Part 66: Trick Shot

_{content warning: severe violence/injury}

Unsurprisingly, it probably would be best for Mouse to get the fuck out of here immediately.

[BGM: Fire Breath]


This was no time for heroics. What I had just seen was an insane feat. Horse had shown himself to be incredibly athletic. Now was not the time to be thoughtlessly tangoing with him, not without a plan at any rate. For now, I needed to get away. And so I ran, ran as quickly as I could to the staircase, not daring to look back. I don't know how much Horse chased me, if at all. I just know that by the time I got to the first floor, I could hear that he wasn't still after me.

Still, I kept on running until I got to the cafeteria. There, I found pretty much everyone else. Even without my help, they had all had the idea of meeting up, and everyone realized the starting area was the best place to do so.



Mouse!

Mouse!

I see you're safe.

What's going on? Where's Dog, where's Horse?

I was bombarded with questions, but first I had to catch my breath. Once I had done that, I explained what happened to everyone. The mood became a lot less pleasant. In that moment, we all took a second to mourn the loss of Dog. I could tell many people wanted to look at this situation and despair, but my warnings of Horse reminded them all that that would have to wait. Now was the time for survival.

How that survival came about, however, was a topic of much debate.

[BGM: Eyes of the Dragon]


I'm still saying that hiding is a tried and true strategy. And the most noble, when you think about it a lot.

I mean, anything else would be stooping down to the violent level of our aggressor. And you know what they say about that! Don't do it!

Finding places to hide would be the path of least resistance, but it might be one that leads to the least strife. I would not oppose such a notion.

Maybe that would be viable if we had the needed Minor Trinkets, but as it stands, hiding would simply ensure no one survives.

That is why creating a 'safe area' is clearly the optimal strategy. We have resources and space, as well as clear entrances to defend. Dragon and her group so graciously acquired weapons, so we'd be well prepared to defend ourselves. And this is a strategy built to last.

I really like the idea of just holding up here and making sure he can't get us!

...Of course, I shouldn't really be one of the people making sure he can't get us, I can't really hold a gun or fight, or-



That's a coward's way of fighting! It's like puppy guarding.

I was always a fan of puppy guarding.

And that's why you're weak!

If you don't face your problems in life head on, you'll never get anywhere!

Dog tried to face this problem head on, and look where it got him.

Not that it isn't a great plan, but I'm a little concerned about the practical applications of such a plan. If we wait for him to come to us, that gives him time to search the school.

Maybe then he'll find some weapons that'll make him unstoppable!



Exactly why we cut him off at the pass. We hunt this asshole down, right here, right now!

B-but, like Mouse said, he's super strong!

Yeah? Well who gives a shit? I've been in plenty of fights with dudes twice my size, and you know what I did?

I kicked 'em right in the balls!

A fight isn't about how big your muscles are, it's about how much you're willing to give. I'm willing to give it all, and unlike those stupid puzzles, I'm good at fights.

What are you suggesting?

Right now, Horse should just have a rinky dink pistol, right? That's the weakest he'll be.



With that assault rifle, I'm thinking I like my odds quite a bit more. You guys stay here so you don't get in my way. I'll go and save your asses.

Oh my!

Playing the lone hero, are we?

What, are you gonna be a pussy and say that I'm being reckless right now?

No, by all means, go for it. I think you have half a shot, and it's better you that goes up against that monster than me.

Asshole.

I think Dragon's right that we need to make some tough decisions. We need to fight. But I don't think you should go and do it all alone.

Like I said, you all would only be getting in my way! And it's not like we have enough weapons to go around. I can handle him on my own, so I don't want anyone else getting hurt.



Valuable sentiment that may be, I think we should send at least one other person with you, just in case. This is a risk-reward mitigating strategy more than anything else.

Send me! I'm a great fighter, so I'm sure to help. And facing down a bloodthirsty killer like this? That's a hero's role. Let me be that hero.

Heh. I respect that.

But that's gonna have to be a no from me. I don't plan on dying or some shit, but just in case I don't make it, we're going to need some other fighters to stay back and protect the group.

You know she's not the only other person here that can fight, right?

I'd volunteer, but Dragon and I get along as well as peroxide and vinegar.

...that is to say, we'd just end up leaving each other burnt.

...I'll do it.

What?

[BGM: Silence]


I was the one who let Dog die. I was there, I was in the hallway with him when it all went down, and... and I couldn't do anything for him! I know, I know it's not my fault, I know I might not have been able to change anything, but maybe I could have.

And I know if I just sit back now, I'll never be able to forgive myself. At least if I help you Dragon, I can be redeemed.

I like your style, girl. Alright. You're rolling with me. How 'bout I show ya how to kick anyone's ass in a fight, huh?

Mouse, are you sure about this? This'll undoubtedly be highly dangerous.

My mind's made up, Ox. I've got to see this through.

Very well, then. I guess it's settled. The rest of us will be on high alert down here. Come back safely.

[BGM: The Undying]


And with that, it was decided. Dragon and I would hunt down Horse. From our makeshift arsenal, Dragon picked up the assault rifle and a sledgehammer. I decided to bring along a taser. That seemed more my style. We left the grenade, the sniper, and the pistols in the group's capable hands. Hopefully that would be enough to protect them, just in case.

Before heading out, we went into separate rooms to input our actions for the round. Then we departed. Going back up the stairs to the second floor, I was feeling nervous. Would I even be of any use in a situation like this? But this was no time for fears. The moment I stepped foot on the second floor, my instincts went into full fight-or-flight mode. Like it or not, Horse would soon have to face down Dragon and myself. And this time, we were heading in to kill.



As we went down the hallway, we caught Horse seemingly absentmindedly walking out of a classroom. Immediately, Dragon sprung up and started shooting at him. However, he noticed us just as quickly as we noticed him, so he practically leaped down the hallway and hid behind the bend in the wall. I started to chase after him, but Dragon put her hand in front of me.

Hold on! He's probably leaning against that wall, pistol in hand, ready to fire back.

But what are we supposed to do?

Heh. Just stand back, I've got an idea.

Dragon let out a barrage of bullets, aimed right around the hallway's corner. I guessed it was meant to be suppressing fire, but suppressing fire for what I wasn't sure. Then, she stopped firing. And she waited. After a pause, Horse cried out.



I'm not falling for it!

Falling for what?

I'm not an amateur. You clearly wanted to make me think you were reloading so I'd come out and fire at you, at which point you'd let off the end of your round and pelt me with bullets.

Cute trick. I'm not that smart, but I'm not that dumb either.

Tch. Guess I should've known that sort of thing wouldn't have worked. What tipped you off?

The number of bullets.

What? How could you keep track?

I counted.



Yeah I get that dipshit, I mean how did you know how many bullets I had in my round?

I saw the gun you had. It's a very standard model. I could even guess the store at which it was sold.

Brian's far from a criminal mastermind, so I knew he probably didn't have his hands on anything too rare.

Damn, I'm impressed. But I guess I shouldn't have underestimated a devil's knowledge of all things violent.

…

Yeah, that's right. I remembered you. 'Course, I don't know if you remember me.

Dragon, what are you talking about?



Long story. Maybe I'll tell it to you after we toast this sucker.

We actually already have heard more about this previously in the LP- though whether anyone remembers what probably seemed like a throwaway bit of dialogue is another story.

She said that, but what followed was a long, silent, tense pause. In that break, Dragon risked reloading her gun. After a while of this, Dragon talked to me.

Alright, I know how to break this stalemate.

You do?

Yeah. Or at least, I've got a pretty good idea. You know the weapon you have there?

I looked down at my taser.

You mean this?



Yeah. See if you can try to disassemble it.

Disassemble it??

Not anything deep, just pry off the side there. Trust me, that's a shoddy model. I can tell.

Uh, okay. Also, shouldn't we start to whisper? Horse might be listening in.

Don't worry, I'm not.

Oh, good.

_{Good catch.}



As Dragon continued to pin Horse down, I struggled to open up the side of the taser. After a brutal effort, I got something of a look at the insides of it. Couldn't tell what much meant.

<sub>Nice. Okay, first off, separate the strands that shoot out.

You mean grab the tip of the taser?

You're not firing right now, you should be fine!

Okay, fine. Like this?

Yeah, that's the stuff. Just make it into a kind of webby mess.

I feel like this'll make it a lot worse at accuracy.



That's fine, that's not the aim. In fact, it's the opposite. With this, we can shock him around the corner.

Shock him from around the corner??

Yeah, get this.

Okay, so first we're going to get a little closer. Next, you're gonna toss the taser sideways, with it facing the direction he's hiding in. Midair, I'll shoot the taser, and if it hits that exposed part, it'll glitch out, shoot out, and basically send an electric web his way.

Woah, wait a second, that sounds ridiculous. Does that really work that way?

Trust me, I've done a trick shot like this before. Don't get me wrong, it'll be tricky, but if it works, it'll create the opening we need to end things.

It's a good thing we sent you. I don't think anyone else would think of something like that.</sub>

[BGM: Silence]


<sub>Heh. Well, this sort of thing is one of the few things I'm good at. Might as well be real good at it. At any rate, this'll only work if you can toss it in the right way. Right now, give it a few practice throws.

It needs to be real light, up in the air, properly tossed to keep it in the same direction.

Okay, I got it.</sub>

I practiced tossing the taser in the way Dragon told me a few times. It was a little unintuitive, but I got the hang of it pretty fast. I then realized that the sound of the taser falling to the ground was very loud in this very quiet hall.

What on earth are you doing down there?

Uh... getting a soda.

<sub>Getting a soda? What are you, a fuckin' moron?

I panicked, okay, I'm sorry!!</sub>



Horse was equally confused at my answer.

Getting a soda?

Yeah, yep, mmhmm, that's what I'm doing.

Why?

...I'm thirsty?

…

...Could you get me one?

…

...Uh, sure!

Thanks. Just toss it down the hallway.



<sub>Why would you say yes?

I didn't want to be rude.

Are you serious?! Tell him no!

I don't want to.

Why not?

He has a gun!

I have a gun!! Just tell him he's not getting a soda! You know what, I'll do it myself.</sub>



You're not getting a soda!

Why not?

You're trying to kill us!

That's fair.

<sub>Whatever. Mouse, you ready?

I guess??</sub>

Do it!

[BGM: Metal Horse]


I wouldn't have loudly announced the start of some plan if I were her, but I guess it was time to go. I moved closer to the corner and tossed the taser like I had practiced. Dragon aimed the gun, and sure enough she was able to hit the moving midair target with a small spread. I was skeptical on whether or not the taser would actually react like Dragon said, but surprise surprise- an electric web shot out, and I could hear Horse howl out in pain.

Taking this as an opportunity, Dragon raced around the corner, gun in hand, ready to take the shot. However, to our surprise, Horse was far from the paralyzed wreck we expected him to be. As soon as Dragon made the turn, he came racing towards Dragon, and before she could get a shot in he grappled onto the gun and, with a pull, sent it careening down the hallway.

Dragon, meanwhile, was far less of a pushover than Dog. Seeing this oncoming attack, Dragon socked Horse right in the side of the head with a hook, causing him to drop the pistal in his left hand and back up down the hallway. Seizing the advantage, Dragon took the sledgehammer off her back and swung it at Horse. Unfortunately, Horse had recovered at this point and backed up. The two stared each other down.



Dragon had the sledgehammer in her hands. Horse was fighting barefisted.

Heh. Damn, you don't go down easily, do you?

No.

So you saw through that little plan of ours?

It's a completely silent hallway. You should've been much quieter.

Shit. Didn't think that was what did us in.

It was pretty obvious either way.

I gotta say, if you knew I was coming at ya, why didn't you just fire your pistol?

It's true I might've hit you were that the case. But unless it was extremely well-aimed, a bullet wouldn't stop you in time from firing the gun back at me. I've no interest in a pointless mutual killing.

Agreed. The only way this ends is with your head on the end of a stick!



With that, the two began to fight. It was an awkward, seemingly slow fight with a lot of fakeouts and pauses. Not a one of Dragon's swings actually connected with Horse, nor did it look like they were meant to. Horse as well wasn't dashing towards Dragon. The two just felt each other out. I wanted to help, to grab a gun and fire, but both weapons were right by the combatants' feet, and the last thing I wanted to do was get involved in that struggle.

What's going on, Dragon? I thought you were supposed to be an awesome fighter? Since you're the one with a weapon, shouldn't you have kicked his ass already?

What a mouth on this one! As I see you don't know jack shit about fights, I'll let you in on a little explanation.

Normally a weapon like this would be great, but under these circumstances it's less than ideal. For one, this hallway is a little tight. It's stopping my swings from being as long and wide as they'd normally be, one of the advantages to a weapon like this.

But more than that, Horse here is a hell of an opponent. One misstrike and I'll be finished.

Misstrike?

Normally when someone takes a full power swing from a sledgehammer to the side, it'll knock the wind out of them whether they're guarding or not.

However, against this monster, I can tell it's different. He's looking to actually catch one of these swings, to block it with his arms.

Blocking a sledgehammer with his arms?!

I know, sounds crazy, right? And sure, it'll hurt like hell. Probably take the arm out of commission, too.

But in exchange, it'll let him win the fight. The moment he blocks that swing, I'll be wide open for him to rush forwards and punch me right in the gut. And against him, one solid hit's the most I can take. So basically, if he blocks my strike, it's over.

On the other hand, it's not as if I'm in a great spot either. After all, as strong as I am, a hit to the head with that thing and it'll be lights out for me.

Either that or a strike to the balls!



With that, Dragon lunged forward and swung the hammer up in a surprise attack. Horse was caught off guard, but jumped back just in time to avoid the attack.

Tch. Thought that would work.

I guess it's time I made a move to end this one way or another.

All of a sudden, Horse reached into his pocket and fished for something.

[BGM: Silence]


It was the something he wore when he killed Dog. It was the something he would wear as he went to try and kill Dragon. He was wearing a cheap looking skull mask, and it was terrifying.

What on earth?

There he is. Had a feeling this'd be the case when Mouse told her story.

Hee hee hee. I've no idea what you're talking about! But who cares about that! You won't be talking long after this!

[BGM: Mousetrap]


Again, Horse reached into his pocket, but this time he pulled out the dagger. In a brutal moment, he chucked it straight at Dragon's chest! My heart skipped a beat for a moment, but luckily Dragon was quick thinking enough to hold her sledgehammer in front of her and block the incoming projectile.

Unfortunately, the knife wasn't the only thing that came at Dragon. As the dagger harmlessly bounced off the sledgehammer, Horse grabbed a hold of the hammer with both hands. The two struggled for control of the weapon in what looked like an even struggle. Then, Horse slammed his face into Dragon's, dazing her. He yanked the sledgehammer out of her hands and swung it up into her chest, sending her falling to the floor.

In that moment, Dragon looked up at me.

Run! Now!

That's all she got out before Horse slammed the base of the hammer right into her stomach. He slammed it with such force that it pierced the skin. In a horrifying display, he began to slam on the head of the hammer, driving the pole deeper and deeper. I couldn't watch. Not because I was so disgusted, but because I needed to heed Dragon's last words. But I couldn't let everything fall into Horse's hands.



As I ran, I quickly picked up the discarded pistol, then I continued sprinting to the stairs. A part of me thought about turning around and firing at him. But a larger part of me figured that it wouldn't work.

Get away.

Get away.

Get away.

Flee.

I was the prey, he was the predator. It was that simple. By the time I had gotten back to the others, I was almost in tears.