Damon Briggs's Story

The wind blew fiercely as the lone fighter stood against the gang, the two pairs of differences matched against each other. Lep, on one end, a green-colored shred of cloth around his forhead, the two lengths billowing as the wind attacked it. Facing him was a small mob of gangmembers, all wearing red bandanas on their heads, ready to bust some brains. Lep stood tense and ready as he pointed to the leader, shouting out from the distance between:

Kore wa saigo no keikokuda! Watashi ni watashi no yūjin o atae tari, chi ga koborenakereba naranai!
(This is your last warning! Give me my friend, or blood shall be spilt!)

While Lep spoke in Japanese, a flame of vengeance in his eyes, there were subtitles underneath him, showing what the nonsensical shouting really said. The gangsters laughed. "Well, well, mista tough guy." The leader tossed up and down an orange ball of fluff, taunting Lep. "If you want yer pet that bad..." He laughed, then tossed the hampster up in the air, shooting it with a handgun. A squeak was heard as the body hit the ground, Lep rushing over.

Hampton! Īe... Īe... Anata ga ikite iru watashi ni oshiete... Nanika... Nani mo... Nani mo iu,-shin wa sore o imaimashī!
(Hampton! No...no...tell me you're alive...say something...anything...anything, god damn it!)

Lep's body shook as the tears poured, his body shaking with rage.

Anata...deki sokonai. Anata. U~iru. Shiharau.
(You...bastards. You. Will. Pay.)

The gangsters stopped laughing as Lep stood, the cackle of pure energy resounding. "Da fuck?" The others pulled out their own weapons as their leader yelled out, "Drop the sucka!" They fired wildly at Lep, who dodged the bullets with agility, seemingly teleporting from side to side as he approached, jumping up when he was in range. The gangsters looked up, almost wishing they hadn't.

Soto sezoku no ha!
(Blade of the Outwordly!)

Lep drew an sword from his back, the material unknown in compisition. It was black like the metals forged in Hell, while an inscription of some sort glew like the Pearly Gates. Further, the sword seemed to change shape at Lep's will, the blade drawn as a short sword, growing to be the shape of a katana. Lep sliced sideways, catching the leader from shoulder to the bottom of the ribcage. Lep knelt for a moment, catching the momentum of the land, as the leader gave a slight laugh, a gurgle, then fell into a bloody mess of two pieces. Lep leapt up as the others attempted to scatter, scared shitless.

Ribenji no ikari!
(Fury of the Fallen!)

With the shout, Lep did not fall from the skies as before. Rather, he gave a grunt as he teleported rapidly, cutting them down almost simultaneously, his final teleport putting him to his origional position, the bloodied sword sheathed. The last gangmember fled, hoping that he just might get away. Lep, simply pointed at the man, an unamused and tense position gracing his body.

Bīmu...
(Beam...)

A ball of green energy formed at the tip of Lep's finger.

No...
(Of...)

The ball began to pulsate, energy emitting from it as the very wind seemed repelled by it, the rocks of the earth beggining to defy the master energy of gravity.

Hakai~!
(Destruction!)

As the word was shouted with power and fury, the ball shot forth a beam of pure energy, eradicating all in its path--including that of the gangster. Nothing was left but charred earth.

Lep...Watashi no repurakōn no yūjin.
[Lep...my leprechaun friend.]

These word were spoken by the orange fluffball, somewhat reddened by blood, which was now attempting to stand on its hind legs. Lep turned quickly, the tears returning.

Hampton...?
(Hampton...?)

Lep ran to the hampster, picking it up, oblivious to the bullet wound sustained to his shoulder

Shikashi... Watashi wa anata ga omotte ita... Karera wa... Karera wa anata o utta...
(But...I thought you were...they...they shot you...)

Nan, watashi ga shinda to omotta? Hotondo arimasen. Dangan wa chōdo watashi o kasume. Watashi wa daijōbudesu.
[What, thought I was dead? Hardly. The bullet just grazed me. I'll be fine.]

Lep wrapped the wound with gauze, found in the small pack on his back. The hampster began to scold Lep.

Hei! Jibun jishin ni keikō ga aru - anata wa mada sono ude o hitsuyō to shite imasu.
[Hey! Tend to yourself--you still need that arm.]

Lep looked to his shoulder, now feeling the pain, endorphins beginning to wear off.

Watashi wa, Hanputon o tsutomeru. Shikashi, watashitachi ga tekisetsu ni watashitachi no kizu o doresu ni doko ka kireide, yasumu basho o mitsukete mimashou.
(I will, Hampton. But let us find a place to rest, someplace clean to dress our wounds properly.)

Hampton squeaked his approval as he scurried onto Lep's uninjured shoulder, the duo walking calmly away from the bloodied mess of the gangmembers. Lep clutched his shoulder to help it stop bleeding, but he could feel himself start to become lightheaded. They would need to find help soon...there. At that bench. A man, too large to really be a man, sat there. He looked kind enough.

Sā! Sā! Anata wa watashitachi o tasukeru koto ga dekimasu ka? Wareware wa, atama to kizu o yasumu basho o hitsuyō to shite iru...
(Sir! Sir! Can you help us? We are in need of a place to rest our heads and wounds...)

It was at this point Lep tripped on a rock, catching himself on his inured arm, yelping in pain.

Damon sat on a bench once again, not sure what led him to sit in the same place he had met Anna, but he decided not to be bothered by it.

His stomach growled loudly, he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. It did quite the opposite as he smelled fresh blood. He focused on the scent, his eyes landing on a man speaking in some strange language, with words appearing underneath him. He had reconized him from somewhere... Damon slapped his forehead, he took his wallet out seeing the pictures of the other anomalies, pulling out a picture of the man.

He quickly ran to the guy, helping him stand. Damon held the picture to his face, and sure enough it was a perfect match.
Damon didn't hesitate in easily throwing the man over his shoulder and taking him to an apartment

Damon sat opposite the man. His deep voice rose an octave, nervously saying, "Are you- do you..." Damon took a moment to collect himself, he was hungry but this guy might be the only one to understand what he had gone through. Damon growled in frustrasion, "Crossman; are you an experiment of his?"

Lep gave a shout of surprise as the man picked him up, throwing Lep over his shoulder, but did not resist the man. His instinct told him that the man was to offer help. And his instinct was right; the man took them to his home, seating him a chair, then sitting opposite. As the man asked about Crossman, Lep pulled out the rest of his medical supplies, laying them before him.

Hai.... Watashi wa kurosu man no esukēpu sa reta jikken no hitotsudesu.
(...yes. I am one of Crossman's escaped experiments.)

Lep took an herbal ointment of some sorts, putting it to the wound on his shoulder. The wound hissed as it was disinfected, Lep hissing with equal pain. He protruded a small dagger, coating it with the ointment, then proceeded to dig the bullet of his flesh. Once removed, he once again put the ointment on, patting the hissing would dry, following with an herbal paste, finally wrapped tight with cotton wrap and gauze.

Watashi wa anata mo kurosu man no jikkendearu koto, tsugini, sore o toru?
(I take it, then, that you too are an experiment of Crossman's?)

With his good arm, Lep halfway drew his sword in caution.

Matawa anata wa watashi o torimodosu tame ni koko ni iru no ka?
(Or are you here to take me back?)

Damon sighed in relief as the man explained he was an experiment as well. He stared in awe as the man took things out of nothing to treat his wound, jumping a bit when he hissed in pain.

Damon read the man's accusation, noticing he was drawing his sword.
Damon snarled, standing to his full height, snatching his axe, banging the end on the floor, the noise similar to thunder.
"How dare you! I take the courtesy of not eating you, and this is how I'm repaid? I should slauter you now!" He fumed, but just turned, his head turned to the floor. "Why would I help that man... why would I help someone who did this to me!" He yelled shoving his suit off, turning so the man could see his hideous face.

He cringed as he saw his reflection on a random piece of a shattered mirror.
He sighed, "So are you gonna trust me or not?"

Lep had not moved a milimeter as the man's rage revealed the true beast that was before him. At the question, Lep gave a small dark laugh, re-sheathing his sword. He had not meant his words as an acquisition, but as a cautionary asking; however, he did not blame the man--if that was what he truly could be called--for his violent reaction.

Katagi no bitto wa, wareware wa arimasu ka? Shinpai wa arimasen. Mishiranu hito ni jibun jishin o akiraka ni hitotsu wa aru fīdo no yūjin yori mo shinrai sa reru ōku no riyū ga aru.
(Bit of a temperment, have we? No worries. One who reveals themselves to a stranger has more reason to be trusted than a friend who feeds you lies.)

Lep packed away his supplies and put them behind him, the instruments and supplies seemingly dissapearing.

Mata, watashi wa I to onaji jigoku o hete kita ningen o shinrai suru koto ga dekimasu
(Besides, I can trust a man who has been through the same hell as I.)

Hand off of the sword, it was now offered to the man in a friendly shake.

Watashi wa, Lep Remeous no Caun-desu. Dono yōna namae de watashi wa, yūjin o yobu koto ni suru?
(I am Lep Remeous Caun. And by what name shall I call you, friend?)

Damon laughed loudly, his voice booming throughout the apartment, he shook Lep's hand enthusiastically, "I admire your courage! Shaking hands with an ogre that could eat you in a second!"

"Ahh, one second, wait." He said as he walked into the kitchen and grabbing two large bottles, still talking to Lep, "You know, some wouldn't even go near me when I looked like a man, it was hard to find meals, I'm starving to be honest. Some might think I'm the bad guy, but those damnable humans and their curiosity always poking and prodding those things they cant understand." Damon growled, then shook his head, smiling again.

He placed the two cups and bottles on the table, pouring liquor into one then pushing the glass to Lep. He continued pouring a thick red liquid into his cup, taking a gulp, "I hope you don't mind, it rather curves my appetite." Damon gestured to his cup, then leaning in towards Lep, "Well you know I'm an ogre, but what being are you exactly?"

Lep gave a small laugh as he took a sip of his drink, realizing the taste to be that of a fine, red wine. A very nice selection of it as well. He allowed Hampton to take a deep drink as he spoke.

Shōjiki ni iu to, watashi no oni no yūjin wa, watashi wa shirimasen. Watashi ga shitte iru subete wa watashi ga kono sekaide wanaida to iu koto wa... Mata, kono dimenshon. Kore wa, watashi wa kurosu man o tōshite shitte imasu.
(To be honest, my ogre friend, I do not know. All I know is that I am not of this world...nor this dimension. And this, I only know through Crossman.)

The hampster gave a sigh, done drinking for the moment, handing the glass back to Lep.

Hai, hai. LEP to watashi wa otaku mangabon to otaku no zen'i no kappuru ga hakken shi, kore de sodachi,-betsu no jigen kara kite imasu. Made, kurosu man to kare no norowa reta sōsaku-tai ga watashitachi o hanarete nusunda... Ā! Watashi wa jibun jishin o dōnyū shite imasen. Watashi wa Hanputonhamusutādesu.
[Yes, yes. Lep and I come from another dimension, found and raised in this one by a well-meaning couple of a comic book nerd and an Otaku. Until Crossman and his damned posse stole us away...ah! I have not introduced myself. I am Hampton the Hamster.]

The hampster looked up to the ogre, squeaking in sudden fear of realization. Lep rolled his eyes with a sigh, picking up the fluffy critter and placing it on his shoulder, petting it.

Ima, genzai, Hanputon. Wa shitsureina koto shinaide kudasai.-Shi deimon ga koko ni wareware no yūjindesu. Hanputon koko de watashi no yūjin, petto, soshite arushuno ryōshindesu.
(Now, now, Hampton. Don't be rude. Mr. Damon here is our friend. Hampton here is my friend, pet, and conscience of sorts.)

Damon read Lep's explination, nodding occasionally. His eyes widened slightly in surprise as the hamster spoke, but quickly shrugged it off.

Damon smiled, waving his hand, "oh please, I've received worse." His smile faded slightly, eyes gazing into space. He leaned back, taking a small drink from his cup, "A conscience, what an interesting thing," he turned his attention back to Lep, "How great it must be. To have one."

Damon cleared his throat, "Well, how are you, you seem powerful, I assume escape was easy. How did you escape? I would have thought that security would have gotten better after some of the other experiments... Have you met any of the other experiments so far? I thought that I met an experiment but he turned out to be some sort of circus folk. Rather sweet man." Damon was looking off into the distance, his stomach growling painfully. He coughed into his hand, turning his attention to Lep again, "Oh! I haven't even giving you an opportunity to answer! I tend to ramble when I'm hungry," Damon explained. "Not to worry though, I don't eat friends." He smiled.

The hampster gave a nervous, but relieved, laugh.

Yoi... Watashi wa anata ga watashitachi no nihonjin ni unzari shite shutoku shite iru to kakushin shite imasu. Dakara... Lep, watashi o mite mimashou.
[Good...I'm sure you're getting tired of our Japanese. So...Lep, look at me.]

Lep looked at the hampster, the creature grabbing Lep's nose and pulling, the nose stretching like a rubber band, snapping back into place as Lep held his face. "Ow!" The serious overtone that had been over Lep seemed to dissapate immediately, Lep giving a cartoony frown. "That hurt!"

The hampster ranted at Lep with a series of squeaks, before climbing up Lep's head, opening it like a cookie jar, then crawling inside the seemingly empty cranial cavity, closing the head once again, no line or crevice to be seen. Lep just shook his head.

"Anywho...others. Yes." Lep gave a nod of positivity. "I have met another experiment. The Invisible Man--nice guy, but a little transparent." The sound of a snare and cymbal went off at the pun, coming from everywhere and nowhere. "Yeah...but they caught him a while back. It was funny, that they caught him, but I went unseen. Speaking of unseen..." He pulled out a newspaper, showing the ogre the front page, which read MYSTERIOUS DEATHS, ROBBERIES BAFFLE POLICE. The article spake about two females, of whom robbed stores with indeterminable speed, and caused plenty of abnormal deaths. The main picture showed a fuzzy still from a mini-mart's security camera. One female had a forked tail swaying behind her, while the other was halfway between a police officer and a young woman.

"I'm thinking we may have two more friends to meet."

Damon blinked as he looked to the newspaper, standing he stretched out, pulling his suit over his green skin, "I suppose it would be best to start looking. Hopefully after we eat though." He said, looking into the shattered piece of mirror on the wall, fixing his hair and adjusting his suit.

He took a look back to Lep, "Actually I have one question, what are we to do after we find them? Don't get me wrong I know what I want to do... they seem tasty, but I thought you might have a better plan."