Road To Strangeness <Ba Sing Se, Earth Kingdom>

[gengoro]

His options are running out. He knew that if he didn't do something quick, he and his companion will die. He tried to think on what to do. With his hand braced to the ground, he had no choice but to use his other limbs.

The thug gave his legs enough room to sqeeze one of his legs from under the thug. With a forceful thrust, he used his mementum not only to crush his genitals, but to also push forward the thug on top of him. The thug fell back. He didn't want to push his luck with having his genitals being useless.

Gengoro stood up, the reverse serrated maio dao in his hand, ready to taste blood.

"Idiot, do you realize who you are dealing with?" one of the thugs spat as he pulled out his dagger.

"I'm dealing with a bunch of cowards who don't know how to fight a straight fight. I'm sick of having to be nice to you punks. I'm tired of asking you questions, so let me be blunt. None of you are going to make it out of this alive. The question is, who is the most eager to die first?"

The thugs saw crimson in their eyes as they all charged forward to Gengoro, ready to shed his blood.

"Go ahead and charge me!" Gengoro screamed, "I WANT TO EVERYONE TO KNOW, INCLUDING YAO ON WHO THE HELL THEIR DEALING WITH!"

[xun]

Idiot indeed!, Xun's mind spat as he laid on the ground, faking unconsciousness.

Maybe I should have expected as much..., Xun assumed as Gengoro argued with their assailants, he is a soldier. And a Fire Nation one at that! Caring little for the distinction that Gengoro professed himself to be a deserter and in essence a turncoat.

"None of you are going to make it out of this alive," he heard Gengoro's voice.

Himself almost sighing. Not so much at the prospect of killing as he was aiding a (supposedly former) Fire Nation soldier harm and even kill his own countrymen.

"The question is, who is the most eager to die first?"

Xun's eyes squinted open, knowing that all attention was off him by now. Firmly his palms pushed into the ground.

As the assailants sprinted towards Gengoro, one of Xun's hands darted forward. Grasping an ankle of one of the trailing thugs. Pulling his arm back as he began to stand his captive fell face first to the ground with a hard smack. Before the man could scramble, Xun was already on his feet and began to fiercely pull at the man's leg.

"So much--" Xun began to heave the man in an overhead swing "for them taking us to Yao!" he brought the human club atop one of the unlucky attackers.

"But I guess--" grabbing the man's other leg as he roared over the voices for Gengoro to hear him ''we can always beat a location out of them!"

With both legs of his captive held, Xun began swung the (hopefully unconscious) human club laterally as he and Gengoro fought the mass between them.

[gengoro]

With his own anger to fuel the power in his strokes, Gengoro charged forward at the assailants. Not caring whether he gets out of this alive or not, he plunged his sword into the belly of one of the thugs. The weight of the corpse held the sword down. With the serrated edge catching on one of the bones, Gengoro had a difficult time pulling out the blade.

The surrounding cutthroats didn't flinch as they charged at Gengoro. Two more behind the group went to take care of Xun as they watched him swing the unconscious bodies.

While watching the other men go after him, Gengoro had to let go of his sword and went hand to hand with the other goons. Using his Fire Nation fighting style, he cupped his hands to make it look like a tiger's paw and slashed forward using his nails and his palm to grab weapons. He grabbed one of the throats of the punks and sqeezed the windpipe. As the victim gasped for air, he swung his body around to use it as an inprovised shield to keep the other grunts at bay.

"Where the hell is you boss?" Gengoro demanded.
"Why the hell should I tell you?" one of the thugs called out.
"Cause if you don't, you will end up like this guy," Gengoro replied.

The man that Gengoro grabbed became lifeless as Gengoro grabbed his head with both of his arms and twisted his neck. The body fell to the ground with a loud impact.

One thug who was brass enough to talk, began to speak.

"What does it matter if we told you?" he said, "Before long, you, me, and that other guy won't be here for long after they show up."

[xun]

"They?" Xun smirked as he tossed an unconscious body aside. "Or they or the they," he openly mocked their lone captive with disdain. The thugs comrades lie along the ground, dead or unconscious if they were lucky.

"I doubt the green spooks care all that much by what goes on down here," those green spooks being his reference to the city's agents of the Dai Li. "Otherwise refuse like you would have been dealt with so long ago," he intoned as he strode towards the man.

Casting a gaze about at what crowd remained in after the brief scuffle, mostly just curious and nosy onlookers, Xun clasped a hand on the man's shoulder. Frimly clenching it.

"Understand," he began. His voice low and calm as he spoke his intent. "I have grown more than tired with you and your band of riff-raff. And when I get tired, I get cranky. And when I'm cranky..." a toothy and menacing smile protruded from his face.

"I'm quite capable of ripping off a man's arm and beating him to death with it," firmly clenching the man's shoulder again for emphasis.

[gengoro]

One man had enough calm to actually react favorably to Xun's shoulder touch.

"I'm not talking about the Dai Li you idiot!" the man spat, "I highly doubt the Dai Li would want to drive out people in the city. When I mean 'they', I'm talking about the Fire Nation army. Rumor is spreading that they will be attacking soon, and when they do, you better be long gone from here."

"You're lying!" Gengoro shouted as he killed another thug that attacked him, "They wouldn't have gotten found out so easily by some thug."

"Think I'm lying?" the one man mocked, "Why do you think the Thunderfist is here? You think a bunch of barbarians like them would just scroll into the city on a whim? Doubt it. In fact, their probably here to help."

With one of the last men down bleeding from their wounds, Gengoro cleaned and sheathed his sword and walked toward Xun and the subdued thug.

"Listen, I really want to get out of here before the Fire Nation arrive, so if it means that much to you, I will take you to Yao's stronghold in exchange with you guys leaving me be. Do we have a deal?"

"Only if you leave the old man, his family, and his restaurant alone from now on. Is that understood?" Gengoro demanded.

"Fine. It's not like it's going to be there much longer anyways," the man taunted.

[xun]

Fiercely, Xun's teeth clenched shut inside his mouth despite the expression of true shock on Gengoro's face. Truly a deserter or not, Gengoro was still Fire Nation in his eyes. In Xun's mind, this, coupled with coincidental appearance so near to the Fire Nation supposedly coming arrival cast further suspicion upon Gengoro. Attempting to remember what he could about the Thunderfist Battalion was becoming secondary compared to being attentive to Gengoro.

The Fire Nation may be making another push at Ba Seng Se, he thought. But that does not mean Gengoro could not be part of it some how.

"Be that as it may," Xun's attention returned to his and Gengoro's captive . "But unless you want to stay in this city long enough to see that happen, " squeezing the captive's shoulder. "You will lead us to Yao. Now."

"Here!" The thug was then pushed to Gengoro. "Hold on to him," Xun took a look about at there surroundings as he began to search the down bodies of unconscious and dead alike. Robbing a few of their money pouches as he procured a couple of dagger from the hands of others.

"Let's go," he told them both upon finishing. Sticking the daggers into his belt.

[gengoro]

Keeping the sharp edge at the throat of the subdued thug as they walked down the alleyway.

"If you do anything remotely stupid, you will die," Gengoro eerily said. As they were walking down the dark alley, Gengoro thought of his brother. Tsu must of made it up in the ranks over the years. He wonders if he still remember who he was, or when he betrayed the trust and the colors of the Fire nation. He knew if the Fire Nation did invade Ba Seng Sei, they will execute him.

They continued down the alley. As they got to the end of the alley, they reached another slum that was in the part of the city. This time, the area was pretty abandoned as no one was around the area.

"This way," the thug told Gengoro. He had no choice but to take his word. The thug lead Xun and he to a large storage facility with some ostrich-horses tied to some wagons. There were a few goons loading what appeared to be belongings onto those wagons.

"As you can see," the thug pointed out, "We were trying to leave the city until you showed up."

"What did any of this had to do with Chou?" Gengoro asked him.
"We needed money, and he was making a pretty decent amount," the thug confessed, "Even if he refused protection money, we still got some pleasure of breaking his stuff."

[xun]

Upon arrival, Xun shook his head at the scene before him. Observing as the their captive's comrades were loading whatever likely the loot and materials they could. Likely planning on leaving the city by night fall.

"You act as if you can actually get anywhere," he told the man held by Gengoro. "Do you honestly think that Fire Nation will not try and halt or even blockade any traffic along the main highways and roads?" Though he could not blame the men and their fear of what could happen, a derisive snort came to Xun nonetheless.

Like rats fleeing a burning building, he thought.

Any civilian with the knowledge of the enroaching Fire Nation army would likely flee. He had seen it more than once before himself. And if worse came to worst, he assumed--pray the ancestors and the Gods they did not--if the Fire Nation ever gets beyond the outer wall and near the inner wall then it will the people in the innerwall's lower ring that would take the burnt of such a catastrophe.

"Any ideas?" Xun turned to Gengoro. Almost feeling feeling sorry for these men. If only almost. The were criminals nonetheless. Every other citizen in the lower ring and outer wall however, he had outright pity towards.

[gengoro]

Before Gengoro could answer Xun's question, they hear footsteps from the building. At first, they sounded soft. As seconds went on, they became progressibly louder.

A broken door opened from the building. Gengoro looked over to see what it was and saw a rather large man with a brown tunic and trousers. Both articles of clothing look to be made of cotton. His hair looked completely unkempt and long chin hairs grow under his chin.

"So you two are the ones causing me all of this trouble for this old man?" the large man spoke.

"That is correct," Gengoro replied, "Are you Yao?"
"That's me," Yao spoke, "The one and only."

From his pocket, he took out a small pipe with a bag of tobacco. He lit what appeared to be a match as he smoked from his pipe.

"Normally, I would make sure you guys wouldn't start any more trouble with my gang, but as you can see, we are a little busy. As you may know or not, the Fire Nation is on their way."

"Right now, that doesn't matter," Gengoro spoke, "All I know is that Fu Chou...."

"Fu Chou won't be harassed anymore," Yao interrupted, "As you can see, we have bigger problems. If you wish, hell, you can start helping us. Get us the hell out of here, and all of this trouble you started with my gang I can probably forgive and forget."

[xun]

Xun shook his head in disbelief. Uncertain if it was due to Yao's intelligent cowardice that his mobility offered him or the fact that Fu Chou, short strongarmed into handing over a parting tax, would be left alone so easily.

"Like rats fleeing out of a burning building," he said. Folding his arms as he spoke loud enough so only Gengoro would hear.

But the fact that Yao and his hoods were departing Ba Sing Sei, and thus Fu Chou along with many others would no longer be terrorized by Yao, these men were still criminals.

Xun's brow furrowed as his fists clenched within his folded arms.

They can not be allowed to walk away free like this, he thought.

If Gengoro did not plan on stopping Yao he would do so himself. Though most likely he would need some backup.

More than likely he could head to the nearest percinct. Maybe even to whoever low level constables and office Yao was paying off. Informing them that Yao was leaving town and not only drying up some of their added income but with a lot more than he would have paid them. And if that did not stir them he could make Yao's arrest an official order under the authority of the Earth King.

And there was also the city's green spooks. The agents of the Dai Li. He could likely instigate what Yao's departure could cause. That not only did Yao now that the Fire Nation was nearing, which was true, but he and his gang could likely cause widespread panic in the lower ring as they continued to spread such knowledge.

But such options would not be fully thought out until after Gengoro's decision.

[gengoro]

Gengoro gritted his teeth after hearing Yao's proposal. Never in his life did he feel so disgusted from such cowardice. It almost reminded him of himself a few years back when he was running from the Fire Nation.

He palmed the hilt of his blade, knowing what he must do.

"I must admit that you are smart," Gengoro exclaimed, "Smart enough that when a threat came, you would run. The Fire Nation is coming, and you would run away. I commend you for that."

Gengoro's eyes got serious now as he stared down Yao.

"Now, only if you were that smart when you were stealing from Fu Chou. He would of kicked your ass. He refrained, however, knowing what you would do to his family. He couldn't attack you or your henchmen. Still, you decided to steal. Then a threat came along in two."

That last phrase of his, Gengoro glanced at Xun real quickly, then continued to stare down Yao, "A threat showed up, beat up your thugs, and you continued to steal. Where was your smarts then?"

He slowly pulled out the steel from his scabbard and pointed it straight at Yao.

"Coward, or stupid. The reason is unknown. All I know is, however, I cannot allow you to live after all you've done. So this leaves you with two choices. Either fight us and die, or kill yourself and still have some dignity. Either way, I'm satisfied."

[xun]

Despite Gengoro being a coward, a deserter and a member of the Fire Nation (in spite of his desertion status), Xun could not help but agree with this man. Yao may have been calling off his... ''business'' with Fu Chou and other residents of Ba Sing Se but that would just mean others elsewhere would have to deal with him and his hoods.

And though he had a problem with Gengoro murdering his country men, criminals though they were, this time he could always let his mind slide with what Gengoro would be doing yet again. Afterall, Xun considered, he might end up having to do such himself.

"Do not worry," Xun jested as a hand reached into his belt.

"If you plan on taking the way out," drawing one of the plundered knives from his belt, "I have you covered."

"And if you prefer the other way, then this still will come in handy," flipping the knife over and waving it, holding the blade end, in his hand.

[gengoro]

Yao couldn't help but give a smirk as he listened to the both of them.

"Honor huh?" Yao exclaimed, "Such an outdated philosophy. What utter nonsense. Honor means nothing. What holds power is not honor, but loyalty and fear.

He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. With the sounds echoing in the area, twenty men from the warehouse came out to greet the two unfortunate pursuers.

"You see friends, honor is a crutch that holds on to hope. Honor is powerless to loyalty. People will know fear and your own men will fear you with a display of power. With fear comes loyalty, for all of my men fear me! With that, you can die with the honor you cherished!"

He snapped his fingers again. After the snap, the twenty thugs pulled out some crude knives and carelessly charged forward, screaming like wild animals.

Gengoro, eager for a fight, took his first swing at an unfortunate goon and dropped him to the ground with leaking crimson. The splatter of blood made its mark upon his face like raindrops. Eight bandits surrounded him as they circle him. Another eight surrounded Xun, and the remaining three waited toward Yao. Yao smiled as his troops surrounded the doomed bodyguard and rival gang member. Gengoro waited patiently for them to make the first move.

"How are we doing Xun?" Gengoro jested, "You think we got a chance?"

[xun]

"Heh," Xun morbidly smirked as he and Gengoro were charged at.

Never the easy way with these people, he thought as the first man was cut down by the over eager Gengoro. The on the deserter's face as well as the spatter of blade inwardly made Xun regret associating with Gengoro. Yet again.

"Wish I brought along my Little Peacemaker today," he muttered to himself as he and Gengoro were quickly surrounded by eight men each. "Damn my bright ideas," cursing at how useful a tetsubo, or any sort of polearm for that matter, would be incredibly useful about now. More so with a pack of men holding nothing but knives against them.

"How are we doing?" Gengoro seemed to joke while Xun flipped a earlier plundered knife in his hand. Now holding the handle. "You think we got a chance?"

On one knee Xun knelt and leaned forward. "Eight to one is a rather unfair advantage," he roared. Immediately he charged at an opposing knife wielder in front of him, waving his own knife around. As the man tried to evade the knife, Xun quickly clotheslined the man. Capturing the neck in the crook of his elbow. Xun swung his body around to stand behind the man. Stabbing him upwards in the back while he held him in a headlock. "Twelve to one would be a fairer fight," humoring with a savage smile.

Using his victim as a human shield, Xun began to pull forth another knife as he began dragging the two of the man with him. Trying to decide whether to move towards Gengoro's circle or closer to the wagons.

[gengoro]

Xun was clever. Using one of the down minions as a shield proved highly effective. Indeed, he has fought before.

Gengoro, however needed to concentrate. Seven thugs were still on him, waiting to spill his blood. With a flick of his wrist, the blood from his sword sprayed into the eyes of one of the minions. He screamed in confusion as he covered his eyes, but then fell silent as the blade went through his misguided heart. His cold fell to the ground as Gengoro continued to fight. Never in his life he fought for someone than the Fire Nation. With the thought of the Fire Nation invading Ba Seng Sei soon, Gengoro felt a little pale. He knew that if he got caught, he would surely die.

Yao looked in amusement as he watched the two fight for their lives. He pulled out his dao sword as he ordered his two elite guards to enter the fray. He cautiously walked forward to enjoy some of the action.

After falling another unfortuante grunt, Gengoro now only had six thugs on him. His breath was getting more rapid and his throat becoming dry from the combination of dust in the air and his rapid breathing. The thugs continued to circle around him, waiting for an opening as Gengoro stayed in his defensive position.