The City

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

The words had no sooner left his lips than he began to regret them. Here he was, in a dive bar during the wee hours of the morning in an alien world in a different universe, starring down a pair of barflies. The idea of it was almost comical; he could scarcely believe himself. Such an outburst was far from his usual cool-headed demeanor. Perhaps, Vincent thought, his friends had rubbed off on him more than he had acknowledged. Approaching such unsavory folk with intent to violate the laws of the land was an open invitation to get him killed. Somehow, though, the possible benefit outweighed this cost. The cloaked man wasn’t even sure he could die, though he would gladly risk it if it meant saving his loved ones.

He stared down at the pair of diners. They had frozen for a moment, eying the cloaked Prime. The first of the two- the brother of the prisoner, Vincent wagered – was a tall, slight man with a worried expression and dark brown hair. The other was a short orange skinned humanoid with a knitted brow over his single eye. The pair blinked a few times, looking him over.

A bit taken aback, the drunken orange alien scowled up at the newcomer. “What the fuck do you want?”

“I can help you.” Vincent repeated, directing his comment toward the neurotic-looking man.

“No one asked you, pal.” The Cyclops insisted. “Back off if you don’t want any trouble.”

The gunslinger ignored the creature. “I want no payment other than information. I will get your brother out of prison.”

“H- how can I to know that you are to be trusted?” the man inquired.

“You can’t,” the raven-haired Prime said simply.

“Oh wow, awesome deal. Random creep at the bar wants to break the law with you. What could go wrong?” the creature
spat, “Why don’t you leave my client and I alone, eh?” The cyclopean alien pulled a rusty firearm from beneath the table and leveled it at Vincent.

“Hey hey hey! Put that away, Draxl.” The human began, pushing the gun away. “So you’re saying you’ll follow me to Impel Down and help get my brother out?” The pale Prime nodded in response. “What kind of information do you need?”

“I need to find out how to return home.” The ex-Turk replied, glancing back at the squat alien. His gaze was met with a scowl.

“You wouldn’t last 10 minutes, string bean.” The combative alien snorted. “Why don’t you run back to your Prime and leave us be?”

Vincent thought back to his introduction to the Omniverse, “I am a Prime.”

“Yeah, and I’m the Emperor’s mother.” The alien guffawed. He raised his gun over the table, aiming at Vincent.

In an instant the gun clattered to the floor, its wielder doubled over the table in pain. The Prime withdrew his right fist from the alien’s gut, snatching the pistol from the ground with his left as he straightened up from a squatting position. He drew Cerberus from her sheath, leveling the trio of barrels at the Cyclops.

“Woah, I’ve seen enough! You’ve got yourself a deal,” the human said with a grin.

- - -

“Name’s Ral.” The man said, glancing over his shoulder.

Having little knowledge of the layout of Coruscant, Vincent knew not how to reach this ‘Impel Down’, though his companion seemed to be familiar. He followed the man silently, wondering what he had gotten himself into.

“Vincent.” The ex-Turk responded.

The duo made their way through the dark streets, through winding alleys and busy streets. Night still ruled the skyline, but the denizens of the city were beginning to awaken.