Chapter Text
Chapter 1: First Patrol
It was a scratching sound that brought them out of their conversation. Recognizing the sound of boots on desert sand, the pair stood still. The man, his face turning into a fierce expression, rather than showing content a moment before, put his right hand on his holster that was attached to his belt. Even in the fading light his bright red hair stood out dramatically against the bland desert that surrounded them. The person beside him, a young curly haired girl of about ten, stood quietly. The man, the Killjoy known as Party Poison, scanned the general direction of the footsteps, but he couldn’t make out any movement.
Party was the leader of the Fabulous Four, a team of Killjoys who fought everyday against the Better Living Industries. Though, most days they fought indirectly against the corrupt corporation. They mainly fought back by leading raids against BLI factories and just helping other Zoners survive. In fact, there were a number of different groups of Killjoys, people who the BLI had labeled as a criminal because they would not conform to their “utopian” society and then cast them to the Zones. These people, who quickly began calling themselves Killjoys, worked constantly to thwart anything that BLI was associated with. The Fabulous Four were by far the most well-known of the Killjoys simply because of how many times they’ve been successful in working against the BLI and taking care of other Zoners.
However, not everyone in the Zones had such good intentions. There were quite a few who decided they would rather rob, and kill, other Zoners for supplies, and even some who enjoyed it.
Needless to say, Party knew better than to assume that whoever’s footsteps he’d heard were full of good intentions. With his bright yellow painted ray gun now out of its holster and in his hand, he walked forward slowly.
“Party?”, a quiet voice spoke up from his side. Missile Kid, Grace was her given name, glanced up at him with worry in her eyes. He knew that she trusted him, but Party could tell that despite her trust, she was scared. Out here, even she knew how dangerous it could be if they were caught in an ambush.
“It’s fine Missile.”, Party said as he quietly walked a few paces forward. He knew better than to use her real name; in the Zones, if the wrong person found your true name, the BLI would have a field day with it.
With ray gun up, he moved slowly in the direction of the sound. It was just dark enough so he knew that even the tiny desert plants would be able to hide someone well enough if they wanted. As he moved forward, Party heard something move behind him. Missile knew better than to disrupt a situation like this and he knew it. Quickly turning around, he was met with a man, in a bright orange mask, with a gun to Missile’s head. She wasn’t struggling, she was simply looking forward. She was trying to be brave for him, but Party knew how dangerous the situation had just gotten.
Taking a deep breath, Party held his hands up and slowly placed his gun down into the sand. He’d have to clean the sand out of it for weeks, that is, if they make it out. No. They will make it out, and then he will gladly clean that gun until it’s as clean as the day he painted it.
Focusing his attention back to the man who had a hold of Missile, Party took another breath and then spoke.
“Look, whatever you want, we don’t have it. We’re not causing you any trouble so just leave us be. You really don’t want to start something.”, Party said smoothly. His voice was wildly different now, there was no emotion behind it. Just anger. It was a stark difference from how he had spoken to Missile moments before.
Whoever was behind the mask simply smiled and pressed the gun further into Missile’s neck. She didn’t cry out but did squirm and a whimper escaped her mouth.
Shit, Party thought, he knew that he had to think fast. Despite this, he kept his facial expression blank.
“That so pretty boy?” The masked man said as he let out a laugh, but there was no joy behind it. The sound made Party’s blood boil.
“You see, Party Poison, we know about you and the rest of your group. Ya’ll’re all talk. And ya know what? If I was here alone, well I’d be quaking in my boots. But you see, even you can’t ghost five guys on your own.”, the masked man was beaming now. His eyes wide, he was loving this. It only made Party more furious. As he began to reach for his gun again, the masked man nodded his head.
Party watched as five more men walked in from the shadows, all of them with weapons. Thankfully none had ray guns but each had vicious looking knives. Party looked back to Missile, she was struggling again now against the man but she had no chance; he was too strong. God, how Party wished the rest of his team were here. Together they could easily take six men, but alone, Party wasn’t sure. He was exhausted from a day of scouting and, with Missile Kid caught up in this he had to be more careful. He needed a plan, a good one.
Normally in a situation like this, he would go for his gun and shoot all of them with no other thoughts about it. This was different though. If he made a move for the gun they would hurt Grace. Party tried to clear his mind but his thoughts kept going back to Grace.
Grace was a whole other person compared to Missile Kid. Grace was kind and happy. Missile was strong, fearless. Poison rarely got to see Grace any more, in their world, there was no room for innocence. That was a fact that he had accepted. That evening though, talking with her while on patrol, he’d gotten to see a bit of Grace again. Hell, he’d started to feel a little less like Party Poison and more like his old self.
Suddenly there was a knife pressing into his side. Shit. He hadn’t been paying attention; he’d gotten lost in thought, and now he’d just managed to make their situation worse. He felt the knife barely pierce the skin, even with his blue dyed leather jacket on. He bit back a grimace at the pain. There went any hopes that the jacket would protect him. Their knives were razor sharp and he knew this only made their situation more dire.
“Look boys, what do you want? We’re just scouting. We mean no harm to your territory. Let us go, we won’t bother you. You have my word.” He spoke slowly, trying to show them his sincerity. These men, weren’t evil. No, they were starving and scared just like everyone else. If Party could reason with them, then maybe they’d make it out with any one getting hurt.
“No, I think it’d be easier just to kill you, then take all of your things.”, the man with the knife still stabbing into his side spoke into his ear. Party felt the knife go in deeper and couldn’t help a surprised cry from escaping. He felt the warm blood running down his side now. Missile began struggling again but the man holding her tightened his hold and she quickly tired out. She looked up at the masked man, and glared at him. Her eyes gave her message loud and clear. Just you wait. Party is going to make you pay.
Shit. He needed a plan, now.
“Look guys, I’ve tried my best to be polite, but if you move that knife a centimeter more I will tear you apart.”, Party said with venom in every syllable.
Finally, the men looked scared, all sending each other worried glances. They’d heard the rumors about the people who’d crossed the infamous Party Poison. Their informant had assured them that he’d gone soft ever since they’d found and adopted a young girl. Assured them that all they had to do was put a gun to her head and he’d comply to whatever they wanted. Clearly that was bullshit, because the look Party was shooting each of them was enough to make them squirm. If looks could kill.
Party had to hold back a grin. He could practically smell their fear, and he knew they’d figured it out. They’d underestimated him and now they were going to pay.
“Let- “Party was cut off by a high-pitched scream. The one holding Missile Kid had plunged the knife into her side. Party watched with horror as the man viciously pulled the knife out and let her drop from his grip. He froze mid-sentence, as all of the men ran. He watched though swimming vision as Grace hit the ground hard and her breath caught.
Party’s vision went red. Quickly, and without thinking he grabbed his gun and fired. Truth be told he wasn’t as good of a shot as Kobra Kid, though he’d never admit it, but he hit every one of them. After they all fell and he was sure they weren’t getting up, Party dropped his gun and hurried to Grace.
His vision blurring, he bent down next to Missile. Her eyes were wide and she let out a whimper as he pressed his hands over the wound. Blood still poured out of her even with Party putting pressure on the wound. He cursed and quickly pulled his jacket off and balled it up. Using this to staunch the blood flow, Party drew his eyes from her wound and looked at Grace’s face. She was pale and sweaty; her eyes were pressed shut tightly and whimpers escaped her lips often.
Party swore again.
“P-Party?”, she whispered, her voice weak and scared.
“Shh don’t talk. Just breathe. You’re ok.”, Party spoke with a trembling voice.
He had to get them out of there and back to the diner. Party cursed under his breath; they were miles from the dinner and there was no way that he’d be able to walk that far. He’d need another plan.
Suddenly there were footsteps to his left and without a thought, and with one hand still pressing over Grace’s wound, pulled his gun and pointed it. Turning his head to see which of their attackers had moved, Party glanced around their area. Finally, he saw it. A figure, stood still and nearly invisible in the low light.
“Woah, easy dude. I uh, I saw the whole thing just now.”, a man spoke. His voice smooth, even. Party didn’t move, keeping his hand on the trigger.
“Look uh, she’s hurt pretty badly. I can help. Just don’t shoot, please.”, the man spoke again. This time his voice shook. Whether it was from the gun pointed at him or Grace’s condition, Party didn’t know.
Thinking hard, Party knew that they needed help. He needed both hands to try and stop the bleeding and then another to make the radio call to the diner and then to keep watch. Shit.
“What’s your name?”
The man was taken off guard, clearly not expecting the question. Party sighed and lowered his gun and asked again.
“The name’s Phoenix Soul.”, the stranger said as he kneeled down beside the two.
Looking back down to Grace, Party was relieved to see that the blood flow had slowed down considerably. He allowed himself a breath before he spoke.
“H- “, he cleared his voice and tried again when it caught “Fine, can you grab the radio out of my bag?”
He nodded and went over to the backpack sitting to their left. Party doesn’t remember setting it down. He figures he must have when the man had first appeared. A whimper brought his attention back to the shaking figure beneath his hands.
“Shh, I know it hurts baby.”, he said, using one hand to remove her curly hair from her face.
“Gee?” Her voice was quiet and full of pain.
“You’re gonna be fine honey.” He added, not wanting her to worry.
Looking towards the direction that Phoenix had gone; Party watched as he fumbled with the radio and eventually made his way back to the pair.
Phoenix handed the device to Party and watched as he flipped the switch turning the radio on. It was an ancient thing and frankly he was surprised it still worked. Thankfully it was already tuned to their emergency frequency so, taking a deep breath, Party spoke into the mike.
“Party Poison to Dinner.”
There was a few heart stopping moments before a voice responded.
“Kobra Kid in Dinner. What’s the problem?”
Party smiled and pressed the talk button again.
“Ran into some trouble Kobra, need evac asap.”
“Copy, Party Poison. Is Missile Kid there?”
“She is, but we’ve got a situation. Missile is down.”
“Copy,” a pause, then “What is your location?”
“Zone 6 Bird quadrant”
“Copy. We’ll be there. Stay tight.”
“Copy. Party Poison over and out.”
Party decided against turning the radio off. Sure, it’d save the battery but, if their luck ran out again and they run into more killjoys then he’d need to get Missile Kid out fast. As he sat the radio down, Party noticed Missile looking at him. Or more accurately, looking at his hand, still pressed to her side. There was blood running through his fingers again meaning the bleeding had begun again during their conversation. She didn’t speak though. Obviously struggling to stay awake.
“That looks bad.” Phoenix said. It was a statement. He obviously recognized how bad this situation was. Party put on another smile. Though it was more forced and they both knew it.
” I know. But don’t worry, the boys are on their way. Everything will be fine.”