[i]For those just tuning in the link to part one is above. Shoutout to AltroGamingBros and Venom Sniper for working with me to create a miniverse. Disclaimer I don't own any Bungie stuff. Or the Shootist. You'll see why I said that later. Now let's begin![/i] Malex, Rika, and Elite-5 touched down in the Tangled Shore. Together, these three hunters made up Fireteam Ranger. Malex looked at the wanted poster, they were here for the "Arc Assassin" whatever that meant. Malex: Okay guys and girls, just follow my lead and we'll find this guy. (lights a cigar) Been a while since I've been to the shore. Rika: I wish you wouldn't smoke those. I do like the cowboy hat though. Malex: (tips hat) Why thank you ma'am. And Rika, I'm a guardian. I'm pretty sure I'm immune to lung cancer. Rika: It's not that, (smirks) if you have a cigar in your mouth I can't kiss you. Malex: Well now, we can't have that. Elite-5: Oh for the love of humanity can you two love-birds knock it off! Geez, and I thought Exos couldn't get sick. Malex: (chuckles) Alright bro, let's head to the Empty Tank Bar. Place is crawling with fallen. Should be able to get a lead. [i]In the Bar[/i] What Malex saw shocked him. Instead of being greeted by Fallen arcbolts, Fireteam Ranger was met with a fully functional bar. Awoken, Humans, Exos, and even white armor clad Fallen roamed around. Sharing drinks and jokes. Malex: Huh. Okay, well this was unexpected. Elite-5: But a pleasant surprise. This should make it easier to ask around. Malex: Alright then, Elite you and Rika ask around. I'll go to the bar and see if I can't find some info. Rika: Malex? Malex: Yeah? Rika: Don't drink to much. Malex: (chuckles) I make no promises. The team split up. Elite-5 took the right, Rika took the left, and Malex headed to the bar. A man wearing modified Tangled web armor watched Malex go to the bar. He wore no helmet, just a white bandanna and hood. He nodded to an awoken woman with long black hair. She shook her head no. The man just laughed and walked up behind Malex. ???: So I hear you're Malex? Malex: That's what they say ???: Word is you're pretty fast on the draw. Malex: When I need to be. ???: I hear you're also looking for the Arc Assassin. Malex: (turns around) How did you? ???: (Takes off bandanna) Because I'm him. Malex: No, it can't be. You're dead. Ronin: Long time no see ol pal. How've you been? Malex: You died. I saw you die! Ronin: Come with me. (walks to a booth in the corner) Take a seat friend! The awoken woman walked up to the table and slammed her fist down. Malex just stood there dumbstruck. Sedina: What are you doing!? You know how I feel about Malex! Why do you want him back!? Malex: Sedina? You're alive too? (hugs her) It's so good to see you! Sedina: (pushes him off) Ew, you're not the Malex I remember (looks down at his holster) What the... Is that The Last Word!? Malex: It sure is! How are you two alive? Where have you been? Why haven't you contacted me? Ronin: Well you see, when we went to kill Oryx we kinda, left you. Malex: (smile turns to frown) What? What are you talking about? Ronin: It wasn't intentional I assure you. But we all got seperated and when Sedina and I met up, we figured you must've been dead. But here you are. And we want you back in Fireteam Phantom. Malex: You, left me. On that dreadnaught. Alone. And now you want me back!? Sedina: Well, he does. Apparently he thinks we need you. I can't imagine why. Ronin: Because he was a vital asset to the team! His Golden Gun saved us more than once, you know that. (turns to Malex) So what do you say? Malex: No. Ronin: What? Malex: No. You can't just let me think you were dead for 15 years and expect me to just happily scurry back in. I'm out. (turns to walk away) Sedina: Coward! Malex stops. The whole bar stopped. Rika and Elite-5 looked at each other then back to Malex. Malex himself turned around to face his old Fireteam. Sedina: Ronin offers you a spot back in Fireteam Phantom and you say no!? I bet I know why. You know he's faster than you! He always has been and always will be! I bet you're precious ego is hurt knowing you're not the best! Go ahead, prove me wrong. Malex: I don't have to prove anything, to anyone. Least of all you. Ronin: (get's an idea) You know you may be right Sedina. Maybe Malex just can't hack it anymore. I mean, as an old bladedancer and now Arcstrider my speed has always been so much better. Rika and Elite-5 strode over Rika: Just who do you think you are? Malex could kill you before you even blink! Sedina: And who are you? His girlfriend? Rika: As a matter of fact I am! You have a problem with that!? The three of us are Fireteam Ranger! Sedina: Ranger? That's the dumbest name I've ever heard. Rika: Oh shut up! Sedina: Make me! Ronin: Ladies calm down! (turns to Malex) Tell you what, how about he duel, like when we first met. You draw your gun and I try to hit you. I win you rejoin Phantom. You win and you get to walk. I dare you. Elite-5: Oh crap. He said dare. Malex immediately knew Ronin's strategy. He knew Malex almost never refused a dare. With all these people watching Malex had to take the bet. Malex: (lights his cigar) Alright Ronin. You're on. Ronin: (claps hands together) Excellent, I knew you'd take it. Come on, there's an arena in the back [i]Five Minutes Later[/i] Malex and Ronin stood face to face in the arena. They stood forty feet apart, Malex shook his head and walked up to Ronin. Just three feet apart. Ronin: Malex, last time we did this you ended up on the ground in the Twilight Tower and we were farther apart than this. Malex: (grits his teeth) Just start the clock. Ronin was taken back at Malex's boldness. Something was, different about him. It made Ronin uneasy. He signalled for the clock, it began to count down from ten. When it reached zero it buzzed and Ronin lunged. Malex drew The Last Word and shot him in the head. Ronin's lifeless body fell to the ground. His ghost appeared. Malex: Lockdown, good to see you again. Lockdown said nothing as he revived Ronin. Malex turned to walk away but Sedina stopped him. Sedina: Don't walk away from me! How did you get that much faster!? Malex: A great man by the name of John Wayne once said, [i]"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand upon. I don't do these things to others, and I require the same from them."[/i] That's been my philosophy ever since the dreadnaught. It's kept me alive, made me better. I thought you were dead! I fought Oryx for FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT before I killed him. Just to avenge you. But now I find that not only are you not dead and didn't tell me, but you LEFT ME ON THAT DREADNOUGHT!!! (looks at Ronin) That night in the Twilight Tower you told me to gunsling for others, well now I gunsling for justice. Not to avenge those who have been wronged, but because it's the right thing to do. You might be alive, but you're still dead to me. He turns to leave Malex: Come on Rika. Elite, radio Zavala and tell him the "Arc Assassin" won't be a threat. (leaves) [i]Five Hours Later[/i] Sedina and Ronin sat in their old booth at the Twilight Tower, remembering when they first met Malex. Sedina: I knew he went on to kill Oryx but, five days? And for us? (shakes head) I never knew... and we never even went back to confirm his death. Ronin: Just, give him some time okay? He'll come around, and apparently his draw can match my speed now. Sedina: Yeah, he sure got you back. Made a fool out of me. Ronin: He'll come around. He has to, we're gonna need him and his Golden Gun back in Phantom if we're going to beat what the shadows have planned next... [i]To Be Continued[/i] Part 22: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/251658829