RPG: With Friends Like This...
Started By: Argocite
11/6/99
Players: Argocite, Sailor Peacekeeper, the Guardian, Sailor Firestarter, Nephrite, and Gaia

Melvin dashed down the rainy street, with a fishy flavor in his breath from running so hard. Behind him, some taller, fitter, meaner teens gave chase. "Hey, Bug Boy! Come back here when we talk to ya!" one yelled.
Melvin didn't answer. He was too busy gasping for air. Searching furtively for cover, something to hide behind, he wished he could hail a cab. Of course, he saw none. Just as well; those thugs behind him got his allowance yesterday anyway. Then spotted saw some electric light as he rounded the corner: "Crown Game Center."
He darted in, bumped into one guy who cursed at him, and looked around. So many games, so empty pockets. Maybe he could watch someone else...
Three chasers came into view of the store window. With an "Eep!" he wedged himself between "Samurai Showdown II" and "G-Loc." *Crud!* he silently whimpered. *No girlfriend, no money, and no friends. Just get up, go to school, get hassled and beaten up, go home for study and first aid, and repeat. I hate my life!*
He looked over to the gun at "Lethal Enforcers" and felt an old temptation well up.

Jeremy sighed and stepped up behind the thugs, flexing his glove hand, "I would suggest that you quit picking on those smaller than you, someday they may just turn around and make you regret it."

The goon squad turned around and looked indifferently at Jeremy. "Oooooh," said one unconvincingly. "What's it to ya? And who are you, anyway?" said another. "I know," quipped the third. "This is Hugo. Hugo Stuffyaself!" And with haw-haws, they blew him off and headed in the arcade.
Melvin timidly trembled between the arcade games. *Mustn't move!* he worried. *Mustn't even breathe...!* Then a hand reached out and grabbed his wrist. His scream got silenced by a hand clapping over his mouth. He turned, and saw a 20-something guy in a denim jacket, with platinum blonde hair. He looked like a well groomed arcade rat. Then jerking his head to the "Daytona USA" racers, he led Mel over. He slipped a baseball cap over the poor geek's messy hair, sat him down, and put some coins into the game. Squaring him away, he leaned back against the seat, folded his arms, and waited.

Jeremy sighed again and produced a small blade, flinging it into the wall by the goon's head casually, "I said leave the geek alone. Now I expect this time you'll heed me."

The near-missed punk glanced over at the knife stuck in the wall. Then he glanced back at Jeremy. He plucked it out and pocketed it. "The next time you fling something at me, One-eye, you'd better kill me with it," he said lowly. And he turned to search the games. He and the other two looked around, and drew nearer to "Daytona USA." The platinum blonde guy propped up against it looked them over and asked, "Lose something?"

Michiru walked into the Crown Royal Arcade. The bullies all stopped and stared at her. "Excuse me boys..but my car has a flat..would you come help me please?" she asked with a pouty lip.

The platinum blonde guy stopped. His stare at Michiru could burn a hole through three-inch thick steel. He glanced back at Melvin, then to her. To Melvin, he said, "Game over, bud. C'mon, and hang loose with me." Melvin looked worriedly over at the gruesome threesome. "It's okay," his patron reassured, "I got their number." After a second or two, Mel's onscreen racer wrecked into a wall. After "GAME OVER" flashed onscreen, he whimpered and got up, hanging behind his patron, who approached Michiru and the goon squad. "Ah, if you need a Mr. Goodwrench," he said with a smile, "you really need me, and Ace, my associate. I'm Joey. Joey Whitehurst." "She wasn't talking to you, butthead," said one of the three. The knife thief looked past Joey. "Hey, Melvin, we been lookin' for ya!" Melvin stood behind Joey as a shield, trembling.

Jeremy stepped up beside Michiru, "She may not have been talking to one of you three, but I assure you she'd be better off getting help from a rat than you scum, and those two individuals you're threatening are better than rats, they're actually human beings unlike yourselves." "I don't know what kind of score you have with the kid, but you can settle that business with me."

Joey smiled at Jeremy. "Now, now. No need to call these three scum," he said. "Scum floats. Try phlegm." To the three he looked at them quite coolly. "So, the gold, silver and bronze medalists of the We Bad Olympics are striving after this little guy, hah? He must be one mean, nasty, terror to you if it takes all three of you to get him running. I'll bet the upperclass men would love to hear that. Especially the jocks." He leaned forward and started to stare into each one's eyes, as if to see the brains inside their heads. "You don't have anything better to do than harass him? How sad. Your lives have nothing more joyous or significant than pushing the not-so-heavy. What have you accomplished more than that?" A beat. "Just what I thought. Nada. When they slam the coffin on you, the crowds at the funerals will be pretty small. I'll probably come to giggle through the eulogy... if it's a really slow day." They just looked on, like deer caught in headlights. "Spit in the ocean," Joey said. "That's all each of you is. A spit in the ocean." Slowly each one backed off and left the arcade into the rain. Joey turned to Melvin. "And that," he said, "is how you deal with the lesser brained."

Jeremy kept his eye locked on Joey, his left, gloved hand clenching and unclenching, his voice calm and even, "That is totally degrading them. They need to learn their lesson to not pick on others, but you possibly just shattered their self-esteem, and as far as I am concerned that makes you scum as low as them." He glanced at Michiru, "Now I believe you said you had vehicle trouble? Perhaps I can help, I need to get away from this foul odor anyway."

"Please," said Joey. "You called 'em scum first, and now you're worried about their feelings? Does the word 'hypocrisy' mean anything to you? Besides, I just told 'em as it is. It's not like I threw a knife at 'em or anything." Then he turned to Melvin. "C'mon, Ace. How 'bout we go in a real car. I'm pretty much done playing games here." As he exited with Melvin behind him, he winked at Michiru. "See you later, Chichen Itza. Or sooner, I hope." And they ducked out, hats on and collars up.

Jeremy shook his head, keeping his face expressionless, his voice monotone, "I'm afraid I don't even know him. It's one thing to call scum, scum, but he went beyond. He just insulted them and something about it doesn't feel right, but that's a problem for another day. What say we go about changing that flat Ms. Kaioh."

Michiru smiled. "Alright..then I'll treat you to a drink of your choice." she said smiling.

Jeremy nodded, "As you wish Ms. Kaioh." He turned to the door and followed Michiru out to her vehicle.

A few blocks away, in a low-riding, dark blue Monte Carlo convertible, Joey drove through the Tokyo streets. Melvin sat in the shotgun seat. "So tell me, ... uh, Melvin, right. I like Ace myself. Okay if I call you that?" "Uh, sure..." He was still in shock over Joey's stare down in the arcade. "Well, Ace, why were those three plug-uglies chasing you?" Melvin shifted uncomfortably. "They threatened to beat me up if I aced a test in World History. I sorta screwed up the grading curve." "Uh-huh?" Joey arched an eyebrow. "And that one-eye guy and the girl with the flat? You know them?" "Not the guy. Never seen him before. The girl... Michi, I think... she's kinda a Run-around Sue. I'm the only guy at school she hasn't... uh..." He turned red as a beet. "I get the picture." Joey stopped at a stoplight. "No friends or others there either, right?" Melvin shook his head. "You looked like someone who could use a friend. And perhaps help you get some buddies at school, if you want." He pulled out a small whip. It looked like something jockeys used to flog racehorses. "We may have to whip you into shape, but you'll thank me for it later." He pointed it at Melvin. "Interested?" Melvin looked strangely at his driver. Unsure, he took the other end. Then he seemed to relax. His eyes had a different glint in them. "Yeah." After a beat, he said, "Think we can stop at the Insectarium and check out bugs?" "I'd thought you'd never ask." And he accelerated at the green light. *Speaking of fresh 'cruits, I wonder why I haven't found anyone else with the Negaverse yet?*

The next day, Michiru walked the halls of the school only to be knocked down by some bullies tossing some geek around in the halls. "Why don't you watch what you're doing, jerk? You could have given me a bruise and then we would have had to fight!" she sneered at him and picked herself up. She flipped her hair back over her head and looked at the bully right in the eye.

Jeremy stepped gingerly down the halls and glanced as the local bullies seemed to back away. He almost smiled even, in the few short months he had been here his reputation for zero tolerance towards bullies had spread. Now when he was around generally most backed off, those who continue to torment their victim learned why Jeremy had received the reputation of the school's peace keeper. He simply shook his head and paused to glance at Michiru, *Why does she seem to just keep showing up.*

A few seconds after Jeremy showed up, someone else caught the human ball the goons were tossing around. "Okay, that's it, save it for gym," he said. Jeremy recognized him, though it took a while. It was Melvin. But this time his hair was neatened down; no more cowlicks all over. His Coke-bottle bottom glasses were gone; he wore trendier, thinner frames and lenses. And his voice was a lot less high and whiny. He helped the hapless tossee gather his books off the floor. "What say we duck out to the library for lunch? You look like you'd appreciate some good books." "Uh, thanks," replied the pinball student.

Michiru stopped and watched the new comer walk off. "Is that who I think it is?" she asked anyone around her.

Jeremy nodded, "That's Melvin." *Looks like that stranger and I need to have a little talk after school.*

A little later, Melvin and his new buddy, Hojo, talked in the school library while everyone else was eating. They chatted about Hojo's work in the audiovisual room, the few guys that helped him, and Mel's new friend, Joey. The librarian noticed a small stack of books by Mel's elbow, including "The Portable Nietzsche", "The Prince" by Machivelli, and "Mein Kampf."

Michiru's mouth dropped. "That was Melvin the school nerd?" she asked. "Wow, that friend of his did a Great makeover job with him."

Jeremy glanced at Michiru, "One that did too good of a job, in too little of time."

Michiru looked over at Jeremy. "Well I don't know, sometimes you give a guy a new look and he just becomes it naturally." she pointed out.

Jeremy kept his face calm, his eye glanced out of its corner at Michiru, "Perhaps, but Melvin doesn't fit that bill."

Later that afternoon, just as the students were leaving for home, a small group of students congregated near a tree off to the side. They were a few more from the chess, science and algebra clubs. They all sat around and listened in to Melvin, who was giving a speech. Hojo hung back to his right. "The students who go here don't appreciate a good scholar!" he declared. "How many of you guys get batted around just because you're not a jock, or Mr. Popularity, or a class president?" The guys around him nodded and murmured agreement. "And the girls, you try to say Hi, or tell them the latest news, and what happens? They turn away or tell you to shut up." More nods and yes. "Well, should we sit here and take it?" Lots of shaking heads and "No"s that time. "We gotta band together or we'll get banned separately. As one, we can take this school back and pry it out of the hands of the ingrates." Louder agreement reverberated across the crowd.

Jeremy hung back from the others and kept his gaze on the group, *That friend of Melvin does not sit right with me.*

A short while after, a Monte Carlo convertible pulled along the nearby curb. Melvin noticed and wrapped up his speech. "Remember, we gotta unite if we're gonna make it. We'll talk more about his tomorrow, same time and place." As the crowd broke up, he tugged at Hojo, and beckoned for him to follow. They stepped up to the driver: Joey. "Caught the tail end of your speech, Ace. Impressive. Oh, you got a buddy, too." Melvin smiled. "Yeah, just met him today: Hojo. This is Joey." Hojo simply, shyly waved hi.

Jeremy slipped around the back of the school whispering, "Imperium Power." As the black cloth and cape formed around him the took to the roof, crouching low and keeping his eye on Melvin, *This is my chance to tail him. If I didn't have to keep my identity a secret from the other Senshi I could just call on them to help me on this one. No I am the Guardian, I must defend the Senshi and keep my distance, to best do that I must keep my distance.*

Gaia watched her globe from her chamber. "Oh dear... there will be a riot at the high school if something doesn't happen. Maybe Bentaris will have an idea." she said softly to herself and went off to find him.

"So, what say we go stop off at the mall, then check out the beach?" asked Joey. "Sounds good," said Melvin. "Doesn't it, Hojo?" "Uh, sure." said Hojo. "But I gotta get back home on time for my homework." "No prob," smiled Joey. "We'll be fairly quick." And Melvin got shotgun, Hojo hopped in the back, and they set out for Akihabara, the electronics district.

Jeremy leapt from rooftop to rooftop following the vehicle, yet staying low, out of the line of anyone's sight, *Our new found confidence booster will be out of business shortly.*

After Joey's gang pulled into a big discount store, they were lost in a world of electronic wonder. Hojo almost drooled at the latest equipment. A state-of-the-art video camera inparticular caught his eye. And dragged it five meters. "I wish we had something like this in AV." he thought out loud. Joey turned to Melvin to say something. But first Mel whipped out a debit card. "Hey, no problem," he said confidently. Hojo stared on incredulously. Even Joey looked a little surprised. "But that thing costs over 150,000 yen!" Hojo stammered. "Do you want it?" asked Mel simply. "How can you afford it?" "You didn't answer. Do you want it?" Hojo peered at Melvin skeptically. "Yeah. And I'd like a hundred million yen, a trip to America, and a super model for a girlfriend, while you're at it." "First things first." And Melvin got an attendant, bagged the camera, paid ¥156,440 after taxes, and they headed out for the food court.

A few minutes later, they sat at a table, scarfing down fries and colas, while Melvin drank a tall prune milkshake. Then Hojo checked his watch. "Yipe! I should'a been home 20 minutes ago! He grabbed his new camera and said, "Thanks a lot! I'll see you first thing tomorrow at school!" After they waved goodbye, Joey drew in to speak softly. "Okay, Ace, how did you lasso that much money for that cam?" "I did a little hacking last night," Mel smiled shrewdly. "Set up my own little card and account with an alias. Also made an undeclared tap on the expense account of Tokyo's treasurer." "Aren't you worried they'll find out?" "I don't think so. I did a little rooting around. The guy's also got receipts for a hotel room out on the beach, and a box of contraceptives. On the same day." Joey looked a little surprised. Then he leaned back and laughed. "I like the way you operate, ol' boy." He bagged the rest of his fries. "C'mon, let's go riverside. Got something to show you."

Guardian watched silently as the two ate, staying out of site, he had tailed them for over an hour now, when was he going to get the lead he needed.

A few minutes later, Joey pulled into an abandoned loading dock with weeds growing tall in the cracks in the asphalt. "Why are we here?" Melvin asked nervously. "If you want me to take drugs or something..." "No, it's nothing like that. Just a little magic trick I want to show you." He extended his hand towards one large thicket of pokeweed. As Joey squinted, Melvin saw wafts of glowing, smoke-like energy waft out of the weeds and into Joey's palm. After about ten seconds, the pokeweed wilted, turned brown, dried out and crumbled. Melvin's eyes grew to golf-ball size as he stared at this feat. Then he slowly turned to Joey, mouth quivering. Joey made sure they saw eye to eye. "Ace, that miracle you just saw was only one of many things I can do. I'm a fairly special breed. A breed apart from the human flotsam you probably suffer every day. I'm weary of that ilk, too." Melvin stood still, frozen. "I see vast, untapped, rich potential in you," Joey continued. "All you need is guidance. I can give that to you. And to all others that you bring to me. And those who fight us will be dust, too. Anyone who crosses me and mine, I will dry out, and leave to be blown away by the four winds." He let that sink into Melvin's mind for a moment. "When you go back to school, you'll be in there for me. I'll be out there for you. Remember that you are the first. You will answer only to me. All I need is your promise that you will."

Guardian watched as the energy drained from the plant, *About time you slipped buddy.* He reached into his cape a drew a single white rose and let it fly straight to the ground in front of Joey, "I'm afraid your time is up."

Joey looked down at the rose, stooped, and picked it up. Then he looked over frostily to Guardian. "This is a private conversation. Do you mind?"

Guardian dropped to the ground, his body tensed and alert from the first sign of trouble. Calmly he started forward, speaking in his cool, even, controlled monotone, "I am afraid that your kind are not welcomed on this planet, or even in this solar system."

Joey turned to Melvin. "Don't pay him any heed, Ace. I welcome you. He and his ilk can say all they like against us." He walked up forward left between his charge and Guardian. "But we'll be drinking to our health while this and all other boors have long gone the way of the passenger pigeon." Melvin looked nervously to Joey. Then Guardian. Then Joey again, who looked hard on his adversary. "Us or them, Ace. Strictly your choice."

Guardian drew his blade and let the sun reflect off of the silver blade. Calmly he spoke, "Leave or die. Your words are useless."

Freaking, Melvin shrieked shortly and sprinted for Joey's car, jumped in, locked the door, and dropped to the floorboard, trembling. Joey morphed from his street denims into a gray and silver military-style uniform with a platinum fist brooch over the right chest. He kept his small smile. "If they're useless, then you won't mind hearing this. If you want trouble, I'll gladly oblige. But I won't make the first strike, because I don't have to." He thumbed to the car. "Y'see, you've already lost." He extended his hand, palm forward. "Why not sit down? I'm sure you're tired from all your bad-boy posturing. I know I am."

Guardian shook his hood covered head, "Ask that witch you follow how she liked dying when you see her in hell." With that and lightning speed Guardian leapt into the air, letting a blue rose fly at his adversary and landing behind him, swinging with his blade.

Joey blinked out and disappeared a few feet back. Guardian's rose and blade cut through thin air. "Nasty and unfriendly," he said with a smirk. "No wonder you hide behind a mask." And he kept his hand up and started to pull waves of energy from his opponent's frame.

Guardian focused his mind on the task at hand and charged straight forward. Calm and focus, that was all he needed to do to overcome his adversaries draining effects. He brought his left fist, the only one gloved back and swung it at his adversaries face, "You don't learn well Argocite."

Guardian's prey slid back on his heels as the punch clipped his chin. If he had been slower, he would've lost some teeth. "Not true," he said. "I've learned quite well. Like how cold you are to your own kind. You haven't said one word to my little friend." He swayed so he was between Guardian and the car. Then from under his coat, he pulled out a small silver sports whistle. "You really need to learn to listen, too." With one big breath, he blew into it. The noise kicked up dust all around in front of him. The car windows vibrated; if they'd been in front of him, they would have shattered like those in the dock's bay doors.

Guardian hit the ground hard and rolled on instinct before propelling himself back to his feet. He breathed deep focusing entirely on his sight, which regardless of only having a single eye hidden beneath his cowl was as sharp as anyone's. Slowly he focused allowing the ringing to stop and finding himself deaf, at least temporally. *Beryl's goons learn more new tricks all the time.* He reached for his blade, but instead of drawing it from it place at his side he hurled another single blue rose.

Argocite leaped over it with a flip and came down feet first at Guardian's head.

Guardian pulled back, the feet just grazing his head, forcing the hood back and revealing the black masked face beneath. He lashed out with his foot towards his adversaries knees as they connected with the ground.

Whack! Argocite unceremoniously slammed into the ground. He quickly rolled off to the side, and pulled out his crop. "I admit, you're not as inept as you look," he chuckled. "But none of us are perfect." He beckoned with his free hand. "Come and join me over here."

Guardian shook his head and drew his katana from his side, "I'm afraid time's up." He sprinted forward, barely whispering, "Imperium Spirit Cut." The blade glowed a faint blue as he swung his blade at his adversary.

Argocite kept his spot till the last possible instant. Then he vaulted off to Guardian's left and swatted at him with the crop as he passed. The sword slashed a very vicious gash along his left forearm. Clutching his wound and smothering a curse, he teleported into the car, which he cranked up. Before Melvin could even look up, rubber squealed, and two tons of rolling Detroit metal roared right at the masked swordfighter.

Guardian barely glared at the approaching vehicle and leapt up, letting his katana fly, straight into the vehicles hood.

The Monte Carlo zoomed on... for fifty yards. Then the engine sputtered and lurched, stop and go. The car jerked forward haltingly as it slowed rapidly. Smoke seeped out. Then the hood popped up, leaving the katana stuck in the air filter and block like a toothpick in a sandwich. Gasoline and water sprayed in different directions. Finally, with one last grind and exhale, the engine died forevermore. As they coasted, Argocite didn't blink. He pushed in and twisted the cigarette lighter repeatedly. Pulling it out, he hit the brakes, kicked the driver door open, snatched Melvin with his free hand, and bailed from the car. "You may have won the melee," he called to Guardian. "But you've lost Melvin. You've shown us both quite a bit of yourself. Thanks." And he tossed the lighter over his shoulder and teleported his buddy and himself out of there. One explosion later, the front end of the Monte Carlo blazed gloriously. The flames licked all around the sword.

Guardian watched as they teleported away and reached into the flames with his left hand, drawing the blade from the engine and returning it to its sheath, gritting his teeth to the pain each moment. He used his cape to smother the burning arm and took to the rooftops, detransforming to his normal clothes when he was a safe distance away, and no one was watching. He turned and calmly walked away, heading home to nurse his burns across his arm. Each movement sent a jolt of pain up his arm.

Quite a distance away, Argocite and Melvin materialized on a warehouse's rooftop. Melvin glanced in all directions in confusion. "Huh! Wha? How-- the car?" "It's all right," Argocite reassured. "I was going to trade it in for a 280 ZX anyway." "Where are we?!" "Away from that loony. I took us up here. As I said, I'm a different breed." Then Melvin saw the slash of blood coming out of Argocite's forearm. Green blood. He winced. "Could you bandage that for me, please?" Melvin got a clean handkerchief and did his best. Argocite continued. "I have a very bad feeling he'll be back. I'll gladly fight them off, but I'm going to need more help, Ace." Melvin looked at him doubtfully. "I'm serious. You're my main man here. Keep talking to those friends you just made today. Then bring them to me. We'll organize, then take the town back." Melvin nodded, still not sure what the devil he'd gotten himself into. The next morning, Joey drove slowly in a small Datsun 280ZX towards Melvin's school. He stopped shortly away, as he saw Melvin talking to his new friends. He wasn't making a speech this time, just being conversational. Joey appreciated that; low key was the way now. And speaking of appreciation, he thought how almost thankful he was for Guardian. He couldn't have helped him out more if he had red horns and a barbed tail, and drawn a halo over Argocite's head. The one thing that bothered him was that he knew his name. He couldn't recall his, or even ever meeting before. He felt a little dread at that, then pushed it down before it turned to fear. "I'll just have to be a little more discreet and careful from now on," he whispered to himself. On that note he saw a few students walking his way. He put the car into gear and drove away. Don't worry, Ace, I'll be back.