The Lonely Stranger: Part Five

      Nowadays, the Station was much more mixed. Instead of almost entirely Grundos, Neopians of every species, size, colour, and age milled around with enthusiasm. I was frozen for a moment, half in shock I had gotten this far. The tapping of my feet on the metal sounded very familiar, though now my feet were fitted with heavy duty boots. And besides, now was not the time for nostalgia.

      I continued my way through the Recreation Deck, trying to remember the alleys and shortcuts I had used only two years ago.

      I was about three-quarters of the way there when something caught my eye. It was a scrawny Cybunny boy with a nicked ear, one who obviously thought that his hiding spot was clever. It was alright, but I was a veteran of this place, and nothing went unnoticed by me.

      "Out with ya." I rolled my eyes. "I can see you clear as day."

      The boy gasped silently, and ever so slowly slunk out of his little corner of the alley. "How did you do that, Miss?" His street rat's voice was hoarse, once again bringing on more nostalgia, and goggles sat on top of his head, ones that reminded me of the genius C6. I towered over the boy, glaring down. He didn't glare back, like I would've if I was him, but his gaze was still wary of me, like he could dodge a blow at any moment if need be.

      "A little advice from an old Stationer," I finally muttered, ignoring his previous question. "Get on the first ship out of here." I shoved something in his hand and slipped past him, convincing myself I didn't care whether he used my advice or not.

      But now I'd have to buy another ticket to leave, that I was sure.

      "Miss!"

      Good grief, why do I even help people?

      I turned around. "Yeah, what?"

      He looked down at his feet. "I don't really have anywhere to-"

      "Brightvale. Look for the Joneses. They have this... agency, of sorts."

      He blinked in shock. "What if they don't want to help m-?"

      "They will, Damian." I smiled weakly. I was about to pull a move that I had seen Asheton use before. Just this once.

      "...What?" The kid's face contorted in more confusion. It made me laugh.

      "That is your name isn't it? Everybody's got one. And now so do you."

      He stared at me in confusion and even a little fear, before weakly nodding. "Y-yeah. Damian."

      I turned on my heel, lifting my hand as a goodbye. "See you around then. Make sure not to miss that ship."

      "I will. Thanks."

      You're welcome, kid. Just don't tell them I sent you.

      I took a deep breath, standing in front of the now huge (and quite flashy) Freedom HQ, or as it was now named, The Free Government of Virtupets and Kreludor. Two Mutant Grundo guards stood tall and tough on either side of the entryway, glancing at me suspiciously as I came up the stairs. They didn't recognize me, now painted Speckled, but then again perhaps they hadn't met me in the old days either. I certainly didn't remember them.

      I smirked, dusting off my old alias. Time to barge in like I owned the place. "I have an appointment. I'm The Lonely Stranger."

      Their eyes widened, and they shared a wary look before gesturing to the door.

      "Feels good to be back, boys," I laughed.

     -The Past-

      That name, The Lonely Stranger. The one I once took such pride in. It was given to me by the government as they tried to hunt me down.

      Remember how I said I probably should've listened more when Ifflarb was talking?

      I didn't.

      In fact, I did the exact opposite.

      Up until the last year of my stay on the Virtupets Space Station, I stole and stole and stole and gradually increased my shenanigans more and more. Soon I had a one million neopoint bounty on my head, mostly for my open opposition of Sloth's rule (and any government in general). And you know, stealing his high-tech weapons didn't help my image either.

      One day, when I stole some exotic fruit from some lady's stand, I was captured. Again.

      It just happened that some soldiers had been patrolling when I had been making my getaway. I probably should've checked up on that first, in hindsight.

      "This hooligan stole 50,000 neopoints worth of food imported from Faerieland!" The Faerie Grundo screeched.

      The bounty hunter, Rex, who had been chasing me for the past few months, rubbed his temples. "Yes, I understand Miss. Emperor Sloth will handle it."

      "He better!"

      I fidgeted uncomfortably, the electrically-tied handcuffs cutting into my wrists. "Hey lady, it's not my fault that you're just plain stupid! No one goes and leaves all their merchandise out to go gossip with the shopkeeper across the way!"

      "Shut up, bilge rat," Rex glared, kicking me in the ribs. I collapsed to the ground, coughing angrily.

      When they finally dismissed the fruit saleswoman, they dragged me off to Sloth's headquarters. Rex brought me to a room to be interrogated.

      "Well, well, well... The Lonely Stranger." He chuckled, pacing back and forth across from me. I had been forced into a chair at a table in an empty room with no windows. "Why don't you tell me your real name?"

      "I have none," I spat.

      He frowned. I'd given him this answer too many times before. "Where do you come from? You obviously weren't born on the Station."

      That first memory came back to me in a flash, so fast and painfully that I slammed my foot down on his. "I don't know!"

      Rex yelled in pain. "You little brat! How dare you! You deserve to die, and I'd make that happen if it weren't for the Master's plans!" He gritted his teeth. "You better watch yourself, filth."

      A glint of silver on the floor.

      I smirked. He was such an idiot. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind, Rexy."

      With a final glare, Rex left to go find Sloth. I quickly got to work. Across from me under the table was a pair of keys that had fallen from Rex's pocket when I stomped on his foot. I slunk my muscular tail over to it, and hooked around it.

      "I don't take orders from anyone though, stupid hunter," I laughed, unlocking the handcuffs.

      I stood up and opened the door a crack. Outside there was only one guard, and a newbie at that. I quickly went over in my mind all the pressure points in the body and hit him in just the right one. He slumped to the ground, dropping a gun. I picked it up, walking casually towards the exit. They really had put it way too close to the interrogation rooms. And by the time Rex got back, I'd be gone, far away from him. I took way too much pride in that fact.

      You know, maybe I'll even visit my favourite little fruit stand on my way home... I thought as I re-entered the marketplace. I smirked. Wouldn't that lady be overjoyed to see me again?

      "...Red?"

      I froze. All thoughts of fruit left me, as I met the eyes of the White Grundo that had been on my avoid list for over four years.

      "Well hello, Ifflarb..."

      This also happened to be one of the last days I would see him.

     -The Present-

      I walked down the halls, gazing up at the ornate paintings that covered the walls beside me. There were pictures of wars, pictures of scientists, even a few pictures of Ifflarb. After all, he had been the leader of Freedom. The one that shocked me the most was a picture of a red Aisha in a cloak handing out food to street children. Below it was a gold plate reading 'The Lonely Stranger: Robin Hood of Virtupets.'

      I had done nothing of the sort, as you so very well know. I had helped myself, and myself alone.

      I scowled, disgusted by it, and continued down the hall.

      Fact: I don't like being portrayed as a hero, because I'm not one. I'm not a good person at all, regardless of what Asheton tells you. And he better not be telling you anything, if he knows what's good for him.

      Finally I could see the big double doors labeled 'Conference Room' in front of me. I took the handle of the right one, gripping it tightly.

      "All right, Ifflarb. Here's to our friendship."

      I pulled it open.

      "I got your message," I said, clearing my throat.

      This was the original room. I could tell. C6's supercomputer was still against the wall, with some more equipment added of course, but I would recognize it any day. The wall of blueprints had been replaced with a giant screen that showed all the same information at the touch of a button. The old round table had been replaced with a long rectangular one that went down the center of the room. I saw Linear, his mouth in a tight frown, on the right side of the table. He looked like he had aged a thousand years. He was seated right next to the Governor, who sat at the very far end.

      The Governor smiled a big toothy grin. "It looks like The Lonely Stranger has paid us a visit, boys."

      I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Hello, Trixaf."

To be continued...