Shouts, footsteps, and equipment's transport filled the defenders' territory. Teefrippa's forces retreated and positioned themselves in buildings, on rooftops, on top of walls, and behind barbed sandbags barricades, circling their base.
The sound of thousands of loaded and cocked weapons echoed through the environment, lines upon lines of Orks and Grots watched intently as the screaming green wall approached, sweat ran down their faces and worry overtook their hearts.
They fought for days, facing wave after wave, piling bodies to the sky, spilling rivers of red, turning bones to dust, filling the air with bullets, fire, and smoke, but now they were uncertain if they would win against such overwhelming numbers.
The ground shook thunderously as countless footsteps raised dust clouds in their wake. Their voices became increasingly clear, war and death cries due to the traps they encountered along the way.
They were not the best equipped, but their determination and numbers compensated for the disadvantage, transforming them into an uncontrolled mob that would trample, kill, and loot everything in their path, bringing glory and renown to the victors.
The defenders saw them entering their vision field as they turned a corner, turning the city's inner section into hell with their defiant screams.
A deafening cacophony assaulted the ears of those present, drowning out their voices and thoughts as their weapon's recoil and the bullet casing's rain glinting in the sunlight filled their beings with indescribable joy.
Their adversaries felt the same, swinging their blades and firing their weapons in return, attempting to close the gap, blind to the certain doom that awaited them.
Blurred orange blasts tore through the air, sending combatants from both sides to the ground. Explosives rained, courtesy of both forces, raising dust, smoke, and flesh in grotesque displays of violence. Mounted chain-fed Big Shootas mowed down Ork ranks in utter carnage.
Lines of kneeling and standing Orks carrying Kannons fired in unison into the oncoming crowd, blasting holes in their forces with projectiles that tore apart their targets and struck the one waiting behind, switching to a second Kannon waiting on the ground as Grots reloaded the first.
Shootas, Sluggas, Blunderbusses, Boomstikks, Burnas, Stikkbombz, Squigs, and every type of weapon and vehicle imaginable bombarded the endless horde that didn't cared if they died uselessly.
Simultaneously, Grots ran everywhere, dragging the wounded and dead away, reloading and repairing weapons while their owners switched to a secondary, and bringing base's supplies to the battlefield.
The ongoing defense moved well, able to hold the line if things continued at this pace, but it would never be that simple.
A bang followed by something tearing through the sky, momentarily blocking the sunlight caught some combatant's attention, however, they never discovered its origin, as a shell hit the ground, creating a massive explosion, consuming a portion of the defense lines and their enemies, leaving a ruined and bloody smoking crater in its landing.
Buildings collapsed and debris, stone, and earth flew everywhere along with the bodies of those who did not become a green and red mist. Smoke and dust consumed the streets, blinding and suffocating those who did not wear some kind of mask, and an eerie silence consumed the area.
Those who did not die or lose consciousness stood up and walked around disoriented, ears ringing and vision blurry, lungs burning and bodies aching.
Where am I? Where should I go? Where are the gits to krump?
These questions ran through their heads as they watched dark shapes running and screaming across the obstructed terrain, hearing muffled gunshots and screams in unknown locations.
A disheveled Ork beheaded one of Teefrippa's Boyz with his choppa, only to have his brains splattered on the ground by a Boomstikk shot from an Ork in yellow.
Several armored Grots piled on an unlucky Ork who wanted to escape, stabbing him and turning into a mass of mangled flesh when a Stikkbomb exploded at his feet.
Blow after blow, death after death, many fell without speech or fanfare, an unexpected attack, a stray bullet, a cut-off scream, and a body hitting the ground midst fire and smoke.
Any order that existed on the battlefield immediately perished and transformed into absolute chaos, where everyone killed and died as soon as they found someone from the opposing force.
It was impossible to discern what happened, only hear the sounds that came from a final sentence for anyone who dared to step forward.
How long it lasted?
It was unknown, but the noises slowly diminished, the shots became brief flashes, the screams reduced in volume, the bodies stopped piling up and the smoke dissipated, but this did not calm the survivors.
There they were, Orks and Grots in yellow, bathed in red, wounded, breathing heavily and exhausted, barely standing, and now staring hatefully at those supposedly responsible for their current situation.
Forget the initial fear or secondary joy, for now, they burned with boiling rage that prevented their bodies from succumbing to fatigue.
It wasn't enough with the Skullrippa Boyz, now those nobodies wanted to take everything they worked so hard to build?! No! Enough!
The buildings they built, the streets they paved, the shops they opened, their homes, their "friends", everything they had achieved, was all at risk now! They couldn't recuperate what they had lost, but they would make sure the zoggin gits didn't advance another step!
The Teefrippa's forces drew all their melee weapons, normal, big and chain variants, hammers large and small, and raised their long and short-range firearms without caring if they were loaded or not, they served as clubs too.
Their trembling limbs threatened to fail, searing pain and extreme exhaustion creating a twinge of hesitation in their racing hearts and furious faces, but they gritted their teeth and stood defiantly.
They knew they weren't the only ones fighting, as they heard the fighting from the other lines in the distance, but the artillery rained down, opening holes in their defenses that would retreat for a last stand if it continued like this.
Perhaps they would survive until reinforcements arrived and see the fight end, or perhaps not, as many fell coughing blood as their vision darkened.
Their enemies shared a similar sentiment: They searched for loot and renown, and the zoggin gits in their path dared to deny them?! No! Enough!
They would take every weapon and ammunition, every armor and explosives, every teef and vehicle! It would all be theirs and those in their path must leave or suffer the consequences!
However, there was one question: was it worth it?
Looking back, they saw the sea of corpses of those who accompanied them. It wasn't a feeling of camaraderie or revolt, but rather the fear of having the same destiny.
If they won, would that be enough to start their warband or finally be accepted by one?
There was no turning back now, so they steeled their wills and salvaged whatever remained to use as weapons, no matter if it was just sticks and stones, they would compensate with unwavering determination.
Both sides stared at each other, exchanging murderous glances midst the tense silence, waiting for who would move first, the loyal defenders or the stubborn invaders?
Finally, a guttural war cry broke the deadlock. The ground shook again with another crowd's arrival, causing the yellow-clad Orks to lose hope, shortly before realizing that it came from behind them.
Relief filled their bodies and they smiled broadly at the sight of more yellow-clad figures, these feelings turned to confusion upon noticing something wrong.
Their allies went berserk, howling madly and foaming from the mouth, advancing without care in their way. Their veins glowed a disturbing green, their muscles grew and threatened to burst out of their clothing, and their eyes shone like cut rubies. Grots and Squigs found themselves in the same situation, acting with unusual ferocity.
It didn't take long for the defenders to realize that they wouldn't stop, so they did the logical thing and jumped away, dragging the incapacitated and avoiding being crushed by the maddened crowd.
The invaders, showing foolish courage and a lack of survival instinct, roared in defiance, closing the distance towards the reinforcements and finding themselves in a massacre.
The one who led the charge had his face sunk into his skull with a crushing punch from one of the yellow-clad Orks in a display of unusual strength for a Boy.
The second one swung his Choppa while his opponent did the same faster than his eyes could follow, fragmenting it with the impact and severing his fist as the weapon followed its path, with his head suffering the same fate soon after.
The third one was overwhelmed by insane Grots and Squigs who tore him apart and ate him alive with nails, claws, and teeth.
Fear, that was what they felt, for the Orks in front of them were monsters, dismembering and threshing every being in their path in a carnage worthy of horror tales. Limbs and organs fell like rain, screams of rage and condemnation described the cruel fate they suffered. What had been an invasion became a nightmare.
The defenders watched in horror, mouths hanging and eyes wide, wondering what had happened to their comrades in such a short space of time. However, the arrival of a Yoof in white and Grots pushing a cart with a large pot caught their attention.
"HEY, KOME OVA ERE AN' DRINK DIS!" He removed the pot's lid, revealing a bubbling, steaming green liquid.
There was a moment of hesitation as they wondered who the zog he was, but he must have been friendly since he came from the base's direction and was not firing at them.
"'Oo are yer an wot iz 'dat?!" An Ork Boyz held his injured arm, eyeing the Yoof and the liquid suspiciously.
"Iz Gharmott, 'da new Painboy uv 'da bunch, an dis iz someth'n 'dat will make ya feel better!" Gharmott put a soup ladle into the pot and offered its contents to the surprised Ork.
A Painboy, that was exactly what they needed! But what would happen if he drank this thing was unknown, since Ork doctors had a reputation for experimenting on their patients, however, death approached.
Breathing deeply, without many options, he accepted the mysterious potion, drinking and savoring it, grimacing at its sour taste before swallowing.
Nothing happened and he looked at himself, wondering what had changed. Suddenly, the pain disappeared and he smiled, feeling better, stopping when something ran through his body, a renewing energy and a bloodthirsty fury.
His muscles expanded, his veins and eyes shone, his heart raced and the fear disappeared. He felt incredible! As if he could face all the armies in the galaxy and emerge victorious! Then, with a characteristic war cry, he joined in the slaughter!
"WAAAGH!"
Everyone watched him disappear into the destruction, throwing himself at an enemy Ork, knocking him to the ground before biting his neck off and crushing his skull with headbutts.
The hesitation the others felt disappeared and they lined up eagerly to get their share of this miracle drink.
Gharmott, on the other hand, acted like a salesman, urging his customers to use his product, laughing to himself as each satisfied patient returned to combat thanks to the strange cocktail of several ingredients called Combat Juice, which made them almost immune to pain and more furious in battle.
-XXXXXX-
Dobby and his Grots crawled across the ground, hiding behind charred ruins and rubble, listening to the vehicle's engines and the nearby enemies' footsteps.
They stood in the city's destroyed parts, where Skullrippa's motorized forces escorted the large artillery vehicle that bombarded the path ahead, and killed any wounded survivors they found.
The Grots wanted to help, but they had a goal to accomplish: an ambush, a decisive strike against the mechanized unit and its escorts. The blue-clad Orks could move quickly and easily, but they would leave their precious cargo unprotected if they followed their fighting instincts.
A Wartrakk thread passed dangerously close to their heads, and they held their breaths, waiting for it to pass before they entered a narrow tunnel through the rubble and crossed the street below their enemies.
Dust fell on their heads, forcing them to hurry due to the risk of collapse and crushing death, and emerge on the other side, climbing prone the side of a collapsed building and spotting their approaching target in an escort's center.
The Big Trakk fired its Supa-Kannon again in a powerful display of fire, smoke, and metal, nearly flying back due to the recoil before its Ork crew on its back opened the weapon's hatch and loaded another shell.
Dobby spotted the cloud of destruction where it landed, frowning in concern before focusing on his mission, reflecting the sunlight with a glass shard and nodding when something glinting in the distant ruins responded to his signal.
The squad then descended the building, resuming their silent walk, but stopping when they heard footsteps approaching. The group glanced and their leader, who signaled for them to hide in the shadows and crevices, waiting for the unknowns to reveal themselves.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" A fearful disheveled Grot asked his companions, observing concerned the surrounding decay.
"I don't know, they sent us here to find any hidden gits." One of the green creatures replied, looking around with his Blasta raised.
"But if they are hiding, then how will we find them?" A third little green being spoke, sharing the first's sentiments.
"I don't know, but do you want to return and tell it to the bosses?"
These final words silenced the group of several Grots who scanned the area, searching for what their masters had ordered.
Unfortunately, they failed to realize that they were not alone and that their target stood closer than they thought. The hidden squad quickly left their cover with weapons ready, surrounding their surprised victims.
The few who had weapons tried to shoot, but Dobby, using the group's leader as a hostage and shield with a choppa to his neck, made them stop.
"Good, now drop your weapons!" He demanded, but there was hesitation, forcing him to bring the knife closer to his prisoner, drawing blood. The cocking of several weapons encouraged them, and the ambushed threw their Blastas to the ground and raised their hands.
"Perfect, I heard your talk, but my boss gave me a mission, so I can't let that happen. On the other hand, I have a proposal, and death is the other option if you wish."
"The first option, please!" A Grot raised a finger nervously as his friends gave similar answers. Dobby smiled broadly at the cooperation and then said what he had to offer.
-XXXXXX-
"'ERE DEY KOME!" One of the blue-clad Orks in the escort pointed to an approaching dust cloud, dozens of yellow Warbikkes advancing at full speed.
The pilots opened fire with their side-mounted guns, initiating combat and taking down those who did not take cover quickly enough.
The Wartrakks took the initiative, being modified War Buggies to traverse dangerous terrain, sacrificing speed for stability and offensive capability, and fired their Big Shootas as they advanced.
The pilots of some of the bikes fell with pieces of their bodies missing, their vehicles skidding across the dirt, while the rest advanced. The same went for the Wartrakks, losing their pilots or gunners who were quickly replaced.
"'EY, GIVE ME MOAR BULLETZ!" One of the Orks manning the Big Shootas shouted to the startled Grots behind the vehicle, who complied, handing him over an ammo pack that he quickly fitted to his weapon.
However, the shots stopped with a noise that no one wanted to hear during a fight.
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
A click sounded every time he pulled the trigger, something had jammed, and the bullets passing dangerously close to his head made him intensify his efforts until…
BOOM!
The chamber of the Big Shoota exploded, firing in all directions and opening a hole in his head and the pilot's back.
BOOM!
The same went for all the Wartrakks present, one by one, their weapons exploded in a shower of projectiles, injuring or killing those nearby, facilitating the bikes' advance.
However, the Orks behind the covers still sent lead walls in their direction, but the arrival of well-equipped Grots leaving every corner and crack surprised them, bombarding with Sluggas and Blunderbusses' shots.
It was an ambush, and they didn't know who to shoot.
The bikes? The Grots?
It didn't matter, as disorder consumed their formations.
The Wartrakk Skorchas tried to relieve their allies, spitting flaming jets in the bikes' path so that they could focus on the smaller attackers, which worked shortly. The pilots turned sharply, avoiding the flame wall, while some of the little green ones succumbed to the enemy retaliation.
However, the Grots manning the promethium tank dragged by main vehicle turned valves and pulled levers, stopping the fire before fleeing from the scorching explosion resulting from their actions.
The remaining fighters looked on in horror and disbelief at what had happened.
How? How could this happen?
Betrayal came from where everyone least expected it.
How dare they betray them after everything they did?
They threatened and kicked them, fed them occasionally, gave them rags to wear and rusty weapons to fight.
What more did they want? Were their lives not good enough? Such ingratitude would not be forgiven!
The betrayed's revolt never progressed, as a sea of explosions extinguished their lives, courtesy of those who responded to Dobby's signal, the Boom Boyz.
Orks armed to the teef with explosives appeared on top of the ruins, raising hell for those on the ground below. Thumpguns sent grenades in an arc, along with threw Stikkbombz, tearing Skullrippa's forces apart.
The Big Trakk crew rushed to their side guns, returning fire with a bullet hail as the driver attempted to retreat, failing when a rocket from a Rokkit Laucha hit the right track, holding them in place.
This was the end, no matter how much they shouted or fired, the wave of explosions disoriented their senses, their ears bled and rang, their eyes stung from the dirt and smoke, and their noses burned from the carnage.
The last Ork in blue fell, but the onslaught ended seconds later, leaving a patch of craters and destroyed vehicles, the Big Trakk being the only one recognizable.
The yellow-clad attackers wasted no time searching the vehicle, but they found nothing of interest. Horror overtook their beings upon realizing the seriousness of the situation, Skullrippa was not here.
"BOSS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!" Dobby shouted into his walkie-talkie.
"SPEAK!"
"SKULLRIPPA, WE DIDN'T FIND HIM!"
"WHAT? RETURN TO THE BASE AND… BOOM! WAAAGH!"
PSSHH!
CLICK!
"BOSS?!" He shook the device with both hands, without answer after the noises from the other side, then he looked towards the city, spotting a dark pillar rising into an undesirable location.
"WE'RE GOING BACK NOW!"
At the Grot's order, Teefrippa's forces gathered immediately, hitching a ride on the War Bikes and returning at top speed, praying to the Gods that they wouldn't arrive too late.
-XXXXXX-
BOOM!
The ground at Teefrippa's base split open with a massive explosion, raising dirt and dust.
The surprised Orks had different reactions, some died, flew away, or fell depending on the distance, some ran hurriedly, organizing everything and warning their allies of the danger, while others grabbed their weapons and watched closely for the destruction's source.
Tense moments passed with countless nervous fingers anxious to press their weapon's triggers, but the order to shoot never came, so they waited, sweat running down their faces and breathing heavily.
Suddenly, a scream filled the surroundings and bluish figures left the exploded hole, spreading like ants and choosing the targets of their wrath upon spotting an individual who did not wear the same color as them.
"WAAAGH!"
"FIRE!"
A deafening cacophony drowned their war cries, metallic clangs from spinning drums of the 'Ard Boyz' Dakka Shootas, who now formed an immovable shield wall, mimicking the strategy of an Astarte Legion known for its defensive prowess and fortification.
A large Ork dressed in purple commanded his subordinates right behind them, shouting orders while waving a Waaagh! Banner, motivating his warriors with supernatural strength and energy.
They became the focus of attention, drawing enemy fire, and allowing their allies to organize themselves.
The blue-clad adversaries sent a lead barrage, but failed to break through the immovable barrier they formed as they succumbed to the overwhelming onslaught.
More and more Orks crawled from the hole, simultaneously, the shield wall slowly spread, threatening to surround them and turn their entrance into a slaughterhouse.
Bodies fell to the ground, but a huge armored figure emerged with heavy steps that sank into the earth, firing his weapon equivalent to his size, opening holes in the defenders and creating an exit for his minions.
"TEEFRIPPA, 'ERE AR' YA…"
BANG!
Skullrippa didn't finish, as a shot hit his shoulder, ricocheting and chipping his armor.
The Nob spotted a purple Ork halfway through reloading a smoking Blunderbuss, and right now, all the hatred and frustration he felt during this siege hit him like a Trukk.
"AAAHHH! ZOG IT!" He screamed, aiming and firing his Snazzgun at his enemy.
The mass of fused weapons spat an unimaginable metallic rain, bullets of every possible and impossible caliber, some shapeless metal pieces that fit inside.
"CLOSE YOUR EYES!" Teefrippa shouted, pulling the pin on a handful of Stikkbombz and throwing them upward.
The 'Ard Boyz did as ordered and were not blinded when they exploded in a bright flash. Skullrippa and his Orks were not so quick and screamed and thrashed, rubbing their sore eyes as they fired wildly.
Gorlonik then pulled one of the 'Ard Boyz by the shoulder, bringing him face to face with the frightened Yoof before speaking in an angry, threatening tone.
"CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO STANDARD BEARER OF MY WARBAND! YOU WILL FIGHT IN MY NAME, DECLARE OUR CONQUESTS, AND ANNOUNCE OUR WAAAGH! I'VE NEVER HAD ONE BEFORE, SO YOU BETTER NOT DIE OR LOSE MY BANNER! NO BEARER HAS FAILED ME, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE FIRST, DO YOU?!"
"NA, BOSS!" The Yoof swallowed nervously, almost in disbelief at the words he heard.
Of all the Orks, why would he be given such honor and prestige?
"GREAT, WHAT'S YOUR NAME?!"
"WUT..."
"I ASKED WHAT'S YOUR NAME!" Teefrippa shook hin vigorously.
"NAZHAK!"
"VERY WELL, IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU, NAZHAK, I'M GORLONIK TEEFRIPPA, YOUR BOSS! NOW, TAKE THAT CURSED FLAG AND KRUMP SOME GITS!"
The purple Ork then painfully slammed the flagpole into Nazhak's palm, making him flinch before running away, shooting at the enemy Boss who recovered and returned fire.
Despite everything, the Yoof could not believe what happened, wondering why he had been chosen and what the Boss saw as so special in him.
Time slowed down, the battle sounds muffled and the color disappeared from the world, except for the flag fluttering in the wind. Nazhak analyzed its colors, green, yellow, purple, and black, understanding their meaning along with the glyphs written on its fabric.
He felt the Ork face on the flag staring at him, almost moving, judging him, waiting something from him. Then his gaze shifted to his allies facing their enemies, with shields raised and weapons firing, each shot leaving an orange trail in its path.
Something burned in his chest, an unshakable determination, an invincible pride, but there was an incessant doubt in the back of his mind, about whether he would meet the Boss's expectations.
He looked at the ground, tightening his grip and hitting the butt of the flag on the earth, breathing deeply and shaking his head, leaving his doubts for later, as there were more important matters at hand.
Nazhak stopped between his allies, putting his shield aside and shouting with all his might as he shook the flag in a colorful tornado.
"ATTENTION YA GITS, YA MESSED WIT' BOSS GORLONIK TEEFRIPPA, ORK, BAD MOON, WEIRDBOY, RUNTHERD, DA RICHEST ORK 'N TOWN JUST LIKE THE YELLOW, DA SNEAKIEST ON DA ENTIRE PLANET DANKS TA PURPLE, KUNNINGLY BRUTAL LIKE MORK, KRUSHA UV DUMB GITS AN KILLA UV WILD NIDS. WE WILL KRUMP YA FOR DINK'N YA KAN KRUMP US AN' WE WILL RIP OFF YER TEEFS FOR DESTROY'N OUR HOME, SO KOME ON BOYZ, SHOOT!"
"WAAAGH!" His companions responded with renewed energy.
"I DIDN'T HEAR YER!"
"WAAAGH!" Their weapons fired incessantly, bringing an end to their enemies.
"SHOUT LOUDER!"
"WAAAGH!" Their shields held out against the enemy bombardment, daring them to continue.
"'DAT'S WOT I WANT TA HEAR! WAAAGH!"
The 'Ard Boyz proved unstoppable, standing their ground, feeling a surge of power from the their ally's words, who now bore the symbol of all their efforts.
Their armor's weight disappeared and their shots' accuracy increased, showing Skullrippa's Orks whom they would have to krump first if they wanted to advance, for they would not move, this would only end when the last one fell.
-XXXXXX-
"STOP RUNN'N AN FIGHT!" Skullrippa chased the enemy Boss with his gun, whose shots missed by a few meters.
The purple Ork did not respond, firing his Blunderbuss again, hitting his chest's center where some of the bullets lodged. Skullrippa frowned under his helmet, wondering what kind of ammunition he used to damage his armor, even though it was nothing to worrisome.
Anyways, both combatants did not progress in the fight. Skullrippa was strong, heavy, and tough, a combination of being a Nob and his equipment, but this prevented him from approaching or hitting the agile Teefrippa who tried to pierce his armor at all costs.
Tired of this game of Squig and Grot, he pressed a button on his weapon's side, firing the attached rockets towards his enemy, who stopped his run and removed a strange staff from his cloak, pointing it at the approaching explosives.
He asked himself it would end easily like that, but the rockets shook mid-flight and followed the staff's movement when Gorlonik spun it above his head, returning them to their owner.
The Nob's eyes widened and he turned a key on his Snazzgun, popping out more gun's barrels in a comical display and spitting an even larger barrage at his rockets, blowing them up one by one.
The resulting cloud hid both enemies, but Teefrippa acted first as blue-robed Orks came to his boss's aid.
The first swung an axe-shaped Choppa but found his attack blocked by the staff's handle as its owner dropped his Blunderbuss and removed a Slugga from somewhere inside his cloak, blowing a hole in his forehead shortly after.
The second didn't close the distance, receiving a shot to each knee and one to the back of the head when he fell. The third was smarter and kept his distance, to gun down the Ork with his Shoota, but his enemy whistled, making three distinct Squigs join the fight and tear him to pieces.
The ground shook rhythmically with approaching metallic cracks and Skullrippa broke through the smoke, using the distraction, and now planning to encase his enemy's skull with his Power Klaw.
Unfortunately, the fourth Ork present suffered this cruel fate when Gorlonik punched his chin with his Spiked Brass Knuckles, ripping a few teefs and disorienting him before grabbing his shoulders, spin him around, and place him in the Klaw's path.
Several cracks followed by a wet squelch and the Ork died instantly as his head and spine were removed in a grotesque display.
Skullrippa would have made a sarcastic comment, but his subordinate's dead body hitting his torso like a wet paper interrupted his train of thought. What came after returned his mind to the fight, his enemy emptying his weapon's magazine point-blank into his head.
Some of the shots hit his Iron Jaw, breaking some of the protective teefs, while others ricocheted off his helmet, dangerously close to the eye slits.
The Nob ignored the short headache and swung his weapon sideways, pulling a secondary trigger and activating the Burna attached to the bottom, creating a flaming arc.
Teefrippa showed surprise, shielding himself with his cape and leaping back, escaping singed but still alive to avoid a vertical swing that created a scorching explosion upon hitting the ground.
Strike after strike, the Nob kept his target in range, putting him on the defensive, pressuring him to never escape again.
Gorlonik sweated with each swing that threatened to incinerate him, the heat becoming unbearable the closer his attacker got until he saw an opening, a heavy, wide blow that exposed the Nob's chest.
He charged his staff with psychic power and closed at Skullrippa, placing him in an awkward position due to the unexpected movement, and slammed his weapon into his chest like a stun baton.
"AAAHHH!" Emerald lightning coursed through his large armor riveted to his flesh, intensifying the damage and pain he received, his blood boiled, his flesh burned, and it felt like his eyes would melt in their sockets
However, he fought the pain and swung his Power Klaw painfully, trying to grab Teefrippa, but the Ork ducked and circled him, delivering quick shocks to his sides.
The agony still hit the smoking Nob, but at a manageable level, so he waited for the next attack, holding the staff in his Power Klaw's grip with a victorious cry.
Its owner pulled it uselessly, failing to overcome the Nob's strength and flying towards him due to the pull in the opposite direction.
SNAP!
An absurd pressure broke the staff in two, but the purple Ork did not stop, using the proximity to draw his Dakka Shoota from his cloak and pull the trigger, making the drum spin.
His target acted faster, backhanding the weapon away from his grip before lunging with a prepared punch.
There was no time to draw another weapon, so Gorlonik raised his fists, assuming a fighting stance and leaped aside, dodging the crushing punch that cracked the ground.
The slow strike allowed him to deliver two swift punches…
CRACK!
CRACK!
…Only for the spikes on his Brass Knuckles to shatter on the Nob's jaw and head.
"HAHAHA!" Skullrippa saw his opponent stare surprised at his broken weapons, and aimed his Snazzgun at him in a feint attack, interrupting the trigger pull when he tried to dodge, and swinging his weapon like a club, hitting his jaw.
Teefrippa flew away with a sickening crack, bouncing on the ground like a ball, grunting in pain with each impact before landing face down, spitting blood on the ground.
The one who threw him advanced like a furious animal while his opponent tried to stand up with a weak fist, fumbling with something inside his cloak with his free hand.
The Nob chose not to risk it and stopped, raising his weapon and pulling the trigger at the same moment a smoke cloud enveloped him. He screamed and fired blindly, hoping to hit his target, but when the darkness dissipated, he saw only the pitted ground.
Something tickled his hearing, several clicks, and pops, and when the he looked to the source, he saw his enemy crouched beside his weapon, smirking before rolling aside, dodging a kick aimed at his face.
Skullrippa clicked his tongue and tried to fire, but frowned when nothing happened. Holding the device to his face, he widened his eyes as all the valves of the Burna's promethium tank where closed and the pressure gauge rose dangerously.
The tank bulged and cracked, too late to relieve the pressure, so he chose the next best option and threw his weapon towards his enemy. What he didn't expect was for Teefrippa to catch the Snazzgun, nearly losing his balance due to its weight, spin around, and return it to its owner.
Skullrippa's mouth opened with a silent scream, snapping out of his stupor as the unstable object approached, grabbing it and throwing it back.
Both Orks entered into a dangerous game of Hot Potato, trading insults and hurling the explosive material at each other, praying not to be the unlucky one to suffer a scalding end.
Fortunately, for the Nob, his weapon exploded into a fireball mid-air as soon as it left his hands, making him sigh relieved and approach the focus of his wrath, removing a handful of Stikkbombz from his belt and throwing them in sequence.
However, the grenades stopped and returned to their owner, who protected his face with his arms, losing parts of his armor and flesh, but surviving the explosion. Nevertheless, a drop of fear overtook his being when seeing Gorlonik with his Dakka Shoota in his hands.
He wondered when the git had retrieved it, then remembered the smoke cloud, growling at being tricked and sticking his Power Klaw into the ground, throwing a wall of dirt and sand at Teefrippa.
The Ork instinctively flinched at the attack on his organic eye, but his bionic one locked its sight on Skullrippa, surrounding him in a red outline and ensuring that he did not disappear.
The large Ork did not stop, and that proved to be a mistake when the bullets acted like a can opener, peeling off his armor in a show of sparks and bloody fragments.
Both Orks flinched at the collisions' sharp noise, Gorlonik retreated with light jumps, keeping up the fire, while the one in front of him tried to close the distance.
A swing of his Power Klaw came dangerously close of doing so, damaging his never-pierced carapace armor and leaving two bloody gashes on his stomach. The second blow came in the form of a backhand, but he moved fluidly under the arm, bypassing the Nob and removing parts of his left side and back.
Over and over, Skullrippa lost his armor, the bullets would hit his body and that would be the end, a Nob krumped by a nobody.
His name would be a laughingstock after his death, one of Rukzod's greatest warriors felled by someone smaller and weaker than him, and eventually, he would be forgotten by time.
Midst the pain that wracked his body, the Nob wondered when everything ended so wrong.
By starting this fight?
No! He had no choice, the Boss had ordered it and he wouldn't be stupid enough to say no, and what kind of Ork would refuse a fight?
Thinking that his enemy was a normal Ork and that he would fight like any other would was his mistake. He realized this, adapting his plans after his original failure, but as much as he hated to admit it, it wasn't enough, Gorlonik Teefrippa outsmarted him. The yellow and purple Boss prepared for this for who knows how long.
How this stranger reached so far? How he grew so much in a year to the point of bothering the city's most important Orks?
He had only heard rumors of his deeds, clearly exaggerated by impressed fools who had not witnessed what had happened.
Completing several nid-killing missions without getting hurt?
Likely, judging by his intelligence.
Killing most of the city's gangs in a death trap?
Possibly, as long as he wasn't alone.
Krumping a giant boar that destroyed an entire convoy?
Impossible!
Having the largest trade network in all Thumb of Gork?
Well, that was why he was here facing him, wasn't it?
Maybe the stories weren't so impossible. Maybe the Ork in front of him deserved all the glory and respect. Respect... Like every good Ork, he valued displays of strength and power, and right now, something, deep down, burned in his chest.
What was it? Did he respect the one who gave him so much trouble?
Probably, yes, after all, look at what happened to his Warband, everything they went through, and where he is now, losing to someone inferior who fought like Bloody Axes and Kommandos, but in his way.
Teefrippa would go far if he continued like this, all of this in a year, and he, a Nob, took five to stand here since the day he was born a Yoof in the fungus fields.
He remembered the first time he opened his eyes in a dark chamber with a bunch of green creatures, Snots, his instincts told him, watching him. How they took him and others to Rukzod, who equipped them and ordered them to prove themselves if they wanted more.
Of all his fights against nids, 'umies, and other Orks, of the emotions he felt, joy, anger, fear, pride, of all the times he almost died, of the day his Boss recognized his efforts, choosing him as his agent and of the last conversation they had.
That same respect was the reason why he could not fall now, he only needed one blow, a single blow to end it all, to show that he was a worthy foe, just one opening and that would be the end.
As if the Gods had answered his prayers, the shots stopped, the weapon's ammunition that plagued him ended, and its owner searched his cloak for more to reload it.
That was it! For Gork and Mork, that was what he wanted! Now, he just needed Teefrippa to stay still! Maybe blue was the lucky color, for some of his Boyz came to his aid, facing his enemy.
Then he ran, nearly falling as his legs gave out, his strength nearly gone, but he held on, each step painfully heavy, starting as a walk, turning into a run.
His Power Klaw weighed him down, pulling him sideways, but he gritted his teeth and raised his arm in a colossal effort, trying to align it with his adversary's head, whose form doubled and blurred in his reddened vision and head hammered by a mind-shattering pain.
Teefrippa abandoned his weapon and shook his arms, two large knives slid from his sleeves and he faced the blue Nob's protectors.
The first had his neck cut with a silver thread wrapped in a scarlet trail, the second had his swing blocked and parried in a shower of glittering sparks before one of the blades pierced his jaw and brain, the third had his Shoota thrust upward and his chest stabbed repeatedly like a piston, sending his pierced corpse into the earth.
It didn't matter, Teefrippa was close, almost in range, so he extended his Power Klaw, ready to show the meaning of his name. His target didn't remain still, his knives floated and spun, slicing the air toward him.
"AAAHHH!" Skullrippa screamed, the left side of the world darkened. The second knife missed its target, slapped away, for something so small would not stop him.
Finally, he reached the one who challenged him, swinging his weapon and tasting victory. He could imagine what Rukzod would say, the praise and rewards he would receive.
He might have failed to bring Teefrippa alive, but at least he freed him of a major problem. The Ork in question didn't seem to mind and stood strangely calm, eyes closed and breathing deeply, probably accepting his end.
Suddenly, a green light shone in his stomach, rising through his throat to his mouth, where greenish flames escaped from his lips, green lightning ran across his skin and his now open eye, then he leaned forward and opened his mouth, Skullrippa saw an emerald light and felt an intense heat, a true hell, but he kept moving without fear, then...
-XXXXXX-
"I GOT YER, YER... WUT?!" Skullrippa stopped his run abruptly, stumbling halfway as his arm cut the air where Teefrippa should be.
"'ERE AR' YER?!" He searching for his missing enemy.
Did he escape again? How? Light? Smoke? Explosives?
There was no time to waste, if they were both alive then the fight could continue, he just needed to pay attention and…
The words faded in his mind, realizing something seriously wrong, he felt no pain as if the fight never happened, he still wore his intact armor and helmet, his Power Klaw, Snazzgun, and moving Mohawk, all pristine, in perfect condition.
As if that wasn't enough, he didn't know where he was, the enemy base and the city, by Gork and Mork, even the wider city where nowhere to be seen!
Everything replaced by a massive, endless mountain range covered in mushrooms and green mist, and a sky of the same color, with a pair of twin moons in the distance.
He scratched his head in confusion.
How the zog had he ended here? How much time had passed? Where was his Warband? Was the fight still happening? Did his Boyz win? Was he still in Green Morgue?
Rukzod would be furious when he returned, if he returned, for he could not find familiar landmarks to guide him home. Resigning himself, the Nob breathed deeply and walked, forhe would never return if he stood still.
Suddenly, an earthquake shook the land, a long, shattering tremor, knocking him to the ground, and an eternally dark shadow consumed everything in its path, revealing the source of such natural disaster, Two Orks, the largest in all history, larger than any Mega Gargant, so gigantic that it was impossible to know their true size, their heads reaching into unreachable space.
Skullrippa was paralyzed in fear and awe, only two Orks in the entire galaxy could reach such size, and if he saw them, then it meant the worst had happened.
The two giants did not acknowledge his presence, focused on their eternal fight, disappearing into the mist, exchanging punches, kicks, and headbutts, taking the force of nature that followed them to a distant but paradoxically close place.
It took a while to stand up, shaken and with his heart almost stopping, and now wondering what would happen.
Should he wait for something, or move on?
"Look, annuver newcoma." An unfamiliar voice caught his attention.
Turning around with his weapon raised, he spotted an Ork bigger than him, a Warboss and freebooter, judging by his size, clothes, and Squigeon on his shoulder. He sat by a circular table, smoking a pipe and playing cards with other Orks and Grots.
Skullrippa was certain they hadn't been there before, but he brushed it aside and approached when invited to sit in an empty chair, receiving his cards and a mug of fungus beer.
"Kome on, ask away! Yer face says yer want answers!" The Warboss threw a card on the table.
"CRA! Ask away!"
The Nob flinched briefly, remembering Rukzod when he got angry, then readjusted himself and spoke:
"Wot happened ta me an wot iz dis place?" He surveyed his surroundings curiously.
"Well, dose are 'da qestions 'veryone asks. Furst, ya died, an' no, I'z not kidd'n. Whateva krumped ya did it right, an now ya're 'n da Great Green, da land uv Gork an Mork." The big Ork played another card.
"So tose giants 'ere…"
"Yeah, an' I amost died 'gain 'en I saw dem. I bet I made an' face jus like yours." The Warboss scoffed, lifting the corners of his mouth.
"CRA! Jus like yours!"
"Wut 'appens now?"
"Hmm… Annuver gud qestion, wun I asked maself. Yer kan eitha stay ere an relax, ask Gork an Mork ta reincarnat yer in a new life, or 'alk down da mountains ta da fungus fields an fight foreva against all da Orks 'oo chose it too."
"All da Orks?"
"All 'da Orks, but ya betta watch out, some uv dem have been ere since 'da time 'da Tin Men an' Pointy-Eared gits ruled 'da galaxy, an' some uv im are 'da size uv Mega Dreadz."
"YUCK! Da size uv Mega Dreadz!"
Skullrippa would have doubted the Warboss's words if it weren't for the seriousness in his voice and gaze, finding the current environment more pleasant than what awaited him below. He would descend the mountain at a later date.
"So, how did ya die?" The Warboss broke the silence.
"Ma Boss sent me ta br'n a git 'oo owed 'em teef… but 'e was stronga dan I thought, an' moar kunning, tak'n out ma Warband an' me. Yer should have seen 'em, 'e used all sorts uv tricks an' fought weird."
"Hmph! Git mistake, but I kan't say I did beta, a Tin Man sank ma ship an' I sent ma entire fleet ta attack his home. It was a fun fight, we smashed each otha up, but 'e kut ma neck an' stole ma Powa Klaw."
"When diz hapen?"
"Hm… About ten or twenty years ago, last time I heard, 'e konquered all 'da planets 'n 'da system, leav'n 'da 'umiez an chaos spiky gits furious, but 'e fell into 'da secret path 'dat 'da pointy-eared gits use ta travel."
"An' 'im?" Skullrippa pointed to a Grot who scratched his head in confusion, looking at his cards.
"Dat's Makari, 'e komes an' goes as 'e pleases."
As if by fate, the Grot disappeared with a cut scream as soon as the Warboss finished, and everyone present immediately looked at his cards before he returned.
"An' yer, wot's yer name?"
"Iz Warboss Gol D. Loota, an' ya?"
"Skullrippa."
So, with the introductions made, the Orks returned to their card game, eating, drinking, and exchanging stories of their lives, stopping when Makari returned and asked if they had looked at his cards, something they denied.
Despite the pleasant mood, the Nob couldn't stop wondering what happened in the world of the living, an incessant curiosity wanting to know the fate of Teefrippa and Rukzod.
It was inevitable that both would fight, the Warboss would not let this go unpunished, however, Skullrippa could be content with one thing, this was no longer his problem. And he had all the time in the galaxy to rest in a place where such a concept meant nothing.
"Skullrippa." A familiar voice that he didn't expect to hear so soon caught his attention and his face contorted in disbelief at the sight of the new Ork in the area, Rukzod Nidkilla staring at him with anger and confusion.
END OF CHAPTER