The Maddox Open

Maddox sat alone in a dimly lit pub, nursing a glass of whiskey. Her life as a merc had taken a turn since the fight with Miracle. She had tried to live a normal life only to lose another person and end up here again. {Happy anniversary...asshole.} It was exactly a year ago, she had lost the only man who cared about her to a reckless hero in LA. {And he had the nerve to joke and ask me if I was fine with being a housewife before leaving...} She poured the rest of the bottle into her glass. Unlucky in love. Unlucky in life. For the freak of nature. She'll get plastered, pick a fight, get laid, and start another useless day tomorrow. 

She stared into the amber liquid, lost in her thoughts, when the door swung open with a creak. The noise drew her attention, and her eyes locked onto the figure silhouetted in the entrance. She sighed as she saw Desolator, one of the most feared man in the mercenary world. {Damn it... He's the last person I want to see.}

Desolator's presence commanded respect. He scanned the pub. His gaze eventually settling on Maddox. With polite even strides, he made his way towards her, attracting curious glances from the other patrons. Maddox, fueled by a mix of frustration and desperation, downed the rest of her drink in one gulp as her old teammate reached her table. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She met his gaze head-on. "Well, well," Desolator began, his voice low and commanding. "Maddox, the legendary hunter. Word on the street is that you're down on your luck these days. I'm truly sorry for your lost."

Maddox's eyes narrowed, a flicker of defiance shining through. "What's it to you? I don't see how my fucked-up life concerns you." He leaned against the table, his presence casting a shadow over Maddox. "I've always admired your skills, Maddox. You were a force to be reckoned with." A mix of anger and grief swirled within Maddox, memories of her fallen captain resurfacing. "She's gone, and I'm left picking up the pieces. I know you don't do friendly visits. What's your offer?" {Wily old bastard... Spit it out so I can say no.} Desolator's expression hardened, a flicker of remorse crossing his features. "I won't pretend that the life we lead is without risks. But this time, the stakes are higher. There's a job in Japan, and I require your expertise. See it as a chance to turn your luck around." {Just say no damn it!}

Maddox stared at Desolator, she didn't have long to contemplate his words. Desolate would see it as impolite if she took too long. A glimmer of hope sparked inside her. She did have a lot of fun last time she was in Japan. Memories of her former glory tugged at her weary heart. {....I might meet him again....He never left Japan.....he's still playing hero there....} "You son of a bitch," Maddox said, a mixture of anger and drunken contemplation in her voice. "I'm in. Let's see what this job has in store for me." Desolator's lips curled into a knowing smile. He extended his hand towards Maddox, their eyes locked in a silent understanding. Maddox firmly grasped his hand. The weight of her past seemed to lighten. {Going to Japan is better than rotting in this hell hole...}