hudson.

Cygni lifted her feet off the ground and slowly floated up the stairs, stopping at the fourth floor. After spotting the door marked 51, she kicked it open and glared around inside. Megane, Beavis, Butthead, Cherry, Kintaro, and Mr. Large all looked up in surprise.

She quickly raised her Desert Eagle, flipping on the laser sight. She looked in surprise at Cherry.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"It's fate" he mumbled. She aimed her gun squarely at Megan's head.

"Drop the godamn gun! Everyone, now! Hands on your heads!"

Mr. Large shook his head and stood from his desk. "You dont have a warrant for our arrest, and you certainly don't look like a police officer. Will you kindly leave us in peace?"

"Hah! I'm not leaving this damn room untill I get some answers! I'm not interested in your pathetic gang crap."

Mr. Large nodded. "You talk the talk, now walk the walk. What do you need?"

She growled at Megane. "What the hell inspired you to try to kill me?"

"I... uh... er...." He froze. "How do you explain to a girl who had a gun to your head why you tried to kill her?" he asked himself.

Cygni realized his confusion and lightened her face a bit. "If you come with me, I'll forget the whole damn thing happened. Just drop this gang crap and come home."

He nodded, and was about to take a step towards her, when Cherry yelled out. "STOP! Going in that direction is very unlucky!"

Mr. Large nodded and rose above his desk with a grin, and a gun in his hand. "I agree, going in that direction IS very unlucky. We don't treat desserters well."

Cygni growled. "Megane, get the hell behind me. This is going to get ugly."

Mr. Large moved his gun and pointed it at her. "I'm waiting on your shot lady."

(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By Parias on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 07:37:
(RP ON)
Cygni and Sergei were eating pizza when a pickup truck drove past their place, with two boys firing out the back, followed by Hudson, and multiple police vehicles.

"What the hell is going on out there?"

Sergei shrugged. "Must be related to that holdup."

Cygni sighed. "Listen hon, I hate to bug out on you, but I've gotta find out what the hell is going on." She grabbed another slice of pizza, wolfed it down, and headed for the door. Sergei cut her off.

"You're going to freeze to death out there. At least put something on."

She shook her head. "Too damn cumbersome! And since when did I start letting other people worry about me?"

"Since you met me." Cygni tried to push past, but Sergei didn't budge an inch. She sighed in resignation.

She stepped out of the house five minutes later in a white sweat shirt and black track pants, with her belt on the outside, in case she needed to grab her gun. She took off into the air and went into the direction the vehicle had gone. She flew over a scene of destruction at the mall, and noticed tire marks heading towards a large run-down building, stopping at a large dumpster. Cygni cracked a smile.

"Come now my friend, that's the oldest trick in the book!"

She landed near the dumpster, pulled it open with a heave, and, after digging through a bit of trash, found a small panel underneath. She opened it up and hit the green button.

The dumpster flipped upwards, revealing a large dark cavern. She slowly moved inside, and whirled around in surprise when the dumpster closed behind her.

"Automatic door.. nothing to be scared about.." she whispered to herself. She walked onwards, and found the tunnel to lead to a complex series of sub-tunnels. Reacting on gut instinct, and making good use of her watch, she finally came to a large garage area, where a small group was chatting ahead. She crouched down and moved behind a large container, peering around the edge. She saw Kintaro, Beavis, Butthead, and, most surprisingly, Megane.

"What's he doing here? I figured he was a bit more.. stylish than to hang around with some underground gang..."

She began listening in.

"Uhhh, so like, we're going to Vegas and stuff?" said Butthead.

"Yea, we meet Mr. Large, and he pays us for getting this gang together. After that, we get some additional jobs, and more money." said Kintaro.

"Yea! And chicks! We're gonna score! Heh, this is cool!" yelled Beavis, getting excited.

"Huh huh, yea, we're gonna score..." replied Butthead.

"Vegas... I always was interested in that place.." said Megane, adjusting his glasses slightly.

"We leave in a couple of hours by plane, I've got the tickets set up." Kintaro shifted slightly and pulled out four red tickets.

("You'd better head out of here and go tell Hudson.. this doesn't sound good.")

"Right.."

She shifted slightly, getting ready to stand up, when suddenly the container came toppling down, making a clatter that would wake the deceased.

The group of four spun around, glaring right at her.

"Oh.. SHIT!"

("RUN!")

She rushed towards the door, but was stopped when it slammed in her face. She spun around and saw a scowling Megane holding his palm to a bright red button against the wall. Kintaro began moving towards her, while Beavis and Butthead stared, laughing.

"Heh heh cool, another hot chick!" Beavis began advancing towards her.

"Hey baby.. uhh, wanna like, check out my gun? Huh huh huh.." Butthead began advancing as well.

Megane picked up his Ak-47 that was lying on the ground and aimed it at her.

"You bitch. It's all your fault that my friends stopped respecting me. It's all your fault that I'm never noticed by Lum. It's all your fault that my life is a LIVING HELL!" He punctuated his last words by discharing a couple of rounds, which bounced off the door next to Cygni's head. She flinched.

"I don't feel like hurting him.." she thought to herself.

("Yea well, he seems intent on turning your head into a meat popsicle. Time to make a choice girl.")

She growled and reached for her Desert Eagle. Megane saw this, and yanked on the trigger of his gun, hard.

Cygni had never known what it felt like to have one's stomach explode. The bullets penetrated the sweatshirt and ripped into her midsection, tearing apart the flesh and burying the fine materials of the shirt inside of it. Then an intense pain, far beyond anything she had ever felt before, shot up into her head. She let out an earpiercing scream that would have been heard for miles if it didn't come from underground, then slowly sagged to the ground, clutching her stomach. She looked up at Megane, her vision beginning to fade into red. He saw him gasp in surprise, dropping his weapon to the ground and holding his hands up to his face. Everything was going in slow motion. She saw Kintaro, dragging on his arm, saying "Cmon! We gotta go, they'll be coming soon! And our plane leaves in 30 minutes!" Kintaro began dragging him towards a rear exit. Beavis and Butthead, followed, laughing. The last thing she heard before going unconsious was Beavis asking "Um, why did we have to shoot that hot chick? She's like, cool and stuff!" and Butthead replying "Uh, she was like, a bad girl."

"Oh yea, bad girl.. heh heh!"

She faded out.

Cygni awoke with a start four hours later with a groan, rubbing her head and feeling sick. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Aren't I... supposed to be dead?" she asked herself.

("Remember? You regenerate, unless 90% of your body is destroyed.")

"Shit.."

She checked over her belongings. Everything was still there. They had apparently left right away. She shrugged off the torn shirt and checked her stomach. Aside from a massive red bruise and some small amounts of bleeding, she appeared to be in one piece. She looked at her watch.

"Holy shit.. four hours.. they're long gone by now. I've got to go tell Hudson.."

She struggled to her feet and opened the door, then limped back to the surface.
(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By Parias on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 06:10:
Ack, posted around the same time you did Jocko, sorry >)

The two posts manage to tie into each other pretty good though.. we'll find some way to put Ten into there.

[Lum-chan]

By Jocko on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 06:50:
Okay, thanks... I really wanted to have something with Ten and Hudson trying to eat cross-continental airplane food and, of course, Ten needs to be there to smack some sense into Kintaro. Cool?

[Lum-chan]

By Parias on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 07:51:
No problemo seniour >)

[Lum-chan]

By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 20:24:
Mr large said "Hhehehe! take your best shot at me I dare you." he put down his gun. Cygni blasted him and a bullet wiwizzed through his head breaking his sunglasses. Mr Large stumbled and said "Ahh just what I needed to wake me up." He picked up his gun and said "You forget like my brother Kota chan I'm a spirit cat. You'll need spirit weapons to kill me." Mr Large picked his gun back up and said "Now what do you intend to do now?".
Outside the building sigfreid and Roy steped out of a limo. In the back of the limo was a shadowy figure poofing on a cigar. "Mr large is in there. You two go in there and take him out like we planned."

[Lum-chan]

By Parias on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 21:41:
(RP ON)
Cygni grimaced. "What a day to leave my sword at home.." she muttered to herself.

Hudson, Jeriten, and Sergei came up behind her, thundering up the stairs like a stampede of elephants. She turned around and held up her hand. They stopped half way up the final flight of stairs. When she turned her head again, the room was empty, save for Cherry.

She walked over to the monk, who had pulled out a small pack of food and was eating contently, and put a scowl on her face.

"Where the hell did they go?"

He shrugged. "It does not matter to me. They are doomed to unluckyness."

"The hell it doesn't!" She grabbed him by the neck and held him in the air.

"Did.. not.. see.. where.. they.. went..." he gasped.

She sighed and dropped him to the ground, then turned around to the group.

"Sorry guys, they bugged out. I learned one thing though. Seems Megane is an unwitting pawn in some greater conspiracy... he was ready to drop the whole damn thing and come home if we forgot what had happened."

Hudson nodded. "Glad to hear.. at least he has some decency left."

Cygni nodded back, and paused, looking around the room. "How the HELL could they have all gotten away so fast?"

Sergei shrugged. "Maybe some kind of.. cloaking device?"

"How would one stupid gang get ahold of advanced technology like that?"

"Don't underestimate them my dear.."

"Right... anyways, I guess we're back to square one. They could be anywhere by now."

Hudson nodded. "I've booked us a room..we should head to the hotel and rest for a bit, see what we can do."

"_A_ room?" Cygni said icily.

"Yes.."

"You mean a COUPLE of rooms."

Hudson shook his head. "Prices are pretty damn high around here, and it's been awhile since I've checked my American account.. we're gonna have to live with one for now."

"You know perfectly well I've got an assload of cash sitting in my pocket.."

"They don't take yen."

Cygni cussed, walked out of the room, and headed downstairs, muttering. Sergei gave Hudson a face.

"One room was the best you could do? There's two of us, not counting Ten, and one female. Hey, where did he get to anyways?"

"Ten? I think he went down with Cygni.."

"Poor kid. With Lum unconsious, he's got nobody else to turn to.."

"He's a trooper, he'll be fine. Anyways, don't worry about the room, it's pretty large, so you guys can have your 'intimate moments' undisturbed."

"What? I.. er.. um.."

Hudson laughed. "I'm kidding. Come on, lets go."

The couple chuckled to themselves and began walking down the stairs to the street level, leaving Cherry alone in the room, munching on food.

"Such unlucky faces.." he murmured.
(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 22:23:
Mr Large got up on top of the roof through a trap door with Megane in a headlock. Kintaro said "Hey howed we get up here? What are you gonna do with him?"

Mr Large held Megane over the side of the roof with one hand "I'm gonna make street pizza out of him because he's a squeeler!" Megane tried to get loose of Mr Larges grip but he was to strong. Meganes glasses fell of his face and ounto the street. Kintaro said "Hey wait a minute! Dont you think it's little harsh droping him off the roof?"

Mr Large pointed his gun at Kintaro "You gonna argue with me to?"
Just then a whip cracked mr Larges hand sliceing his gun in half. Mr large said "You! You wont take me alive Beastmaster!"
Sigfreid and Roy steped out of the shadows. They glowed and fused together. Beastmaster the combined Sigfreid and Roy steped foreward with his whip "Mr Large! Youve been a thorn in the side of my boss for to long. It's curtans see! And the curtans arent pastel theyre red! The color of blood!"
Kintaro got destracted and mr Large yanked the ax out of Kintaros hand and flung it at Beastmaster. Mr Large jumped off the roof and landed on top of Hudsons car making a big dent in the roof. He ran off on foot. Beastmaster Grabbed Megane and Kintaro "You two are coming with me!" Beast master jumped off the roof and landed on Hudsons car again leaving two foot shaped dents in the hood and took off after mr Large carrying Megane and Kintaro under one arm.

[Lum-chan]

By Jocko on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 04:11:
(RP ON)

Hudson and company ran out of the building to find the rented Buick had crazy dents on its roof, hood, and trunk.

For a few moments everyone just stood there stunned. Ten spoke first, "well I guess they were hiding on the roof all along."

"Viva Las Vegas," Warren murmured.

Sergei nodded, "no use in looking for them now...shit, if only *one* of us had stayed behind with the car!"

Cygni jabbed Sergei in the ribs and pointed at Jariten. "Oh...er."

Ten yawned and floated over to Hudson's arms, "I'm tired, and need a diaper change."

"Oh...nuts." Hudson sighed as they got into the car and went to the hotel.

(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By Parias on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 05:47:
(RP ON)
As the dented vehicle drove on down the street, Cygni made a face.

"..Black Erotica Hotel.. Dance-me-to-sleep...Bug your eyes out.. I hope you're not planning on stopping at any of these."

Hudson smiled. "Of course not. We have a young passenger with us... and I prefer going for something a bit more.. classy."

After driving for awhile, they stopped in front of a hotel marked "El Gamblore."

"French hotel?" Cygni made a face.

"No, but the name does inspire you to go there, doesn't it?"

"A bed's a bed to me. And I don't even want to imagine how much you paid to get a room in this place.." Cygni got out of the car and looked upwards at the towering golden behemoth that called itself a hotel.

"Ten dollars."

"What? Let me guess.. run down room?"

Hudson shook his head, smiling.

"Rats? Broken pipes? Dented ceiling? Torn wallpaper?"

Hudson continued shaking his head.

"What the hell is the godamn catch?"

"That we keep quiet. I'm friends with the manager..."

"Keep quiet eh? No problem there.."

They entered the building. Inside was a large classy lobby, with various elevators lining the walls. A few doors led off to other areas, marked gambling, food, theatre, and others.

"A hotel I would have killed to been in a few years ago.." Cygni whistled.

They walked over to a receptionist standing behind a desk. "May I help you?" the man said, obviously tired and bored.

Hudson held out a small card. "I have a reservation for room 346..."

The man slid the card through a small slot, then returned it to Hudson. "I'm sorry sir, but there's a small problem in that room.. your reservation has been moved to room 468."

Hudson shrugged. "It happens. Thanks."

"Mmmmmhmmm..." The man leaned back on his stool and returned to the issue of Playboy he was reading.

The group entered one of the elevators and proceeded to the 36th floor, then headed to room 468. Hudson gaped in surprise after opening the door.

"Wow.. looks like we got a room twice as large as the last one! Privacy definately won't be an issue..."

Even Sergei was impressed. "A lot better than those damned closets they call quarters I used to live in.."

Jeriten shrugged. "It's average."

A couple of hours later, Sergei and Hudson sat in the room on a couple of large chairs, watching TV, while Cygni and Jeriten were out cruising the city. Cygni had mumbled something about "getting real money and a real car" and Ten had simply followed without saying a word.

Hudson looked over at Sergei and grinned. "So you guys haven't been at each other ahead of time?"

Sergei looked insulted. "I treat my women with respect, that's the true way to win them over. And besides, we haven't even discussed it yet. I'm waiting on her call."

"When's the wedding scheduled for anyways?"

"Well, thanks to a few extra events, such as what we're doing now, we've pushed it back a few days untill this is all cleared up.. it'll be around the first week of December at the latest..."

"Buy her a dress yet?"

"I don't know if I should.. she'd probably complain about it being 'too cumbersome' and take the skimpiest clothing possible, naturally embarssing the entire crowd in the process. It's hard to decide if she's a curse or a charm!"

Hudson smiled. "You two get together fine.. I'm sure it'll work out."

Sergei's face went dark. "It's not always prim and perfect with us.. she gets all defensive whenever I begin 'caring' for her. We haven't had any arguments yet, but it's only a matter of time..."

"As I said my friend,, I'm sure it'll work out."

Sergei sighed, and they turned back to the TV.

Deep in downtown Vegas, inside of a casino, Cygni was attracting a lot of attention. Ten watched over her shoulder as she popped a quarter into the large slot machine, yanked the handle, and had a pile of money fall out. It happened over and over and over again.

"What kind of machine is this?" Ten asked. "You just put in a quarter, and it turns into a lot more money! I fail to see the practical application of it.."

"I'm just really lucky or something. Generally you're only supposed to get money one time out of ten.. or something like that." She yanked the handle again, and reached for an extra bowl as more money spilled out. A crowd was forming behind her.

"Lemme try!" said Ten.

"Sure, why the hell not?"

Ten hovered down to the large pile of quarters sitting next to the machine, picked one up, slid it into the slot, then, with a large amount of effort, slowly yanked the handle down.

Cygni gawked as 3 pictures of a large bag of cash rolled into place. Lights began flashing, alarms sounded, and a massive amount of quarters began spilling out of the machine, most of it overflowing from the small tray and spilling onto Cygni's lap, and then the floor. A young man shoved his way past the crowd and began yelling at her in excitement.

"Congratulations miss! You've hit the one-in-one-thousand jackpot! You've got yourself ten million dollars in American cash and the car on display up there!"

He pointed to a large stage, where a Lamborghini was slowly turning around. The man began pumping her hand wildly.

"Congratulations again! What's your name?"

"Cygni...." she said, still trying to take all this in.

"Congratulations Cygni! Please, if you will allow the press a few pictures..."

She turned on her stool as various media reporters began yelling at her. "Miss Cygni, please, this way! Smile for the camera!"

After absorbing all of what had just happened, she flashed a grin, and flashes went off all aroud her as cameras clicked and reporters began sending thousands of questions her way.

Ten hovered over and whisper in her ear. "Uh.. did I do something wrong?"

"Just the opposite kid.." she said out of the corner of her mouth.

Back in the hotel, Hudson and Sergei were preparing to head off to sleep, when the door burst open and Cygni stumbled in, carrying four oversized bags of cash on her shoulders. Ten hovered in behind her, holding a pair of keys in his hand.

Sergei and Hudson gawked, stunned, as Cygni dropped the bags on the floor with a loud thud and extended a hand towards the wall, leaning against it and catching her breath.

"What the hell did you do, rob a bank?"

Cygni grinned. "No, I hit the jackpot. Whoever said gambling would make you go broke must be spinning in his grave.."

"Gambling?"

"We're in Vegas, I figured I'd go take the chance."

Hudson made a face. "What I'd like to know is how you got Ten in there."

"Well, there were some strange reactions to him floating, so I just kinda gave em a glare and they went on their way." She patted the gun on her hip.

"What are the keys for?"

"Our new method of transportation."

"Wha?"

"You'll see it when you wake up tomorrow. Now, why don't we get some sleep, so we can get this damn mystery out of the way?"

They stood there, simply gaping in shock.

"Well, you guys can sleep standing up if you want. I'm heading off to bed."

She walked over into the second room, closing the door behind her. Sounds could be heard of her taking off her bikini top with a snap and crawling into bed. Sergei and Hudson attempted to recover.

"How.. much money has she got in there anyways?" Sergei asked.

"Too much... too much.." Hudson held a hand to his head.

Sergei sighed. "I'm heading off to bed too. Good night."

He walked over to the closed door where Cygni had gone and turned the handle, which resulted in a clicking noise.

"Seems to be.. locked.."

Hudson smiled. "She probably wants a bit of time to herself.. it's been a living hell for her lately. We'll take the couches."

Sergei sighed and nodded.

"She'll be the death of us all sooner or later..imagine how many people spotted her lugging that cash up here."

"I doubt they'll be a problem. Come on, lets get some sleep."

(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By Jocko on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 07:32:
Happy New Year to all UY fans everywhere.

(RP ON)

Hudson woke up at around 2:30 AM shaken, not stirred. He was lonely, after he and Sergei managed to give Ten a change of diaper, they had pretty much fallen right to sleep. But all this talk about sex, relationships, and marriage had gotten to Warren. He missed Ryouko. Hudson had been wanting to take her on a grand tour of the States for a while. First it would be the house his first wife and him maintained in suburban Lincoln then Washington DC, New York, New Orleans, and then finally Las Vegas.

Abruptly Hudson realized that it was daytime in Japan. He grinned, got up and went into the next room and seated himself in a chair. He picked up the phone.

Tomobiki, Mendou Mansion...

Ryouko was lying in bed reading a book when the phone rang.

She picked it up, "Yes? Warren-kun?"

[Yeah! Well, we got to Las Vegas all right but couldn't stop Mr. Large, or Smalls, or whoever the hell we're after.]

"What about Megane-san?"

[He's a pawn in this, Kintaro seems to be a bit more enthusiastic about it as usual, but is still in way over his head. Beavis and Butthead are just following the money, chicks and guns.]

"Be careful, Warren-kun!"

[I will, Ryouko-chan. Rest assured of that.]

"Isn't it early morning there? Why aren't you sleeping?"

[To be completely honest, Mendou-sama. I missed you. I kept thinking how great it would be to have you here in the States with me on pleasure, and not damage control.]

"Warren-kun, does any of your political friends know you're there?"

[Uh, no. I've tried to keep this as hush-hush as possible. Only my Marine pal Hal Allynsdale, the General Manager of this hotel, knows I'm here.]

"You never talked much about war comrades, Warren-kun..."

[True, a lot of them who are still alive took a dislike to the level of esteem the Japanese people hold me, and my forgiveness and constant "looking ahead." I don't think my defense of homosexuals in the military endeared me to them either. And there is also the question of my open negotiations with ETs, my marriage to a Sorceress, and my lack of support for the Vietnam War that still gets me into bar fights sometimes... Oh yeah, there's this wonderful rich brown girl in Japan who likes me a lot too.]

Ryouko smiled innocently, "Oh? Anyone in Tokyo?"

[Yes...]

"You know, I can be out there with you by this afternoon," she mused.

[We'll probably be finished by then, to be honest. Although the thought appeals to me, dear. I'll try to be back in Tomobiki tomorrow, Ryouko. I promise, and I'm bringing everyone home with me.]

"How's Ten-chan?"

[Okay. He got a sour stomach from the airline food, had to change him three freakin' times...]

Ryouko giggled.

[Hey stop that laughing...it ain't funny.]

"I'm...sorry!" she laughed this time.

[Anyways, I read Ten-chan a story and he's out cold. As a matter of fact, he's floating in the bathroom doorway as we speak.]

"What story did you read?"

[A sanitized passage from Hunter Thompson's "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72," it was the only thing I had with me! Politician's honor!]

Ryouko laughed, "Your secret's safe with me, dear. Hurry home, Warren-kun."

[Bye, dearest. You're only thing I have to keep me going now. Oh yeah, Cygni won ten million dollars playing the slots with Ten, so I won't be needing any money wired to me.]

Ryouko was speechless as Hudson took a sip of water half a world away in the gambling/sex capital of the Western World.

[...So how's Lum and Ataru?]

(RP OFF)

[Lum-chan]

By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 07:35:
Kintaro kicked his legs andand tried to punch beastmaster who had him tied in a chair with Megane. Kintaro said "I'm an innocent bystandard you hear! I was framed!"
Beastmaster diffused back into Sigfreid and Roy. Sigfreid and Roy opened a curtan and the taco bell dog jumped out. Kintaro said "Hey are you that Bakuto guy in disquise?"
The dog said "Hey this guys trying to insult me! tie his mouth shut!" The taco bell dog walked over and said "My real name is of no concern of yours. You may call me mr Above average size. I'm a gangster who had a curse placed on me by mr Large. But my time of revenge has almost come. I've whiped out most of his men and have moved in on his operation. Now you two! Tell me everything you know about mr Large! Call in the enterrogator!"

The interrogator walks in. It's that kindergarten teacher who interrogated Kintaro when he visited the earth kindergarten in Japan! Kintaro said "Oh no Megane! Were done for!"

Cygni had gone to sleep in her room. When she woke up she saw Cherry and Beavis playing cards with her money "How did you get in here?!? I thought I locked the door?!?" she shouted. Cherry answered "Fate let us in." Worse yet she noticed Butthead lying on her lap! "huhuhuhu! soft!" Cygni blasted him!