Ban passes through the stare of the massive gate to the hilltop area. The storm is worsening. Ban doubts the rain is anywhere close to its peak yet, and now the winds are starting to become overbearing. He was almost in sight of his goal, the hilltop cabin.
There would be no more chase. Aether Platinum was there, weapon in hand. He knew this day was inevitable. Aether Platinum was a man with a very different point of view in life than Ban Smith. The two intellects would now collide.
Aether Platinum: I see Rodust must have talked.
Ban: Yeah, but you wouldn’t believe the price!
Aether: You would be surprised what I would or wouldn’t believe!
Ban: I know you committed those crimes. I put it all together.
Aether: I won’t insult you by denying it, Ban. You are the only one that saw how these events were connected.
Ban: But I still haven’t figured out WHY! Tell me WHY you did it! I have to know!
Aether: Why does anyone do anything? It’s just the circumstances of their life experiences.
Ban: You are a fool to think you will win me over with any kind of philosophical thinking! You are a VILLAIN, and I’m telling the police everything I know!
[The appearance of thunder is now nearly punctuating their words.]
Aether: Tell me this Ban! Which is better: EXISTENCE or INEXISTENCE?
Ban: Well, most people would rather live than to die!
Aether: Which is better: BEING or BECOMING?
Ban: Being I guess— NO! Becoming!
Morkyzorg: Hmm… interesting choice.
Unbeknownst to Ban at this point in time – Aether Platinum’s nickname was Morkyzorg. You probably would have to be a member of Aether’s inner circle to know that though.
Morkyzorg: If you would happen upon a delicious sandwich would you share it with a friend or keep it all for yourself?
Ban: I don’t mind sharing usually, but it probably depends on the sandwich. Maybe if you could tell me what type of sandwich specifically we can sort this out.
Aether Platinum: Sorry, philosophy gives us no specifics. It doesn’t work that way.
Ban: Okay I have had enough with these absurd questions! I am sincerely annoyed at what you seem to feel is DEEP thinking.
Ban felt an energy that had him convinced Aether was ready to attack. He started to wonder if he was satisfied with the life he lived if everything ended here tonight. Ban never used guns, because it was never his intention to kill anyone in his life as a private eye. However, he always kept a small pocket knife in his boot just as a last resort means of self defense. The storm was worse than ever, and the two men stood still staring at each other, clothes soaking wet. Aether suddenly got an odd smirk on his face and his eyes changed.
Ban felt like time slowed down, and he started envisioning the one he loved most out of everyone he ever knew in his life. His body and mind came to a sense of peace. Just as Ban snapped out of his hallucination, he saw Aether ready his weapon. Without any hesitation Bandolier Smith grabs his pocket knife, runs towards Aether Platinum and lunges at him! They spin on the ground just for a second as Ban successfully subdues Aether in a crazy quick multi combo that no one would ever believe a regular guy was capable of doing if you described it afterwards!
Ban: You know this town won’t let you off for your crimes. Like that time you ate Sharon’s pie that she was really excited about — and that’s just an early example! That was long before you beat Harry real bad at Sidewalk Fighter 2 at the town arcade!
Aether: I actually do feel bad for that one…
Ban: I even directly witnessed the time you won the big TV in the raffle. The event runners maintained it was a fair raffle, but EVERYONE ELSE wanted that TV too!
Aether: And there was that time I killed someone.
Ban: THE TIME YOU WHAT?!
THE END
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