An Enemy is Anyone an Armadillo Names

Prologue

Quinn inhaled the fresh air with great pleasure after climbing out of Pilgrim's bunker. Henry was still semi-conscious. Castor followed them close behind. Nix unchained Bajie and they both emerged from the bunker moments later. Pilgrim's workers stared at the misfit party, watching and waiting for news of their master. The towers were complete. Pilgrim had promised that salvation was nigh, but where was it? Meanwhile, Pilgrim had passed out from the pain of his new, unexpected gift. Cressida tried to comfort him. She held back tears and held her arm to her nose in an attempt to block out the smell. Deep down she wanted to escape the hell hole.

The sun was starting to rise. Quinn stopped walking. He growled, handed Henry to Castor, and took something out of his pocket. It was sun cream. 'Here Castor boy. Put this on.' Castor obeyed. He obeyed Quinn's every command. Nix and Bajie caught up to them.

'Castor! I can't believe you're alive! How is it possible?!' Nix squeaked.

'Eh. Well... am,' castor hesitated.

'CRAZY ARMADILLO HIMSELF!' Bajie barged passed the reunited lovers to introduce himself to Quinn.

'And who might you be?' Quinn raised an eyebrow and sniffed.

'I'm Bajie. Honour to meet you sir!'

'I smell Sunny off you. Hmmm. Why do I smell him?'' a fang protruded on his left bottom lip. He took Henry back into his arms.

'Oh shit! That's how you're alive! Sunny never mentioned you weren't human!' Bajie glanced over at the undead Castor and the sun cream before settling on Quinn's fangs.

'You know him? You know my precious Sunny?' Quinn moved closer to Bajie.

'ya. We're best pals...' Bajie stepped back feeling unsettled, 'met him in the mines. Been together since!'

'I sense more than friendship... Hmmm?'

'well... No... I mean... it's complicated. But no... he misses you though. Dreams about you a lot...'

'Do you know where he is?'

'not really. I mean black lotus guys have him. Where I don't know... But I know someone who might, but she's more likely to kill me than give me info!'

'Good... hmmm... Bring me to her... IMMEDIATELY!'

'so ya... I drink blood now,' Castor sheepishly sighed and looked at the ground.

'Like Cressida?' Nix asked.

'No... I need it to survive. Eh...'

'He's a vampire, Nix. All Quinn's men are vamps,' Bajie explained.

'I must say,' Quinn interrupted, 'That Pilgrim fellow was quite the disappointment. All that killing... building... manipulation... and now... Well. I guess justice is justice.'

'Why didn't you just kill him right now?' Bajie asked.

'Hmmm. Naw, you see Bajie baby, its funnier this way,' Quinn grinned, his fangs hidden once more, 'Plus he ain't gonna die a martyr... he got what he deserved. His followers will soon know just how full of shit he truly is.'

'HAHAHAHA! THAT'S BRILLIANT! Gosh. I miss someone having a sense of humour round here. Why the duck did Sunny even want to run away from you? Haha!You're so fucking creepy, but I'm drawn to you. Ha!'

'Silly boys have silly notions. Isn't that right Henry baby?' Quinn rubbed Henry's face. Henry fussed and cried a little then settled. He stared up into Quinn's dark eyes. Quinn smiled. Henry's eyes lit up, he kicked his legs with joy, 'DADDY!'

...

Sunny woke up on a steal table. He was naked and bruised and in total darkness. It was freezing. He found the edge of the table and placed his feet on the floor. Someone was watching. 'Hello?' Sunny asked. He got no reply and began to feel around the room until his right foot hit something hard and tripped him up. He face smashed against the floor. He groaned Suddenly the lights turned on, blinding him revealing that the room was padded white. A voice could be heard but, nobody seen, 'Hello my child. Welcome home.'

...

Cressida's tears fell on Pilgrim's face. 'Find him... FIND HIM!' Pilgrim cried, 'You have to... find him... Fix this!'

'Find who? Sunny?' Cressida asked calmly.

'No! The master who did this to me! He plotted my downfall from the moment we met! Find him!'

'You did this to yourself! You did not wait for Sunny!'

'DAMN YOU!' Pilgrim growled, 'That creature knew what he was doing! He probably had Sunny kidnapped despite me!' He tried to stand. His tummy rumbled and unleashed its power once more, 'AHHRHHHGHHH!'

'Save your strength, Pilgrim. Save your strength.'

'How did he do it? How did that bastard know my plans? HOW? I AM A GOD!'

'Hush now. Hush now,' Cressida stood up and towered over Pilgrim. She picked up the sword lying on the ground. She looked down at him. He was so weak and pathetic. Her own plans were completely ruined now. She had a decision to make. 'Hush now...' She glanced at the sword and at Pilgrim's neck. She could end it all now. Start anew. Pilgrim cried out in pain once more. The stench was growing strong again. Cressida dropped the sword. There had to be another way. She climbed out of the bunker. The workers were still lined up and awaiting instruction. Cressida sighed. They could not know the truth. She closed the entrance to the bunker tightly, blocking out the sound of Pilgrim's screams from below.

(Continuation of Into the Badlands: Alternative events)