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Jake the Sage

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Hello everyone! Greets, salutations!

 

Wow, it's already been an entire year since I was given the go ahead to plot this stupid thing and even less time since I've begun actually writing and editing it. I had said before that I wanted to begin on the "second season" before I began posting anything, but that's something I've ultimately decided against.

 

Obviously, since I'm posting this now . . .

 

So first off here is a small "trailer" for everyone to read so you can see if you're interested in reading my sequel that will, hopefully, live up to the original.

 

Over twenty-five years ago, the tyrant known as Lord Life was defeated by an unlikely group of teenage rebels. His army, the Inactive, have since disbanded across the globe. In the moment of Lord Life’s defeat Enxaz Aito, known widely as ‘The Creator’, stepped into the power vacuum as the World Emperor.

 

When Emperor Aito disappeared without a trace the Mods, a government spanning special police force, resumed power. The world has proven that even without Lord Life there is still many evil people remaining in the world; The Wiseman Terrorist Attacks, Striker’s War and much more.

 

Now, on the anniversary the “Inactive War” ended, a new threat has risen up to take hold of the world once more.
 

“The worst nightmare isn’t knowing what’s true or not.  .  . Imagine.  .  . That the people, places, the moments  . . . most important to you are not gone, not dead, but worse . . . have never been. What kind of hell would that be?”

 

[spoiler=Dictionary]

This is for any words that seem to require, well, a definition.

 

Zoomed - crazy, insane

Googan - an idiot

Gummy - old person

Defed - akin to calling someone "retarded"

Luvmate - boyfriend or girlfriend

Mod Brat - insult towards the child of a Mod, almost like calling someone a "son of a b*tch"

Splice - a new age genetic technique in which foreign DNA is added into host DNA; generally to give people animal-like traits

Spliced - to have DNA that is mixed with another species

[/spoiler]

 

I'll add more if I spot them, if not please let me know if anyone sees a word they don't recognize and I'll add it here.

 

This is Rated PG-16 for mild to possibly strong sexual innuendos, violence, gore, language, etc.but I won't tell your Mom if you don't . . .

11. The owner of a thread may bump a thread at any time to update it with new chapters. However, this does not apply to other posters, and the owner must add new content at the time or risk being locked.

 

[spoiler=Season One]

Opening Theme Song

Closing Theme Song

[spoiler=Prologue]

The full moon peeked out from behind the clouds high above the city, and down below only the lights dotting randomly from windows illuminated the empty streets. The sound of footsteps echoing could be heard, distant at first but quickening with each passing second. The footsteps are coupled with a frantic breathing, the panicked breath of a young woman underneath one of the few still working street lights, her dirty blond hair sticking to the sides of her face; looking around she ducks into the alleyway without a single word. She couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed . . . her mind wouldn’t allow her to believe what she had just seen was real- never in a million years. Leaning her head back to gently rest against the cool brick wall her legs finally give out, her entire frame sliding to the ground at the very end of the alley as a low sob escapes her lips. Covering her head, pulling her knees up against her body, she stifled any tears that were welling in her eyes, “They’re all dead . . . Tillie . . . Jason . . . Meghan . . . all of them killed by those . . . those . . . things!”

 

The woman remained curled up alone crying. A clang in the distance caught her attention. Standing up to look in the direction the noise came from she gasped spotting the lumbering figures moving towards her with a relentless pace that never changed. Standing up, lobbing one of her shoes uselessly at them, she ran deeper into the alley. Hitting a gate the young girl looks up at the top then back at the crowd creeping towards her relentlessly. One bare foot pushing into the chain linked fence she attempted to climb it, losing her grip and falling back down to the ground, the crowd nearly surrounding her.  With nowhere to run, her eyes grew wide in fear while her entire body shook. Pressing her body against the fence behind her, as if she hoped to pass through it, she shook her head as the growing crowd slowly advanced towards her with its blood stained jaws hanging open and a low grunt bellowed out of it. Her heart was racing and the only sound that she could even utter was a loud scream as the front of the crowd lurched forward suddenly. Just before one of them was within a few feet of her, it’s jaws gnawing instinctively, a surprising scream that was not her own distracted her from everything else. She heard someone call out to it, “Back off you rotting son of a b****!”

 

Her eyes shut, body trembling, she could only hear the next series of events. Even with her eyes shut she could feel something large in front of her and the crowd let out another group of bellows. A sudden tearing noise, horrible sounding that twisted her stomach just hearing it, followed then two more thuds; the first one lighter before a heavier one right after it. Finally forcing herself to open her eyes, she was staring at a man dressed in nearly complete body armor from head to toe; in his right hand was a blood stained sword, swing to clean it off a bit. Beside him one of the creatures had had its head removed and was no longer a threat, the others remaining at a safe distance. Looking at him in disbelieve he offered his hand before a tiny smirk appeared on his face, “This is going to sound corny but, come with me if you want to live!”

 

Blinking for a moment she is pulled against the man, holding her in his arms, and gives a surprised shout when he jumps at the undead crowd. Cleaving through them until they broke out into the wide open street, the two stopped and let the girl down. Her legs barely able to support her, she kept one hand on him looking back at the undead that had been easily slaughtered by a single man. She was so focused on what she was looking at she hardly noticed the man speaking to her, telling her that everything will be alright. Turning to look at him she was about to thank him, only the moment she turned her head at him she saw something behind him- huge and deadly. Gasping and pointing behind him, the man spins around and sees a massive undead bigger than a building heading towards them

 

As the monster undead roars, lifting its makeshift weapon above its hideous face, the screen phases to black as the announcer begins to talk, ‘Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of “Zombie Samurai”!’ Leaning back in his chair one of the security guards lets out a long, low groan as a commercial began on the television screen, “Man! Now I’m going to have to wait another week to see if Samurai Hito kills that thing and makes out with the hot damsel-in-distress chick!”

 

“And we still don’t know if she’s a clone or if she’s an unwilling spy for the government who’s hunting down Samurai Hito.”

 

“Of course she isn’t a clone or a government spy you idiot,” the first security guard said crossing his arms, glancing up quickly at the constantly humming security monitors. The two guards get into a debate over what role the girl plays, each one trying to convince the other they knew what they were talking about. Minutes passed as the two argue, retort and continue debating about the television show, completely unaware of the flicker of movement on one of the seven monitor screens as a group runs past the rotating cameras.

 

 

The group reaches the roof’s door and stops to examine the security measures keeping them from simply opening the door. Nothing more than a keypad that requires a twelve digit code to open. One of the group’s members lightly pressed her hand to her forehead, speaking in a low tone, “We’re at the door, awaiting your instructions.”

 

A few seconds later she nods, glancing up at her colleagues and pulls out a hand held iPod, powering it up so that a person appears onscreen, pulling out a cord to squeeze it into the USB port on  the key pad. The numbers begin to blink, going through all ten digits before the first one appears, ‘2’. This continues until each number is revealed and the key pad glows green, unlocking itself so the door swings open on its own. The remaining members step forward then look back at the woman, nodding to ensure she knows to remain on the roof to ensure nothing unexpected occurs. With a member on the roof the other two make their way into the building, heading down the stairs towards the guards’ station. They don’t even pause to worry about the security system, knowing that it had already been shut off, and make it to the door without a single mishap. Standing in front of the door one of them knocks, a smile on her face as she waits . . .
 

 

Inside the room one of the guards lets out a sigh hearing the knock, looking at the clock, “Isn’t it a little early for the next shift to arrive?”

 

“Might as well let them in and make our rounds before ‘Survivor Antarctica’ comes on,” the other guard says standing up, taking hold of his flash light.

 

Flicking on the flash light he takes the few steps towards the door, reaching out to open it, his eyes grow wide being greeted with a sight he had never expected to see. Instead of the next shift in front of him was a beautiful blonde haired woman in what appeared to be a cat girl cosplay; her ears even twitched when she smiled at him.

 

“W-Who the Hell ar-”

 

Her hand lashes out and snared his neck in a tight grip holding him in place, her white eyes peering through the dim light, before claws pierced through soft flesh. Yanking back she tore open his neck, preventing him from even uttering a single sound, much less shout to warn the other guard. The other guard, screaming seeing his friend toppling over with blood quickly flowing from his neck, presses himself up against the desk struggling to draw his pistol and takes a very shaky aim at the two intruders, “D-Don’t f***ing move! I-I’ll shoot! I swear I’ll shoot!”

 

“Oh look Addy~! He’s shaking,” the other intruder says in a lofty almost serene giggle that floated through the air. Without even hesitating or showing concern for having a pistol pointed at her the other woman walked towards the man confidently, her large distracting chest jiggling with each step. Pressing the pistol tip flesh between her chest she leans forward, running a long fingernail over his cheek and speaks in a cooing voice, “Now you don’t want to shoot poor little old me, do you hmmm?”

 

The guard freezes, his eyes locked with the second mysterious woman. In his mind he is telling himself to squeeze the trigger- that they just killed his friend, but his body won’t listen to him. He opened his mouth to yell for back up, but the shout is silenced by the woman’s lips pressing against his and a few seconds later her soft body against his; after his arms go limp.

 

Struggling for a moment as she “assaulted” him, her hand ran down his chest all the way down to his arm where she took it and placed it against her waist, giggling when he instinctively gives it a light squeeze. Finally she breaks the kiss, letting go of the guard as he drops dead on the ground, licking her lips, “Thanks for the kiss . . .”

 

Giggling she rolls one of the security guards over and leaned over, her breasts bouncing when she kicked him in the side, then stops hearing Addy turn around. The cat cosplayer’s ears had twitched hearing footsteps and turning around, claws ready to strike, she stops seeing a figure standing in the open entrance. A slight grin on his face visible, he looks back and forth at the two dead guards before congratulating them for their work, “I didn’t expect you to get in this easily Tamane, Addy.”

 

“Thank you,” Tamane smiles from the praise, bowing at him then takes a step towards him with both arms held out. Her violet eyes shut for a kiss she stops, opening them to see his palm preventing her. Giving a small whine of disapproval, she steps back.

 

“There is still a lot we have to do before we can leave. There isn’t time for your hobby Tamane.”

 

“Y-Yes sir,” Tamane answers, her head low in disappointment.

 

 

The entire group makes their way to the innermost chamber of the building. Through empty hallways and twisting corridors they finally make it to their destination, only to be stopped by the massive sealed doors now standing in front of them. Stepping forward Addy runs her nails over the metal, examining the security measures. Unlike the door on the roof, this door requires not only a twelve digit code, but also a retinal scan as well as a voice command; top security.

 

Most thieves would be unable to open this type of door with the key pad and the retinal scan, but with a voice command it made it nearly impossible. However these people were not mere thieves in the night. Stepping forward, his face still wearing the same grin, the man punches in the twelve digit code and steps back the moment the small red light turns green- accepting the security code.

 

The first security measure beaten, Tamane steps forward and leans in, opening her eye for the retinal scan to analyze her pupil. Tamane steps back with a smile, the second light turning green and a mechanical voice accepting the scan, and pulls out the contact lens before smashing it with her high heels. Now only the voice command is left, prompting the group for the proper clearance. The figure steps forward, leaning in to make sure he is heard clearly, “I am Enzax Aito and the mind shall vanquish the sword . . .”

 

The mechanisms spring to life and the gears turn to open the steel doors, a cold fog escaping the confines of the room. Stepping inside Addy shivers, rubbing her hands over her arms, looking around while Tamane follows a second later just behind their leader towards their target. Standing in front of a metal table the man looks over the wires sticking into the figure seemingly sleeping on it, covered only around the waist.

 

Motioning to Tamane the scantily clad woman pulls out a black ring from between her breasts and tosses it at him. Taking the black ring he examines it, rolling it over and over between his fingers, and then looks down at the man lying on the steel slab. Slipping the black ring on the individual’s finger as he says, “With this our plans for this world can begin . . .”

 

The black ring glows for a moment before the man’s eyes open wide, his mouth twisting into a scream while his back arches off the table. Thrashing around he is forcibly held down until he finally calms down. Needing to be helped off of the table the man runs his hand through dark brown hair, his mouth dry and unable to speak. Glancing up weakly when a hand rests on his shoulder, the new man looks at the ever grinning cloaked figure, “Welcome back . . . you have much to catch up on.”

 

“W-Where am I?”

 

“With friends ny~an,” Addy answers as a brilliant yellow light envelops them, disappearing without a single trace.

 

 

-Time Skip-

 

Exiting the elevator Velma Crab lifts the ‘do not cross’ tape and walks up to one of the workers scribbling onto a clipboard. Only a small five person crew is working the scene, “This is supposed to be the most secure place in Yugo City so I want to know how someone got in here without being detected!”

 

            “Well you see, Mrs. Crab,” Lily Noe answers looking at the irate Mod, putting the clipboard behind her back, “Whoever broke in managed to remotely hack into the security system and completely shut it off.”

 

Lily can see that this surprised Velma. The security system has at least thirteen firewalls to prevent someone from hacking them directly, much less doing so remotely. When the place was rebuilt by the former Emperor all security measures were created by him personally, which is why the massive steel doors they were now standing in front of had required so many different methods to open it. However, now someone had finally broken in without being caught, “That’s impossible. We’ve tried for years and have never even gotten through the first security system . . .”

 

“Seems whoever did this was a genius on par with the former Emperor,” Lily admits.

 

            “Or well prepared,” Velma adds watching the body bags being brought out and carried to the service elevator; so far no news had been leaked about the break in and if it was up to Velma, it would never see the light of day.

 

“But we have a bigger problem,” Lily states taking an iPad from a member of her team and hands it to Velma; reading over the Intel her eyes grew darker. The personal elevator opening up, Roxas walks in drawing Velma’s attention from the iPad.

 

Walking over to her Roxas is greeted by a bow from Velma. Smiling Roxas waves her off, “Velma you don’t have to act so formal around me all the time.”

 

Roxas notices Velma’s serious expression, his eyes narrowing, “Should we continue this alone?”

 

When she nods Roxas raises his voice so everyone can hear him, “Everyone! If you could please finish what you’re doing and leave for a few minutes, thank you!”

 

Confused mumbles spread throughout the entire group as they wrap up what it was they happened to be doing at the moment, though no one thinks twice of not trusting Phantom Roxas. Once the last person has gone into the elevator and both of the Mods watch the numbers descend, Roxas turns back to Velma Crab, “You’ve been in the room already?”

 

            “No. I thought it best to wait for you.”

 

“Alright then,” Roxas nods and takes the lead, both walking through the steel doors into the room. Looking around at the machines both Mods were coming to the same conclusion. Clenching her fist Velma began biting her lower lip, “It looks like our suspicions were right about what Enzax was trying to do here . . .”

 

“Yes . . . seems so,” Roxas replied lifting up tubes coated with the remains of various chemicals.

 

“That isn’t the worst news,” Velma adds in making Roxas groans, running his hand over his face. Looking up at her he sees that she’s pointing to the security pad, “Whoever opened that door had hacked Enzax’s codes he gave to the Mods, specifically Draco Flame, and used Enzax’s own voice and your retinal scan.”

 

Hearing this he understood what Velma was getting at. Biting his thumb Phantom Roxas paced back and forth until he finally stopped, “Velma please don’t tell me you’re saying what I think you’re saying.”

 

Whether he wants to know or not Velma shakes her head, forcing herself to admit, “I was at a meeting last night with Draco and you were on a date with Larissa when the robbery happened. And only Mods even know about this room and our suspicions about what was inside it. So unless Enzax has returned, it means . . . there is a traitor in the Mods.”

 

Slamming his hand on the wall Roxas can hardly handle the idea of a Mod turning traitor, much less the knowledge that the darkest suspicion of the Mods was not only true, but has been stolen. His entire face flushes, turning pale, and he gives Velma the most serious look he has ever given since the disappearance of Emperor Aito. Nodding Velma goes to leave, stopping at the door when Roxas finds his voice, “Velma, no one can know about this . . . tell the news that Mod passcodes had been stolen and all Mods need to report to have theirs changed and a system alert for any old passcodes.”

 

“Of course Albert,” Velma nods and leaves him alone to try and think.

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Chapter One: Ready. . . Set. . . Go! It Has to Begin Somewhere . . .]

“The deepest definition of youth is life as yet untouched by tragedy.”

  • Alfred North Whitehead

[hr]

 

-Time Skip: Thursday March 1st, Morning; Link Household-

 

The sound of banging on the door echoes through the pitch dark room, someone shouting through the door echoing in the room, “Daniel! Daniel Link you better wake up and get ready for school so I can start cleaning the house!”

 

The banging ceases only to resume a moment later along with further instructions, “Don’t forget to pick Al up from his job so he can get to school too.”

 

After that, finally, silence- until the alarm goes off a minute later. Rolling around underneath the covers Daniel sticks his head out and yawns, kicking them off. “Might as well get up, won’t be going back to sleep anyways,” he thought standing up and quickly pulling on the cloths randomly thrown about his bedroom floor; he doesn’t even stop to see if they smell. Now dressed for school in his own roundabout way Daniel picks up his backpack and lifts the mattress to reveal a stack of porn magazines tucked away in the far corner.

 

Grabbing all of them up Daniel stuffs them into his backpack, zipping it up, and slings it over his shoulder, “Three weeks with his porn collection. I have no idea why Al thought this was a good idea as a sign of trust between Akatsuki members.” Shrugging his shoulder Daniel pushed the thought out of the way. He really didn’t care why, having enjoyed the porn while he had had it, and wasn’t that choked up about giving it back.

 

Walking out of his room Daniel gives his sisters a slight wave, spotting them walking down the stairs, and follows them downstairs only to stop in the middle of the stairs when Sarah speaks up, “Daniel are you seriously wearing the same shirt you wore yesterday? You really are a lazy good for nothing bum . . . yet you still get to drive a car while Al has a job, makes money and doesn’t even have a learners permit. I swear life is just easy for the ignorant masses.”

 

            “Sis! It’s not Daniel’s fault he gets nervous during interviews and starts to stutter like a def!” Keiko whines trying in her own way to come to her little brother’s aid, yet only making it worse. Unfortunately that was the norm for Keiko. Anything she said no matter how good the intentions were ended up coming out the wrong way, time or place and generally ended up making it worse. Daniel even lost a few luvmates, the new slang for girlfriends or boyfriends, thanks to his sisters combined presence. Now he has learned to just ignore them, walking outside to crank up his DeLorean.

 

Around Halloween his father had made a bet with him, that if his soccer group won the Regional Championship he’d buy him any kind of car he wanted. Though he got a broken leg in the middle of the season Daniel’s group still made it to the Regional Championships and Daniel was able to play the final game, allowing them to win; Daniel enjoyed bragging he had been his team’s “secret weapon”. Whether that was true or not, Daniel’s father ended up shelling out about fifty thousand dollars for his used DeLorean. Daniel had tried to get a new one, but ended up settling for a “pre-owned” one. Still, hearing the ignition turn over and the roar of the engine, Daniel didn’t care if it was new, used or “pre-owned” . . . he was happy to have the car he wanted.

 

 

-Location Change: Outside of ‘Quickies’, 15 Minutes before School Starts-

 

Driving up to the speaker Daniel leans over, hearing Al’s voice coming over the intercom repeating the usual phrase he is required to say, “Welcome to ‘Quickies’ . . . how can I make give you a good time?”

 

Suppressing a laugh, covering his mouth and barely able to do so, Daniel takes a few breaths before managing to contain himself. Coughing he leans forward again and begins teasing his best friend, “Yeah sexy, how about you hop in my hot rod and you can give me a good time all the way to school.”

 

A few seconds later Al is running out of the building, untying his apron and removing his hat, then climbs into the passenger side of the DeLorean. Sitting back up Al punches Daniel in the shoulder before buckling in, “Dude not sway! You know I can’t stand saying something like that and you still f*** with me about it!”

 

“Ha! f*** . . .” Daniel was given another punch from Al as they turned onto the main street, though Al isn’t able to stop himself from smiling either at the remark. As they drive Al brings the subject back up, “Seriously Daniel I wish you wouldn’t speak to me like that.”

 

“Why? It’s hilarious!”

 

“Maybe his female coworkers think he’s gay!” Keiko shouted out her suspicion. Daniel and Sarah burst out laughing hearing this- mainly because if anyone of those girls got to know Alejandro Maké enough they would learn he is the last person you’d think was gay. Of course that was the entire reason Al never enjoyed Daniel teasing him like that. Keiko leans forward and pats Al’s shoulder, “Just think Al, being a man whore makes it easier to ask random people if you can give them a good time!”

 

“Gee . . . thanks for the ‘support’ Keiko . . . God knows there my self-esteem would be if you weren’t there to beat it to death with your comments.”

 

 

-Location Change: Yugo High School-

 

Swerving into the parking lot Daniel let the DeLorean slid all the way into its usual spot, a nice secluded place where no one would be able to scratch it, and releases the emergency brake. Turning the key to shut off the engine and removing them Daniel can’t help but smile hearing Sarah climb out of the car and shout, “Land! Oh, sweet steady land!”

 

“Two red lights and a near hit-and-run,” Al stated shutting the door, “That might be your new record . . .”

 

“What about the incident when we were going to the movies and Daniel almost hit that old lady’s car with two kids in it?” Keiko asked but Daniel retorted before anyone else could speak, “That doesn’t count! You and Sarah were shouting at me to ‘commit’ over and over again!”

 

“Whatever, you traumatized us so badly none of us can remember the movie we went to see,” Sarah said getting to her feet, not that any of them really cared. Daniel and Al wave good-bye to Sarah and Keiko, who headed off to turn in a late book report, and spent the remaining time until the buses rolled in bull shitting with each other.

 

“Did you remember to bring our sign of trust as Akatsuki members?” Al finally asked when the two best friends had finished talking about the usual subjects- which ranged from the girls they thought were hot to what they did over the weekend, and Daniel nods removing his backpack, “Yeah hold on . . .”

 

Digging into the backpack Daniel’s fingers gripped the magazines and dropped them when Al jabbed his elbow into Daniel’s side, motioning that the buses were coming in; shoving the magazines back into the backpack Daniel zipped it shut. Each of the seven yellow buses rolled to its mandated spot and stops, letting out a loud hiss. Once the folding doors opened students began pouring out, but Daniel and Al keep their eyes out for Lisa and Amelia to emerge from the first and second; David also comes out of the bus, though behind the two girls.

 

“I really wish I didn’t have to ride the school bus now that I’m in High School,” Amelia complains while walking over to Daniel and Al, greeting them when they say hi to her; laughing Lisa greets the boys as well before addressing Amelia, “At least you get to complain.”

 

“Yeah I guess so . . . I mean, it’s not like I’ve been banned from driving because I wrecked Mrs. Cherry’s Red Archfiend Dragon.” The group laughs remembering the past event, how they had gotten scolded so badly after taking out the mechanical dragon for a joy ride- as one could guess Lisa had gotten the worst of it, her Mother swearing an oath that Lisa would never be allowed to drive after having pulled a stunt like that.  The group’s laughter eventually dies down and they pick up a new topic for conversations, “Did you hear about Flame Dragon getting a divorce?”

 

“Yeah I heard that from May in English,” Lisa mentioned. Ever since the Freed was established after Emperor Aito vanished, putting the Mods back in power as the chief source of policing the city, everything returned to a dull quiet normal. Well, almost a dull quiet normal. There had only been a few events, news worthy, that had happened and one of them had been covered up.

 

So with nothing truly exciting to write about it since “The Wiseman Terrorism Attacks”, the newspapers seemed to be jumping on any topic to get sales up, from the rising drug trafficking to the more scandalous topics; the newest one happened to be that the Mod Draco Flame was getting a divorce from his wife of five years and the custody battle over their only daughter, Marylyn. Nobody took it seriously, after all a few weeks before that the headlines were reading ‘Unexplained Lights Bring Questions about UFOs: Mods Refuse to Make Comments’. Snapping her finger Lisa’s face lights up, “Oh yeah! I forgot that Aunt Grace is going to be coming back from Wimbledon!”

 

“Did she win this year?”

 

“Al if you watched the tournament you would know she did,” Lisa snapped back scowling, knowing full well he never intended on watching though she asked him repeatedly to do so. All Al could do was wave her off, “Sorry I meant too but I got busy with . . . uh . . .”

 

 Al’s saved when the sound of a group of kids shouting from the parking lot catches their attention. Making their way through the parking lot, which had filled with parked cars while they were talking, the four managed to reach the back of the crowd and then squeeze through to see what everyone was yelling about.

 

Popping his head between a girls legs Al could see the entire football team surrounding a student he didn’t recognize; he didn’t even notice the girl whose legs he was between slap him he was so wrapped up in figuring out who the new student was. Whoever she was, she was obviously in trouble as the group of seniors ensured there was no way for her to escape. The biggest of the group, the quarterback for the Yugo High Tormentors, looked down at the girl with a smirk, “Alright chicken legs, you better apologize or else Ray here is going to make you really sorry. Isn’t that right Ray?”

 

“You know it Rob,” the other football player said cracking his knuckles. When the girl didn’t answer Rob looked at the rest of his football buddies in confusion. Rob stood a full head taller than the girl and so did everyone else, but she didn’t even seem to care. Snarling he raised his hand and shouted, “Cut her red boys! So her we’re nasty!”

 

“Obliterate!” the team shouted, as they do when entering the football field, and Rob watched in stunned amazement when one of their defenders got knocked unconscious by a slim waif-like girl with a single blow from the wooden stick she was holding. Gritting his teeth Rob ordered everyone, “Get the b****!”

 

Rushing her all at once the crowd was cheering in excitement watching the small girl taking out the football team all on her own, with such grace many of the boys watching were falling in love with her already. With only Ray remaining, bruised all over, Lisa voiced what the entire crowd had already been thinking, “Who is she?”

 

“Oh her?” a familiar voice called out over the sound of a humming engine. Turning around Lisa saw it was Rachel, her fingers lowering her sunglasses as she witnessed the end of the fight, “That’s Setsuna Natsuki. She’s a recent transfer student in her third year, five foot eight inches, is an even two hundred pounds of lean kendo swinging muscle and just happens to be a d-cup.”

 

Lyn, reading from a notebook, continues, “The school records say that her father is the owner of a Kendo Dojo back in the Kanto Region of Japan, which explains her well-honed Kendo training, and that she is currently living with another family as a foreign exchange student. Since she’s arrived she really hasn’t been social with anyone, explaining why you’ve probably never noticed her before, and spends a lot of time in the Kendo Club.”

 

Raising her eyebrow Lisa lowers her head, “And how do you know so much about her?”

 

“There is no way the ‘Daughters of Darkness’ would pass up the chance to learn more about a possible candidate for membership as strong as her!” Rachel said with a loud chuckle, lifting her head to look down at the others. For a moment there is an awkward silence as everyone stares at Rachel, Al frowning and muttering, “She’s still running that thing?” before handing a five dollar bill to Daniel.

 

A loud cheer makes the others jump, turning and watching as Setsuna flicks her hair away from her face, Ray unconscious with a welt forming on his head, and begins to walk back into the building as the school nurse runs out to examine the football team who’ve possibly been dealt a concussion. Daniel and Al, watching Setsuna walking away, let their eyes drift from her head down to her hips and finally her ass.

 

“I’m seriously thinking it’d be sway to join the Kendo Club.”

 

“Me too” Both boys mused making Lisa and Amelia annoyed, though they don’t say anything. The school bell rings, forcing the crowd to disperse and everyone go to class.

 

 

-Location Change: Yugo High, Art Classroom-

 

Sitting down in his chair Zugai leans back and sighs seeing the rest of the class chatting away without a care in the world. Waiting, trying to ignore everyone talking over each other, Zugai eventually notices someone has sat down in the empty seat across from him and opens his eyes to see a serious faced girl sitting down with her eyes nearly closed, looking away from him. When her eyes did turn to him he was surprised to find they were a very light ashy red behind her grey frames that starkly contrasted her violet hair. Uncomfortable at first Zugai gave a warm greeting smile, holding out his hand, “Hello, how are you?”

 

The girl didn’t move a muscle, not even glance down at his hand. “Ummm . . . excuse me? Uh, my names Zu-”

 

“Is the teacher always this late?”

 

“Hu?” Zugai said without thinking, confused. The girl didn’t shift her eyes away from his while she pointed towards the small office space for the teacher and repeated herself, “I had inquired if the adult in charge of this specific subject matter runs late in a continuous manner or if this is a singular occurrence.”

 

“W-Well Ms. Valiant seems to be running late more often for a while now,” Zugai admits with perfect timing. The moment he had finished speaking Lora bursts into the room with her arms clutching a bunch of papers, walking hurryingly across the front of the classroom without skipping a beat or bothering to look at the students, “Today’s a free period.”

 

Reaching the door she let the papers fall onto the desk, shutting the door only when she was finished addressing the class, “I suggest anyone who hasn’t finished a project do it now.”

 

Though the door is shut the students can hear her aggravated groans as she begins shuffling through the documents. Some of the students begin to wonder what’s got the teacher in such a foul mood, though most drop it in favor of schoolyard gossip.

 

With the class being a free period Zugai remembers that he hadn’t managed to finish one of his projects, having gotten sick, and pulls out a blank piece of sketchbook paper titled ‘Courage’ along with his paintbrushes. Holding up the paintbrush he lets it hover over the paints, but puts it down to think about what he should draw that symbolizes “true courage” to him.

 

“I could do Dad or Mom,” Zugai thinks, thinking about his father being a Mod or his mother being a Black Ops member and the courage they have to have to do such difficult jobs. Shaking his head Zugai pushes the ideas away, “No that’s too easy . . .” Tapping the end of his paintbrush against the table, his eyes closed trying to think of something still, Zugai opens one eye to see the girl isn’t doing anything other than stare at him. Her soft red eyes keep their gaze on him, sending a shiver running down his spin. Zugai laughs nervously. “What are you doing?”

 

“Nothing,” is all he gets as an answer, her mouth barely moving when she answered. Sighing Zugai looks away, puts down his paintbrush, then picks it back up and tries to resume painting- yet the moment he turns to look at the blank canvas he can also see the girl staring at him. Setting the paintbrush down again Zugai leans closer to her, “Is there a project you need to turn in or something you haven’t finished yet? If so I could-”

 

“No”

 

“O-Oh, okay . . .” Uneasy with her gazing at him Zugai moves the sketchpad in front of him so he can’t see her, but just knowing she is staring at him makes him uncomfortable and unable to think; he even begins to wonder if she even blinks.

 

 

-Location Change: Yugo High, Drama Classroom-

 

As other students type the notes being projected onto the board, Lisa is busy scribbling poems into her three ring binders; a few of them are even love poems to a certain someone who will not be named (Alejandro if you can’t guess it). She is so engrossed in her latest poem that she doesn’t even notice when Mr. Guile, who has been sitting in his seat watching the students, gets up when there is a knock on the door. Opening it he’s greeted by a young man with a piece of paper in his hand that has Principle Maker’s signature on it. Handing it over the young man explains, “My schedule was changed so I could complete the required curriculum.”

 

“What’s your name?”

 

Adam Lambert

 

“Alright Adam, welcome to Drama 101,” nodding Mr. Guile stepped aside to let Adam walk in, “Since this is a Drama class I like to have my students introduce themselves in front of the class and give three interesting facts, alright?”

 

“I have no problem with introducing myself,” Adam answered back, his eyes hidden behind thick black glasses; the transfer note explained he had Photophobia or sensitivity to bright sunlight.

 

Standing in front of the entire class Adam fixed his black glasses and gives a slight bow, when he stands upright again and smiles a few of the girls swoon on sight, “Good morning everyone I am Adam Lambert. I just moved here with my foster family from Europe. My mother was a priestess for a Romanian Catholic Church before she passed away. I have travelled the world with my foster family.”

 

“Alright Adam,” Mr. Guile begins, looking around the classroom trying to spot an empty seat, then finishes before heading to the front of the classroom, “Take a seat wherever you please.”

 

“Yes sir.” Adam takes a seat in the front row, right beside Lisa. When she turns to look away from her poems her eyes meet the black glasses and she freezes, blushing when he smiles at her, though only for a moment. “Wow . . . he’s kind of cute.” Seeing that Lisa has been scribbling down poems in her binder instead of notes for class Adam smiles again and leans over, “Can I read some of them?”

 

Pulling them close to her so he can’t see Lisa shakes her head, “Sorry I really don’t let other people read them.”

 

“Sad but understandable, I do not mind an artist hiding away their works until they are ready to show it to the world,” Adam answers through a lighthearted chuckle, resting his chin on his open palm and the smile never leaving his lips.

 

“Mr. Lambert,” Hearing his name being called Adam looks up front to see Mr. Guile tapping the side of his desk with a ruler, having been calling his name the entire time he was speaking with Lisa, “Even though you’re new here I will not tolerate people chit-chatting in my class while I’m speaking . . . which includes you- Ms. Denver.”

 

“Sorry for interrupting class,” Adam apologizes, standing up and giving a quick bow, “I had merely asked Lisa a question and did not mean to be rude.”

 

“Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

 

With the entire class’s attention Mr. Guile resumes, “Now most of you know that around this time of the year the Drama Class puts on a play to help the school.”

 

The idea of putting on a play gets the students excited; already there is a light buzz of whispers going back and forth only silenced when Mr. Guile raps the end of the desk again with his ruler. “However . . . however . . . it’s up to the students to decide which play we get to put on. Now does anyone have a suggestion? Keep in mind it has to be school approved.”

 

Mr. Guile allowed the students to spend the last few minutes of class brainstorming ideas. The moment the door to his office was shut a few students, those artistically inclined, already began to make suggestions.

 

“I say we do ‘The Wizard of Oz’!”

 

“That old play? ‘Romeo and Juliette’ was a better hit last time the drama club did it!”

 

“Yeah but no one wants to see that again,” one of the girls said rolling her eyes, “If you want to do that why not do ‘Peter Pan’?”

 

“Sinbad!”

 

 

-Location Change: Yugo High, Gymnasium-

 

Every student had already changed for class and doing the normal warm up exercises while Mr. Maximus lifted a small red ball above his head and then blew a whistle to get everyone’s attention. Stopping they turned to him and gave either an excited cheer or groan of dismay hearing him shout, “Alright everyone! Today we’ll be playing dodge ball! Now I hope all of you know the rules, but just in case let me explain them to you. Alejandro would you mind helping me demonstrate?”

 

“No problem Mr. Max,” Al said jogging over to the teacher, “Seriously when will he learn I hate my full name?” Standing beside his teacher Mr. Max tells him to move a bit away before explaining the rules, “After I blow the whistle everyone will rush to the middle of the gym and try and grab a ball. Once you have a ball and take a step back you can throw the ball at your opponent. If you hit your opponent then they are out of the game.”

 

Throwing the dodge ball at Al, who managed to catch it with one hand, Mr. Max continued, “However if someone catches a ball after it’s thrown then the person who threw the ball is out. If you try to catch it and fail, you’re still out. Also, if you catch a ball successfully, you can bring one of your teammates back. Is there any questions?”

 

Setsuna raised her hand, “Since I’m used to using my Kendo sword, would it be alright if I used it during the game”

 

Hearing her absurd request a few students laughed at her, a few others mocking her for asking such a dumb question. Mulling it over for a moment Mr. Max answered, “As long as you don’t use it to physically hit anyone I don’t see why not.”

 

Nodding her head Setsuna went to get her Kendo sword while the gym was set up for the game.

 

Once the foam dodge balls were set up and the two teams picked out the students were a lot more than jumpy, keeping one hand on the wall as they waited for Mr. Max to blow the whistle. When they heard it most of the students rushed forward, getting whatever they could grab a hold of and began going at it with everything they’ve got; Mr. Maximus even got in on the act, joining on Al’s side.

 

Back and forth across the gym the red balls flew, pegging a few geeks on the way or being caught by a stroke of luck. Minutes passed as the gym was filled with shouting, battle cries and the disappointed groans of those who are getting taken out. To everyone’s surprise Setsuna was not only blocking every dodge ball that comes her way, but sending them out with pin point accuracy to take out her targets; this is the main reason for the overabundance of disappointed groans.

 

Rachel, who was lucky enough to be on Setsuna’s side of the field, watched in amazement that the Kendo star was not only nimble enough to block or dodge the “assaults” but swung her sword around so easily to send “her attack” exactly where it needed to go. “Oh yeah she is definitely becoming a member of the Daughters of Darkness,” Rachel thought with a grin, her thoughts interrupted when a dodge ball pegged her in the left thigh and the boy who threw it at her laughed.

 

Walking off the court Rachel sat down to watch, seeing Setsuna and Mr. Max seriously going at it, trying to take the other one out. Mr. Max dodged and ducked as fast as he could to avoid Setsuna’s assaults, grabbing a ball on the floor and hurling it across the court at her, but they were always blocked or missed completely, then he was forced to return to dodging again. Setsuna eventually overwhelmed him, taking the Gym Teacher out with a brutal shot to the side.

 

With Mr. Maximus out Al’s side began to give up hope, some even dropping the balls. Seeing the disappointment in everyone’s eyes Keiko, who through dumb luck managed to survive this long, decided it was up to her to brighten up the spirits of her team mates. Clutching her hands into a tight fist Keiko’s eyes burned with passion, “You can do this Kei-Kei! It’s up to you to make everyone cheer up and win this!”

 

“Come on everyone! I know it’s useless to keep fighting but we can’t give up! We have to go down fighting with all we got!” Keiko’s words, in her usual fashion, only worsen moral so much that a few students attempted to walk off the court. The students who tried to walk off are all suddenly pegged in the back or shoulders by Setsuna.

 

“Hey you’re not playing fair! If they have their backs turned to you, you can’t just throw the ball at them!”

 

“They wanted to leave so I threw the ball at them so they could at least leave the court with some dignity left. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

 

Setsuna’s sharp tone makes a few of the students boo, telling her to get off the court or adjust her attitude. When she doesn’t Mr. Max, being prompted by the students who were hit, blew his whistle and stepped out onto the court again, “Setsuna I think you need to take a seat on the ben-”

 

When she flicked up another dodge ball onto the tip of her Kendo Sword and glared at him Mr. Max stopped talking, remembering the blow she had dealt to his side when she fairly took him out of the game. Mr. Max’s mind thought about what she could really do; more than that he had a flashback of when he was younger as a nerd.

 

Guess some things just never go away . . .

 

Without Mr. Max telling her to leave and a lot of the other students unwilling to take her on, a lot of people on Al’s side can’t even move; they want to leave, but don’t want to risk being singled out by the girl quickly being dubbed ‘The Dodge Ball Killer’. Setsuna sighed and brushed some of her hair back over her shoulder, lowering the Kendo Sword but never dropping the ball, “Guess I was expecting too much to think anybody here would be worth my time.”

 

“Then I’ll take you on!” Al shouts at Setsuna, clenching his fist. Al can feel his veins burning up, his entire body felt hot and confidently picked up a dodge ball. Hurling the ball at her, Setsuna launched the one that had been balancing on her Kendo sword so both collided into each other and veered off into the stands.

 

“Hey don’t hit me you googan!” Rachel shouts at Al, having leaned over just in time to avoid the ball from hitting her square in the face. The first dodge balls failing to eliminate either one of them Al shouted back over his shoulder, “Sorry!”

 

Al and Setsuna begin attempting to take each other out, but this time the roles are reversed. This time it’s Setsuna that discovers that everything she is throwing either hit the dodge balls he throws or misses. With Al beginning to overwhelm her, hurling ball after ball at her, Setsuna slaps a ball away with her sword then doubles over backwards, the red ball whizzing inches over her. Sliding so she can stand back up, hitting a ball to keep Al from taking her out, Setsuna whips her head up, “He’s better than I thought.”

 

Picking up another ball Al gasps, his vision blurring, and stumbles before being hit in the chest hard enough to knock him off his feet. The class grows silent and Mr. Max rushes over to check on Al, discovering he is out cold. Despite having knocked out Al, Setsuna tosses a rolling ball up on her Kendo sword and walk over beside her “fallen enemy.”

 

Sighing she lets the dodge ball roll off her sword and steps aside for Keiko to run over and see if Al is alright. “You’re a worthy opponent Alejandro.” Kneeling beside Al and shaking him Keiko keeps calling his name, trying to wake him up as Mr. Max orders someone to call for the nurse.

 

When she arrives she takes a quick look at Al, opening his eyes and shinning a light into them, “Bring him to the Nurse’s Office.”

 

“Don’t we need to call an ambulance?”

 

“No he’s just unconscious, he should wake up in a few minutes and I think it would be better if he did in my office,” Ms. Ayako explains watching Mr. Max hoist Al up on his shoulders.

 

“Can I come along?” Keiko asks timidly and smiles when she is told, “Of course.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Class now on free period until Mr. Max returns the students crowd around each other, mumbling and talking about Setsuna and how cruel she was during the game. Setsuna doesn’t even bother to listen from her spot on the bleachers, kendo sword lying across her crossed legs. Eyes closed she is taking deep breaths in and slowly exhaling to calm herself down, opening them when she hears, “Why didn’t you hit him in the face?”

 

“Pardon?” Setsuna can see the person, the only one, who is talking to her is Rachel; leaning over to look Setsuna in the eyes the blond has a sly grin. Sitting down beside Setsuna, Rachel clasps her hands behind her back, “I saw how accurate at throwing the dodge balls you are with your sword. You could’ve hit Al in the face if you wanted too with that last shot. So why not?”

 

“Are you honestly asking me why I didn’t try to seriously injure your friend?” Setsuna’s voice full of surprise and her eyes widened a bit when Rachel nodded, not even batting an eye. Sighing and pushing some stray hair back into place she explained, “I was taught from an early age that you should restrain yourself from causing unnecessary violence to achieve something. If I can take my opponent out without serious harm then that is what I’ll do.”

 

“But what if you can’t take them out without causing harm?” Rachel asked her eyes shining with curiosity, as if baiting Setsuna to answer the way she wanted her too, “How far are you willing to go to win?”

 

“As far as I need to go,” Setsuna answered and gasped when Rachel slapped her on the back laughing hysterically, “Good! No not good! Perfect! I knew you were just the kind of person we needed for the Daughters of Darkness!”

 

“What of what?”

 

“My sister and I run a kind of gang, a group of people who work together to learn every secret this world has to offer!” Standing up Rachel stomped her foot on the bleacher, her clenched fist held out in front of her, “Our motto is ‘Knowledge knows no bounds’!”

 

            “So you want me to join even though I just knocked your friend out?”

 

“That makes me want you to join even more,” Rachel admits sitting back down, holding out her hand, “So are you in?”

 

“Sure,” Setsuna takes Rachel’s hand and shakes it. Rachel grins happily then begins explaining when and where to meet so she can be introduced to the other Daughters of Darkness.

 

 

-Location Change- Nurse’s Office-

 

Inside the office, Katara examines Al more thoroughly to see if anything is broken and happily discovers nothing is. When Al finally begins to respond she leans back as he wakes up, looking down at Al as his eyes open up, “Good morning.”

 

“Where am I?”

 

“You’re in the Nurse’s Office . . . you got knocked unconscious during gym.” Trying to remember Al groans, the fresh pain of a headache washing over him, and rolls over onto his side. Pulling the covers up to his shoulders Katara clicks the overhead lights out, standing up and walking to the door, “Just lie down here for a bit. Even though the blow wasn’t severe you still need time to recover.”

 

For a moment it looks like Al is going to agree before his face turns green, rolling onto his side and begins throwing up. Rushing over next to Al, Katara places a bucket underneath him and runs her hand up and down his back to help. After emptying the contents of his stomach Al is only dry heaving and eventually even that ceases; instead of trying to get up Al falls asleep from the overexertion.

 

Having slept for an unknown amount of time Al was barely even aware when Amelia appeared in the doorway after coming from lunch, knocking lightly to catch Katara’s attention from the romance novel ‘Make Him Fall for You in Two Weeks’, “Is Al here?”

 

Nodding her head Katara points to the drawn curtains, allowing the young girl to walk across the darkened room and open the curtains. Amelia smiles seeing Al sitting up, “What are you doing here?”

 

“Keiko told me what happened in gym and Lisa agreed I should go check to see how you’re doing.”

 

“Lousy,” Al answers lying back down with his hands covering his eyes, “It was probably just the cafeteria food that got me sick, temporarily, but I’m beginning to feel better.” Sitting up Al groans a bit turning to look at the nurse, “Mrs. Ayako, can I leave?”

 

“Let me give you one last checkup.” After she’s finished Al is given the go ahead seconds before the bell rings for school to end. Collecting his things and walking beside Amelia he heads outside, being greeted by everyone.

 

“So feeling any better?” Lisa asks, concern written all over her face. Patting his stomach Al grins, “Yeah, it was probably just the cafeteria food.”

 

Nobody argued, after all, the cafeteria food is notorious for being poisonous. One year a student was sent to the Hospital after someone else used a sling shot to send a rock hard French Fry across the cafeteria. Another instant someone threw mashed potatoes in the hinges of the girl’s locker room and when it hardened the door couldn’t be shut. Even with water and a chisel they couldn’t remove the concrete mashed potatoes, having to call in a crew to remove the doors and have them replaced.

 

Patting Al on the back Daniel grinned, asking his friend, “You up for something to eat?

 

Groaning a bit Al shook his head, jabbing Daniel in the sides, “Yeah I could go for something to eat, after all what’s better than eating on an empty stomach? Sorry man but I think I’ll just crash back home”

 

“Your lose dude!” Daniel laughed, opening the doors so everyone can pile into the DeLorean.

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Chapter Two: Poisoned Streets: The Game is Afoot!]

The painting Zugai had planned on getting done remained completely blank. The paintbrush in hand he slowly drew strokes over the canvas though there was no paint on the brush before he peered past the canvas and over to the girl who was still staring at him. He moved back behind the painting so he couldn’t see her. Every day since she came to school the girl, whose name he still hadn’t learned, not for lack of trying, did nothing but stare at him without a word passing between them. It made each Art Class torture for Zugai.

 

When the bell rang he rushed out of the room almost forgetting his backpack in his haste. He was just glad to get away from her unblinking gaze. Zugai ran down the hallway until he slammed into Daniel, the impact sent both of them to the ground. “Hey Zugai, watch where you’re going man!”

 

“Sorry, I was trying to get away from someone,” Zugai said then offered his hand so he could help Daniel up and resumed walking. “Who?”

 

“This girl in my art class that’s constantly staring at me,” Zugai answered with his voice low as if she was nearby and could hear him. Even though Zugai almost whispered the annoyance was very noticeable in his tone. “Maybe she likes you, but she’s too scared to say anything? You never know man . . .” Daniel quickly suggested and opened his locker. Zugai was just as quick to dismiss the suggestion. “I really doubt that she’s got a Hinata-complex. I’ve tried talking to her and all she does is stare at me. If she liked me, when I talk to her she should look away or maybe blush, but all she does is keep looking at me!”

 

“Well then your guess is as good as mine.” Daniel didn’t really care about the problem anyways, it was just a harmless girl after all, though he could understand the situation getting on Zugai’s nerves. “Yeah man I honestly saw them! No kidding! I was boarding out near some abandoned factories in Introdoborough and I saw them leaping from the roofs like those back-timey costumed super heroes!” Daniel and Zugai’s attention was immediately drawn to the conversation of the other students passing by. “No way man, why would they even be out in that s***-hole part of town?”

 

“I heard the Fake Type Knights were looking for the Latch-Boss that’s moved into the area.”

 

“I haven’t heard anything about a new latch-boss,” Daniel remarked. When one of the other boys heard that Daniel hadn’t heard about the Latch-Boss he shrugged his shoulders, “Maybe you’re just not in the know, y’know?”

 

“Yeah! Everyone knows about the new Latch-Boss that’s moved in since War Torne got his ass whooped!”

 

“Don’t you know anything?” Daniel felt his fist tighten and his eyes twitch a bit, “keep joking jack asses.” “What would a Latch-Boss want in Introdoborough anyways?”

 

“I heard they’re trying to sell some kind of new drug.”

 

“How do you happen to know where the drug is?” Zugai asked. He wouldn’t put it past some of the students to be on drugs right now. Hell! He was certain the football team was on a number of steroids, considering how f***ing big they were. “No one even knows where to get any.” “Or at least they say they don’t,” Zugai thought. “Why? Are you planning on buying some?”

 

“Dude! Remember? Zugai’s a Mod-brat!”

 

“Oh yeah! I totally forgot about that!” The oldest boy turned around and shrugged as he walked off, “Mod-brat just wants to impress his daddy.”

 

“I don’t see why you and I don’t beat the s*** out of those guys,” Daniel commented and let the tension in his fist relax. Zugai didn’t answer. He hadn’t even heard what Daniel said. All Zugai was focused on now was puzzling over why the Fake Type Knights were taking on a Latch-Boss alone. “I know the Fake Type Knights tasked themselves with protecting the city when the Mods couldn’t, but isn’t a Latch-Boss’ gang kind of out of their league? If there was a new Latch-Boss with a big enough gang in Yugo City, selling drugs or not, I’m sure the Mods would be investigating already.” Daniel and Zugai debated the topic before both decided to head out after school and find the Fake Type Knights . . . or at least that was what they had planned on. Unfortunately when both Zugai and Daniel voiced their agreement to do so Adam walked up to the group, “I would not suggest doing something that stupid. You, as well as those two fools who dragged the Fake Type Knight name out of the history books, should just leave dealing with a criminal organization to the real authorities.”

 

“Adam that was rude,” a freshman said while she chased after him. Zugai and Daniel pushed what Adam had told them out of their minds and decided they could talk to the Fake Type Knights another time. Right now they had something more important to do. Yugo High’s front doors closed behind Daniel and he peered around for his sisters, spotting them leaning against ‘Tailbreaker’. “Where’s Lisa? I thought she’d be the first one ready to go see if Al was feeling better.”

 

“Lisa has to stay after school because the school play,” Sarah answered not bothering to look at her brother, “She told me in class she’ll go visit Al when she’s finished.”

 

“Sarah and I aren’t coming tonight either,” Keiko said before she jumped off her spot on the DeLorean’s trunk, “We just got a call from Une-sensei that he needs our help cleaning the Akatsuki Academy’s training room. I guess his old age is catching up with him . . . or he just wants to see two incredibly cute girls bending over to scrub into deep places.”

 

“Yeah I doubt he’d enjoy that kind of view.” Daniel had to duck avoid the metal hairbrush Keiko had been using when Sarah hurled it at him, “Then you need glasses!”

 

“Think of it this way sis,” Keiko chirped as she picked her hairbrush off the ground, “At least we now know that Daniel isn’t a sis-con.”

 

 

The entire drama club had their eyes on the play’s title written out in black dry erase marker and continue to talk amongst each other. Mr. Guile raised his voice to catch everyone’s attention and when he had it began, “So we’ve all agreed on doing ‘Swan Lake’?”

 

A collective “yes” confirmed Mr. Guile’s question. It had been quite a debate trying to figure out which play should be done, many students had been so adamant on one single play they argued for what felt like hours to convince others that their play should be the one that got made. Unfortunately the club barely has enough students to fill the massive cast of characters and extras. “If you know anyone who might be interested in the play, feel free to bring them in. Every little bit helps.”

 

With that the meeting came to an end and the students began to leave. Lisa was about to when Mr. Guile stopped her, a small stack of papers in hand, “Lisa I hate to bother you with this, but I need you to give this information on the play to Adam, since it was his play that was chosen after all.”

 

“Oh, sure Mr. Guile but I’m kind of in a hurry,” Lisa said and tried to push the task off, more intent on going to see Al- she already felt guilty not going with everyone else. But Mr. Guile didn’t let it drop, “Lisa I know but everyone else is gone and I need to head to a meeting.”

 

“Can’t you give it to him tomorrow?”

 

“He needs to have it today,” Mr. Guile stated, “You’re the only person I can give that can take them to him before he leaves.”

 

“Alright . . .”

 

“Thank you. He is at the Host Club.” Lisa took the stack of paper, accidentally snatching them out of annoyance, and stomped out of the room without even bothering to answer if she needed directions. “I can’t believe he’s making me hand Adam this stuff. Can’t he do it himself?” Lisa thought while the stack of paper pressed against her chest, “After all it’s not like he can’t drop them off before his stupid meeting anyways. You know what, I’m just going to give these to Adam tomorrow and go home so I can pack.”

 

“Davie did you wash your hands?”

 

“Yes!” David shouted as he came out of the bathroom and sat down at the table, mumbling underneath his breath about being called Davie. Akane carried the hot pan with oven mitts then set it onto the ceramic holders, removing the mitts, “Is Lisa eating?”

 

“I think she’s in her room talking on the phone.”

 

“I swear I don’t know who is worse, you with your laptop or your sister with her phone,” Akane said on her way to the base of the staircase, “Lisa! Dinner’s ready!”

 

“Okay!” Lisa shouted back from her room then removed her hand from her cell phone and put it back against her ear, “Sorry Amelia, I got to go. If I don’t show up in five minutes you know what’ll happen . . .”

 

“Yeah your Mom is going to come up and drag you down to the table.” Lisa could hear her best friend’s laugh coming out of the speaker and laughed as well, “I’ll be over as soon as I’m done eating here, okay?”

 

“Uh hu, see you soon!” Having reassured Amelia that she was planning on coming over to spend the night at Al’s, Lisa hung up, tossed the phone to its usual spot, and leaped down the stairs before her mother could come up and get her. “You going over to Al’s after dinner?”

 

“Yeah Dad I’m already packed and I’ll catch the bus over.” With everyone else at the table Akane finally sat down as well so everyone could begin eating. For a while it was a normal dinner, the conversations typical and generally boring: school or work. As time ticked by the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it!” David hurried out of his seat before anyone could oppose the idea. When he opened the door he saw a young man with black glasses standing in the doorway. “Is Lisa home?”

 

“Lisa! Someone’s at the door for you!” Leaving the table Lisa was surprised to see Adam standing at her front door, “How did you know where I lived?”

 

“My apologies, I asked Setsuna and she learned it from your friend Rachel,” Adam explained. Lisa frowned when he heard the answer and ignored her brother’s questions. “Damn it Rachel! Why are you telling people where I live without asking me?” Still inside the dining room Mr. Denver and Mrs. Denver look at each other in confusion. Fusion raised his voice to make sure he could be heard and asked, “Lisa who is it?”

 

“It’s just someone from school Dad!”

 

“A boy? Is he cute?!” Akane shouted back then laughed when she heard her daughter shout back, “MOM!!!”

 

“Well tell him to come in. We have enough food for a guest.” Lisa looked back at Adam, her face still red from what her mother had said, then motioned for him to come inside, “I don’t suppose you want to come in and have dinner with us?”

 

“I would love too,” Adam answered watching Lisa start to leave, but didn’t follow her inside. When she realized that Adam hadn’t come inside she turned around and saw he was still standing outside, “What’s the matter? You can come in.”

 

“Sorry old habits die hard,” Adam apologized cautiously stepping through the doorway. The instant Akane saw the young man her daughter brought with her Akane teased Lisa, “Wow he is handsome!”

 

“MOM!”

 

“I’m just playing honey,” Akane said as she got up to get an extra seat and plate for their guest. Once that was done they resumed eating, now with an extra guest to include in the conversation; and more often question him. David didn’t waste any time before he pointed at Adam’s glasses, “Why do you wear sunglasses when it’s dark out?”

 

“David!”

 

“It is okay, I am used to it,” Adam said smiling at Lisa’s mother, “The truth is I was born with sensitive eyes. I cannot see in bright light and the doctors have told me sunlight poses a real risk of making me blind. My father had the same disease so I think it came from his side of the family.”

 

“Do you want me to turn off the light?” Akane asked starting to get up but stopped when Adam assured her she didn’t need too. Fusion cleared his throat then looked at the nineteen year old boy sitting across from him, “Tell me, how do you know my daughter?”

 

“We have drama together.  That is why I am here. One of our other classmates told me I do not have the script for the play we will be doing and that Lisa was supposed to give a copy to me.”

 

Lisa flinched when she heard about the script. She still had planned on giving it to him in the morning but she had never thought he’d actually come over to get it. “I completely forgot!” Lisa lied as best she could, “I think they’re still in my backpack.”

 

“Then shall we go get them?” Both Lisa and Adam put their dishes away and began to climb the staircase. From his seat at the dinner table Fusion reminded Lisa, “Remember! Keep your door open so I can hear you!”

 

“Dad!” Lisa complained, knowing that her Dad was in his own way trying to protect her, but it just had to be one of the most embarrassing ways you could think of. Lisa led Adam to her room and once they were inside she couldn’t tell if he was surprised by what he saw with his glasses hiding his eyes. Adam picked up an old barely held together stuffed unicorn and turned it over in his hand, “What is this?”

 

“That’s Twilight Sparkle,” Lisa answered taking the plush unicorn and pet it lovingly, then put it back on the nightstand when she realized what she was doing, “I-It’s an old toy Grandma Martha bought me when I was little. I’ve been meaning to give it away for years but I keep forgetting.”

 

“There is nothing wrong with cherishing things like old toys or a book of baby pictures,” Adam laughed and plucked Buttercup up from his spot over Lisa’s bed. “Either way I can tell from your room alone you like unicorns,” Adam added as he stood in the middle of the unicorn-themed bedroom. Lisa didn’t bother to stop herself from laughing before she shook her head, “Yeah I guess Grandma Martha started an obsession.”

 

“Here it is,” Lisa handed the script over to Adam. “Thank you.” A small silence crept over the pair. Lisa petted Twilight Sparkle, thinking of a way to break the silence. Before she thought of something to say Adam spoke up, asking bluntly, “Are you and Alejandro dating?”

 

“What!?” Lisa blurted out almost too loud. She covered her mouth and quietly shut the door before she turned back to Adam, “Why would you ask me that?”

 

“It is just something I had heard,” Adam said with a shrug. “Well I’m not. So there,” Lisa answered and crossed her arms, hugging her stuffed toy. She did love Al but she wasn’t sure if he loved her back. Many times she would drop a hint, but he was too dense to pick up on them. “Would you date him if he asked you?”

 

“No!” Lisa snapped before actually thinking of an answer. Adam laughed coolly and walked up to Lisa then took her hands in his, “What if I asked you?”

 

“W-W-What?!” Lisa stammered. She could barely think of an answer. She hadn’t ever thought about being with someone other than Al. Adam had also been so blunt about it that she almost thought he was joking with her. Lisa couldn’t think of an answer and felt her legs begin to surrender to her ‘flight’ instincts. When Adam felt Lisa start to pull away he pulled her back and removed his glasses with his free hand. Curiosity over the color of his eyes got the better of Lisa and she looked back at him. “Lisa I do not know you as well as Alejandro, but be my partner.”

 

Lisa was about to reply though for some reason couldn't find the strength to say anything she really wanted. It seemed as though her mind was on pause. “Maybe I should just say yes,” Lisa thought glancing away, “Al’s never going to ask me anyways . . .” Lisa had returned to staring at Adam. Something in the back of her mind was telling her to agree and, another part, told her she needed to say it without words.

 

“Mom! Lisa’s kissing a boy!” Lisa blushed and shoved Adam back. She was up in a flash and slung the door open as David scrambled to get back downstairs, “I was not you little brat! Just wait . . . you have to sleep sometime tonight!”

 

Lisa heard Adam laughter from inside her room and looked back at him, his sunglasses back on his face. She then heard her father’s footsteps at the bottom of the steps and that they were getting closer. Adam grinned and kissed Lisa’s hand quickly before she shoved him out of her room, “You better get going before my Dad decides to interrogate you.”

 

“See you at school Lisa!” Adam shouted back to her just as he slide past Fusion and left the house. “Lisa? Can I come in?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Something happen?” Lisa was on her bed with Twilight Sparkle above her in both hands. Fusion smiled back when his daughter looked over her shoulder at him and gave a goofy smile, “Nope . . .”

 

“Alright then.” Fusion dropped the topic; he figured a kiss wasn’t something too much to get worked up over as a parent. The mood in the room changed drastically when Lisa happened to look over at her alarm clock. Like a bolt Lisa put Twilight Sparkle down and a panicked expression spread across her face. She set off around her room and threw as much as her hands could grab into her backpack. “What’s wrong?”

 

“I forgot about the sleep over!” Lisa said now doing the best to zip the overstuffed backpack closed, “I’m going to miss the bus!!”

 

“No problem.” Fusion’s laugh made his daughter stop putting on her shoes and look at him utterly confused, “I’ll drive you to El’s house.”

 

“Thank you Dad!” Lisa said with a sigh of relief, knowing she wouldn’t be even later than she already was.

 

[hr]

 

Now awake, Al noticed the smell of food being cooked drift through the air. His stomach growled. “Is Mom cooking?”

 

“Yeah”

 

“Well come on, I’m hungry,” Al said and went to the kitchen. The kitchen was alive with the sizzle of bacon cooking, eggs being cracked and mixed, and fresh coffee being made. The fresh inhale of the cooking food was enough to make Al’s stomach growl again. “Morning Aunt Rue,” Daniel greeted through a yawn then is pushed out of the way by Sarah and Keiko.

 

“Need any help?” the twins ask, which she is more than happy to accept. Fortunately cooking is one of the things that both Sarah and Keiko can do together without messing it up- even then there was still egg shells in some of the food. One plate done Sarah took the plate and passed it to Zugai, “Zugai, scrambled eggs and toast with grape jelly on it.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

“Daniel, David we can make your food if you want,” Keiko offered and held up the egg covered whisk. David poured orange juice into his bowl of ‘Glory Os’ before he sat at the table, “I’m good.”

 

“I just want some oatmeal,” Daniel said and punched the numbers into the microwave, standing by it until his food was finished being nuked. “Oh okay,” Keiko said her happy mood a little deflated, only to return to her normal self a second later and sat down with her plate, “I hope the food tastes alright . . . knowing my sister it probably tastes horrible and Mrs. Maké’s food is so greasy everyone will get fat if you eat more than one plate.”

 

“My cooking isn’t greasy at all K-K. Now, if you want greasy you should eat my husband’s cooking sometimes,” Rue mentioned in a serious tone using Keiko’s childhood nickname; Keiko had been told it was the first thing she said when she was three. Al popped a piece of bacon into his mouth, lazily watching his mother retell the barbeque story where his Dad ended up catching everything on fire when he used too much grease, “Come on Mom, everyone already knows that lame old story. Besides, I don’t think Dad’s cooking is really that greasy.”

 

“That was good,” Amelia said a few minutes later as she got up from her spot at the table, taking her dirty plate to the kitchen sink to wash. The plate now in the warm soapy water Amelia scrubbed the plate clean, “Though it would be better if I didn’t have to pick out egg shells.”

 

“Hey! There wasn’t that many egg shells,” Keiko whined then took a small bite of her scrambled eggs, only to shiver when she herself felt egg shells crunch in her mouth. Keiko stuck her tongue out and picked up the single piece of egg shell with a small pout, “Okay so there might be more than usual.”

 

The group laughed but continued eating despite the slightly bad cooking. When one person finished eating they’d wash their dishes and head to the living room. Once everyone was in the living room Daniel held a game box high enough for everyone to see and a headset, “Hey, is anyone up for Mario Party 12?”

 

“I’m in!”

 

“Sure.”

 

“I know you’ll all loose horribly, but I’ll try not to make it as humiliating as possible.”

 

“Says you Keiko,” Lisa replied while she secured one of the headsets to her head and turned the console on. The party game was underway after the usual hassle over who got to be which character. With the children occupied and the dishes washed Rue was content to just watch. When she saw someone come out of the master bedroom out of the corner of her eye she smiled at her husband. Normally El would have been up, ready, and gone to work before any of them but for one of the few times a month he was off; El and Rue came up with an agreement early in their marriage that when he was off, he got to sleep in without being disturbed, save for emergencies.

 

“Morning everyone,” El greeted, picked up his plate, and began to head into his study were he ate his breakfast. The television on El clicked the remote to change to another channel. “s*** . . . s*** . . . more s*** . . . Kardashian-style s***,” he thought surfing through the channels with a sigh. El turned the channel once again as he polished off the egg shell ladened food that had been cooked for him, pausing for a moment to see what was on:

 

“I told you to stay back!” Samurai Hito shouted angrily after he had looked back at the blond haired woman he just went through the hassle of saving. The gun was still in her shaky hands but she still shot him a glare, “A-And let you get killed by that . . . . Monster!?”

 

“I had it covered,” Hito growled just as his eyes drifted back at the beast, a bullet lodged in its head. Hito sheathed his sword before he cautiously approached it, in case it happened to spring to life again. When the beast didn’t move Samurai Hito began to examine the dead . . . re-dead monster while the girl fell to her knees from the shock. He had taken the thing on all by himself, stabbed it and avoided its weapon, but when it looked like he was going to die she pulled the gun out of a nearby cop car and shot wildly.

 

“Now what do we have here?” Samurai Hito thought when he saw a small device shine inside the beast’s mouth. Hito pried the beast’s mouth open with a nearby snapped street sign and used the iron rod to keep it from shutting then rolled up his sleeve. Slowly he reached in, keeping an eye out in case the creature came back to life and decided to bite down, until his entire right arm had been pushed inside the beast’s mouth. Hito struggled to get a good grip on the device with the saliva proving to make it quite the challenge. Hito worked desperately to dislodge the device out, thinking the beast would come back to life any moment and take his arm off with one swift bite. When he saw that the women he had rescued had regained her composure Samurai Hito called out, “Hey woman, come here for a minute.”

 

“I have a name, it’s-”

 

“. . . . Died late last night-” El stopped and pressed the remote control again to return to the previous channel- YCN (Yugo City News). El sat up in his seat and watched Clair stand in front of the Tower of Any Other with Crab Helmet beside her.

 

“While the Mods grieve over the sudden and tragic loss of one of their own,” Clair began only to pause so she could push back a few tray hairs, using it as a cover to keep herself from crying on camera, “The city of Yugo has lost one of its champions and dearest friends. According to the official Mod statement, which Crab Helmet had just given, Yumiko Ikina, better known as Pikani, was pronounced dead after being found in her home last night. The cause of death is still undetermined, but the Moderators say they are treating this as a homicide until a clear cause of death can be determined. We will continue covering this story as more information comes out . . .” El muted the television when his cell phone rang and answered it, “Yeah?” No less than thirty minutes later El was dressed and ready to leave but stopped to give his wife a kiss, “I’ll be back later Rue.”

 

“I thought you had the day off.”

 

“I do, but Sonic called me and said he needed me to come by.”

 

“Can’t you wait or call Sonic back and reschedule? What does Sonic need anyways?”

 

“Afraid not and to be honest I might know what it’s about, but I’m going to wait until I heard it from him.”

 

“Well, just be careful.”

 

“Yes ma’am,” El chuckled and stole a second kiss from Rue before he left. In his car El reeved the engine to life then screeched out of the driveway. All the way El’s mind tried to answer Rue’s questions, “Sonic doesn’t just call asking if you want to go eat lunch together. He’s a Mod so it has to be something important . . . if anything it has to be about Pikani’s murder. Why else would he call? I swear if it’s something stupid I’m going to take my sword and hit him in the back of the head a couple dozen times.” El flicked his blinker on at the last moment before his car swerved across the lane and into the turning lane, only slowing down as he pulled up to the barrier. Window down so he could talk to the security guard he nodded to her, “Morning.”

 

“Morning sir,” the security guard replied while her eyes inspected the vehicle as well as the driver inside, “License and reason for coming to the Tower?”

 

“Specter Sonic called me in to speak with him,” El answered when he handed over his license. After swiping the card and checking on the notice board on the wall she handed his license back to him along with a ticket, “Alright you can go ahead. Hand this ticket to the security guard when you go to leave.”

 

“Yes ma’am,” El nodded then slowly drove into the parking lot once the barrier had been lowered into the ground. After a bit of searching El gave up on finding a proper one and instead pulled into a handicapped spot. Car off El stepped out and locked his car. “El!” Having heard his name El looked over and saw Fusion and Daisuke shouting at him from across the parking lot, “You know you can’t park in a handicapped spot! And I don’t think the Mods count being stupid as a handicap!” El couldn’t help but laugh at Fusion’s lame joke. He shook his head as he approached his two best friends, hugging and patting them on the back, “It’s good to see you two haven’t changed a bit.”

 

“Since when has that ever been our style?” DL asked with a laugh then bumped his fist against El’s as they grinned at each other. El then looked back at Fusion with a smirk, snapping his finger and pointed at his face, “And, by the way, I’ll park where ever I want Fuse.”

 

“Don’t blame me when you get towed,” Fusion replied with a shrug. The three old friends walked side by side into the Tower of Any Other and caught up with each other’s lives. Due to busy schedules and ones that conflict with each other more often than not, the only time they trio are able to really speak to each other anymore was birthdays or holidays; making the fact they ran into each other a welcomed surprise.

 

“So how’s Al doing?” Fusion asked, “I heard he got the virus that’s been going around lately.”

 

 “He’ll be back in school Monday.”

 

“Good I hope he doesn’t eat the food again,” DL joked as the trio got into the elevator with the others. Fusion cleared his throat while the doors closed and eyed the dark haired, blue eyed man, “DL I don’t think the food was that bad at Yugo High. I mean we all ate it too when we were in High School, don’t you remember?”

 

“I barely remember even being in class Fusion,” DL laughed, “Most of my memories around that time kind of revolve around the Inactive War.”

 

“Same here,” El admitted. The floor trio left on was mainly office space; case work, and not much else. Those employed by the Mods shuffled back and forth as they answered relentless phone calls or collect copies for the Super Mods to file away in one of the cabinets that adorned the wall. Sonic had the opportunity to take an office on a different floor, where he’d get some peace and quiet, but he had refused saying he liked ‘having background noise’ because it gave him something to block out and focus on his work. When the three of them turned down the hallway that was supposed to lead them to Sonic’s office the trio was greeted by an eight year old running right into them, knocking DL pretty hard blow the belt with a full on head butt. The eight year old held her head and quickly fixed the blue headband. When the headband was back in its proper place she peered up and a smile spread across her face. She then gave them all a salute, shouting at the top of her lungs, “Hello!”

 

“Hi?” DL barely got the words out still recovering from the low blow. Fusion knelt down so he was eye level with the girl and put on a warm smile, “Hello, what’s your name?”

 

Susan Chao but everybody calls me Susie,” she answered without as much as a hint of concern. Susie had her hands behind her back as she rocked on her heels while the three adults looked between each other when they heard the last name. “Susie we’re trying to find Sonic. Do you happen to know where he is?”

 

“Uh-hu”

 

“Can you show us?” With another ‘uh hu’ Susie was off down the hall, shouting back at them, “Follow me!” It was more difficult to keep up with the eight year old than they thought; each time she ran too far ahead she would have to stop and backtrack to make sure she didn’t lose them. They had already turned out of the hallway they had originally thought would bring them to Sonic’s office. “Apparently Sonic did get promoted,” Fusion thought looking back at the room that had been his previous office. At the end of the hallway Susie tapped her foot, not wanting to wait, and pushed her bottom lip out in a frown at the slow grownups, “Hurry up! Hurry up!”

 

“Hold your horses!” El shouted back, “Annoying little brat . . .” The three continued to follow Susie from one hallway to the next until they saw Susie open a door and walking inside. Even from inside the door they could hear the Chao girl shout that some ‘weird men are looking for you.’ The door opened and a moment later Sonic’s head lifted from the stack of papers piled on the desk. His sullen face turned cheerful when he saw his three old friends walk in.

 

“Fuse! El! DL! Man it’s good to see you guys!” Getting up Sonic shook their hands. DL clasped Sonic’s shoulder before he motioned at Susie, still by the door, with a grin, “Why the Hell didn’t you tell us you had a daughter man!? And to keep her a secret for this long . . .”

 

“Susie, would you go run these papers to Mrs. Crab for me?” Sonic asked ignoring the others and took one of the files so he could hand it to her. Before Susie was able to bound out of the room with the file DL was able to catch a glimpse of the label ‘War Torne’ on it. Once Susie was out of the room Sonic locked the door and looked back at the trio, his cheerful face back to a serious expression, “Susie isn’t my daughter, she’s a distant relative. Arm dropped her off at my house a couple months ago.”

 

Fusion, DL, and El were surprised to hear that Sonic had seen Arm, much less that the now infamous scientist risked bringing a little girl to a Moderators house. Arm Drillo always had a reputation as a kind of “mad scientist” and never keeping an assistant for more than a week, they usually died by “accidents” or they quite working for him, generally the prior, but when news about ‘Splicing’ hit the fan he became a wanted man. “But that isn’t why I called you guys in for. Have any of you seen the news today?”

 

El nodded his head as he finally got the answer to the question he had been asking himself all day. Fusion and DL on the other head looked confused, obviously not seen the breaking news story. Sonic took a breath to calm his nerves while also readying to give the long drawn out explanation until the door’s handle jiggled and startled him. It jiggled only for a minute before it stopped and was followed by someone knocking.

 

“Uncle Sonic, let me in!” Door unlocked Susie hurled herself at Sonic before she wrapped both arms around his waist while she beamed with pride, “Uncle Sonic! I did what you asked me too. I even waited patiently until Miss Crab got off the phone with Mister Roxas.” Sonic ran his hand over the top of her head and thanked her for. He then knelt down and pointed at the small portable television plugged into the wall, “Now I have a bit more work to do then we can go home. So put on you can watch TV until we leave, alright?”

 

“Okay!” “Seems like he treats her more like a daughter than a niece,” Fusion thought as he quietly watched Susie pop the first season DVD of ‘Lollipop Princess’ in and put the headphones over her ears, humming along with the opening theme. El didn’t bother to disguise the fact his patience was wearing thin when he spoke, “Can we get back to why you called us here?”

 

Sonic agreed before he made sure Susie was watching the cartoon then to check the door and ensure it was locked again. The Mod sat behind his desk and proceeded to dig through the filling cabinet then began to yank file after file out. Sonic finally reached what he was aiming for and revealed a plastic case that had a single manila colored patch, no bigger than the square of a Band-Aid. “Do you know what this is?” None of them recognized what the small patch was. Sonic set the patch on the table and answered his own question, “Its Venom.”

 

“You mean the drug the news is talking about?” DL asked and took a second look at the small patch. “The same,” Sonic said and handed the patch so they could get a better look at it, “We’ve been trying to get people in undercover to expose this new latch-gang and figure out where they’re making the ‘Venom’, but it’s proving harder than we thought.”
 

“What does this have to do with Pikani’s murder?” El asked as he took the ‘Venom’ from DL and lightly examined the humble little patch. When El had asked his question both Fusion and DL’s eyes lit up. Fusion’s mouth even dropped in disbelief. “It was the news story this morning.”

 

“Yes Pikani was murdered last night,” Sonic confirmed and took a shaky breath to once again steady his nerves. Fusion stared at Sonic and the Moderator averted his eyes. When the others had finished their examination of the path he spoke up again though not before he cleared his throat, “The investigation is still an open case, so I hope you understand why I can’t give you a lot of details, right?” Sonic turned his head for a minute to mutter under his breath, “Not to mention Sora would have my head if he figured out I’ve told you this much.” That said Sonic lifted the ‘Venom’ and held it out to El, “I need you to analyze it and, if you can, make an antidote from it as discretely as possible.”

 

“Why?” El didn’t even try to blunt his question, not taking the drug from Sonic. “You’re not going to help unless I tell you are you?”

 

“Of course,” El took a step back to reinforce his position. Sonic shifted around in his chair a bit, as if he was trying to find an appropriate way to word what he was about to say. “I think Pikani was killed by one of the gangs in Yugo City. I don’t have any proof yet and that’s why I want you to see if she was poisoned with ‘Venom’.” Sonic now held a small vial of blood as well as the ‘Venom’ patch out to El. It didn’t take more than one guess for El to understand the blood sample was from Pikani.

 

“I don’t know what’s going on but Sora and the other Super Moderators have recently upped security, even before Pikani was found murdered. I hope I’m just being paranoid but my gut tells me something is going on. Sora and Flame Dragon are leading an internal investigation into all of the Moderators, but I still think-”

 

“Wait. Why are they investigating other Moderators?” Fusion asked and soon the other two voiced their concerns. “Well we are the closest people to Pikani other than her family. Velma said it’s just to clear out possible subjects.” Satisfied with the answer El took the patch and shoved it into his back pocket, “The piece can’t run a full analysis. I mean I could, but then I’d risk of destroying the entire thing. I can run some small tests . . .”

 

“Then risk it. I need a full chemical analysis.” Sonic stared firmly at El so he knew he was being serious. “Alright then, I’ll give you a call when I get the lab work done.” And with that the door shut so only Fusion and DL remained. Both remained inside the office with Sonic in an awkward silence, not sure what to say to continue the conversation. Using a cough to catch Sonic’s attention DL rolled his eyes as he spoke, “So . . . I get why you brought El here but why did you want us here?”

 

“Not that I don’t trust El, but you two are more suited for the job. While Sora and Flame Dragon are investigating the other Moderators I want you guys to try and investigate other suspects, like the new latch-gang.”

 

“So in other words you want us on the streets looking for members to a gang who possibly murdered a Moderator in her own home?” DL asked before he gave Fusion a quick glance, then looked back at Sonic with a devilish grin, “Kari won’t like it but, yeah, I’m in. It’ll be cool to do something crazy again. Right, Fusion?” Sonic shook his head before sighed in aggravation, “DL you can’t tell Kari about what you’re doing. That does double for you too Fusion.”

 

“Then I just hope she doesn’t think I’m cheating on her,” DL mused as he rubbed his chin. Kari was normally a loving wife but her dad’s training has never left, tending to pop up when she got really angry with him. “I think I can just tell Aka that I’ve been given a new assignment. DL you can tell Kari you’re helping me so you can get ideas for that book of yours.”

 

“Then we have a deal!” With the details of the plan explained over the next few minutes Sonic ushered both of them out of his office with a handshake and thanked them for their time. The door shut behind him Sonic peered through his office’s blinders as Luna walked by. When he saw he turn the corner he fell back into his chair and let himself recline with a tired sigh. He quickly ran his hand through his brown hair and let his mind slip back to recent memories . . .

 

“All you brought me in here for was so I could get a new passcode?” Sonic asked having not expected that to be the reason he had been called in. He had nearly worried himself to death thinking he had done something major. Now that he heard why he had been called in for he felt a little ashamed that he had even worried so much. Sora had his arms crossed behind his back and only after his former student had finished did he turn his back from him. Sora’s expression was stern and didn’t give Sonic any clues to what he was thinking. “Yes Sonic, a new passcode. It has to be changed by the end of the week and then you’re to report it to Phantom Roxas.”

 

“Albert? Why do I have to report to the top dog?” Sonic shook his head now even more confused than when he learned why he was called in. Sure it was unusual to be called in just to be told you needed your passcode changed, but he figured it could happen. On the other hand to report something so minor to Phantom Roxas made no sense. Things like that were generally handled by Mitchel, not Sora’s brother. “Sonic, shouldn’t you be addressing my brother as Phantom Roxas instead of by his first name?”

 

“Oh come on, not this again,” Sonic groaned, “Get that stick out of your ass once in a while Sora and you might find someone who’d be willing to marry you like Albert has or even just be your girlfriend. Then again if you’re going to find someone crazy enough to marry you, you might want to check the mental . . .” Sonic’s voice caught in his throat as Sora, closing the distance between them, grabbed hold of his shirt and tossed him onto the ground with a large thud. Sora took a moment to fix his tie back into place before he helped Sonic back to his feet. “Sheesh can’t you take a joke Sora?”

 

“I’ll have you know I have a girl. Now,” Sora continued in a more serious tone, “Have your passcode changed and report it to Phantom Roxas personally, got it?”

 

“Yeah sure . . . just tell me one thing. Did someone hack into the computers again, using my passcode this time? Or does this have something to do with Pikani’s murder? I know you and Flame Dragon are doing an internal investigation. Did her passcode give you a lead and now you’re making everyone change theirs for safety?”

 

“I counted three questions.” Sonic narrowed his eyes and tried not to get annoyed with Sora taking his words so literally. “To answer one of your questions . . . no, no one hacked into the computers using your passcode.” Sonic narrowed his eyes again, this time knowing full well that Sora could see him. He had some vain hope that Sora would lighten up and tell him what was going on. Sora though just looked back at Sonic with the same unreadable stare. He wasn’t about to tell him anything and Sonic reluctantly gave up. Sonic removed his hand from the front of his face and pushed himself back so hard he flipped his chair when his sight was greeted with Susie on his desk with a red marker in hand. Susie jumped off of the desk and crawled beside him. All she did was smile and gently poke his cheek with the closed red marker, “You okay Uncle Sonic?”

 

“Yeah you just startled me . . . what where you about to do with that maker anyways?” he asked eyeing the marker still in her hand. Susie quickly found the cap, put it back on, and threw it across the room. She then shook her head and attempted to give a not-so-convincing lie, “I-I wasn’t planning on doing anything!” Sonic just grinned at how hard Susie was trying to pull one over on him. On his feet he messed with her hair, despite her protests. “Come on kiddo, it’s almost time for dinner.”

 

“I want hot dogs!” It was only later after they were home and Sonic had managed to take a look in his bathroom mirror did he learn that Susie had already drawn all over his face, most likely before he had even woke up.

 

[hr]

 

Al sneezed into the collar of his shirt when he pushed the front door of the school open; he then hastily wiped his nose with the ends of his sleeve and inhaled so what remained didn’t give him a runny nose. He was had managed to get to school during his free period, so he didn’t have to immediately go to class; though he was well enough to go to school he still didn’t feel up to genuine school work. More importantly it gave him the chance he had been waiting days for. To search for a certain someone and get some answers. Al’s first place to look was outside one of the classrooms and peer in through the window so he could scan the crowd of students to see if she was there. When he didn’t spot his target he turned away from the classroom, sneezed again, and saw Zugai down the hallway. A cough and a shout later both teenagers were on their way to the cafeteria. “Glad to have you back man.”

 

“Yeah it’s good to be back. Hey Zugai, do you know where Lisa is?” Zugai went to the end of the cafeteria line. “Have you checked class?”

 

“First place I checked.” Zugai nodded his head and thought of a few more places red head might be. After he had made a very narrow list Zugai decided on the most likely place where she would be, but hesitated to give Al his answer knowing he was going to be getting some news he wouldn’t like; he, of course, knew why Al was looking for in the first place. “Well since the Drama Club is working on the play she could be there or . . .” he let his voice trail off as his eyes slowly drifted away from Al’s, “Or she could be, you know, hanging out with Adam at the Host Club.”

 

“Adam? Who’s Adam?” Al’s second question was more hostile than he intended it to be. When Zugai didn’t answer him Al raised his eyebrow and repeated himself. Zugai decided instead of hearing it from Lisa herself he’d be the one, however hesitantly, tell his friend his High School crush was dating someone. Zugai was barely able to keep up with Al as he stormed through the hallway completely forgetting that Lisa could be in the Drama classroom. Al instead made a beeline right to the Host Club. Not even the long line that stretched out from its double doors slowed him down a bit, the disapproving and angry shouts not even registering to him, and raised his voice to begin shouting for Lisa.

 

Al’s plan on shouting for Lisa stalled the moment he had pushed past the front of the line. Zugai now behind him both teenagers were greeted by an image that, honestly, at least one of them, had only ever dreamed about. Lisa was wearing what appeared to be a Victorian era red dress, complete with a headband and chocker, and had stopped handing Zero Legend his desert. She had turned around to see what the commotion was and when Al and Zugai had pushed to the front of the line all she could do was stare at her two friends in surprise. “Al? What are you doing here?”

 

“Uh, today is the day I come back, remember?” Al walked right up to her, arms crossed and looked down at her. When Lisa remembered that he was right she gasped and placed the empty silver tray on a nearby table, “I’m sorry Al! I completely forgot . . . I’ve been busy with-”

 

“Yeah I can imagine you were busy. So should I congratulate you know for getting a luvmate or is it too late? You know Lisa, it’s funny, I didn’t know dating someone could make you so busy you couldn’t even be bothered to answer your cell phone. You didn’t even let me meet this Adam before you began dating him.” Lisa’s mouth hanged open slightly, now in complete shock, when Al had finished. She thought he might be a little upset she forgot but it never crossed her mind he’d get this upset she was dating someone that wasn’t him. When he rolled his eyes Lisa stomped in ager and shouted back, “My phone died! And introduce you to Adam before I date him? Who do you think you are!? My Dad!?”

 

Adam watched, and listened, from the back of the room as the two continued their argument which steadily grew louder and louder the longer it lasted. When it became apparent neither was going to let the other get the last word in Adam stepped between the two so they weren’t in each other’s face. “Alejandro you should start behaving yourself. If you cannot I will have you leave the Host Club for disturbing the customers.”

 

“And who are you?” A vein in Al’s face twitched hearing his entire first name being used. Al’s glare didn’t bother Adam at all, since the former had to look up. “My name is Adam.” Too angry to talk back without throwing a fist, Al leaned back a bit and thought if the trouble he’d undoubtedly get into would be worth it to crack Adam across his smug face, sunglasses or not. In the end Al decided it wasn’t and turned around to leave. He just didn’t want to bother with the situation anymore; still hurt that Lisa had forgotten about him so easily, and maybe more than a tad jealous. Al stuffed his hands in his pockets and was almost to the door when he heard Adam. “I guess even a Neanderthal can do the smart thing once in a while.”

 

Zugai barely managed to pull Lisa back as Al clock Adam hard enough across the face to send him across the room. Adam’s side hit one of the many tables and flipped it on top of him. The punch from Al had knocked off his sunglasses and, eyes closed, Adam began to blindly search for them. Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked on at what just happened, some whispering to each other. “Adam!” Lisa wrenched herself away from Zugai and ran over to Adam. She handed her luvmate back his glasses before she shouted, “Al why did you go and do that!?”

 

“He just called me a Nean . . . ne . . . a caveman!”

 

Before a lot of the people in the school ran restaurant had simply chosen to ignore Al and Lisa argue, even when it got as loud as it did, but a fight is impossible to ignore. Adam rolled onto his rear and tossed the plate off his head then pulled the spaghetti off of his shoulder. Sunglasses back on, Adam pushed himself to his feet with help from the knocked over table. When he felt something warm on his face Adam wiped the corner of his mouth with his left hand and held it in front of him, seeing the smeared blood. “I figured you were stupid, but to think you cannot even say Neanderthal.”

 

“Oh that’s it you son of a b****!” Al shouted and raised his leg to kick Adam in the chest. The kick missed completely and with Al’s right leg outstretched beside him and the other completely supporting him, Adam grabbed him by the collar. Adam hurled Al over his shoulder and out the Host Club’s doors; the people who had been in the way hastily got out of the way. Al landed on his back and, on instinct, rolled with the impact; the motion engraved into his mind after a lot of training at the Akatsuki Academy. Finally Al came to a stop on his side. He didn’t get to catch his breath for long, Adam emerging from the class. Al glared at Adam, who’s right arm was pulled back for a punch, gritted his teeth and threw both of his legs at Adam’s chest- this time the blow landed. Suspended on the ends of Al’s legs this time it was Adam who was sent flying through the air and right into a nearby class window. It’s High School, so in less than a minute a good sized crowd had built up around the two.  Instead of intervening, some of the students began to place bets while others were satisfied with cheering them on, “Ten bucks on Maké!”

 

“I’ll bet fifteen on the tuxedo dude!”

 

“Fifty dollars says it’s a tie!”

 

The impact had knocked Adam’s glasses off again, however, he was able to open his eyes just enough to see Al swing at him. When his punch missed, Adam stood up, and Al followed up by swinging upward grab hold of Adam’s shirt then swung him headfirst into the iron gates of the school. The loud ping caused by the collision made some students wince in pain as well. “Al, stop! You’re hurting him!” Lisa begged while she did her best to pry Al off of Adam. Al didn’t hear a thing Lisa or anyone else said and continued to try and kick Adam in his side, pushing whoever had just put their hands on him. Adam managed to get away from Al’s assault before he regained his footing. Al didn’t press his attack and waited for Adam to swing back so he’d enjoy it even more when he beat Adam’s ass.

 

Adam still had his eyes closed, his sunglasses now crushed and lost underfoot of the crowd of on looking students, but he still managed to turn punch him when he went to wipe away some sweat. Zugai kept Lisa from falling as the crowd cheered as the two continued to beat each other up. “Okay this has gone on long enough,” Zugai thought to himself and put his diamond knuckles on. He punched his fists together to make sure both were secure. Weapons secure Zugai dove head first through the crowd and right into the length of a wooden practice sword, sending him reeling back from the blow. “I suggest waiting until the teachers arrive.” Zugai had caught his breath, though his chest still stung from the blow, and saw that it was Setsuna who had stopped him; beside her the freshman from before hide behind her. Worse, Rachel and Lyn were also beside her, though the prior had her eyes on the fight.

 

“Listen baby brother I know you want to be the hero but trust me, don’t get involved.” Rachel hadn’t even bothered to look back at him when she spoke, her eyes still on the fight and a smile on her face. Zugai didn’t have to ask himself if she was enjoying the spectacle, he knew she was in her own weird way. Zugai slowly inched his right leg back and was ready to dash forward, intent on stopping the fight, but Setsuna caught wind of what he had planned and raised her sword so she could strike if he made a break for it. “Zugai this is a personal fight between men. It’s not right to get involved unless-”

 

“You’re in my way!” Setsuna had no time to react and by the time she had turned her head it was met with the seat of a folded up chair. On the other end of the chair its wielder, Daniel, didn’t stop and pushed past the ‘Daughters of Darkness’ leaders. “Setsuna are you alright!?” Setsuna stumbled a bit but never fell, though she squatted down to hold her head between her hands, “I-I’m fine Anne.” Amelia ran up a minute later and glared at Zugai’s sisters. “Are you two just going to let Al get beat up!?”

 

“Quite being so negative Amelia,” Rachel said with a small chuckle then finally turned her head from the fight, “What about the outcome where Al wins, hu?”

 

“Do you want me to stop Daniel?” Setsuna asked and raised her sword up again, her knees bent so she could stop him before he reached either Adam or Al. Rachel just sighed and held her hand up then began to lower each finger one by one. When Rachel lowered her final finger she smirked as someone’s voice boomed above the crowds’ own loud shouts. “Everyone stay right where you are!”

 

Chair above his head Daniel froze in place. The unexpected voice was instantly recognized by every student in the entire crowd and they also froze. The only two who hadn’t stopped where Adam and Al, their fight was now nothing more than them rolling around and trying to punch the other in the face.

 

“It’s Ms. Valiant!”

 

“Run!”

 

“It’s Yugo High’s Angel of Death!!”

 

“Don’t look into her eyes! She’ll eat your soul if you look into her eyes!”

 

“Look out! She’s got a book!”

 

“We’re all screwed!” “What did I do to deserve nicknames like that?” Lora didn’t bother to stop the other students who were tried to get away as fast as possible. She was more interested in stopping the fight between Al and Adam. When she had gotten close enough she him them across the face with the massive Art History Book she had been carrying. The blow finally made the two stop, both stunned by the unexpected blow from of all things a book. The fight over Lora clapped her hands together and her intense, serious glare disappeared behind a cheerful smile, “Alright then! Everyone who was involved in the fighting, even if all you did was place a bet, report to the Principle immediately! And don’t think you can try and pretend you didn’t . . . I saw everything . . . everyone else can go back to class.”

 

The students who had thought maybe, just maybe, ‘Yugo High’s Angel of Death’ had forgotten about them groaned in disappointment. Those who were in trouble began the slow walk to the principal’s office. The students knew better than to test her word; when Ms. Valiant had begun teaching they did and many regretted it. Lora watched the students walk away, muttering to each other about the fight, and nodded in satisfaction. When the crowd had thinned enough she walked over to one of the other teachers who had been rounding up the students who still thought they could make an escape. “Did you get them all?”

 

“No. Some of them outran me,” Max chuckled with a hand over his head, “Though Rachel and Lyn did a number on me before getting away.”

 

“I’ll have a word with them later.” Lora then, with Max seated in front of her, carefully ran her fingers through his blond hair to see if there were any cuts.

 

Principal Maker had just escorted another student out of his office then headed back inside. Without bothering to shut the door Chase dropped himself in the massage-seat covered chair with a mixed grunt and sigh. “Over thirty students sent home with referrals.” Chase massaged his temple. Sometimes he was both grateful and hated that Ms. Valiant followed the School Code of Conduct to a ‘T’. While most of them had been just brought in for gambling or instigating the fight, and left with a warning, he hadn’t finished with the two who had been the ones fighting. Chase peered up from behind his hand when he heard his secretary walk inside with Al. The Principle leaned back in the chair and sighed, the massage function working on the knots in his back, and his eyes shifted to the student standing quietly beside the elderly woman; Al’s head hung and a patch covered his forehead to stop the bleeding. “You can sit in your usual seat Al, though I suppose since you’re in trouble . . . again . . . I’ll have to call you Alejandro until we’re finished here.”

 

“Yes sir.” Al moved to the chair in front of the Principle’s mahogany desk while the secretary waddled out so she could resume signing papers. For a few seconds Chase looked at Al, turned in his chair every so often so the massager would knead at a different part of his back, and then skimmed across the referral Ms. Valiant had written. ‘Student caught fighting fellow student Adam Lambert.’ “Alejandro,” Principle Maker began and saw Al’s entire body straighten up on instinct from hearing his full name, “What were you thinking getting into a fight?”

 

“He deserved it,” was all Al muttered back and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Al may have been to see Principle Maker more than once, more than five or ten, but he hardly ever enjoyed being sent to the Principal’s Office with a referral. “Al you know I can’t accept that reason. There are a lot of people who ‘deserve it’ but you can’t go around actually doing it whenever you feel like it.”

 

“Then next time I’ll just kick his ass when I run him down in the streets.”

 

“Jesus you’re just like your father- stubborn and hard headed,” Chase said with a groan and shook his head, “That would be assault you know. Well, I’m not going to suspend you.”

 

“So I’m off scot free?”

 

“I never said that. I said I wasn’t going to suspend you.” Chase sat up and intertwined his fingers together, “You are going to be serving an entire month of In-School-Suspension where you’ll be helping Mr. Fink and the other janitors fix the damage you caused during your fight.” Al nodded. He didn’t think he should be punished for giving Adam what he deserved but he wasn’t about to disagree with not getting suspended from school. “You can go now.”

 

Al shut the door behind him and shuffled past the secretary’s desk. He stumbled a bit and managed to catch himself on the wall before he fell; looking up his eyes locked with the secretary’s. She looked worried and began to say something but Al waved her off, “I’m alright.”

 

“Are you sure? You’re awfully pale.”

 

“Yes ma’am.” Al wiped some sweat off his forehead and crawled along the hallway wall until he reached a bathroom. He slipped inside when he was certain no one was around and then opened every stall to see if he really was alone. Alone in the bathroom Al locked himself inside the farthest stall. His heavy breathing echoed in the empty bathroom and his hands felt like they were on fire. When he had retrieved a smooth envelop from the bottom of his backpack Al tore it opened with his teeth and immediately pulled off his right shoe and sock. Shoe and sock off Al slapped the patch onto the bottom of his heel, his pale face beginning to regain some of its color. Al let his eye stare into the distance as he leaned his head back and a low, satisfied groan escaped his lips followed by a relieved exhale. All the anger and other problems he felt melted away and slowly was being replaced with pure bliss.

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Chapter Three: Swan Lake Rehearsal: A New Lead]

“I give up!” Daniel shouted and threw his copy of the script into the air. Sprawled out over a table Daniel let the papers drift around him, “I don’t think I can do this, guys! Just cut my red and be done with it . . .”

 

“Stop complaining Daniel, you’ll do fine out there.” May sat across the large empty cafeteria tying a knot in a section of rope she had. Daniel’s mood didn’t cheer up from May’s words. His eyes only wandered up from his desk when the red haired senior put the length of rope aside and sat down beside him so she could scan over the script, “If you want, I can help you get ready for the rehearsal. What part do you think you’ll mess up on?”

 

“Are you alright with that?” Daniel asked Amelia. Her sea green eyes lifted from the costume she was helping Juliette with and blushed. She took the needles out of her mouth so she could speak, “I don’t care what you do to get ready Daniel . . . besides . . . it can’t hurt.”

 

“I say let May help you! That way when you fail, you know you’ve done everything humanly possible to not suck!” Keiko laughed, trying her hardest to remain perfectly, but the overly giddy blonde was still scolded by Juliette for moving too much. Juliette made her point, literally, with a small jab with one of the needles. When the youngest Link girl had managed to remain still, as relatively still as one would expect Keiko to be, Juliette brushed her raven colored bangs from her eyes and resumed her work alongside Amelia.

 

It had been a few strenuous weeks since Al and Adam’s fight. Though the two still didn’t get along and would often get verbal with each other Al had grudgingly agreed to help with the play after Lisa pleaded with him; that didn’t stop him from skipping a few of the rehearsals. With everyone either focused on memorizing their lines or adjusting props the cafeteria buzzed with activity. “You know . . . I still can’t believe Ms. Valiant is directing the school play instead of Mr. Guile.”

 

“Why?” Anne tilted her head so she could look back Keiko while her hands did their best to fix Keiko’s crown so it would stay on her head when she moved.

 

“It’s because Swan Lake is a ballet,” Adam answered matter-of-factly, “Ms. Valiant knows how do to ballet.”

 

When Daniel and Al heard that Ms. Valiant knew how to perform ballet they grew quiet and looked at each other to see if one was going to say what they both were thinking. The very thought of Ms. Valiant caused both of them to chuckle before finally bursting out into a fit of laughter. Daniel was the first to catch his breath and blurted out, “Ms. Valiant dances!?”

 

“I don’t think it is possible for someone her age to be able to do ballet!” Al shouted. A cough from behind Al and Daniel caught their attention. Slowly they turned and were met with a glare from their teacher. Lora had opened the cafeteria’s side door just in time to hear Daniel and Al begin to laugh at her age.

 

“M-M-Ms. Valiant!” Al shouted backing out of arms reach, “I swear it was only a joke!”

 

“Yeah! Just a joke,” Daniel stated, “We all know you can dance!”

 

“Uh hu” was all Lora said as she let the door shut behind her. Lora approached the group and clapped to get everyone else’s attention, “Alright everyone the rehearsal’s about to begin! So those of you not in the play please take your seats, and those who are cast members get ready.”

 

The beginning of the play had gone well. Thanks to a few of Rachel and Lyn’s hologram projects the scenery seemed to stretch on for miles in every direction. To Lora’s surprise some of the actors and actresses had gotten not only their lines, but the dancing memorized perfectly. Though, that’s not to say the first half of the play wasn’t without its own embarrassing moments. Sarah, Al, and Zugai had nearly laughed their heads off when the Prince did his best half-dance half-walk when he went on stage; in his defense Daniel didn’t know if he had to dance like the others or if he could just walk normally, so he decided to do a mixture of both. Unfortunately the second half was proving to be more of a fiasco than Lora thought possible. All of this from a single person who, from the moment she wobbled onto the stage, Lora knew shouldn’t have been given a role. All she could do was run her hand over her face and wonder why it had been decided that Keiko would play the important part of the Queen, “Why me . . . are we cursed at this or something?”

 

“Well this is a party!” Keiko shouted as one the spotlights lit the winding flight of stairs she was walking down. Her costume still torn from earlier, though the hem had been quickly sewn back together by Juliette, Keiko waved at the crowd eagerly then skipped down the last bit of steps before jumping to the stage, “Thanks everybody for coming to the ball! We’re just waiting on the birthday boy so eat, drink and keep partying until he gets here!”

 

“Then why not dance?” Riku, one of the actors on stage, suggested. When his “queen” approved of the idea he took one of the maidens’ hands so he could lead her out to the middle of the stage. Soon the entire crowd danced in the grand hall while Daniel made his appearance through the side entrance.

 

Keiko got up off of her fake throne and quickly walked down beside Daniel. She couldn’t hide her large grin as he glared at her. She wore a smile as wide as her face and Daniel, frustrated, angry and bright red, ground his teeth together. Keiko had already been told she wasn’t saying the real lines, but found it better just to do what she had been doing. “No point in fixing what isn’t broke right?” she had thought before coming back on stage. Keiko put her arm around Daniel’s shoulder and led him so she could point out six girls dressed in very beautifully made costumes, “Alrighty then! Pick your new luvmate so you can get hitch and then finally get laid!”

 

Daniel's eyes refused to even twitch as she tried to get his attention.

 

“Hello? Earth to Daniel!” she called and waved her hands in front of his face. His gaze didn't move, so Keiko thought for a few moments and finally had an idea. “I bet someone with as big a porn collection as you has to be a big pervert . . . or else why have’em!?”

 

She saw his pupils expand then retract a bit and she knew she had his attention. Daniel was unable to keep ignoring her anymore and lost control of his anger, shouting, “MAYBE I LIKE THE PLOTS! HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF THAT KEIKO!?”

 

After a quick tap on the microphone to get Keiko and Daniel’s attention back on the play he coughed and tried to remember his lines, “M-Mother . . . I . . . uh . . . s*** what were the lines? Oh! I do not . . . uh . . . want to marry . . . any of these girls!”

 

“Well . . .” Keiko trailed off and rolled her eyes, “Maybe some more incentive?”

 

Keiko grabbed the first girl’s dress at the bottom and with a swift tug threw it up so that the side of her panties showed, making the poor girl turn red with embarrassment as Theodore focused the spotlight on her panties, “First is a good teasing shot of some panties . . .”

 

“Next! How about a little midriff?” Keiko tore the second girl’s costume to expose her stomach and the piercing it had. The third costume Keiko tore to show some of the actress’ cleavage. Daniel’s face was bright red and he tried to get Keiko to stop, but she continued to laugh. “Come on Prince . . . you have to pick someone . . . I’m just helping you with your decision is all.”

 

“KEIKO!!!” Juliette’s scream finally made the bouncy teenager stop and look over to the edge of the stage. Juliette had just kicked one of the guys out of her way, Theodore moving a spotlight on her, and brandished a large dress form, “YOU’RE GOING TO PAY FOR RUINING MY HARD WORK!!!”

 

Juliette raised the dress form into the air and made a run at Keiko, but before she reached the blonde who probably deserved to be punished, some webs shot down from the door and coated her hands. Juliette stopped see what had gotten on her hands then was suddenly yanked up off the floor. May slowly lifted the kicking and screaming seamstress off stage. “NO!!! SHE HAS TO PAY!!! THIS ISN’T THE END KEIKO DAMN IT!!! I’M GOING TO MAKE YOU PAY IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!!!!”

 

“With Prince Siegfried refusing to marry any of the maidens the Queen commands him to dance with each one of them and then decide which one he will marry!” Lora shouted once Juliette was out of sight, reading from the script so Keiko didn’t get a chance to make up her own lines again. Keiko just shrugged her shoulders and pointed at Daniel, “Now go and dance or else one MILLION years dungeon!!!”

 

“Why me?” Lora ran her hand down her face unable to believe Keiko had still managed to come up with a line. Everyone expected the fourth and final act to begin shortly but instead Lora had decided it was a better to stop now, “Okay everyone I think we’ll stop there for today.”

 

“Alright!” Keiko shouted and threw a fist into the air, jumping into the air with seemingly more energy than she had before the rehearsal began. When she landed Juliette’s weapon of choice barely missed her head and soon the chase had resumed.

 

Though everyone understood Keiko deserved it, no one couldn’t help but laugh as they watched Juliette try her hardest to catch Keiko and always miss by a hair, the blonde slipping out of her grasp every single time. Lora caught the dress form Juliette had hurled at Keiko and set it down, “Juliette I understand you’re upset but you can’t hurt Keiko because of what happened.”

 

“Yes ma’am,” Juliette said and let out a defeated sigh.

 

“And Keiko . . .”

 

“Yes?” Keiko asked and turned back to the teacher with an innocent smile.

 

“Don’t rip up the costumes and, please, for the love of God, try to remember your lines next time.”

 

“Okay!” Keiko gave a comical salute to Lora the same innocent smile and returned to talking about how fun she had made the play. “She didn’t even hear me.” Lora shook her head. “You can all go home unless you want to remain behind for extra practice or to help put away the props. I’d stay and help but I have to get going. Can I count on everyone to put everything away before you leave?”

 

“We’ll put everything back where it belongs Miss Valiant,” May said and took a feather duster from Anne, “Have a safe trip back home!”

 

“Thanks!” Lora said and left. A lot of students went home after they saw the time, however, a few remained. Sarah zipped her backpack with what remained of her costume and looked up, “Hey Julie, any suggestions for keeping these costumes kept up?”

 

“Just don’t wear it a lot or wash it, common sense things,” Juliette stated with a tired smile, “And maybe keep the costume away from Keiko at all times.” Keiko smiled to herself and threw her backpack over her shoulder, tugging it closed, “If its common sense then you might want to make an extra costume for Daniel!”

 

“I think you’re the one who needs an extra costume Keiko . . . or three.” Al grinned and bumped his fist against Daniel’s who agreed. Though Juliette sighed, thinking they were serious.

 

God knows Keiko already proved she couldn’t take care of one dress.

 

No one wanted to continue to practice their lines so it was decided that they would keep their word and put away the last of the props; yet Sarah and Keiko left before work ever began, already having planned to go to the mall. Everyone began to clean but slowly stopped one by one when they saw how fast Amelia cleaned. When she heard people whispering she kicked the end of the mop to spin it around and dunk it into the bucket. She saw that everyone was staring at her and felt a little embarrassed, “Come on, why are you guys stopping?”

 

With the group cleaning again, and Amelia in charge, it didn’t take the group too long to nearly finish their work. With a bit of a struggle Al picked up one of the fake trees and complained, “I don’t think I should have to help clean and put things away when I just came to watch the stupid play . . .”

 

“Cleaning isn’t all work,” Daniel said with a laugh and pointed at Zugai and Setsuna who were sword fighting with the brooms with Anne cheering them both on; Amelia trying to make them get back to work. When all of the props had been put away Lyn twisted the knob to ensure the door was locked and turned her attention to Amelia, “Is your dad coming to pick you up?”

 

“Actually Daniel is going to drive me back home,” Amelia said. Lyn glanced over at Daniel and he nodded to let her know she wasn’t lying. Out of the corner of her eyes Lyn could see her sister remove the wrench from one of the projectors, slipping the tool through a single belt loop, and remove her hat so she could wipe the sweat from her forehead. Rachel was the one who had wanted to talk to the Moderator; with the easy option out that meant she would have to actually go out and hunt one of the Moderators down and hopefully get some information out of him.

 

“Why did you want to talk to my dad?” Rachel’s gaze remained focused on the ground as she spoke, “I wanted to ask him if the Mods knew anything about Pikani’s murder.”

 

“Rachel, dad doesn’t know anything about . . . that.” Amelia had a hard time saying that Pikani was murdered. She didn’t even like to think about the fact that a Moderator had been murdered in her own home. Those kinds of thoughts only made her worry more about her dad. “Dad said that none of the Mods have any idea who killed Pikani or why.”

 

Rachel’s head snapped up from the ground and she locked eyes with Amelia’s sea-green ones and bluntly said, “Your dad lied to you Amy.”

 

Rachel was about to explain what she meant but never got the chance to before Al interrupted her, “Oh come on. Why would Amelia’s dad lie to his own daughter?”

 

Setsuna had been across the room with Anne, who was talking to the others, but she had eavesdropped on the conversation. The moment the Moderator’s murder was brought up she decided to speak up, “I wouldn’t put too much faith in the Moderators. They’re still human and humans lie all the time, regardless if it is to a relative or a complete stranger.”

 

“Well I’ll always put my faith in the Mods!” May said raising her voice a little more than necessary. She had also been eavesdropping and when Setsuna had joined the discussion she decided to as well. She hadn’t meant to yell but let the slight against the Mods get to her. Thankfully Setsuna wasn’t insulted at being shouted at, apologizing, “Sorry I didn’t mean to sound rude.”

 

“Sorry I shouldn’t have yelled.”

 

“Good to see you being friendly with others Setsuna, especially Rachel and Lyn,” Adam said from his spot across the room. Even through his thick sunglasses Setsuna could tell he was glaring at her. Sure she might be older and more of a threat with her bamboo sword, but Adam was more intimidating than she could be.

 

“And you with Lisa,” Al snapped. He had tried to just work through his headache so he could leave. Unfortunately Adam did the one thing that Al couldn’t ignore- speak.

 

“Sorry did you say something Alejandro?” Adam began with a smug look, “I think we will need a translator if you want to speak to me, you see, I do not spe-”

 

“Adam that’s enough,” Lisa said and covered his mouth to keep him from talking. She glared at him so he knew that she was being serious. When he had nodded to let her know he wouldn’t say anything else she removed her hand. “There’s got to be,” Lisa began to think. Her head snapped up and she grabbed Adam by the hand. She dragged him across the room to Adam where she took his hand as well. Now with both of their hands she squeezed them tighter in case the wild thought of running crossed their minds. She looked between the two and spoke clearly, “Since you two don’t want to get along we’re all going to a movie and then to eat somewhere public. At least then you two won’t be able to fight when my back’s turned.”

 

“What”

 

“Are you implying-” Adam began and stopped when Lisa nodded, “Yup! So let’s go!”

 

When the three left a few whispers, and quiet laughing, fell over the room. Rachel tapped her foot restlessly as if waiting for something then took out badly scratched pocket watch. She opened the front and coughed to get the entire room’s attention, pointing to the timepiece, “I think it’s time we go home. Weird Al the Janitor is going to be locking up the school soon and I, for one, don’t want to be locked in until tomorrow morning with him.”

 

A few of the other female students shivered just thinking about being trapped in school all night with the janitor; as his name suggested, he was quite weird and had a pension for not so discretely sexually harassing the female students. Lyn looked back at the others and put her hat back on, “Do you guys wanna head to our headquarters for something to eat?”

 

“I thought it was against the rules to let nonmembers in the headquarters,” Setsuna asked a bit confused. She looked back at Rachel to see if she was right. Sure enough the leader of the ‘Daughters of Darkness’ was nodding her head in agreement while she scowled at her sister.

 

“Setsuna is right Lyn, remember?” Rachel asked and raised an eyebrow, “We don’t let non-members come to the headquarters of the ‘Daughters of Darkness’. What kind of organization would we be if we just let anyone walk around, hu?”

 

“But it’s our friends. Can’t we make an exception?”

 

“Not while I’m the boss!” Rachel said and began to drag her sister out of the room by her collar. The older Hollow daughter stopped to let her sister get to her feet and took the opportunity to look back at Setsuna and Anne, snapping her fingers, “Remember, same time tomorrow for the meeting. Understood?”

 

“Of course,” Setsuna answered; Anne merely nodded her head and kept close to Setsuna.

 

“I didn’t want to go anyways,” Theodore said and was surprised that the others had already begun to leave without him, “Hey! Wait for me!”

 

“Well then walk faster or you’re going to be left behind,” May shouted over her shoulder and grinned at Setsuna who gave an uncharacteristic smile back. Theodore didn’t hesitate to get into his parked van when they reached the parking lot and left without another word.

 

“Well that was rude,” Setsuna stated and waved away the thick black smoke that had escaped from the van’s tailpipe when it sped off. May just shrugged her shoulder and reassured Setsuna, “He’s been like that ever since he moved to the city. That’s just how he is.”

 

Up against the parked DeLorean Daniel fished out the keys and felt his stomach protest being about as empty as the DeLorean’s gas tank. When he had put a hand over his stomach, as if to assure it there would be food in the near future, he mused, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I could go for a hotdog and a Carboshake® right about now. I’m starving!”

 

“What’s a Carboshake®?” Anne asked, ever beside Setsuna who had never heard of the drink either. May picked up an empty Carboshake® can from the DeLorean’s floorboard and held it up for both girls to see, “It’s a new energy drink that came out recently.”

 

“Yeah and it tastes like mud if you ask me,” Zugai said. Daniel took the empty can from May and checked to see if there might be any left in the can he had missed, “Don’t believe Zugai, it’s not as bad as he makes it out to be.”

 

When Daniel was absolutely sure that the can was empty he tossed it back into the floorboard and opened the driver’s side door. Amelia got in the passengers’ seat and buckled herself in, “Where are we going to eat?”

 

“Why not Roasted Rolls®? It’s a new café in Organi Square.”

 

“Sounds nice,” Amelia said, “How about Books-A-Million© first then the café?”

 

Daniel’s grin narrowed when Amelia had mentioned Books-A-Million©. Her pension for browsing all of the selves would mean they’d be inside the store for at least two hours before they went to the café. But any time spent with Amelia was good enough for Daniel. He cranked the car before shutting the door, “Sounds good to me. Books-A-Million© then Roasted Rolls®. Is anyone else coming?”

 

Zugai waved Daniel’s proposition off, “Nah! I think I’ll let you two have some alone time together. Have fun on your date!”

 

“I plan on it,” Daniel joked back without hesitating. The DeLorean screeched out of the parking lot with a dust cloud and the smell of burnt rubber. Setsuna batted away the smell from her face looking at the speeding DeLorean, “Is he insane?”

 

“Probably,” Zugai shrugged, “What are you doing May?”

 

“I’m going to go home. I still have a personal project I’m trying to get done.”

 

“Cool. You should let me see it when you’re done.” May agreed that as soon as her project was done she’d bring it over to Zugai’s house, when Rachel and Lyn weren’t home, to show it off. “What about you two? Are you going home too?”

 

“I’m going to head to my part-time job,” Setsuna said. The kendo girl put her hand on Anne’s back and pushed her so she was in front of her, “Hey Zugai . . . I know we haven’t known each other for very long but . . . could you keep an eye on Anne until I can come and get her?”

 

“Oh . . . uh . . . yeah . . . sure no problem,” Zugai agreed surprised Setsuna had asked to virtually babysit Anne. The glasses wearing brunette did seem a little meek . . . okay a lot he had to admit, but he didn’t see why she couldn’t be left on her own. Then again he had already agreed and it wasn’t his style to back out of something he said he’d do.

 

“So . . .” Zugai let his word stretch on as his mind raced to think of something, anything, to break the silence that arrived with Setsuna’s departure. They had stood around for a few moments before that had given way to the two of them just walking down the sidewalk. Anne had her eyes on the sidewalk in front of her and it was plainly obvious to Zugai she wasn’t going to be the first to speak, “What do you normally do around this time?”

 

“Lame!” Zugai mentally slapped his hand against his face.

 

“I just follow Setsuna around,” Anne said. Or at least Zugai thought that she had said. She had answered him so quietly he almost thought she hadn’t answered him at all. When she saw that he had slowed down Anne did the same. “So you just follow Setsuna around?”

 

“Uh hu,” Anne muttered and kept her face ahead of her, but still on the ground. “Message to Setsuna, I get why you wanted me to keep an eye on her,” Zugai looked Anne up and down. Her brown hair was cut short but still had enough bangs that her eyes and glasses were hidden. He even saw that she shook like a leaf in her green shirt, probably nervous or even scared. “No wonder she clings to Setsuna like she does.”

 

“Why is he staring at me?” Anne questioned herself. Though her bangs hide her eyes she could still see Zugai’s eyes roaming all over her body. Normally no one ever took notice of her because she stuck around Setsuna all the time; any look was almost always immediately redirected when the sword wielding tomboy glared back at them. Now, without Setsuna around, Anne wasn’t sure how to deal with the situation. Anne tugged her brown coat tighter against her and felt her cheeks flush from embarrassment.

 

When Zugai saw her blush he knew he had stared at her for too long. Anne then surprised Zugai by slapping her face so the blush disappeared. He covered his mouth to hide the fact he had found her display funny Zugai tried to keep from laughing. Anne could hear him and, over her initial fear, she finally forced herself to look at him as a fresh ting of red spread across her cheeks, “W-What’s so funny?”

 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh,” Zugai apologized. The two walked together for a little while longer before an idea finally came to mind. He had given up on doing what Anne would be doing around this time and instead had focused on what he’d be doing. “Hey Anne want to go with me on a few errands?”

 

“Errands?”

 

“Yeah, my dad sometimes asks me to run a few important envelops back and forth for him when he gets too busy to do it himself. If you’re not busy I was going to check and see if he needed help with anything. What do you say?”

 

Anne didn’t know how to answer. Setsuna and she would normally just go to the dojo where Anne would end up watching her best friend swing a bamboo sword for hours. Now she was being asked to help run important Moderator stuff with someone she wasn’t comfortable being around yet.

 

Zugai couldn’t help but chuckle again as he watched Anne. Her face had flushed red again and she nervously bit her index finger, big brown eyes darting left and right. For a second time Zugai knew that Anne wouldn’t give him an answer if he decided to wait. He stepped right beside her and took her hand before he went to run, “Let’s go!”

 

Anne was yanked and began to run so Zugai didn’t end up dragging her down the sidewalk, the redness in her face still clearly visible and most likely darkening, “A-Alright!”

 

 

The greeted at the restaurant opened the door when Fusion and DL got close enough and gave a pleasant nod. Since Sonic had tasked them with doing a bit of off time investigation on Pikani’s murder they had struck out constantly. DL only laughed at their failures and constantly stated that it wasn’t their fault. ‘All we ever really did was just hit things. We had Creator for the brainy stuff’ he had said and it was true. Now it looked like they were going to get something promising with the only contact they who might have information they could use.

 

“Welcome to Fenue Fictit©! My name is Rasha and I’ll be your waitress for tonight. Just two?” a young waitress asked with a slight bow. She gave both of them a warm smile as she waited for an answer. “We’re actually with two other people.”

 

“There they are,” DL stated and pointed the pair out when he finally caught sight of them. The waitress, cosplaying as ‘Shadow Priestess of Ohm’, took two menus then guided Fusion and DL. Being led over to the already occupied table another customer, wearing a low brimmed hat and a large overcoat that hide almost all of his face, pushed past DL hard enough he almost knocked him over. DL leered back at the man and mumbled under his breath, “Yeah keep walking ass . . . must be pretty damn ugly if you have to hide your face in public.”

 

Fusion and DL sat at the table, took the menus from the waitress, and stared across the table at the other occupants. Pikachu had removed one of the ear-buds and was in the middle of putting the iPod up while his younger brother greeted them. “Well it’s about time you guys called back! I swear I’ve been leaving messages on everyone’s answering machines for months now.”

 

“But that’s in the past.” Pichu’s grin was so big it threatened to cover his entire face. He pushed some of the entrees aside and leaned across the tab, raising an eyebrow, “Guess you guys wanna hear about how far the ‘Trio of DEF’ game is coming, hu?”

 

“Actually-” Fusion began but an overexcited Pichu cut him off. He already had the iPod that his brother had been listening to earlier and now held it out for either Fusion or DL to take, “Have a listen to some of the theme music for the characters. Oh! Also did you hear that Thomas got married? I was wondering if it’d be a good idea to include his wife . . . either as an Unlockable character or maybe as a downloadable character.”

 

“Uh I’d think you should make her a downloadable character,” Fusion suggested. Pichu’s eyes lit up and a million ideas came to mind on how he could promote a set of downloadable characters and who he could all get included. Already he wanted to include everyone’s children and soon he was mentally checklist any possible candidates. Before he could speak DL spoke, “Pichu we’re not here because of the game.”

 

“Told you,” Pikachu said and held his hand out. Pichu groaned and dug into his pocket then slapped a twenty into his brother’s hand. The twenty deposited into his own pocket Pikachu took a piece of fried pickle and popped it into his mouth, “So if you guys didn’t call us after all this time then why did you?”

 

Pikachu sat up in his seat when he saw that Fusion and DL had given each other uncomfortable glances. He raised his eyebrow then narrowed it when neither of them said anything, “Well?”

 

“We were kind of wondering if you knew anything about the new latch-boss,” Fusion said as best he could trying not to upset either of the Duno brothers. His plan of course, failed completely.

 

“How many times do we have to repeat ourselves?! We’re reformed citizens!!!” Pichu snapped and slammed his hands on the table as he stood up. Fusion raised his hands up defensively on instinct and even pushed further back into the seat as Pichu continued to rant at them, “We know Kotoma but you see my boss wants a story on the latch-boss and you’re the only person I could think of to ask.”

 

“How about the Mods!? Or that f***ing idiot Nobou! I’d bet he’d be more than willing to tell you whatever you want so he gets his name in the papers again!” Pichu shouted even louder. The younger brother only stopped when Pikachu tapped him on the shoulder and became aware that everyone in the restaurant was looking at him. Pichu slumped back into his seat and sighed, his hand gripping his blonde hair, “Sorry about that. It’s just when you spend so much time trying to clear your name you don’t really want to be associated with a latch-gang.”

 

Pikachu fidgeted in his seat when his brother finished. He then coughed and rolled his eyes so they weren’t looking at anyone at the table as he spoke, “At least not associate with a latch-gang as in really doing anything criminal.”

 

“Does that mean you know something about the latch-boss? Have you talked to him?” DL asked getting the hint. Pikachu shook his head then leaned in so he could be heard as he whispered, “No. Like everyone else I’ve never seen or heard the new latch-boss. But, a few weeks ago another latch-boss called me in the middle of the night.”

 

“Who was it?”

 

Takeshi had rolled over in bed after being woken up by what he had at first thought was his alarm clock. When the previously thought offending decide had been unplugged he realized it was his phone. The covers pulled up to his shoulders Pikachu snatched the phone from its spot on his nightstand and squinted at the number- Unregistered Number Calling. He didn’t have anyone he knew as ‘unregistered’ and even now Pikachu can’t exactly say why he answered the phone. “Hello?”

 

“Takeshi?” a familiar voice asked over the wire. Pikachu immediately shot up in bed and jumped off of it. He turned on a light and held the phone close to his ear, “Striker!? How did you even get this number?”

 

“Actually don’t even answer that!” Pikachu said a second later, “What on Earth makes you think you can call me in the first place!? You abandoned us during the Inactive War and now after all these years you call back?”

 

Pikachu frowned when Striker’s laugh came through the phone along with a half-assed apology. When he went on to say that he wanted to make up for his past mistakes Pikachu moved the phone from his ear and got ready to hang up.

 

“He wanted to get Club Pikachu back together?” DL asked not fully believing the story. Striker had abandoned Club Pikachu back during the Inactive War, thus never really participating in it, but he did end up forming a latch-gang of his own and was insane enough to launch a war against the Moderators for splitting up his former club. Needless to say Pikachu and Pichu weren’t too happy Striker had taken things into his own hands while claiming it was “for Club Pikachu’s honor.”

 

“I didn’t believe him either,” Pikachu said.

 

“Is that it?” Fusion asked a bit worried one of the best and only leads they had just disappeared in front of him. Pikachu sighed and nodded his head, “Yeah I kind of hanged up on him before he could say anything else.”

 

“Well, thanks anyways.” Fusion shook both brothers’ hands then he and DL wished them luck on the ‘Trio of DEF’ game. Back outside DL kicked the closest thing he could and stuffed his hands into his pockets, “Damn I really thought we had something when Pikachu mentioned Striker.”

 

“Yeah well at least we now know Striker still runs a gang in the city,” Fusion commented in an attempt to make the previous discussion not sound like a complete waste of time. Neither of them said anything as they headed to DL’s car, both lost in thought about what to do next or if they could use what Pikachu had said in some way. “Fusion is right. At least we now know Striker is still around. Maybe if we’re lucky we can ask Sonic if he can track him down,” DL wondered to himself. The air conditioner roared to life and Fusion reached to adjust the rearview mirror. He jumped when he saw someone in the backseat with a grin that covered their entire face. Fusion’s jump was enough to get DL’s attention and he unholstered his water pistol only for the intruder to yank the lever and push the seat forward before he could turn around, pinning DL against the dashboard.

 

“Silly Fuse . . . you don't bring a hammer to a gun fight!” the stranger said in what could best be described in a hollow voice, a gun pointed at Fusion’s head as his foot kept DL pinned. The grin never faded from his face, not even once, then after a tense moment he let both of them go and put his hands behind his covered head. The stranger didn’t seem to mind when DL pointed his gun at his hidden face and just chuckled at it, gently pushing the weapon away with one finger, “Oh DL you look so adorable when you’re trying to act all tough like that . . .”

 

“How do you know my name?”

 

“That has absolutely no importance right now! The real question you should be asking is . . . dramatic pause . . . how is this macho super handsome ladies’ man going to help you?” the man asked before giving out a deafening laugh, “If you guessed by telling you how to find Venom then . . . ding-ding-ding YOU ARE CORRECT SIR!!!”

 

“How . . . do you know that?” Fusion cautiously asked. “I read it . . . in a fan fiction . . . SEE!?”

 

Fusion and DL had to scoot back to see what the man had pushed to their faces. Both disappointed when they realized what the man had shoved in their faces was nothing more than a normal phone book. Even after DL took and inspected it, there was not a single thing out of the ordinary about it. “Okay, this guy’s crazy,” DL thought and jumped when the man shouted, leaning forward so the lights reflected off of his tinted sunglasses, “Hey! I’m not crazy! This is the secret book of absolute f***ing knowledge I tell ya!”

 

“It’s just a phone book,” DL argued back. “Nope! Absolute Book of Absolute f***ing Knowledge! Now get going so you can expose the truth behind Venom . . . or else the entire world is totally f***ed over. No seriously, we’ll all be f***ing doomed.”

 

“Okay buddy I don’t know who you are or what you’re on but -” DL stopped when he had looked back and discovered the cloaked figure had vanished. All DL could do was give Fusion a wide-eyed look of confusion before both frantically searched around the parking lot for the stranger. When the search turned up nothing both returned to the car, checking one last time to absolutely ensure he was not in the back seat, and turned to each other. “If this is a dream I sure hope Clair shows up naked again . . .”

 

Fusion shook his head while he laughed, DL joining him. When the laughter subsided Fusion noticed that the phone book the stranger had handed them was still there. However unlike when he first examined the pages, when Fusion opened the phone book for the second time on the front page was written:

 

“Go to the Dagobah system young Padawan! The Dagobah system . . . Nah! I’m kidding . . . or am I? No I am! Just go to this address: 311-510 True Pairings Road”

____________________________________________

 

The elevator continued to climb higher and higher with its passengers until it reached their destination- Floor 85. Zugai led Anne around by the hand but she never complained. She even enjoyed it in a silly, childish way. Through hallway after hallway Anne looked at the people around her, busily running back and forth, “Wow, I didn’t think there would be so many people.” Anne then thought someone was looking at them and almost screamed when someone called out, “Hey Zugai, you here to help your old man!?”

 

Zugai’s face lit up and he let go of Anne’s hand, fist bumping the man as they grinned at each other, “Just a few drop offs Hal, what about you?”

 

“Same old same old, Sora is running us around like trained monkeys. Remind me why I joined the Moderators again?” Hal replied with a sigh then laughed with Zugai at the inside joke. Hal was blonde and had piercing sea green eyes too match, though he didn’t look much older than them. When his gaze turned to her, Anne instinctively hide behind Zugai, which seemed to amuse Hal. He chuckled again and pointed at her, “And who’s the cutie behind you Zugai? Is she your new luvmate?”

 

“Watch it Hal,” Zugai’s tone grew serious then lightened, “What would Mary do if she heard you calling someone else cute?”

 

“I wonder~” Hal jumped when he heard Marylyn’s voice behind him and backed away laughing, keeping his hands raised in case she tried to hit him, “I’m only joking Mary . . . you know you’re the only girl for me.”

 

“Good,” Marylyn said with a smile before a small ball of fire appeared in her hand. She focused the flame into her index finger and jabbed it at her boyfriend’s face, “Because you know what I’d do if I learned you were cheating on me.”

 

‘Zugai, she’s scary,” Anne whispered to Zugai and he leaned back to whisper, “Don’t worry . . . Mary isn’t always like this.”

 

“Zugai, who’s the girl?” Mary asked noticing Anne. Zugai stepped aside so Anne was in full view for both of them. Before she could hide behind him again Zugai put his arm around her shoulder and motioned to her, “Mary, Hal, this is Anne. We go to the same school together and she’s going to be helping me.”

 

“Anne,” Zugai continued motioning towards the blue eyed girl, “This is Marylyn Flame, daughter of the famous Moderator Flame Dragon. She’s interning as an assistant like I am. She’s a pyrotechnic master and some people even say she’s better than her Dad.”

 

“Nice to meet’cha,” Marylyn saluted Anne with a smile.

 

“And Hal is actually a Moderator himself. In fact he’s the youngest Moderator ever, beating Specter Sonic by a full two years. Also, if you didn’t catch it, Mary and Hal are luvmates.”

 

“Now the real question is are you two luvmates?” Hal leaned closer to Anne so he could see her reaction to his question. When she blushed and nervously fixed her glasses he grinned as she tried to speak, “W-We haven’t known each other for very long . . . I-I mean . . . I don’t think he’d be interested-”

 

“Well you two zoomed kids have fun!” Hal disregarded whatever Anne had said and waved as he walked away with Marylyn. Zugai just lowered his head and mumbled to himself then raised his voice so Anne could hear him, “Don’t let them get to you, they were just teasing. I’d ignore those two if I were you.”

 

“Okay,” Anne nodded, “So where does your dad work?”

 

“Just down the hall,” Zugai pointed out.

 

 

“I had no idea your dad made you run around like this,” Anne admitted as she got out of the taxi and shut the door. Zugai looked back at Anne, carrying the empty notebook, and laughed, “Yeah, at first I was surprised by the amount of work dad had me doing but I got used to it after a while. And, again, thanks for helping me. It’s been a while since I’ve had this much fun with my errands.”

 

Anne took a step closer, her smile hidden behind the notebook, and then playfully bumped against Zugai, “You’re just saying that to be nice Zugai.”

 

“Nope, I’m being totally honest,” Zugai laughed and caught his balance so he didn’t fall, “It’s been fun hanging out with you.”

 

Anne nodded, a smile hidden by the notebook once more and Zugai smiled back at her. They continued to walked pass the countless glowing neon lights for the clubs dotting the curb around Multi-Studio, now almost packed with people getting an early start on their weekend. “How many more do we have to do?”

 

“Uh . . .” Anne paused so she could open the notebook and get an answer, “We’re finished.”

 

“Oh? Well good.” Zugai normally would have been finished hours ago, but he wouldn’t let Anne know she had slowed him down. Even if he did finish later than usual he hadn’t lied when he said it was fun hanging out with Anne. Now that the errands were done they had free time until one of them decided it was best to head home. Eager, Zugai clapped his hands together, “Looks like we still have some free time . . . is there anything you want to do?”

 

“Not really,” Anne shrugged her shoulder, “But I’ll go anywhere with you.”

 

“Really?” Zugai teased raising an eyebrow. Anne quickly realized how her words had sounded and turned red, her mouth open in disbelief. She shook her head and did her best to convince him she hadn’t meant the way it sounded which only got Zugai to laugh. “I was teasing Anne.”

 

“That’s mean.” Anne pouted behind him while they continued down the street. When a bright purple neon sign with gold letters caught Zugai’s attention he motioned to it, “How about we waste some time here?”

 

The small building Zugai had pointed out didn’t seem to be host to anything of interest. The windows were bared with iron rods and if it weren’t for the blinking neon lights she would have thought the building was condemned. The sign flickered just above the door and let Anne know the establishment was for a spiritualist. “I didn’t know you liked fortune tellers.”

 

Anne hadn’t done a good job hiding her disbelief. Zugai understood her skepticism, he himself didn’t believe in anything spiritual until last Halloween, “It’s not that I like them, but I do find them interesting. How about it? Want to get your future read?”

 

“If you want too”

 

The door to the fortune teller’s shop was easy to open though it creaked horribly. With the door open they were greeted by a large curtain covering the entire doorway. Zugai looked and saw Anne was just as surprised as he was. The curtain pushed aside both stepped through the thick, musty, cobweb filled curtain to go inside. Surprisingly the curtain covering the entrance hadn’t been the only one. In fact the entire room seemed to be filled with curtains and Zugai had to push one after the other, in the dark, to get any farther. All the while he could feel Anne cling to him which made it difficult to push the curtains aside with one arm. Slowly the two emerged from the curtains covered in dust and spider webs, maybe even a few live spiders too, and sighed in relief that there were no more curtains to go through.

 

A quick pat down later they got a good look at their surroundings. Backed against the wall a bookshelf was filled with occult “spell books” and a few feet down from it was a dresser. The dresser’s mirror was broken and on the edge of the dresser many voodoo dolls sat with blank button eyes. In the middle of the room had a round table with a traditional crystal ball, two wooden stools close to them, and a very well-crafted silk chair on the opposite side. “A crystal ball? Now that’s cheesy,” Zugai rolled his eyes as he walked up to the table. He knocked on it and called out, “Hello!? Is anyone here?”

 

“Zugai,” Anne began beside him and gripped his arm again, “This place is creepy . . .”

 

“There’s no reason to be afraid my precious daughter,” a female’s voice called out in front of them. Two pairs of eyes shot up expecting to find the source of the voice. Yet when they only saw that there was nothing in front of them but the empty chair and stools. Then smoke began to fill the crystal ball and once it was filled with the mysterious purple smoke it levitated off the table, a face slowly appearing in it. Zugai pulled Anne behind him when she screamed. Curtains behind the chair were thrown out of the way as the fortune teller stepped into the dim light, flashlight in hand, “Oh I am sorry child I didn’t mean to scare you that badly. Oh hush now . . . it is alright, your humble Aunty Am will make it better.”

 

The Fortune Teller didn’t move closer to Zugai or Anne and instead sat down in the silk covered chair. In her chair the woman leaned over then opened the top dresser drawer, stuffing her hand inside to grab whatever she was looking for. The fortune teller pulled what looked like a small doll that was modeled after Anne; the doll even included her square frame glasses and freckles. The woman motioned for Anne to grab it and once she had it in her hands the Fortune Teller reclined back, fingers touching each other, “Feeling better now child?”

 

“Y-Yes ma’am”

 

“Now, what can the great and powerful fortune teller Amethyst do for a beautiful young lass and a handsome young lad?” Amethyst asked and wrung her ring covered hands over each other in a hungry fashion. In the dim lighting of the room her face was concealed and made her violet eyes seem to shine behind the shadows. “What can you do?”

 

“The mystical powers granted to me allows me to see things beyond the walls of space and time,” Amethyst admitted with a tap to the side of her head, a large grin creeping across her face that added to the bizarre appearance the fortune teller already had with her purple glowing eyes. Amethyst motioned for the two too sit down then seized Zugai’s wrist in her hand, turning his palm face up, and began tracing the lines in his palm. Every so often she would mumble something, too low for either of the teenagers to hear, and then lifted her gaze up at Zugai, “You come from a well-known family . . .”

 

“Of course,” Zugai shrugged and shook his head, “My dad’s a Moderator. Everyone knows that. You have to do better than that.”

 

Amethyst smirked after she heard Zugai say she needed to do better. She relished the challenge and accepted it silently, lightly running her long fingernail over another line on his palm. “You are very brave, more so than anyone else of your age. You are also chivalrous and will go out of your way to protect those you care about . . .”

 

“And, finally,” Amethyst released Zugai’s wrist with a satisfied smile, “You are single.”

 

Zugai found none of what Amethyst said either entertaining or “seeing the future” since everything he heard could easily be found out if someone watched him long enough. He ventured that was how Amethyst had made a doll that looked like Anne. She had probably been watching them from a window somewhere and when they came in she stitched it together. “Can you-”

 

“Even see the future?” Amethyst finished for Zugai smiling confidently. The fortune teller brought a pack of cards from the dresser. After shuffling the cards she spread them in front of Zugai and Anne, “Pick four cards young lad.”

 

Zugai grumbled but picked at random from the deck. When he had Amethyst took his cards and slowly, one by one, she set each card down until all four were visible. The cards Zugai had chosen were ‘The Hanged Man’, ‘the Devil’, ‘the Moon’, and ‘The Fool’. The moment Amethyst finished placing the last card down she pressed her index finger against her temple, closing her eyes.

 

For a moment she remained perfectly still.

 

Anne watched eagerly and could just barely catch the slow rising and falling motion of the fortune teller’s chest as she breathed. When she opened her eyes Amethyst spoke, “The Hanged Man symbolizes self-sacrifice, whether that be physical or emotional, that comes by way of a great trial. The Devil stands for a warning against the destructive consequences of your actions, while the Moon tells me that despite any fear you may have, even if the path you are on is tough, all will turn out right in the end. Finally, the Fool shows that your trials will make you a more experienced and perhaps a wiser person.”

 

“I’ll be sure to be careful.” Zugai laughed as Amethyst took his cards and put them back in the deck. Anne, who had been hugging the voodoo doll of herself, felt her heart jump when Zugai addressed her, “Let’s see if your futures brighter than mine.”

 

“I-I’m happy just watching, honest. I don’t need to know anything about my future.”

 

“There isn’t anything to fear lass. Now let Aunty Am see what is in your future,” Amethyst criticized with a wave of her hand. The deck shuffled anew and spread back out waiting for Anne to choose her cards. Anne’s eyes darted from card to card, an uneasy feeling growing in her stomach. Unhappily Anne picked out her four cards and handed them to Amethyst.

 

Like before, the fortune teller set each card out in front of her. Zugai looked at the first card then at Anne; he didn’t know what the card meant and from the expression on Anne’s face she didn’t either, Amethyst on the other hand had beads of sweat running down her face. Her violet eyes scanned each card she held, silently reciting the fortune it told. Zugai could barely see Amethyst’s face, but he could tell it had grown pale and her eyes were wide with a panicked look of either shock of horror; Zugai couldn’t tell if it was one of the other, or even if it was both.

 

“Well? What does it say?” Zugai asked the fake psychic he wasn’t so sure was a fake anymore; if anything she gave one Hell of a performance. Breathing heavily Amethyst looked between the two then started to speak in a hush tone, “Lass, lad, I am truly sorry but I feel it is my duty to give you fair warning.”

 

“Warning about what?” Zugai asked as he scooted closer, sucked into her “act”, though Anne kept her distance.

 

“The Tower represents unnecessary suffering. You may be falsely accused of something and suffer some form of imprisonment or isolation, or you may be the one to cause the suffering. The High Priestess means a secret you hold dear will be revealed and suggests you trust your instincts, let your intuition be your guide. However, the Judgment card warns that if you ignore the opportunity which, once given, could change your life, your fate cannot be changed . . .”

 

“Her fate?”

 

“If my ability to see beyond the walls of space and time is truthful, your dear friend’s-”

 

“Zugai!” The sudden addition of another voice, yelling as loud as it could, made Zugai’s heart jump; Anne had been scared so bad she grabbed hold of him. The setting sun shinned through the open curtains as the person who had yelled shouted again, “Zugai! Snap out of it you dolt!”

 

Zugai recognized the voice and when he turned to look at the source he confirmed his suspicions. It was Lyn who had barged into Amethyst’s fortune telling shop and shouted. What threw Zugai off, however, was that her frantic tone, “Lisa and Daniel’s dads were sent to the hospital!”

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=“What Happened? A New Enemy Enters!”]

“Damn it Sonic!” Velma repeated and hit the wooden desk again.

 

“I’m sorry”

 

“What were you thinking?”

 

“It won’t happen again.” Sonic held his head low like he had done for the past hour or so. It hadn’t taken long for the truth about the little mission Sonic had sent them on to be found out and reach Phantom Roxas, Flame Dragon, and Crab Helmet. Of course when they had heard about what he had done he was immediately pulled in for questioning. Unfortunately for Sonic that just meant spending thirty minutes listening to Velma rant and rave about how he had put her son-in-law in the hospital.

 

It took a few minutes for Draco and Albert to calm her down, each second making Sonic even more depressed. He had been chastised before by Crab Helmet. In fact he had so many run-ins with her over his discipline when he first started it hardly fazed him anymore to have her yelling at him; it was knowing that Fusion and DL were hospitalized that made him miserable.

 

Velma’s outburst finally under control she grudgingly sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, not wanting to say anything more; she felt that a single word would make her explode into another rant. Draco sighed in relief that Velma was not about to tell again and turned his attention to Sonic, who had kept his head hung the entire time, “Sonic, do you know why you’re here?”

 

“He better,” Velma muttered angrily under her breath only to take back what she had said when Phantom shot her a disapproving glare. For Sonic all he could do, all he felt like he could do, was solemnly nod his head in response. Draco leaned forward so he didn’t have to shout for Sonic to hear him, “Sonic what I want to know is why you felt like you had to do something like this without telling us? Did you think we’d disapprove?”

 

“Sir?” Sonic began and lifted his head slightly, “Can I speak frankly?”

 

“I’d hope so,” Phantom Roxas quickly said before anyone else could answer.

 

“We all know that Yumiko was handling the ‘Venom’ case and that she had been reporting that it was being produced and sold by the new latch-gang,” Sonic said then swallowed to clear his throat. He never forgot that it was the Lead Moderators he was speaking too, and though he was on normally good terms with them, he was skating on thin ice right now, “I know it’s common to rule out the deceased’s friends and family first in any investigation but I decided to ask Fusion and DL to do some off the records investigating on the latch-gang while the official investigation cleared everyone else.”

 

Sonic could see the confusion in the Moderators’ eyes. He hadn’t answered their question yet and he knew it. A deep breath to steady his nerves and Sonic continued, “I don’t think anyone would disapprove . . . well . . . besides Ms. Helmet for obvious reasons. But when all of the Moderator passcodes are changed and the security for the Tower is upped, then a Moderator is killed in her own home . . .”

 

Sonic let his sentence trail off, not needing to say anything more.

 

“Sonic I don’t mind that you went over our heads with your investigation,” Phantom finally said, thankfully in a kind tone, which elicited a stunned expression from Velma. Her mouth hanged open as she tried to say something, but hadn’t recovered from what she heard. Phantom Roxas took this opportunity to continue, “It’s always good to have a lot of people looking at different options in an investigation like this.”

 

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Velma finally shouted, “Are we just going to forget that because he didn’t clear this impromptu investigation that Fusion and DL are in the hospital!?”

 

“It’s not like he could foresee something like this would happen to them Velma,” Draco countered and saw her face grow red in anger. Draco was right, however, that didn’t make Sonic any less sorry about what had happened.

 

“So you’re saying we should just start using civilians to investigate?” Velma snapped; her tone was harsh enough that it made Sonic flinch. When she regained her composure Draco slowly shook his head, “Of course not, but-”

 

“It doesn’t matter,” Phantom interrupted furious that the meeting was devolving into a shouting match between Velma and Draco. It didn’t take long for Phantom Roxas to rein in the other two Super Moderators and conclude the meeting. As Sonic left the office he could hear the hushed whispers from the others as he passed by. ‘He did?’ ‘Didn’t you hear?’ ‘I can’t believe it.’ ‘Why would he?’ The knot in Sonic’s throat threatened to choke whatever there was left of his spirit and the others talking about it didn’t help. Sonic had never seen Albert get that mad before. Even during the ‘Wiseman Terrorist Attacks’ he had always kept a kind of calm, controlled attitude around him.

 

Now he had felt the full force of exactly how angry the leader of the Moderators could get. One thing was for sure, Sonic would never try to get on this side of Phantom Roxas again if he could help it- ever. When he rounded the corner the sight of Susie swinging her feet over the edge of her chair made a sad smile twist at the corner of his mouth.

 

“Hey kiddo,” Sonic put his hand on Susie’s head to get her attention and ran his hand over her head when she looked up at him, “How about we go get some ice cream?”

 

“Can we visit Mr. Denver and Mr. Link too?”

 

“Yeah, of course we can.”

 

 

The wheels to Rachel’s car squealed across the asphalt as it sped into place. Zugai and the others didn’t wait for the engine to be cut off and rushed to the hospital’s front door. Through the door Zugai stopped and looked back at Lyn, “Where are they?”

 

“Zugai calm down, please,” Lyn begged and followed Zugai with the others as he ran over to the front desk to have the nurse answer his question. During the trip she had explained what she knew about the situation, Rachel filling in what she forgot. “Are they alright?”

 

“I’m not sure,” Lyn answered as Rachel just made it through a yellow traffic light. Lyn shot her sister a glare to let her know she didn’t need to drive so recklessly. Rachel ignored her sister’s gaze and swerved around a low moving SUV, “From what Rasha overheard Fusion and DL got caught in some explosion down at the warehouse district.”

 

“Why would they be down there?” Anne asked worried about both adults even though Lyn had said they were ‘alright’. Rachel’s face twisted into the type of disappointed frown she only got when she didn’t know the answer to something, “I don’t know. I tried to call Marylyn so she could tell me but apparently she doesn’t know either. Damn it if only I could stop at the base for a few minutes.

 

            After Zugai had been given the room number for Mr. Denver and Mr. Link he darted towards the elevator then had someone grab his shoulder, “Hey hold on Zugai.”

 

“Mr. Black,” Zugai stopped seeing the Moderator with a concerned expression. Black gave a weary smile and nodded to greet the others when they approached then turned his attention back to Zugai as he pressed the elevator button, “I take it you heard the news as well?”

 

“Yeah,” Zugai mumbled under his breath, head held low. “Don’t worry. I’m sure they’re alright.”

 

“I tried to tell him that,” Rachel stated stepping inside the elevator, “But he wouldn’t listen to me.”

 

“To be fair Rachel, you only told him Mr. Denver and Mr. Link were in the hospital,” Setsuna corrected, “Lyn told Zugai and Anne that she wasn’t sure.”

 

Rachel turned to argue with Setsuna but stopped with her mouth open, not able to really argue anything about what Setsuna had said. Annoyed Rachel turned back around as Setsuna nodded to a grateful Lyn. “Mr. Black, do you know what happened to Mr. Denver and Mr. Link?”

 

“No I just got here,” Black answered Anne, “Draco should know. After all, he was the one who found them.”

 

“Draco Flame, hu?” Rachel asked her mind beginning to try and piece the story together already.

 

“Why can’t we see him!?” The voice was clearly audible as everyone stepped out of the elevator and clearly Akane’s; though Black noted it was probably the loudest he had ever heard her screaming at someone. The shout surprised Zugai enough that he jumped back a bit, Anne hiding behind Setsuna.

 

“Ma’am I know you’re upset but you can’t go inside yet,” another voice called out from inside the room and once Black turned the corner it was revealed to be a nurse, trying her best to get Akane to calm down. Seeing Black round the corner was enough to catch everyone’s attention and make Aka forget about the nurse. Black waved to her and greeted everyone else when his eyes met theirs, “I came as soon as I heard. Caeda is on her way still.”

 

“Black she doesn’t have to come,” Kari apologized from her spot near the ER doors where Fusion and DL were still inside. Black smiled at Kari and shook his head, “I know. I told her you both said she didn’t have to come but, you know her, she’s stubborn and said she was coming and that was that.”

 

“So what the Hell happened?” Rachel asked as she walked up to Akane and Kari, her arms crossed and her expression showing she wasn’t about to leave until she got the answers that she had been starved for. However the moment Rachel had finished talking Daniel stoop up and shouted at her, “How about showing a little concern for once in your life Rachel!?”

 

“Why?” Rachel asked back. To Rachel she didn’t see the big point in getting worked up over the fact that the two where in the hospital. In spite of everything neither of them was dead or seriously injured, the mere fact they were still in the ER only told her that they were still being examined. She was more interested in knowing what had happened since their condition wasn’t an immediate concern. “He’s just letting his emotions cloud his judgment,” Rachel thought to herself when she saw that Daniel had balled his hand into a fist, tempted to lash out at her.

 

“Rachel, how about you go find Draco and get answers from him and I’ll have Fusion and DL tell me here,” Lyn said gently and put her hand on her sister’s shoulder. Even though she spoke softly it was clear to everyone in the room Lyn was telling Rachel to leave the room and that she didn’t want to argue the point. Rachel narrowed her eyes then with a deep sigh shook her head, patting Lyn on the shoulder, “Just make sure you don’t miss anything.”

 

“Setsuna! Anne!”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Y-Yes Rachel?”

 

“Bring Lyn back to the base as soon as you guys get as much information as you can. Don’t stop for nothing, understood?” Both girls nodded until the leader of the ‘Daughters of Darkness’ had disappeared behind the shut door. With Rachel out of the room Lyn let out a breath of relief then turned back to Akane and Kari, bowing apologetically, “I’m so, so sorry about that.”

 

“It’s okay,” Kari said not taking Rachel’s bluntness to heart. Besides Akane and Kari, Lisa, Al, and Adam had arrived next. Daniel had arrived after them and, unsurprisingly, had just remained seated and consoled his mom until his dad came out of the ER. “Has there been any word on when they’re going to be out?”

 

“No.” Lyn crossed her arms and looked down at the floor. Unlike her sister she was more intent on seeing how Fusion and DL were. So to be told that they didn’t know when she’d be able to do that disappointed her a bit. Setsuna raised her voice and asked no one in particular, “What have the doctors said?”

 

“Nothing really,” Adam answered sitting beside Lisa, “They just told us their condition wasn’t critical and went back inside.”

 

Adam looked over at Lisa and rubbed her back as she stared at the door, then back at Setsuna. She saw he wanted to say more but didn’t want to upset Lisa; Setsuna just gave him a nod to show he could tell her in private later. Time seemed to pass slower than normal; minutes appearing to take hours to tick by. Every so often a nurse or a doctor would walk out to get something before walking back inside, never giving anyone enough time to ask them how Fusion and DL were doing or stopping to tell them anything. When an hour had passed Aka spoke up, “Lisa?”

 

“Yeah mom?”

 

“How about you and your friends go get something to eat. I’ll call you if anything happens,” Akane suggested intent to speak to the other adults in private about what they’d do if the worst case happened; though everyone had been telling her Fusion was going to “be okay.” Lisa nodded her head, understanding what her mom wanted, and stood up, “Okay.”

 

“Hey Al let’s go get something to eat,” Lisa states then looks at Adam, “Buy me dinner?”

 

“Yeah sure,” Adam agrees and stands up with Lisa. A nod towards Setsuna lets her know this is a good chance for them to talk in private. Setsuna nodded back, “Hey Anne, mind staying here?”

 

“Sure”

 

“Actually, I think Anne should come-” Zugai began only to stop when a doctor emerged from the ER and removed his mask and gloves. The doctor’s forehead was dotted with beads of sweat and his breathing was more labored than everyone thought it should be; that fact made Aka and Kari’s panic begin renewed. As everyone remained quiet, waiting for the doctor to speak. The nurse from before came out of the ER next and nodded to the doctor before she went to Aka and Kari.

 

Kari couldn’t meet the nurse’s eyes, afraid that she was about to learn that, for whatever reason, DL had died because of complications. The nurse just gave both of them a warm smile, understanding their nervousness, and calmly explained, “You’re husbands are fine. Neither sustained a lot of serious injuries and the doctors managed to stop anything that could have become a problem later on. They’re being transported to a room right now but they’re still sedated and won’t wake up for a few more hours, though you’re more than welcome to stay until they do.”

 

“Can you show us the room?” Aka asked. The nurse nodded and motioned with her hand, “This way.”

 

Lisa began to follow her mom and stopped when Adam took hold of her wrist to stop her. “I think we should go get something to eat right now.”

 

“Why?” Daniel asked making his way over to Lisa so he could make Adam let her go if he had too. Adam just sighed and rolled his eyes, “Your mom probably wants to have some alone time with her husband. Besides, they are not even awake.”

 

“Adam makes a point,” Lyn said and coughed uneasily when Sarah and Keiko glared at her, “There isn’t much we can do since they’re still sedated. We might as well get something to eat and wait until Akane or Karin calls us to say they’re awake.”

 

“Thanks for coming up with an excuse to go eat,” Sarah said though she wanted to be near her dad when he woke up, despite the fact she’d deny it if ever asked. Keiko just nodded her head, “Yeah! Dinner is on Adam!”

 

“When did I say I was paying for all of you!?”

 

“Ignore her Adam or else you’ll go insane,” Zugai commented as they began to head towards the closest space to eat, “That’s her special ability, annoyance.”

 

Keiko merely stuck her tongue out at Zugai which made Anne laugh.

 

Kari and Aka hadn’t moved from their seats since they had been let in by the nurse. For a few minutes they had been content to watch their husbands sleep. Eventually that gave way to both sharing theories on what had happened to send them to the hospital; unlike others they had just been told their husband was in the hospital. The theories ranged from a serious bar brawl to a mid-life crisis where they were going about being the ‘Trio of DEF’ again for kicks. Ultimately exhaustion took hold and both fell asleep as well.

 

Kari sat up in her chair when she felt something cold press against her face, eyes open wide. Someone laughing across from her made Aka yawn and rub the sleep from her eyes surprised that Caeda had snuck into the room without waking them. Caeda handed the iced coffee to Kari then tossed another to Aka, “I figured you two would need something to wake you up. How are they doing?”

 

“Still asleep,” Aka said and caught the drink, though said it more as a question since she didn’t know if they had woken up while they were asleep. Fusion and DL were still asleep in their bed and didn’t even stir when she popped the iced coffee. When she had finished half of it Aka asked, “What time is it?”

 

“It’s 10:30.”

 

“We’ve been asleep for two hours?” Kari asked in disbelief that so much time had passed. She quickly checked her phone to make sure there wasn’t any missed calls from the kids- thankfully there wasn’t any. Kari finished the rest of her drink and set it on the floor, “Where’s Black?”

 

“He’s in the lobby with Velma and Albert.”

 

“Mom’s here?” Aka asked and Caeda nodded back. Aka knew that her mother would show up if something serious had happened to Fusion, but the chances were she was here on official business. “Fusion what did you get yourself into now?” she thought after a quick glance at him. “Great . . . so your mom’s here.”

 

“Chris?” Aka had asked in case hearing him was just in her head and when she saw him try to swallow she knew he had actually spoken. Forgetting the slight against his mother-in-law Aka was up and getting him some water so he could clear his throat, Kari checking to see if DL was awake yet too. “I think . . . he’s . . . still asleep.”

 

“Oh, yeah,” Kari said quickly and sat back down. “Don’t worry . . . I’m sure he’ll . . . wake up soon . . .”

 

“I know.”

 

“Here Chris drink.” Aka held up the cup to Fusion and slowly raised it as he drank. The water gone Fusion coughed and winced when he moved but motioned to everyone he was alright.

 

 

Phantom walked beside Draco towards the elevator, only speaking once the doors were closed, “How are they doing?”

 

“They’re alive,” he admitted keeping up with Phantom Roxas, who was eager to see the two and get what happened at the docks cleared up as quickly as possible, “The doctor told me they’ll recover but right now we can’t spend too much time asking them questions . . . rest and all that.”

 

“Hopefully we won’t have to make more than one trip,” Phantom said with a grin and pressed the elevator button, “This is going to be a media fiasco. Can’t you see the headlines already?”

 

“There isn’t anything we can do, just maybe use this to our advantage. We might be able to use this to weed out who isn’t a spy,” Draco sighed going through his mental list of possible traitors.

 

“Unless you confess now,” Phantom stated bluntly slapping Draco on the shoulder, both men sternly looking at each other until Draco slapped Phantom on the back, “And let you get away with spying on the Mods? I don’t think so . . .”

 

Both Mods broke into laughter before growing quiet, the seriousness of their situation returning. Only Draco spoke, “This is f***ed up . . . a traitor in the Mods and we don’t have a f***ing clue who it is! We’re just running around like a chicken with its head cut off, hoping we get lucky and catch a break.”

 

            “Let’s not worry about that now. We have Fusion and DL to deal with.” Knocking on the door, Phantom and Draco waited until the nurse poked her head outside, “Yes?”

 

            “Flame Dragon and Phantom Roxas here to see Christian Denver and Daisuke Link,” Draco said. The nurse opened the door slightly and stepped out with a medical clipboard held against her chest, “I’ll let Doctor Faust know you’re here. You can go in and see them.”

 

            “How are they?” Phantom asked and motioned to the clipboard the nurse was holding. Stopping the nurse glanced down at the board then at the two Mods with a smile, “They sustained a few fractures . . . but they’re awake.”

 

            “May I see? I studied a bit of medical journals,” Phantom asked holding his hand out. The nurse shook her head and inched away, playfully slapping his hand out of the way, and giggled, “Sorry but patient-client confidentiality . . . I can’t show you unless you have a search warrant.”

 

            Without arguing any further Albert and Draco let the nurse go back inside the announce them. A few moments later she returned to let them know they could come in and were greeted by everyone in the room. Fusion and DL had been sat up in their beds. Albert closed the door behind them and nodded to the two, “How are you two feeling?”

 

            “Lousy,” both answered in perfect stereo. “You know what they say, what doesn't kill you-”

 

“Leaves you maimed, depressed and with an incredibly large debt to the hospital?” DL joked. With no one else finding the joke funny DL raised an eyebrow, “Too soon?”

 

The door opened again, Black walking inside with another man; the nurse gave him a nod then excused herself. Black saw the confused look from Caeda and smiled, motioning towards the man in the suit, “Everyone this is the Hospital Administrator.”

 

“Sorry if I’m interrupting anything but I just came to let you know that Fusion and Daisuke’s bill will be paid for,” the Hospital Administrator said then left without giving anyone a chance to ask why or to thank him. Fusion and DL sat back dumbfounded. Both had been sure they’d be paying for this mistake out of their own pocket; though Fusion knew once she was able to Akane would make him pay in her own way. With a smile the Hospital’s Administrator bumped into Velma as he left, tipping his wide brimmed hat to the Super Moderator. Velma nodded back. On the edge of Fusion’s bed Velma spoke quietly, “How are you feeling?”

 

“Lousy,” Fusion answered again, his voice still hoarse. Velma smiled and put her hand on Fusion’s shoulder, “Well at least you’re still alive son. That’s all that matters right now.”

 

“Fusion . . . DL,” Albert began. He pulled a chair over from the wall and sat down in it, his fingers intertwined before he continued, “I hope you know why we’re here.”

 

“You’re going to ask us what happened at the docks,” DL stated before coughing. The doctor, who had been checking him, rose from his spot to speak, “Mr. Roxas I understand that you have your job to do, but I do ask that you keep the questioning short. They just woke up and still have a lot of recovering to do.”

 

“Of course,” Albert assured the doctor the questioning would be kept as short as possible so as to not tire Fusion or DL; with Phantom Roxas’ word the doctor excused himself as well and left. “Well let me get to the point. Draco has filled me in on as much as he can, being the first Moderator on the scene, but . . . why did Sonic ask you to investigate ‘Venom’ for him and why where you at the docks?”

 

            The car slowly rolled to a stop at the top of the hill that overlooked the dock. The address the stranger had given them had led them here but even now Fusion and DL had their doubts. For the most part they didn’t believe there was going to be anything even out here much less a lead on ‘Venom’.

 

“We did say we’d check every possible lead,” Fusion reminded DL as much as himself as he stared out at the ocean churning around the harbor. DL unbuckled and held up his water pistol with a grin, “So shall we?”

 

“Yeah,” Fusion nodded back, hoisting up his hammer. Even with their weapons on hand the two moved towards the seemingly abandoned factory with caution. If there was someone here connected to ‘Venom’ the chances were good that they’d shoot first and ask questions later. Clinging to the shadows DL tried to keep his breathing as steady as possible, finding it more difficult than he remembered, taking a mental note to get back into practice again. Once they had gotten close enough to the warehouse they were supposed to go into DL let out a low whistle, both at what he could make out and to get Fusion’s attention.

 

“Take a look at that.” Fusion caught the binoculars and held them up, impressed what he saw. Apparently the abandoned factory wasn’t quite so abandoned after all. Just from his position he could see guards in pairs on patrol with what looked like automatics. To top it off he could also see video surveillance cameras dotted at certain points on the building to cover what the guards couldn’t. “We aren’t getting in there easily.”

 

“No kidding,” DL agreed with an uneasy laugh. In the past the both of them would have ran in headlong, weapons swinging madly, without a second thought. Now the last thing they wanted to do was barge in without a plan. Fusion quickly counted the cameras he could see and tried to memorize the path he had seen the guards take. “How close do we have to be for you to shoot the cameras?”

 

“Is that a challenge?”

 

Fusion and DL leapt over the fence easily, barbed wire and all, and rolled to a stop on the other side; DL shooting the camera as he did. Backs against the wall Fusion motioned to where he had seen the guards walking and then at where they should be going to get inside, having seen the door through the binoculars. DL gave a thumbs up and after a three-count ran for their next destination with Fusion. The plan was to climb the fence, shoot out the camera, and get inside through a window with iron bars covering it. Unfortunately when Fusion and DL had reached the iron bars another pair of guards turned the corner and spotted them which resulted in both of them running from gunfire.

 

“Damn it DL shoot back!”

 

“How about you throw your-Door!” DL’s train of thought shifted immediately seeing the door to their right. Inside DL slammed the door shut and used his water pistol to freeze it solid, preventing the guards from following them inside. Once the door was successfully frozen shut both let out a sigh of relief. Fusion swore to himself he’d never do something like this again and stopped when he saw of all things a little girl standing rigid behind a desk, her blue eyes wide with surprise.

 

“E-Excuse us,” Fusion said with a wave. DL cautiously moved closer to the frightened little girl, crouched down so he was level with her and held his hand out. “It’s okay. We’re not going to hurt you. What’s your name? Do you know why there are bad people with guns outside?”

 

“Look,” DL dug into his back pocket and took out a piece of candy, “If you answer me I’ll give you this candy. It’s good.”

 

“Are you f***ing kidding me?” the petite blonde asked as she raised an eyebrow then narrowed her eyes. Hearing someone Susie’s age curse was a shock but when Fusion and DL realized they couldn’t move they began to panic. The little blonde girl smiled and swung her legs over the edge of the desk, leaning in with a grin, “You two finally noticed hu? You can’t move an inch no matter how hard you try.”

 

“Motoko-chan! Come look what I caught!” The door Fusion had noted previously opened and an older girl, although she was still only a teenager, walked inside. Her stoic face didn’t change a bit when she saw the intruders frozen in place. Instead she just slowly turned her head to the younger girl and spoke, her voice as indifference as her expression, “Miss Tamane is this all you called me in for?”

 

“You’re no fun,” Tamane pouted, puffing her cheeks out and crossed her arms, “I love Addy-chan so much more.”

 

“What do you plan to do with them?”

 

“I was thinking of having some fun with them” Tamane said with a wide grin. She had gotten off the desk and walked towards DL, snatching the candy from him and ate it. Tamane then jumped on DL’s knee and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, her grin only now faltering, “But you-know-who wouldn’t like that I made a decision without her.”

 

“I’ll go fetch her.”

 

“I’ll come too,” Tamane said and hopped off DL’s knee. As she walked towards the door Tamane stopped for a moment to look over her shoulder, her smile having returned, and mused, “Oh . . . and bring them too.”

 

Fusion and DL felt their limbs loosen up finally. Whatever had made them freeze in place had stopped working but it was too little too late; before either of them could get up and run for it Motoko knocked them out.

 

“Do you know why Fusion and DL are in the hospital?”

 

“I was just as surprised to hear they were in the hospital as you guys,” Sonic said looking back at Amelia then peered around at the others at the table. After the children had left, they wandered trying to find the cafeteria then eventually bumped into Sonic and Susie. Now the entire group had sat down for something to eat and question him about what had lead Fusion and DL to being admitted into the hospital.

 

“Uncle Sonic I’m done!” Susie shouted and showed that she had finished everything on her plate. Sonic excused himself and left to go get more food for Susie from the cafeteria line. With Sonic gone Rachel walked into the cafeteria from her spot eavesdropping on the conversation. She tugged down her hat and smiled confidently at the expressions of surprise on everyone’s face when she said, “I don’t know why he’s trying to hide it. Sonic just needs to admit they were investigating the latch-gang’s involvement with Yumiko’s murder and that he was the one who asked them to do it.”

 

“And how do you know that?” Sarah asked. For a moment Sarah thought about the possibility that Rachel was lying. But in the end she knew that Rachel would never make such a claim if it wasn’t true; and Rachel was sure to back up her statement with evidence.

 

“I have my ways. There isn’t a thing that goes on in this city that the ‘Daughters of Darkness’ don’t know about,” Rachel said nonchalantly with a prideful grin, which morphed into a frown when Adam asked, “Then I am sure you already know who murdered Ms. Ikina.”

 

“Well . . . I . . .” Rachel tried to think of something to say then resigned herself to the seat next to her sister, not able to answer Adam. The cafeteria grew quiet as everyone was left to think over the recent revelations. Yumiko “Pikani” Ikina had been murdered, in her own home, and it was currently unknown if it was latch-gang related or someone else close enough that she’d let them in her house. Not only that but Sonic had asked Fusion and DL to investigate the latch-gang which ended with the both of them being sent to the hospital; to the children they were slightly upset at Sonic, but couldn't really bring themselves to hate him because of what he did.

 

Eventually it was Zugai, mind set on a goal, who spoke up, “Well I think it’s obvious that Mr. Denver and Mr. Link discovered something they weren’t supposed too. So they must have at least found a lead on ‘Venom’ or maybe even the latch-gang.”

 

“And?” Anne asked as curious as everyone else was at what Zugai was getting at. Zugai gave Anne a quick glance and a nod before he stood up, “I say we continue investigating where they left off!”

 

“What!?” Amelia was speechless. The most level headed of the entire group, besides herself, had just suggested something as insane as investigating a criminal organization. She wanted to be a Moderator like her father when she grew up, but she wasn’t about to throw herself into some life or death situation when there were still adults to carry on the work. “That’s zoomed! Zugai you’re zoomed out of your mind! Daniel, tell Zugai he’s zoomed!”

 

“I like it!” Daniel said with a grin, his mind already racing over the excitement. Amelia looked at the rest of the group to try and find a face that agreed with her, that Zugai and now Daniel were zoomed out of their minds; the only one who seemed to share her thoughts was Sonic, who had equally been shocked Zugai would suggest what he had. Pulling on her hat Rachel peered at Zugai from underneath it, “So the Akatsuki are planning on stepping up to the plate, hu? Interesting . . .”

 

“Rachel?” Setsuna asked then continued once she saw she had her attention, “I think we should help too.”

 

“Y-Yeah!” Anne shouted excitedly then shrunk in her seat in embarrassment, “I-I mean it wouldn’t be right to let Zugai and everyone else do all of the work.”

 

“Thanks,” Zugai told Anne with a grateful smile. Rachel thought about it for a minute before Lyn pulled rank as the second leader, “You’ll have the ‘Daughters of Darkness’ support Akatsuki! Anything you need, just call.”

 

“Lyn! Since when are you the only one allowed-”

 

“You can count me in. If Lisa is going to help then I will be there to protect her,” Adam added in. Al looked over at Adam after he finished, “Guess you’re going to be useless then. Lisa can take care of herself.”

 

“Thanks though Adam.” Lisa gave Adam a quick kiss on the check. Unable to contain herself Keiko jumped onto her chair and slammed her right foot on the table, pointing at the ceiling, “Aw’right! The Akatsuki are going to take down that dumb ol’ latch-boss and his googan latch-gang! Akatsuki Forever!!!”

 

“What about the Akatsuki?” Sonic asked returning with Susie and two full plates of food.

 

“Une-sensei wants Akatsuki to help clean the academy again!” Keiko lied. Sonic sat down and nodded his head, picking up the plastic fork, “Are you guys sure you want to head out so soon? After all the doctors said Fusion and DL’s family were more than welcome to spend the night.”

 

“Sonic dad always told me ‘there are times when a man has no choice but to act’,” Zugai said looking him in the eye. He glanced at Amelia knowing that she’d understand what he was really talking about. Sonic just stopped with his fork in his mouth and looked back at Zugai, confused, “Right now I can’t imagine sitting around and doing nothing.”

 

“Well,” Sonic began and swallowed his food, “Alright if you feel like you have to do something. Just tell your parents where you’re going.”

 

“Yes sir!”

 

“So,” Amelia began, “Where do we begin?”

 

“You’re in?” Sarah asked. Amelia hadn’t wanted to go with Zugai’s crazy plan but after he had said she understood where he was coming from. She didn’t like the idea of looking for trouble, but she also felt a strange sense of “duty”. It was like she was supposed to be doing this. Her blue eyes drifted back up and Amelia nodded at the rest of the Akatsuki as well as the ‘Daughters of Darkness’, “I’m in.”

 

“Hey! Hold on!” Setsuna shouted. The entire group had been running towards the elevator when something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. The rest slowed to a stop, Sarah calling back, “Why!? We don’t have any time to waste!”

 

“I thought I heard familiar voices,” the Hospital Administrator said appearing around the corner, pushing his hat up. He looked at everyone with his large black eyes that rested on Setsuna. The normally fierce swords-girl visibly shrunk away from his gaze and even looked at the ground to avoid his stare. When he spoke she moved away even more, “Setsuna, aren’t you going to introduce me?”

 

When Setsuna didn’t seem willing to do what he asked he looked at Anne. Anne’s reaction was expected, immediately hiding behind Zugai and clinging to him; she buried her head into his back and he could hear her panicked breathing. Only when he had asked Adam did the Hospital Administrator get what the introduction he wanted.

 

“Everyone this is Mr. Soze,” Adam began his voice uneasy, “He’s our adopted father.”

 

“Nice to meet you Mr. Soze,” Lisa greeted him and held out her hand, “I’m Lisa Denver. I . . . well . . . I’m-”

 

“I know who you are,” Mr. Soze said dryly. He didn’t shake Lisa’s hand and in the end she pulled it back to her side. Mr. Soze looked once more at the rest of the group before speaking, “Adam, Setsuna, Anne come with me.”

 

“But-” Anne managed to get out then stop immediately when her step-father’s eyes turned back on her. Slowly Anne stepped out from behind Zugai and even more slowly walked over with the rest of her family. Mr. Soze put his large hand on Anne’s shoulder to reassure her, “This won’t take long.”

 

“Come on,” Rachel said opening the elevator door, “They can catch up.”

 

“Yeah, but . . .” Amelia started not wanting to leave the three with their step-father. Amelia wasn’t the only one unwilling to leave them with Mr. Soze. He had given everyone a bad vibe the moment he walked up. “It’s okay. Go.”

 

Everyone heeded Setsuna’s words and continued on their way; the Akatsuki to find out everything they could from Fusion and DL and the ‘Daughters of Darkness’ would go do their own thing. Now alone in the hallway Mr. Soze began walking away. Without even needing to be told Adam, Setsuna, and Anne followed him. They didn’t walk far before Mr. Soze opened a door and let the three walk in first.

 

Inside the room the three were greeted by the nurse and doctor who had been in Fusion and DL’s room and even Hanna was present. The doctor quickly shot from his spot on the desk and put the cigarette he was smoking out, waving the air to uselessly hide the smell of smoke, “M-Mr. Soze! I-”

 

“I don’t care about excuses Mr. Faust,” Mr. Soze snapped, “Did you manage to get the file?”

 

“I do sir, Mr. Soze, sir,” the nurse nervously stammered out and held out the clipboard she had been holding the entire time. Mr. Soze took the clipboard from the nurse and tossed the first few medical papers onto the floor to reveal a brown file hidden underneath. He discarded the clipboard and opened the file, skimmed over the contents, then tucked it away in his coat, “Did anyone see you with this?”

 

The nurse shook her head, her eyes wide with fear and only relaxed when Mr. Soze nodded his head, “Good job Ms. Kanaguchi.”

 

“Father,” Adam started then stopped when Mr. Soze turned to him. “You want to know why I called you in here.”

 

Adam gave a nod, swallowing. At Mr. Soze’s gesture Hanna began to explain, her voice as monotone and indifferent as when Zugai had first met her, “The documents found in Daisuke “DL” Link’s possessions are incriminating if not damning. Luckily Ako has managed to secure the documents before either remembered they were in possession of it.”

 

“So they know?” Setsuna asked and realized she had been holding her breath. Hanna just slowly moved her red eyes to Setsuna, “It’s almost positive that Daisuke Link has read the contents, however, we cannot rule out the possibility that Christian Denver has also viewed the insides of the file.”

 

“That’s why I called you three here,” Mr. Soze confirmed, “We know the truth. If they found something like this then we need to act.”

 

Adam, Setsuna, and Anne looked amongst each other. Ultimately Adam was again the only person to speak, “Yes sir.”

 

 

“No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!” the familiar voice screamed out above them, the stranger from before breaking through the skylight with a hysterical laughter that seemed to drown out everything else. The stranger’s entrance had stunned everyone as he grabbed hold of the rope that kept Fusion and DL from plummeting into the vat and sliced clean through it. Fusion and DL were pushed to safety, hitting the iron catwalk hard, when the stranger pushed off of them to drop kick Motoko over the railing and turned to greet Tamane.

 

“Damn it! Not you!” Tamane hissed and took a step away from the stranger. The man laughed and took a long, curved sword out from underneath his cloak, Yes! Me! Now hold still and I’ll take a little OFF THE TOP!!!”

 

“Damn it that hurt,” DL groaned in pain from the impact, now awake. Still tied together Fusion was at least happy to know that DL was awake now. The man was fighting with Tamane, Tamane rolling out of the way from each swipe, while Motoko recovered from her fall. The two freed themselves and DL aimed at Motoko with his pistol then shot the gun out of her hand. “Hey, nice shot DL! Now!”

 

The stranger raised his sword above his head, “By the power of gray sku- No. Damn it! How do you activate this stupid-”

 

“Performance issues?”Tamane mocked and began to close the distance between them. “Just need a bit more to get me going. Mind talking dirty?”

 

“Oh wait! Nevermind!” the stranger’s sword was now on fire and with a single swing sent an arch or fire at Tamane. The fire missed and fell over the side of the vat, burning then set the vat on fire. Before Tamane was able to reach the stranger or Fusion and DL the vat exploded.

 

“s***!” DL cursed being knocked off his feet. Sitting back up he watched the giant ball of smoke caused by the explosion drift up through the warehouse they had come too, the explosion having come a little too close for comfort.

 

“I think we ought to leave now.”

 

“Yeah, that's probably a good idea.” Both got back up and made their way toward the portion of the warehouse that hadn’t caught on fire yet. Sprinting as fast as they could manage Fusion and DL jumped and ducked under every obstacle the fire created to block them from getting out. Unfortunately the explosion hadn’t just caused the warehouse to begin burning but had been heard by every single enemy in the building, unaware that the warehouse was on fire, and had prepared for any intruder that was coming their way.

 

“Intruders!” an enemy shouted and opened fire. Even though he had an automatic, he shot as bad as a Storm Trooper, missing by miles before being knocked out. “Idiots!” DL scowled dropping another man twice as big as him, “Don’t they notice this place is going up in flames!?” Ahead he could see that the enemies had finally noticed and were now running away from the burning building. Making it outside, skidding to a stop, Fusion looked back at the burning building, “I’m going back!”

 

“Are you crazy?” DL shouted and grabbed his friend’s shoulder before he had the chance to run off, “There isn’t anything in there we can use!”

 

“There won’t be if I don’t go back now!” Fusion shouted back, pointing to the burning warehouse, “Only half of it is burning right now! If we’re lucky the other half will have something about ‘Venom’ or lock up the latch-boss or at least identify him!”

 

“And you want me to stay here and wait?” DL asked. With a grin Fusion clasped DL’s shoulder, “Oh Hell no! If I die in there I want you there too.”

 

“Gee thanks,” DL rolled his eyes, “Just remember if we don’t die, our wives are definitely going kill us for this!”

 

            Nodding Fusion and DL returned to the burning warehouse. DL kicked in a door when they discovered the handle was too hot to grab. Smoke billowed out of the new entrance as they stepped inside, instantly coughing from the mixture of burning chemicals and their eyes watering from the searing heat.

 

            “I got upstairs! You get downstairs!”

 

It had taken Fusion and DL longer the second time to tell the story due to being tired from telling it the first time. There was many times they had to stop and figure out if what they were saying had actually happened or if it had been a part of a dream while they were being rushed to the hospital; a few times they even had to be woken up when they started to drift off to sleep. Thankfully Fusion and DL succeeded in telling the entire story.

 

“Did you find anything?” Daniel asked. DL shook his head tiredly, “If we did it would’ve been with our things over there.” DL motioned towards the single desk in the room, “But Phantom and Draco didn’t find anything useful.”

 

“We didn’t see them take anything out of the room either,” Fusion added before he yawned. Though almost falling asleep he still kept himself away and looked over to Lisa, “Now tell me, honestly, why you wanted to know all of this.”

 

Lisa avoided her dad’s eyes and tried to think of an excuse that sounded reasonable enough that he’d buy it. Fortunately the rest of the adults came into the room and provided a proper distraction from Fusion’s question. Kari paused seeing that the kids were back then smiled warmly at them, “Oh you’re back. I hope you three haven’t been tiring your dad out.”

 

“Just listening to stories,” Keiko chirped back with a smile, bouncing in her seat. Al got up so Akane could take the seat closest to Fusion, “Did you ever get a hold of my dad?”

 

“No but I got in touch with your mother,” Akane said as she sat down, “She said her and El would be over to visit tomorrow morning as soon as they could. You’re more than welcome to spend the night here if you want.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

“Well Fuse, DL, we’re going to head home now,” Black said and offered his fist to each of them, both bumping their own against his, “Call me if you need me to bring anything tomorrow. Zugai we can give you a ride home if you want.”

 

“I’ve already called my mom and dad to let them know I’m going to be spending the night here,” Zugai lied.

 

“Amelia, honey, do you want to come home or stay here for the night?” Caeda asked and wasn’t at all surprised when her daughter asked to spend the night at the hospital. Caeda agreed that Amelia could spend the night but had to call her in the morning to let her know she was okay. A kiss on their daughter’s cheek and one final good-bye to everyone the Blacks left. A yawn later Kari pulled out a blanket for Keiko. The entire group had decided when they were alone that when it was dark they would head out to the docks to investigate on their own. Now that the sun had gone down the group began to stir. Slowly one by one they snuck out of the room and out into the hallway.

 

“Can you get a hold of him?” Amelia asked Lisa. Her phone was pressed tightly against her head to muffle the ringing then lowered it when she was sent, again, to Adam’s voicemail. Lisa shook her head and Amelia looked back at Zugai, “What about Setsuna and Anne?”

 

“I called Rachel and Lyn and they said they haven’t been able to get a hold of them since they left.”

 

“I wonder why they aren’t picking up,” Al thought out loud then glanced over his shoulder in case he had been loud enough to wake anyone in the room. “Doesn’t matter, just means we go without them. Rachel and Lyn will fill them in anyways.”

 

“But first we go get our weapons just in case,” Zugai confirmed and turned the corner; they weren’t about to go out weaponless. The group slowly made their way from the room until they decided they had gone enough to walk normally. Going at a decent pace a scream pierced the semi-quiet hospital floor when they reached the elevator. The scream had had been so loud and so frightening that it was hardly a person who didn’t jump at it then whirl around to see where it had come from. Zugai barely glanced at Amelia and both were aware of what they were going to do- run towards the scream.

 

“Hey! Amy! Zugai! Why are you running towards the scream!?” Keiko whined. Al was close behind the two with Daniel also chasing after them; Keiko wouldn’t move until Sarah pulled her hard enough she had to either run as well or fall on her face. “Amelia, do you remember where it came from?!”

 

“Not really, but it was close enough,” Amelia admitted. She noticed something ahead of her and narrowed her eyes, “But I don’t think that matters. Look!”

 

Two armed figures emerged from one of the hospital rooms- the worst possible hospital room. Daniel’s eyes grew wide for a moment before he barreled past Zugai and Amelia, charging the enemy despite not having a weapon himself, “What did you do to my parents!?”

 

“s***. Go! I’ll catch up,” one of the figures said, the other one nodding to show he or she understood then ran down the right hallway. Daniel had already gotten close enough to the remaining figure before he could raise their weapon and jumped to slam his foot into their stomach. Only the person had pushed his entire leg aside, grabbed his face, and then proceeded to slam the back of his head into the ground. “Daniel, I . . . we don’t have time for this!”

 

“Daniel!”

 

“You okay, man?” Al was already helping Daniel up though he said he was alright, the others ready to strike at the enemy if they made a move; Amelia was already demanding they give themselves up. The figure swayed back and forth in place nervously while they looked down the hallway their partner had ran. When their eyes returned to Amelia they lowered their weapon. Lisa took this chance to close the distance, Sarah and Keiko right behind her, but like Daniel before her the three were deflected and knocked away; though also like Daniel the enemy never used their weapon against them. When the three attackers had been knocked back the figure leapt back and ran.

 

“Damn it you’re not getting away!” Daniel shouted and chased after them. Zugai began to run as well before he stopped Al and Keiko too, “Hold on a moment.”

 

“What?”

 

“Why? They’re getting away!”

 

“I need you two to stay back here and check to see if everyone is alright,” Zugai said and got ready to sprint to catch up, “Besides, they might be back and I need someone guarding them.”

 

Al sighed and ran his hand through his hair, “Fine! Just go get them!”

 

“If they’re a dude . . . kick’em once in the balls for me!” Keiko chirped out and waved to Zugai as he ran off. The scream and the previous fighting had woken up the entire hospital by now, nurses and doctors running around to try and get everything under control. Regrettably for Zugai that meant they were getting in his way and made it nearly impossible to reach the others before getting turned around. Now lost he dug his phone out and held it up to his hear, hoping that she’d answer, “Sarah! Where are you!?”

 

Over the sounds of people fighting in the background and the unusual echoes Zugai could hear Sarah say that they were caught up with the enemy but were now going up in the stairs. Zugai told her to push them to the roof and wished her luck before he hung up. “On the roof they won’t have anywhere to run,” Zugai believed and dialed another number, “Now if I can get a hold of . . .”

 

 

            “What did Zugai say!?” Daniel asked and barely caught himself on the railing to stop from plummeting to ground level. Sarah shouted over her shoulder at Daniel, barely aware he almost fell to his death, “He said to push them to the roof!”

 

“Well that’s going to be easy,” Lisa said jumping from the top of the stairs to one of the lower levels to avoid a kick to the head. She was breathing harder now and was scuffed up quite a bit from the blows she had receive, yet still hadn’t managed to land a clean hit on either enemy. “Hell, they’re going up the stairs on their own!”

 

“Yeah why is that?” Amelia wondered while they continued to fight up the stairs. In the end the fight brought everybody to the only place it could have led- the roof. Through one of the doors the two figures darted out and skid to a stop while their pursuers emerged behind them; from one of the other doors Zugai came out. The Akatsuki had the enemy surrounded- unless they were going to pull something insane like jumping off of the roof. Daniel clenched his fists, ready to make another go at the both of them, “Nowhere else to run you bastards! I’m going to make you pay for what you did to!”

 

“We did not do anything!” the other, obviously male, shouted then immediately regretted speaking out. His vice was easy for a certain member of the group to figure out. Lisa took a cautionary step forward, hand against her chest as if to protect it from the shock it was about to receive, and slowly asked, “Adam?”

 

Adam pulled the cloak down and looked at his luvmate without flinching. Setsuna removed her hood as well and unlike her brother avoided eye contact with any of her friends. Lisa could feel tears stream down her face as she tried to make sense of what was going on. Adam and Setsuna had attacked her parents and Daniel’s as well. Why? She couldn’t answer that and neither Adam nor Setsuna seemed to be willing to give them answers. Instead Adam looked stated again, as if they were going to believe him, “Lisa we did not attack your parents or anyone tonight. We have been trying to chase the real assassins all night!”

 

“Then where are they?” Sarah asked. She didn’t believe Adam’s claim that he was actually doing something good. Instead she believed he was lying and planned on calling his bluff seeing as they were the only people on the roof at the moment- if he said they had lost the “real” assassins she’d know he had lied. Adam didn’t answer Sarah’s question directly but asked Setsuna, “Are they still here?”

 

“The tracking device Anne managed to put on one of them says they are. They must be using some kind of camouflage to hide. I'll adjust to scan multiple sub-harmonics in the EM spectrum.”

 

“Uh . . . do you happen to come with subtitles?” Sarah asked confused. Setsuna just shook her head and explained, “I should see them even if they’re invisible.”

 

Setsuna’s eyes flickered for a moment before they turned a completely different color from their normal light blue. Now a brilliant red Setsuna slowly looked around the entire rooftop before she stopped and looked right at Lisa, her crimson eyes wide in shock. Setsuna just about succeeded in warning Lisa but it was too little too late. The figure that had been hiding behind her the entire time, invisible, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her away from the her friends. The other enemy stood up on top of the small box used to accommodate the rooftop exit and pointed his gun at the entire group ready to shoot whoever moved first.

 

“What!?”

 

“Sven!? Let her go!” The two shouts made the Fake Type Knights look down at the Akatsuki and grin. Unsheathing his sword Sven held it dangerously close to Lisa’s neck, nicking her skin so it drew a little blood. Adam visibly began to move towards Sven with his hands raised to strangle him as soon as he got his hands around Sven’s neck. A gunshot from Hiru forced Adam to stop moving and everyone else flinched from the sound it made. “Come on,” Zugai peered up at the sky then down at Sven with Lisa hostage.

 

“Adam, can you knock that sword out of his hand before getting shot?” Daniel asked his breath shaky. A bead of sweat rolled down his face at the prospect of his plan going horribly wrong. His stomach knotted as Adam shook his head, “I can move fast but a bullet outpaces me by a lot.”

 

“Don’t worry,” Setsuna said calmly and raised her sword as much as Hiru would allow her before he shot her. The kendo girl took a deep breath and exhaled to calm herself. The players were in place and with a little luck they’d have Lisa safe in a few minutes. “Now Anne!”

 

The next few moments happened almost too fast for Sarah to realize what she was seeing. Anne, who Sarah swore she hadn’t seen before, had appeared behind Sven and had now tackled him away from Lisa. At the same time Adam had charged forward and caught Lisa before she fell off of the root, pulling her back. Worse was Setsuna. Hiru hadn’t planned on allowing Adam to make it to Lisa and shot at him. In place of Adam the bullet found itself a new home in Setsuna when she jumped in the way; despite that she had managed to get the gun away from Hiru and toss it over the edge of the building.

 

“Setsuna are you alright!?” Sarah found herself asking running over to her downed friend. She brushed some of Setsuna’s light black hair and covered her mouth from the shock of what she saw. Setsuna groaned and rose up, hand covering her side where the bullet had hit. It took her a moment to realize who was in front of her and when she did her eyes shot open, “Sarah?’

 

Sarah only nodded at Setsuna. It was all she could do, stunned silent from what she had seen, “Promise you won’t tell anyone?”

 

“Y-Yeah,” Sarah agree and got to her feet with Setsuna, flinching when the sound of another gunshot reached her, “But I think you’re going to have to tell everyone regardless.”

 

While Sarah had run to check on Setsuna, Anne had been kicked off of Sven and landed on the ground. She had just enough time to look up and see Sven ready to swing his sword and cry out in fear. Daniel stopped the sword from hitting either of them with a piece of a metal pipe he had picked up. Though he had blocked the sword from cutting into either of them a pipe wasn’t exactly the type of weapon he was used too and lost his grip when Sven pushed down harder and then received a boot to his chest. Sven was then forced to deal with Zugai. The younger boy was trained in sword fighting and used his somewhat smaller size to evade Sven’s wide swings to close the distance between them. In Sven’s space Zuai threw punch after punch at him and landed a few good blows until Sven stepped on his foot and knocked him down with a solid right hook.

 

On the ground and dazed Zugai rolled out of the way of one of Sven’s swings and then another. When Sven made a third swing it was blocked- by Anne of all people. Sword in hand Anne kept a firm grip on it, not letting Sven get it away from her as it cut into her skin. Tears formed in Anne’s eyes from the fresh pain when Sven tried to wrench the sword away again, cutting deeper into her skin. “Leave him alone!”

 

The blow had surprising force behind it. It didn’t knock Sven back a few inches. It sent the Fake Type Knight flying back and almost off the roof. Anne then fell to her knees trying to catch her breath, the hand that had grabbed the sword clutched tight against her chest. On his feet Daniel summed everything up, “Damn . . .”

 

A gunshot rang out and drew everyone’s attention. Hiru had managed to draw a second gun and had just shot Adam in the shoulder before he had managed to get his hands on him. Lisa had been fighting with him and was now frantically trying to stop the bleeding.

 

“Hey Hiru!” someone shouted above him over the roar of a small jet-engine. Hiru never took his aim off of Adam; he was wounded but could still make another attempt at him. Hiru might have wished he had taken his aim off of Adam because the moment he saw who shouted he was blasted with an intense stream of fire from Marlyn’s signature weapon. Marylyn wasn’t the only one who had flown in; Junk Raver had also come after Zugai had called them and explained what had happened. Flying down to Zugai he tossed him his weapon, “I got here as soon as I could man.”

 

“Did you call everyone else?”

 

“Yeah,” Marc said, his voice muffled by his helmet a bit, “The rest of the Moderators should be up here in no time.”

 

“About time we get to beat these guys’ asses!” Daniel cheered with his weapon in hand as well. Hiru had managed to put whatever parts of him that had caught fire out and stood up beside Sven, both cornered. The Akatsuki were now armed and had back up from two fighters that could fly; worse the Moderators were coming. Sven readied his sword and bent his knees to charge forward then stopped. His eyes narrowed a voice being transmitted to his receiver informed him that their mission had failed utterly and that they were to escape. Sven looked at Hiru to confirm he had also heard their new orders; Hiru nodded to let Sven know he had heard as well. The Fake Type Knights then stepped onto the ledge of the hospital’s roof.

 

“Don’t do it Sven! Don’t do it!” Marylyn warned and raised her weapon at him again as if it would make him think twice. Marc tried to work his way behind the Fake Type Knights so he could catch them if they did jump but stopped when Hiru pointed his gun at one of the children. “Damn you Hiru,” Marc cursed and remained hovering where he was. Sven grinned and gave a mocking salute to Sora when the Moderator and his back up appeared from the hospital before he let himself fall off the building.

 

“No!” Marylyn and Marc, everyone ran over to the side of the roof to see if the Fake Type Knights had either fell to their deaths or somehow had an escape beforehand. What they did see was nothing. No Fake Type Knights: dead or alive.

 

“Find them!” Sora shouted at no one in particular. The SWAT team returning downstairs to head out and do just as they were ordered. Marylyn told Marc she was going to search for the Fake Type Knights as well. “Just be careful.”

 

“Always will be,” Marylyn said and kissed Marc on his helmet’s cheek. Now alone on the roof with the Akatsuki, Sora turned to Lisa, Daniel, and Sarah. He smiled and told them what they had been hoping to hear, “Your parents are fine. The Fake Type Knights didn’t injure them at all.”

 

The entire group exhaled together and dropped to their knees in relief. As the entire group let the tension fade away Sarah laughed. Everyone turned to look at her to see what was so funny. She looked back at Adam with a wide, happy grin, “I guess I owe you an apology Adam. I thought you really did kill my parents.”

 

“I am not that heartless Sarah,” Adam said with a smile and winced in pain when he tried to laugh. Lisa was snapped back to reality and lifted her head off of his shoulder, “Adam! You need to see a doctor right now!”

 

“She’s not the only one!” Daniel said and moved over to Anne. He took hold of her hand gently and tried to turn it over, “You grabbed a sword with your bare hand.”

 

“I-I’m fine, really! I doesn’t even hurt!” Anne said and tried to pull her hand away from Daniel’s grip. “The cut must be deep. You probably can’t feel it because you’re still in shock.”

 

“Anne is fine,” her father said when he stepped out onto the rooftop and gave Sora a nod. Zugai overheard the Moderator say something about fetching a doctor before he left with Marc in tow.

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=“Wanted Assassins! The Enemy is a Close Friend and Family!?”]

            Mr. Soze had taken the Akatsuki back into the hospital be given medical treatment first; and generally watched over. This, however, did give the Akatsuki enough time to check on their parents and fill Al and Keiko on what happened while they were guarding the room. Daniel learned it was useless anyways; Al and Keiko had learned everything already. After being left they discovered that everyone in the room was alright, if not just shaken up a bit, and then that Sven and Hiru had killed a nurse in Fusion and DL’s room; luckily Kari had woken up and screamed. It was that same scream that alerted the Akatsuki in the first place. From there Adam and Setsuna had arrived mere moments before, spotting the Fake Type Knights fleeing the scene.

 

            “Feeling better?” Lisa asked and resisted the urge to put her hand on Adam’s shoulder. He gave her a warm smile, “Yes.”

 

            “Get a room,” Sarah cut the heartwarming scene short and kept her eyes on Mr. Soze; Lisa shot Sarah a curt gaze but decided against it. The hospital administrator had sat down and undid his necktie so he could feel like he was able to breathe; when he had finished loosening his tie he looked at everyone in the room and nodded for Setsuna, who had also been given treatment, to shut the door. Fingers intertwined Mr. Soze began, “First of all let me say that I am fully aware you children want to go after the Fake Type Knights. I also believe I-”

 

            “Those two weren’t the real Fake Type Knights! There’s no way Valor or Enigma would kill a nurse for no reason,” Al interrupted and quickly took his anger out on the closest wall with a single hard punch. Keiko looked over at Al with concern and uncharacteristically spoke quietly to him, “Al you heard mom . . . she would know better than anyone else besides Aunt Aqua if that was the real Hiru. And if that was the real Hiru then that had to be the real Sven.”

 

            “I still don’t get why they’d do something like this,” Daniel said having used the time everyone was being treated to mull ideas around in his head. The room grew quiet as everyone retreated back into their own thoughts to try and make sense of what had happened. Eventually Mr. Soze spoke up to break the silence, “The Fake Type Knights were most likely going after Fusion and DL because of the evidence about ‘Venom’ but ended up killing Ms. Kanaguchi.”

 

            “But Draco said that they never found anything on my dad or Mr. Link,” Lisa stated confused. Mr. Soze then pulled out from his waistcoat the file that had been brought to him earlier today and held it up for everyone in the room to see, “They did indeed find something, something very important in fact.”

 

            “Mr. Soze,” Zugai began and took a step towards the seated administrator of the hospital, “taking evidence from an ongoing investigation is illegal. If the Super Moderators learn about this-”

 

            “They’ve already seen it,” Mr. Soze interrupted andl handed the file over to Zugai, “I’ve been working with one of the Moderators to bring in the latch-boss who’s producing ‘Venom’. After all, I’m one of the few people on this planet qualified enough to go after him.”

 

            “What makes you so qualified?” Sarah snapped to cut Mr. Soze’s ego off. Mr. Soze glanced over at Zugai as he tried to make sense of the words on the page he was currently reading, “Because I’m able to decipher the complex structure of ‘Venom’ and understand not only what it’s made of but how it’s most likely made as well.”

 

            “I take it that’s what this is?” Zugai asked and lifted the chart covered paper up. Mr. Soze gave a single nod before he took the paper back and ushered it back into the safety of his jacket. “Well what does it say? Who’s making ‘Venom’ and why does that matter at all with Valor and Enigma?”

 

            Mr. Soze chuckled a bit at Daniel’s question then shook his head, “If I knew who was making ‘Venom’ I would have already informed the Moderators so he can be arrested. Like I said before all I know is what it’s made up of and how it’s probably made. As for how it’s connected to the Fake Type Knights . . . perhaps blackmail?”

 

            “Whatever,” Al snapped dismissing the ideas immediately. Al wasn’t the only one. Most of the Akatsuki didn’t believe that something like blackmail would force the Fake Type Knights to try and murder family. Al stopped with his hand on the doorknob, “Come on guys, we’re wasting time.”

 

            “I am coming too,” Adam began. Lisa gently pushed him back down into his seat before he could get to his feet. She gave him a warm smile when he looked at her, hand firmly placed on his good shoulder, and shook her head, “Stay here and get better. I don’t want you getting hurt again.”

 

            “We’ll be fine,” Lisa finished and gave Adam a small kiss on the cheek. Mr. Soze rose and tightened his necktie, “Sora gave me orders to not let you guys run off . . . however . . . I’m sure Anne is exhausted and needs her rest. Zugai, would you and your friends mind taking her home so she can get some rest?”

 

            “Yes sir,” Zugai answered with a smirk knowing that the excuse was lame, but at least he was willing to let them go. With the Akatsuki gone and on their way to find the Fake Type Knights Mr. Soze turned to his remaining adopted children with the same cold expression he had adopted earlier tonight, “Are you able to get back to work Adam?”

 

            “Ready, father.” Adam tore the gauge pad off of his injured shoulder. The wound had done more than just stop bleeding. Instead there was no evidence Adam had never been shot beyond a small scar. Mr. Soze nodded his approval then turned to Setsuna, “And you?”

 

            “I’ll be able to function well enough,” Setsina stated with her head down. Mr. Soze took the disappointment in stride. Hands behind his back and watched the Akatsuki driving off in Tailbreaker.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

            Sven had just slipped back into the private booth Violet had retreated too. The both of them waited in relative silence for Enigma to come back. Enigma returned three songs later with his hair more disheveled than when he had first came into the club and sweat rolled down his face. He avoided Sven and Violet’s curious looks and tried to catch his breath. “What happened?”

 

            “I’d rather not tell V,” Hiru huffed out and leaned back into the soft material the booth was made out off. He could hear Sven as he tried to not laugh; Sven easily guessed what had happened. With a playful grin he leaned on the table, “How many numbers did you get?”

 

            “None,” Hiru looked Sven dead in the eye. He could tell Sven wasn’t convinced nor was he going to give up. All there was for Hiru to do was admit, “Fine! I didn’t take any numbers, but did I give a girl my number- in roman numerals. If she figures it out . . . she's worth a shot.”

 

            Hiru wondered if he could shrink into the booth’s cushions as the other two Fake Type Knights laughed at his predicament. When the laughter died down Hiru asked, “So was this just a bust or did you two find something?”

 

            “Indeed we did,” Valor said confidently and showed the folded up napkin. Reading the address, Hiru took it and narrowed his eyes as if doing so would somehow change what was written. “Valor?”

 

            “Yes?”

 

            “This is the same address Fusion and DL burned down last night isn’t it.”

 

            “It is,” Valor confirmed. “I don’t know why Uncle Dai and Mr.  Denver went there but at least now we know what was in it before it went up in flames,” Enigma thought. Now all that was to do was call one of their comrades and figure out who the building had been registered too; the same one that was currently trying to call him. The call answered Enigma barely got a word out before the deep voice on the other end began to shout at them, almost hysterical, “Hiru! Hiru where are you!? Please tell me Sven is close by too.”

 

            “Right here Anon,” Sven said concerned about the intensity of their friends’ tone. Sven shifted in his seat and looked around the mass of dancing club goers as Anon’s voice shouted at them from the other end of the phone, “If you’re in public you have to get somewhere safe, right now!”

 

            “What’s going on Anon?” Violet asked just as concerned as the rest of the Fake Type Knights. “Sven and Hiru are wanted for murder!”

 

            “What!?” Violet shouted louder than normal due to shock. She looked back over at the two Fake Type Knights as their eyes grew wide in disbelief. As if able to read their minds Anon continued, answering their unspoken questions, “From the reports I’m getting, Valor and Enigma of the Fake Type Knights are wanted for murder of one Ako Kanagichu, a nurse at the YCM Hospital, and for the attempted murder of Christian “Fusion” Denver and Daisuke “DL” Link along with threatening Lisa Denver as well as assault with a deadly weapon on Adam and Setsuna Soze, the adopted children of the hospital administrator Mr. Hans Soze.”

 

            “That wasn’t us!” Valor shouted in defiance. Anon managed to keep a calmer head, “Of course it wasn’t you idiot! You’re being framed but I don’t think the Moderators are going to care much.”

 

            “Why not?” Violet asked. If they could prove that it wasn’t them at the murder scene then Sven and Hiru couldn’t be arrested. Violet couldn’t understand why the Moderators would just ignore something that clearly showed they were innocent. Enigma just chuckled and stood up, “I get what you’re saying Anon. Even if we can prove we didn’t commit the crime it’s still our word.”

 

            “But I was here too,” Violet began only to have Enigma cut her off, “Whatever you say won’t count. After all they’d just say you’d say anything to help us, after all you’re a Fake Type Knight too. Same deal with Anon if he gave a testimony. And I doubt anyone here would remember ever seeing us.”

 

            “Worse,” Anon began then paused. The three Fake Type Knights could hear the rapid clack of keys being struck before Anon resumed, “I just pulled up the latest reports from the Moderators. They have Miss Kari as an eye witness and even Sora the Heartless has made a written statement that he saw Valor and Enigma flee the scene. And you know the old adage about seeing being believing.”

 

            “So it wouldn’t matter what we’d say,” Valor began and got up, ready to leave, “It’d just look like we’re trying to give them a cover story. For once being unidentified in a crowd has come back to bite us in the ass.”

 

            “You’d think they’d be more cautious of imposters after the Wiseman incident,” Violet stated as the three made their way out of ‘The Klub’ and out into the busy streets. Anon had nearly hung up the phone but not before Enigma was able to let him know they had a lead and what they needed him to do. Anon wasn’t happy about their insistence on following the lead but gave in; of course on the condition they run at the first sign of trouble instead of stick around and fight.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

            “Are you sure about that?” Hiru asked in a low enough tone that his voice didn’t echo in the massive underground cambers, his hand running across the cold stone. With every law enforcement agency short of the National Guard after them Anon had demanded they use the old Inactive tunnels to get back to the Hospital. Even after all of the years since Life’s defeat, most of the tunnels remained unexplored.

 

            “Of course I am!” Anon stated confidently over the phone, “They’re one and the same.”

 

            “Well that makes things easier,” Sven said around the flashlight in his mouth, reading the crude map. From what he could tell from the map they were more than half way there and had not had a single close encounter the entire time. That was something all of both Sven and Hiru were thankful for. “Well at least when we get there we know who to go after.”

 

            “You can say that again,” Sven said trying to lift his feet out of the sludge. Already his mind was playing fantasy after fantasy of what he’d do once he got his hands on their target’s neck. Those fantasies, however, were pushed to the back of Sven’s mind when voices began to come from inside of him. Worse than voices, there came the distinct sound of people walking towards them.

 

            “Three. All are carrying a weapon.” Sven knew he could trust Hiru’s hearing. Neither Fake Type Knight knew who would be down her besides them, but both had a good idea it was a search party looking for them. If it wasn’t then good but the predicament there were in didn’t give Sven and Hiru much room to make guesses.

 

            “This way.”

 

            “Right.”

 

            Moments before flashlights emerged from around the corner the Fake Type Knights ducked into a small passageway that concealed them; at least unless the search party came right up to them. They could have run but it would have made too much noise. Then they’d certainly be found out. Now their only hope was that the search party moved on quickly without of course being discovered.

 

            Like Hiru had said there were three people, each with a weapon, combing through the massive caverns. Despite moving their flashlights over the walls and in front of them the group did nothing to hide their conversation. “I can't believe you got Jackie to come with you last night!”

 

            “F*ck you, dude,” one of the group replied back sarcastically. From his spot Hiru saw one of the flashlights shake, probably because its owner was having his shoulder shook, and heard two of the three laughing. “C'mon Joey, seriously, I would give my left nut to take Jackie to McDonald's!”

 

            “Tell me about it,” Joey said taking off his backpack and set it on the table top, “I still can't believe she said yes Nex.”

 

            Hiru ducked back behind his stone cover. He felt his heart racing and was already curing their luck. “It had to be Emma’s Black Ops! We couldn’t have worse luck unless it was the three Super Moderators!” A cold sweat ran down the back of Hiru’s neck and he tried to steady his breathing. It was so loud to Hiru he thought any minute Nexev or Joey would hear it; and he didn’t even know who the third party member was either.

 

            “How are you holding up Flandre? I mean you are hunting the Fake Type Knights and you were a Fake Type Knight once yourself . . . we understand if you’re not comfortable doing this.” Now it was Sven’s turn to be worried. Joey and Nexev was one thing, Black Ops members sure, but in a tussle he’d have no problem fighting them. Flandre Scarlet was completely different. As a former Fake Type Knight he’d hold nothing back fighting against them. Worse they were friends; being, and once being, Fake Type Knights their common bond. “Maybe he thinks we’re innocent?” Sven hoped.

 

            “Sven and Odin murdered someone and attempted to murder Fusion and DL, as far as I’m concerned they aren’t Fake Type Knights anymore.”

 

            Well there went that hope.

 

            “Quiet you two,” Flandre suddenly said after he stopped moving, his hand rose to signal the other two to stop as well. Through the dark caverns Flandre’s red eyes seemed to glow. The former Fake Type Knight raised his flashlight and shone it directly at the fallen rubble Sven and Hiru had hide behind. “We need to be quieter now. These passageways haven’t been used in a while and could come down on us.”

 

            “And here I thought you heard something,” Nexev said and continued to walk further into the tunnels, “Man next time spare me the disappointment.”

 

            Nexev stopped. A wide grin spread across his face when he dug out one of his patented Zero Dolls and hurled it to the blocked off path. The small explosive doll smacked against the wall and fell into the shallow water that covered the entire tunnel with a splash, “Hey Fake Type Knights! Come out and play!”

 

            “Nexev you moron!” Flandre shouted as Hiru hurled the Zero Doll back at them. The doll exploded before it reached anyone but had the effect Hiru was hoping for. It knocked the Black Ops members off their feet and gave him and Sven a head start.

 

            “How did you know they were hiding behind there?” Joey pulled Nexev to his feet and both began to chase after the Fake Type Knights; Flandre was already in pursuit. Nexev grinned and readied another Zero Doll, “Well a good Black Ops member can just sense their targets.”

 

            Nexev had just gotten lucky. His only intention was to f*** with Flandre a bit; the blast was never meant to be deadly. Now being chased the Fake Type Knights didn’t spare the second or two it would take to glance over their shoulder. They both could feel Flandre closing the distance between them. Instead they focused all of their attention on getting out of the tunnels or, hopefully, losing the Black Ops members. The later plan became more and more unlikely the longer time went on.

 

            “I have a bead on them! Order to shoot?” Hiru heard over his shoulder, his heart speeding up. He had to do something before Flandre or, more likely, Nexev gave the order to gun them down. It probably wouldn’t be a fatal shot, but being accused of murder he wasn’t sure anymore what and what not anyone would do to capture them- dead or alive. Hiru twisted on his heels and skidded across the wet floor with one hand on his sword. He heard Flandre warn him not to draw his weapon but it was too late for that. His sword out Enigma didn’t waste any time sending a beam of energy at the ceiling. The blast collided with the ceiling and like Enigma hoped it weakened it enough so it all came crashing down. Regrettably Nexev was a demolitions expert and with a few well placed, and well adjusted, Zero Dolls blew the debris into powder.

 

            “Don’t move!” Flandre ordered. He had drawn his two light sabers and had them up in case his order went unheeded. The two high-energy plasma blades glowed and hummed in the dark, illuminating Flandre’s face. The Fake Type Knights could tell he wasn’t willing to make the first move; at the same time it was apparent he’d defend himself if it came to that.

 

            “We found them,” Joey announced to a walkie-talkie. Emma’s garbled voice came through and Joey gave their positions as best he could with his knowledge of the Inactive tunnel system. Valor and Enigma gave a knowing glance to each other. Emma knew where they were so they would have to do something quickly or they’d go to jail.

 

            “Why did you two do it?” The accusation in Flandre’s tone hit Valor and Enigma hard. But it was the anger and disappointment in his voice that hurt worst of all. As children Sven and Hiru had idolized Flandre the most out of all of the previous Fake Type Knights. So to now hear him accuse them of murder was excruciating. Sven slightly lowered his sword and answered, “We didn’t murder anyone!”

 

            “Then you’re saying Sora, Kari, and everyone else who saw you commit the murders is lying?” Nexev grinned after he spoke, “After all if you didn’t do it they wouldn’t have said they say you do it. That’s only fair, right?”

 

            “You’d think after the Wiseman Incidents you’d know better than to trust your eyes Nexev,” Valor mocked and tapped the side of his neck. Nexev’s grin disappeared in and instant and he covered the side of his neck that had the bullet scar.

 

            “Say it wasn’t either of you,” Flandre started, “Then where were you?”

 

            The two Fake Type Knights shuffled up to the front door for ‘The Klub’ and the bouncer that stood watch with a clipboard in one hand. The bouncer was an enormous black man, at least three times bigger than either of the Fake Type Knights, and looked like he could take on the worst of a rough crowd any night and come out the winner. The bouncer stopped chewing, on what was hopefully gum, but most likely tobacco, and his one good eye fixated on the two men in front of him. He turned for a split second to spit then asked in a gruff voice, “Names?”

 

            “Sorry we don’t give out our names,” Hiru said, “We’re the Fake Type Knights and we have business inside.”

 

            When he finished Hiru went to walk past the bouncer but was shoved back and almost off his feet. Hiru caught himself before he fell.

 

            “Yeah sure you are. You’re the fifth set of Fake Type Knights I’ve met tonight.” The bouncer crossed his muscled arms and took a deep breath so his chest pushed out. Sven knew that the bouncer was trying to intimidate them. It failed- miserably. Either of the Fake Type Knights could take the bouncer. Without their weapons if they wanted too. The bouncer got ready to force the two in front of him to leave when a woman’s voice from behind him shouted, “Hey! Guys! I didn’t know you were coming here tonight!”

 

            “Violet!?” The Fake Type Knights were surprised to see their mutual friend and fellow Fake Type Knight behind the bouncer. Her hand gently pushed the bouncer aside and waved them inside, “What are you two waiting for!? Come on!”

 

            The bouncer missed his chance to stop the three from going back inside the night club and had to turn his attention back to the upset crowd of late night partiers who weren’t too happy about two people “not on the list” being let in while they were forced to stand outside.

 

            Inside ‘The Klub’ the red haired woman led Sven and Hiru through the mass of swirling bodies. Sven and Hiru couldn’t help but note that Violet was currently wearing an outfit neither of them had ever dreamt she’d own. Violet slide into one of the many private booths and stared dead at Sven and Hiru for what felt like hours, though it could only really have been mere minutes, but being underneath her intimidating gaze definitely made it feel longer. It was that very stare that got them to confession they were the Fake Type Knights in the first place. When Violet felt she had toyed with them long enough she intertwined her fingers together and rested her hands under her chin with a smile, “So why are the great Valor and Enigma down in Multi-Studio personally?”

 

            Violet didn’t let either of them answer as an idea came to mind. Violet sat upright in her seat, her expression went from happy to concerned, and put her hand on her chest, “Don’t tell me you two think I can’t do my job anymore . . .”

 

            “Well after three informants ‘skip town’ on us we thought,” Enigma said while he gave Sven a quick glance then continued, “we thought it’d be a good idea to be a bit more direct with our investigations.”

 

            Violet let her amber eyes shift from Sven and Enigma then back again. Neither of them had said anything and she guess they were probably waiting for her to say something. Her head lowered a bit in disappointment they thought she couldn’t do her job. “Well . . . I guess I’ll leave you two too it then.”

 

            Violet wanted to leave but her legs didn’t seem to have any strength to pick her up. She didn’t move an inch for a while. When she did raise her head it was to see how Sven and Enigma were doing without her. Before she could convince herself not too Violet’s impulse forced her to shoot up from her spot at the table. She bounded across the club’s dance floor, pushed herself through the crowd, and snatched Sven away from a woman in a short skirt and dyed green hair. Violet dragged Sven away from the woman he had been trying, and failing, to get any useful information out off.

 

            When she came back to her senses, her mind caught up with what she had done out of silly jealousy. If she had blushed Sven didn’t notice or, if he did, he thankfully didn’t say anything to her about it.

 

            “Are you going to tell me why you pulled me away?” Sven had to raise his voice loud enough that she could hear him; however, it didn’t hide the undertone of irritation.

 

            “Well,” Violet began only to trail off. She couldn’t tell him the real reason. She wouldn’t be able to bare the embarrassment of it. It took her a minute before she came up with a plausible excuse. “Look Sven . . . what you and Enigma are doing is never going to work! I mean . . . you can’t just walk around asking people random questions hoping they’ll know something you can work with. And you definitely can’t ask if they know anything about the new latch-boss . . . not unless you want to meet him or her at the end of a gun.”

 

            “Then what do you suggest?” Sven asked no longer hiding his irritation. For the second time that night Violet had to come up with a quick answer. She could only thank her lucky stars what Sven asked was easy to answer. “We figure out who might have some information before we start asking questions.”

 

            “And how do we do that?” Valor and Enigma, even when they had just begun The Fake Type Knights, had usually stuck to intimidating petty thugs into telling them what they wanted to know. When they used to try their hand at this kind of work they generally wound up getting a lot of false leads or nothing at all. Hiru always remarked to Sven when Violet wasn’t around that was why he had agreed to let her join the Fake Type Knights; Violet was good at getting people to confess.

 

            “. . . but this is a club so if you stand around staring at people, some might get suspicious,” Violet finished. Sven nodded his head. Violet’s mind was working out a plan when Sven began to push her out onto the dance floor. Pushed onto the smooth marble Violet watched the crowd move to the beat; couples danced close together in their own fashion, some in more provocative ways than others, while some single men dance in ways that were baffling and funny at the same time. Violet felt Sven’s hand move from her shoulder, around her back, and pressed against the small of her back. “We’re supposed to dance, remember?”

 

            “I know that.” The two danced together and when the music finally died down another began in its place.

 

            “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, would you?”

 

            “You never know,” Flandre replied and lowered his two light sabers. To show the Fake Type Knights he was willing to trust them he switched both weapons off; Nexev and Joey though kept their weapons ready. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

 

            A sharp pain hit Flandre in the back of the neck. His eyes grew wide in disbelief as his legs gave out underneath him. Before he lost consciousness he could hear the sounds of grunts as Joey and Nexev were struck from behind too.

 

            Darkness. Darkness and complete silence. Then without warning a loud roar brought Flandre back to reality. His red hair was being wiped around him violently and the roar turned into a noise he had heard many times- the wound of helicopter blades chopping through the air. His vision was still blurred from being struck from behind. “From behind!” Flandre’s mind shouted at him. He, Nexev, and Joey had been in the Inactive tunnels, confronting the Fake Type Knights, and had been hit from behind by an unknown assailant. He began to swing his legs off of whatever was supporting him then heard yet another familiar sound.

 

            This one spoke to him. “Don’t move too much Flandre. Give yourself a little more time to fully come too.”

 

            That voice definitely belonged to Emma. “Where-?”

 

            Emma didn’t even need Flandre to finish his sentence to understand what he was asking. As his vision cleared he heard her explain, “We’re on route to Yugo City Maximum Prison. Crab Helmet reached you just as one of the Fake Type Knights we didn’t know about struck all of you from behind. We got Valor and Enigma but we lost the other one. Joey and Nexev are in the other copter and have already come around.”

 

            The fog in his mind now cleared Flandre looked to his right. They were in a helicopter and through the window he could see three other helicopters; that meant the one he was riding in had the Fake Type Knights as well. The idea of sharing a helicopter with the Fake Type Knights didn’t bother Flandre. What did bother him was what happened back in the tunnels. The Fake Type Knights were about to give their side of the story, one that if Flandre, though he wouldn’t admit it to Emma, believed in enough would let the Fake Type Knights go. “Why did they attack us then?”

 

            “You alright?” Emma asked a hand on Flandre’s shoulder. Flandre nodded.

 

            “Good. Katie,” Emma touched the side of her headphones to radio the other helicopter pilot, “Keep half a click behind us and keep your eyes open for anything that doesn’t belong there.”

 

            “That leaves me and Joey taking up the sides with more air support,” Nexev radioed in. Inside the cockpit he jabbed Joey in the shoulder. Though his neck still ached from being hit and had a headache he had insisted on piloting the helicopter. “Isn’t it fun knowing our commander likes using us as meat shields?”

 

            “It’s why we get paid for, though.”

 

            “D*mn right it is!” Emma shouted over the radio and slamming her boot on the floor. The relative silence was short. Over the radio Katie’s voice let them know, “We have an unknown person at two o’clock! They’re armed!”

 

            Flandre could see someone on a nearby rooftop in front of them with their foot up to help balance, of all things, a rocket launcher. No rocket shot out of the weapon and no one in the helicopter saw the blast until it hit. The impact tore the helicopter to shreds.

 

            “Was the f*ck kind of rocket was that?!” the pilot shouted as he watched Katie’s helicopter hit the ground. She had just managed to get in front of their helicopter and took the hit instead. The Black Ops team had no chance to recover. The enemy didn’t give them time. Whoever it was didn’t seem to need to reload their weapon and the second shot took out the helicopter that Flandre, Emma, and the Fake Type Knights were in. Windows shattered, cutting exposed skin as it was hurled through the air, and the sound of engine failure overwhelmed the sound of the rotors trying to keep them in the air. All the engine’s efforts were for nothing and soon the helicopter plummeted to the ground.

 

            Looking back over his shoulders as the second helicopter fell from the sky Nexev shouted in disbelief, “What the actual f*ck!?”

 

            “Nexev! I’m going after the target! Go get Flandre and Emma!” Joey’s helicopter passed by Nexev’s and he nodded to it. They had luckily found the Fake Type Knights just before they reached the tunnels that lied underneath the more populated areas of the city; and Yugo Prison gave them a route that flew them over sparsely populated area. Even if it could have turned out much, much worse Nexev still felt his stomach knot up when he stepped out of the helicopter and saw the burning wreckage. Without thinking Nexev rushed towards the burning twisted pile of steel. He skidded to a stop from the intense heat and raised his arms up to guard his face. Lowering them he tried to look through the blistering fire for anyone. “Flandre! Emma! Use your smoke pellets to suffocate the flames and I’ll come get you!”

 

            In spite of Nexev’s order, and preparing his own smoke pellets, before any of them were able to hurl them to suffocate the fire the helicopter exploded. The force knocked Nexev off his feet and before the concussion knocked him out he could see the helicopter completely consumed in flames.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

            “D*mn it!” Nexev shouted over the echo of his fist hitting the side of his helicopter, “I should have been the one guarding the Fake Type Knights, not Flandre!”

 

            “All that would’ve changed is that it’d be you being filed as deceased instead of Flandre.” Joey ran his hand through his dirty blonde hair and leaned his head back against the brick wall of the prison, smoke drifting up from his cigarette. It hadn’t taken very long for the Moderators to catch wind that the helicopters transporting the Fake Type Knights had come under fire. In that time the Moderators had been preparing to rendezvous with them at the half-way point; Flandre and Emma’s helicopter never got one third of the way.

 

            The Moderators had put out the fire and searched for bodies. Of course, there were none after the explosion and no one could have survived the explosion. Now no one knew what to do really. Flandre was dead. Emma was dead. The Fake Type Knights were dead and with them any chance of understanding why they had attempted to murder Fusion and DL.

 

            It seemed like the case would go unsolved.

 

            The sound of the door creaking open caught everyone’s attention and no one expected to see Emma step through the doorway. She was covered in blood, her right arm hung loosely against her body, and she was covered in a mixture of fire and black smoke. But she was alive. Flame Dragon shot up from his seat and caught Emma as her legs gave out, “Get Alfred in here! Emma, can you hear me?”

 

            Emma coughed and nodded her head, using Draco to steady herself. When she looked at her teammates from behind her disheveled raven hair Nexev and Joey knew, their mission was far from over. When Emma had been looked over by the Mod Doctor and given an all clear on any life threatening injuries she explained how she had managed to survive.

 

            The impact hadn’t given the wounded helicopter much airtime left before it went nose first towards the ground. Worse was that the helicopter was spinning as it fell back to Earth kicking up shattered glass and anything else inside that wasn’t bolted down. Emma knew time was running out but her mind chose to focus on Flandre instead; she didn’t have time to worry about the Fake Type Knights. If they timed it right they’d be able to unbuckle and squeeze their way out of the broken window then deploy their parachute.

 

            The only problem was that Flandre’s buckle wouldn’t come undone. She reached for her knife to cut him free, or stab him if the helicopter lurched the wrong way, but Flandre seemed to have other ideas. His unable to free himself, his light sabers long since flown out the window, Flandre kicked Emma in the chest hard enough to smash her against the badly damaged door. The hinges already barely holding on the force of Emma hitting them was more than enough to rip them from their rivets. The door had popped off and sent Emma hurling through the air and far from the crash site where she landed. Even if she had deployed her parachute the impact would have knocked her out immediately.

 

            “So now what?” Sora asked. He and a few of the others Moderators had arrived in time to hear Emma’s survival story and be briefed on what had happened. Underneath Flame Dragon’s right arm was a bundle of pictures and he spread them out for everyone to see. “After we got the fire out I quarantined the area off and started to collect any evidence I could. I couldn’t figure out what hit the helicopter, but I did manage to find these.”

 

            “Footprints?” Sora asked picking up one of the pictures. “I managed to find two sets of footprints leading away from the wreckage.”

 

            “Flandre would have already reported back to us,” Emma commented then coughed. Flame Dragon nodded his head as if he had wanted Emma to say that before he continued, “That’s why we believe it’s the Fake Type Knights. They managed to survive the crash and escape on foot before the helicopter exploded.

 

            “Or Flandre has been captured by one of the remaining Fake Type Knights,” Joey suggested with a glimmer of hope. That hope disappeared when Sora shook his head, “For now we’ll assume it’s both of the Fake Type Knights and that Flandre is deceased. It’s only been a few hours since the explosion and with the wounds the Fake Type Knights had to have received they shouldn’t have gotten far.”

 

            “At the very least they’ll need to seek medical treatment,” Alfred chimed in, “You don’t just plummet out of the sky and walk away unharmed.” Emma chuckled dryly at the comment.

 

            “Right we’ve already issued a report to the local police to make a check point at every clinic and hospital in the immediate area,” Flame Dragon said, “We’ve also sent Hal and Mary to ‘Karon Kills’ in case the Fake Type Knights attempt to get treatment there. Hopefully Sabakuro or Rogue will understand the gravity of the situation and not interfere.”

 

            “Joey, I’m going to have you support the hospital watch. That was where they were going when you found them and they might make a bee line there for whatever reason they have. It’s suicide but we can’t underestimate them again. Just keep in constant radio contact, understand?”

 

            Joey saluted Emma and she nodded back satisfied. With Joey gone to his post, his mind reeling with the possibility of running into the Fake Type Knights and what he might do if such an event did miraculously happen, Nexev stood up. His right hand pushed his shattered yellow-tinted glasses back in place, his amber eyes aimed at his boss, “So where do we go?”

 

            “We’re going to track the Fake Type Knights down.” There was no hint of worry in her voice that the Moderators would force her to stop. Indeed Emma knew that even in her condition the Moderators were again looking for all the help they could get. Her suspicions were confirmed when Sora agreed.

 

            “Sway”

 

            “Emma, Nexev, just be careful.” Emma waved over her shoulder at Sora as she left. Now alone Sora and Draco shared a moment’s piece before they headed out to the Tower of Any Other. Things were becoming more hectic than they ever thought it would and it was as good a time as any to get the Super Moderators together and figure out what they were going to do next. Or try to figure out just what was going on.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

            It hadn’t taken long for Nexev to drive him and Emma to their destination. They stepped through the metal detectors and showed their IDs when the buzzer went off. A few moments later they were standing in front of the prison warden. Yin didn’t need to be brought up to speed, Marble Zone had done that for them, and all Emma needed to do was explain what she wanted.

 

            The plan was crazy even by Nexev’s standards. And he was a guy who rode around on a pink pony during the Inactive War. But he didn’t question Emma and trusted she knew what she was doing. If anything else he’d finally get an excuse to shoot the guy they were here for if he tried anything. Yin led them to a secured door and swiped her card through a scanner. The buzzer signaling the door was unlocked went off and they continued on through.  Walking through the prison the Emma and Yin kept their eyes forward. Nexev on the other hand took the opportunity to look around at all of the empty prison cells, “Where are all the criminals?”

 

            “Out in the yard,” Yin said without stopping or looking back, “I figured it would be better if all of the other inmates didn’t get to hear the latest news bulletins.”

 

            “Makes sense.” Nexev returned to scanning the reinforced steel bars of the prison cells in case there was a prisoner who happened to not be out in the yard; or on the extremely unlikely chance the Fake Type Knights were around. Through the prison the group went until they reached Cell Block E- solitary confinement.

 

            “So how’s Kenta doing these days?”

 

            “In solitary,” Yin said in the same manner as before, “He hasn’t caused any trouble and if he keeps up the model behavior he might be given a new parole hearing ten to twenty years earlier than expected.”

 

            The conversation was interrupted by laughter and something banging against something else. Not normal laughter, but hysterical laughter. Tense and ready to draw their guns Yin raised her hand, “We’re here.”

 

            “Honey? Honey there’s a cockroach in my soup! I demand another!” Wynn shouted from his cell, hurling the foam plate at the Plexiglas window, “The service here sucks!”

 

            “Seems some things never change,” Emma said dryly looking at Wynn still laughing. Yin merely nodded her head, watching Wynn. The psychopath stood up and pressed his entire body up against the Plexiglas with a grin, “Hey honey cakes, I just had the craziest dream. In my dream, I killed all the saggers, swaggers and their duck-faced girlfriends.”

 

            “I called it . . .” Wynn took a step back and waved his arms over his head to emphasis his words, “The Yolocaust!”

 

            “Tell me Wynn. Have you been sexually molested yet because we can come back another time,” Nexev mocked and jumped back, hand on his weapon, when Wynn slammed head first into the Plexiglas. His breath fogging up the Plexiglas Wynn’s almost unnatural smile returned, “Why don’t you come in for a visit and try it yourself?”

 

            “Wynn, do you know why we’re here?” Yin asked. Wynn nodded his head and bit his finger as he looked at Yin, “It’s because you want me sugar mama! You can’t resist this body! Now you’ve even brought a couple friends! Oh . . . . foursome tonight in my cell!”

 

            Wynn slammed his head back against the wall and tried to peer around to the other cells, “Ya hear that f*ckers!? While you’re beating off all alone I’ll be having a foursome b*tches!”

 

            “We’re here for your help,” Emma stated bluntly. For once Wynn seemed to be caught off guard. His smile disappeared completely and he took a step back to look at Emma. When he looked her up and down before one could only wonder what he was thinking, but now he it appeared as if he was trying to figure out if she was serious or just playing with him. When he had decided she was serious he jumped on his bed and crossed his legs, looking up at the white ceiling and counted the imaginary stars he had painted on it, “Then you’re pretty f*cking desperate if you’ve come to me for help.”

 

            “If you help capture the Fake Type Knights and follow Mrs. Hollow’s orders exactly then the Moderators are willing to consider it time served.” Yin’s words sunk in. Wynn’s smile returned and he jumped off the bed with a single bounce, trotting over so he stood in front of Emma. “Mrs. Hollow, consider your offer accepted! Now get me the f*ck out of here so we can start this balls-to-the-motherf*cking-walls party!”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

            “Hello?” Velma called out, cautiously. Sora had led the charge to find the Fake Type Knights after they had escaped; allowing her to remain behind and ensure her family was all safe. She had planned to leave to the Tower of Any Other when she received the e-mail stating there was going to be a meeting. An unregistered phone number had changed those plans when the voice told her to meet her at Yumiko’s house. Velma gripped on the door handle, listening for what she had just heard. Or what she thought she had heard.

 

            Lifting her hand from the door Velma carefully stepped further into the house and reached for metal pinchers. When a lamp flicked on, Velma felt her heart leap. She spun around, hand withdrawing her pistol as well, and spotted someone sitting in the chair.

 

            “Hello Velma.”

 

            “God d*mn it Nob-”

 

            “Desperado Finale

 

            “Desperado Finale . . . what the Hell are you doing here?” Velma asked keeping one hand close to her weapon. Nobou may be a vigilante but with what had happened with the Fake Type Knights Velma wasn’t going to take chances; him with being a former Status Member it only made her that much more paranoid. “Where’s Clair?”

 

            Desperado shrugged and almost began to chuckle.

 

            Lifting himself up, Nobou swung his fists in the air at the invisible opponent, then relaxed enough to swing back, sweat dripping onto the ground beneath him. His attention was only half on the television set in the distance but when the program was interrupted for a new bulletin his interest was caught. Nobou paused the television and swung his arms up to the ceiling so he could untie one foot. One foot untied Nobou worked the other one free and landed on his feet. The news story unpaused he sat down on his cluttered sofa to listen to the reporter.

 

            “. . . . We will continue covering this story as more information comes out.” Nobou turned the television off then leaned forward, fingers intertwined, “Seems things have gotten interesting when I wasn’t looking.” The grin back on his face Nobou bound out of the room and returned a few minutes later, snapping the last buckle of his armor.

 

            “Yeah, I didn’t have anything planned tonight anyways . . .” Nobou told himself putting his visor on before he opened a window. Throwing his arm out to grab hold of a wire Nobou swung onto the opposing rooftop; grinning in enjoyment at being given an excuse to go out as ‘Desperado Finale’. After the Wiseman Incident there hadn’t been much to do for him to continue acting as a vigilante, though Striker did serve as temporary amusement, but now the Fake Type Knights being wanted for quite the list of charges was too good to pass up for anything- almost anything. Massages from Raine came first. That and free tacos.

 

            Soaring over building after building Desperado reached his destination, although slower than he had been able to in the past. “I might actually be getting old,” he noted landing. He began to scan the crowd of reporters for Clair, “Ah! There you are . . .”

 

            “So are we good for the night?” the camera man had asked Clair moments before Desperado Finale swooped in, snatched her up, and disappeared over the top of a distant building. On top of the distant roof Desperado set Clair down, though he kept his hand covering her mouth, “Now if I remove my hand will you promise not to scream ‘rape’ or something just as stupid?”

 

            Clair scowled at Desperado. The vigilante removed his hand and was greeted with a kick to the knee, toppling him. Clair then giving his knee another swift kick, “Desperado Finale who the hell do you think you are?! You can’t just snatch a woman up off the streets like you’re Spider-Man!”

 

            “Point taken,” Desperado got back to his feet and rubbed his knee, “Just too good to pass up though.”

 

            “Please tell me you have a better reason for kidnapping me than just nostalgic thrill seeking.”

 

            “Of course,” Desperado nodded crossing his arms, “I need you to get me a meeting with Velma.”

 

            Desperado Finale’s smile turned into a frown then a scowl when Clair started to laugh at him. Clair laughed so hard he had to hold onto the side of the roof for support and tears formed in her eyes; glancing at him only made her laughter continue. Huffing Desperado raised his eyebrow, “What’s so f***ing funny?”

 

            “What makes you think Crab Helmet would want to see you?” Clair asked just barely able to contain the small fit of giggles, “Why do you even want to talk to Crab Helmet?”

 

            “I saw the story about the Fake Type Knights,” Desperado stated and he saw that the mention of the other vigilantes put an end to all of Clair’s laughter. Sighing Desperado leaned forward and spoke a bit louder to ensure she heard him, “I am going to find the Fake Type Knights. I’m also going to figure out what’s really going on. First Yumiko is murdered in her own home and the Moderators say they have no leads. Then the Fake Type Knights are arrested for a laundry list of reasons only to escape! Velma and the other Moderators know something they’re not willing to let everyone else know. They’re covering it up . . . and I’m going to find out what it is!”

 

            “Nobou, I doubt Crab Helmet or any of the other Moderators are going to allow another vigilante to help,” Clair flipped her hair over her shoulder, looking away from him, “Oh, and Mods don’t lie Nobou . . .”

 

            Desperado waved his hand in front of his face, adding sarcastically, “Uh yeah and Life kissed retarded babies instead of putting their cute little heads on a pike! You can’t tell me something is fishy is going on.”

 

            Clair didn’t answer, her arms crossed to keep herself warm on the rooftop. “Clair, all I need you to do is get me the opportunity to speak to her. Clair they’re practically the government, lying is their job!”

 

            “I don’t know how much good it’ll do but you’re not going to take no for an answer are you?” Nobou gave her a nod to confirm she was right. Clair bite her lower lip, thinking, then stated, “I can get her to meet you . . . err . . . me . . . at Yumi’s house. I’ll just have to call her and come up with an-”

 

            “Got it!”

 

            “Hey wait!” Clair shouted watching Desperado Finale swing away, “How am I supposed to get down!? Desperado Finale! YOU ASS HOLE!!!!”

 

            “If I had to guess she’s probably already called her news station and they’re using a helicopter to get her off of the roof I left her on . . . or maybe she called the fire station. I don’t really know to be honest. But I’m certain we can see it tonight on YCN!”

 

            “Well if Clair isn’t here,” Velma turned to open the door. The Moderator’s grip loosened when Nobou spoke, “I’m here to help track down the Fake Type Knights.”

 

            Seeing that the vigilante wasn’t going to continue Velma sighed, finally removing her hand from her pistol, “Look, I’m thankful you want to help. But Nob-”

 

            “Desperado . . .”

 

            “Nobou, listen to me. I’m serious. Don’t get involved.”

 

             “Look Velma, you can try to talk me out of this until you’re blue in the face but you know how this is going to go. I am going to help because, out of practice as I am, I still have more of a chance finding them than you do and I have more contacts than you Mods do. Not to mention Desperado Finale can go places and do things that people might not approve of a Mod doing.”

 

            Nobou grinned when Velma turned her back to him, running her hand through her brown hair- he knew he had her. “Just promise that if you find anything . . . anything you’ll call me and wait for back up?”

 

            “Yes ma’am!” Desperado answered, giving a mocking salute. Walking out of the house he glanced back at the Mod, who was resealing the crime scene, grinning, “Pfft! Like I’m really going to keep that promise! I don’t need your permission to do anything, but thanks for letting me see the crime scene!”

 

-Location Change: Streets of Deck Forum-

 

            “F*ck Yeah!” Desperado Finale screamed as he swung over the poor souls stuck in traffic who worked night shifts. Free-falling he waited until the last possible second to zip a wire to fasten into the siding of a nearby building. Running over the tops of parked cars the vigilante leapt back into the air. “Now this is what I missed most of all,” Nobou thought gaining altitude so he could see the city better, the mass of dazzling lights passed by in a blur. Landing on the ledge of the YCM Ultra Hotel he removed the visor for a moment to wipe sweat from his forehead. “D*mn I’ve been at this for hours and I haven’t spotted any signs of the Fake Type Knights or any of my old contacts,” Nobou complained sliding down to sit, “Maybe I should have made a list . . . or maybe kept in touch?”

 

            The wind picked up making clouds gather above the city, cutting more of the moon and stars off and sending the temperature dipping. Peering up at the mass of clouds Nobou put his visor back on so he could see, turning to look at the top floors with a grin, “Wonder if I could get Lora to help me? Hell it’s a Thursday night so she shouldn’t be doing anything but grading papers.” Running by light and dark windows, keeping his eyes on the top floors, Nobou shot the wire out in order to get somewhere higher and landed on a nearby building. The wire zipped back into his waist guard, rolling neatly up, as he turned to look back at the Hotel, “Speaking of which why haven’t I seen her lately? Guess grading papers takes more time than I thought.”

 

            “What’s this?” Nobou said out loud, his thoughts interrupted when his visor beeped an alert. A display popped up to inform him that a silent alarm had been tripped- a moment later the alarm disappeared.

 

            “So either ‘Mane Tech’ has a faulty security system or someone just broke in and shut the alarm off.” Nobou groaned and shook his head, “Always assume the worst . . . guess that means I have to go check it out . . .”

 

            Reaching the origin of the silent alarm Desperado moved as quietly as possible, one hand resting on Cerberus in case he needed to shoot first and ask questions later. When he believed that no one else was around he stood up, walking over to the skylight that was obviously picked open.

 

“Guess this is as open an invitation as I’ll get.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Time Skip: Backwards

 

            The helicopter had just crash landed into the ground below, its steel frame warping as it rolled to a complete stop. Sven and Hiru had started to wake up the same time Flandre had, but before they could figure out where they were or what had happened the impact of whatever had hit them knocked them out again. Now reawakening for the second time Sven couldn’t spot the helicopter anywhere around him. In fact from what he could tell he was nowhere near the crash site. Yet when he turned his head he could see Hiru.

 

            Fortunately he was alive as well.

 

            “Hey boss! One of them is awake!” Sven could hear the stranger scoot back a wooden chair and run off. In his absence Sven tried to move his arms, get himself up, so he could fight back if he needed too. Last thing he really remembered was . . . Sven’s expression grew grim as he turned to see who had just walked in. He was greeted with the last person he’d expect, a cigarette clenched between his toothy grin.

 

            “Sup b*tch?”

 

            “Striker!?”

[/spoiler]

[/spoiler]

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Your grammar could use some work still. I noticed a few problems with tense so make sure you're having your people really buckle down on that. You too I suppose. I enjoyed the humor and characters seem fun and interesting enough so far. I do know though that there's going to be a sh*t ton more popping up so I hope you can maintain it well enough. All in all it's a very nice start and I'm looking forward to what else is to come and I'm not just saying that because the character based off of me is actually sort of important this time around.

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 [spoiler=Original Post]

Your grammar could use some work still. I noticed a few problems with tense so make sure you're having your people really buckle down on that. You too I suppose.

 

Well hopefully that will get better over the chapters. I hope it's not so bad to be a deterrent to the story.

 

I enjoyed the humor and characters seem fun and interesting enough so far. I do know though that there's going to be a sh*t ton more popping up so I hope you can maintain it well enough.

 

Thank you. Yes there is going to be a lot more characters coming up or at least being mentioned so I do hope I wont have one person in two places (>>)

 

All in all it's a very nice start and I'm looking forward to what else is to come and I'm not just saying that because the character based off of me is actually sort of important this time around.

 

Yeah, don't go thinking too much about your character's importance.

[/spoiler]

 

Here are a few extra "treats" for everyone.

 

[spoiler=Biographies]

[spoiler=Hito Watanabe]

SamuraiHito_zps009e0b1d.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Samurai Hito

D.O.B./Age: 35 (DECEASED), July 15th

Gender: Male

Race: African America / Japanese

Blood Type: AB+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Inactive, Akatsuki Member, Banned Member

Hobby: Sword Collecting

 

{Physique}

Height: 6’ 5’’

Weight: 224 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Drop Out

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Bloncordo Sword
  • Nugora Sword
  • Katana

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 4

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 5

Killing Intent- 5

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Addy]

Addy_zps79e17c7d.jpg

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Tamane]

Tamane-chan_zps8a47e5d7.jpeg

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Enzax Aito]

Based off of -> Lecreateur

EnzaxCreatorAito_zps3bc51ab9.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Lich Creator, Creator, Emperor Aito

Age/D.O.B.: 15 – 40, July 18th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: O-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Complicated

Job/Occupation: Tech Division of the Banned - Emperor, Vagabond

Hobby: Inventing

Family:

  1. Creation- PROTO
  2. Father- Hideaki
  3. Mother- Alexandria
  4. Mother of Children- Emma Commali
  5. Step-Brother- Donovyn
  6. Step-Father- Xavier

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 9’’

Weight: 171 lbs. - 218 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Glasses

 

{Mental}

Attitude: Egotistical, megalomaniacal, and condescending to all but the few people he does respect, Enzax views the world and it’s populace as things for him to manipulate to reach his goals. He will use any and all tactics in his disposal to achieve his goals no matter how lofty they might seem to others. A certifiable genius, Enzax is a master at inventing capable of figuring out most technology within a relatively short span of time.

Fear(s):

  • Atelophobia - Fear of imperfection
  • Atychiphobia - Fear of failure

Education: High School Diploma, IQ of 169

Moral Alignment: Neutral Evil

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Moonstone Cannon
  • Gunblade
  • Proto-Frac
    • Giant PROTO
  • Ultima

 

{Quotes/Theme}

"Progress" - Enzax Aito

“King of the World”- Emperor Aito

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 2

Defense- 2

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 5

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 5

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Velma Crab]

Based off of -> Crab Helmet

VelmaCrab_zps1a02733a.png

Aliases/Nicknames: Crab Helmet

D.O.B./Age: 38 - 63, July 3rd

Gender: Female

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: O+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Divorced

Job/Occupation: Super Mod - Super Mod

Hobby: Quilting

Family:

  1. Daughter- Akane
  2. Ex-Husband- Gary
  3. Granddaughter- Lisa
  4. Grandson- David
  5. Son- Xazeon
  6. Son-In-Law- Christian

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 2’’

Weight: 216 lbs. - 179 lbs.

Bust: D-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Diploma, Mod Educational Training

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Machine Gun
  • Shotgun
    • Normal ammunition, plasma ammunition and rubber bullets
  • Metallic Pincers; capable of slicing through steel
  • Soul; increases Strength & Speed tenfold

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 3

Speed- 2

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Lily Noe]

LilyNoe_zpsd6a483f1.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 14 – 39, July 18th

Gender: Female

Race: Norwegian

Blood Type: A-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: In a Relationship

Job/Occupation: Inactive Member - Damage Control, Powerforce Member

Hobby: Nail art

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 5’’

Weight: 83 lbs. - 194 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Carbon Nail Extensions

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 2

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 2

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Albert Roxas]

Based off of -> Phantom Roxas

Roxas_zpsec92c8be.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Al, Phantom Roxas, PR, Roxas

D.O.B./Age: 24 - 49, July 29th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: O+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Engaged

Job/Occupation: Super Mod - Super Mod

Hobby: Socializing with Friends

Relationships

Family:

  1. Brother- Sora

Friend(s):

  1. Master- Odin

Lover:

  1. Fiancée- Larissa

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 11’’

Weight: 227 lbs. - 238 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Diploma, Mod Educational Training

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Dark Keyblade
  • Light Keyblade

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 3

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 5

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Draco Flame]

Based off of -> Flame Dragon

DracoFlame_zps192a06bb.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Flame Dragon

D.O.B./Age: 34 - 59, October 13th

Gender: Male

Race: Australian

Blood Type: B+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Divorced

Job/Occupation: Super Mod - Super Mod

Hobby: Flying Planes

Family:

  1. Daughter- Marylyn Flame
  2. Ex-Wife- Roxi

 

{Physique}

Height: 6’ 1’’

Weight: 205 lbs. - 209 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Diploma, Mod Educational Training

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Flamethrower
  • Long Sword
  • Boomerangs, Flame Rigged

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 4

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Daniel Link]

Daniel_zps1c48937e.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Danny, Dan

D.O.B./Age: 16, May 30th

Gender: Male

Race: Japanese America

Blood Type: B+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Pizza Delivery Boy

Hobby: Physical Training

Family:

  1. Mother- Kari
  2. Father- Daisuke
  3. Eldest Sister- Sarah
  4. Youngest Sister- Keiko
  5. Aunts- Loren, Aqua & Kana
  6. Uncle- Joseph
  7. Cousin- Hiru
  8. Grandfather- Hirako & Odin
  9. Step-Grandfather- Reggie
  10. Grandmother- Aiko & Blair

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 6’’

Weight: 219 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            Daniel is a typical playboy, or at least he is in his own mind. Always either hitting on a girl or sneaking peeks at their panties his is interested in only two other things, getting stronger and his friends. Sneaky and sometimes a bit nefarious Daniel has high ambitions of becoming more famous than his father.

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Steel Claws; Capable of Extending to Seven Feet, Quick Retraction Time

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Sarah Kailey Link]

SarahLink_zps5932ec0e.png

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 17, December 31st

Gender: Female

Race: Japanese America

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Akatsuki Assistants

Hobby: People Watching

Family:

  1. Mother- Karin
  2. Father- Daisuke
  3. Brother- Daniel
  4. Sister- Keiko
  5. Aunt- Loren, Kana & Aqua
  6. Uncle- Joseph
  7. Cousin- Hiru
  8. Grandfather- Hirako & Odin
  9. Step-Grandfather- Reggie
  10. Grandmother- Aiko & Blair

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 1’’

Weight: 144 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: Ears, Belly Button

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            Coming off as rude and incredibly blunt Sarah is the type of girl to speak her mind. Though she doesn’t insult people unless she feels they deserved it, she also will praise someone if they do indeed come up with a good idea. Proud and arrogant Sarah enjoys when she wins and often times grows furious when she loses.

Fear(s):

Cats

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

None

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

“Troublemaker”

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Keiko Annette Link]

KeikoLink_zps3700a92b.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Kei, K-K

D.O.B./Age: 17, January 1st

Gender: Female

Race: Japanese America

Blood Type: B+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Akatsuki Assistants

Hobby: People Watching

Family:

  1. Mother- Karin
  2. Father- Daisuke
  3. Brother- Daniel
  4. Sister- Sarah
  5. Aunt- Loren, Kana & Aqua
  6. Uncle- Joseph
  7. Cousin- Hiru
  8. Grandfather- Hirako & Odin
  9. Step-Grandfather- Reggie
  10. Grandmother- Aiko & Blair

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 1’’

Weight: 145 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: Ears

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            Keiko seems to be an airhead but has one of the highest test scores in the entire school. She has a bit of a sadistic side since she enjoys belittling people with comments or even outright insulting them; she always gets off doing this since people see her as being dumb. Out of the two twins she is the easier going, adding to her appearance of being a stupid blonde.

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

None

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

“I’m Strange and I like It”

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Alejandro Ian Make]

Alejandro_zps56defcbc.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Al

D.O.B./Age: 16, October 20th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: A-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Quickie Employee (Fast Food Worker)

Hobby: Physical Training

Family:

  1. Mother- Rui
  2. Father- Elfman
  3. Aunt- Rogue
  4. Uncle- Noboru
  5. Cousin- Sven
  6. Grandfather- Nathan & Sabakuro
  7. Grandmother- Kimberly & Tomoe

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 9’’

Weight: 128 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            Alejandro is generally the tough guy of his group. If something is bothering him he is more prone to take it and work it out alone then drag his friends into it. Loyal he values his friends and wouldn’t ever think of betraying them for anything in the world. Though he is interested in girls he isn’t a big flirt or particularly pays attention to any confessions, yet he isn’t above being a bit of a pervert; however he does have affections for Lisa.

Fear(s):

  • Loosing, seeing Lisa getting seriously hurt

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Bloncordo Sword

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=David Duncan Denver]

Davie_zpse5bd0748.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Davie

D.O.B./Age: 12, June 5th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: AB+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: None

Hobby: Computers

Family:

  1. Mother- Akane
  2. Father- Christian
  3. Sister- Lisa
  4. Grandfather- Eric & Gary
  5. Grandmother- Martha & Velma
  6. Uncle- Xazeon

 

{Physique}

Height: 4’ 11’’

Weight: 137 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Glasses

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            Generally shy and quiet many people think David is nothing more than Lisa’s little brother and hardly take the time to get to know him. Yet underneath this shy exterior David is incredibly smart, capable of hacking into computer networks at amazing speed and figuring things out with ease. When he is in his element he begins to be confident and even boastful.

Fear(s):

  • The Dark

Education: Junior High Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

N/A

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 1

Defense- 1

Speed- 1

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 2

Killing Intent- 1

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Lisa Rose Denver]

LisaDenver_zps408cbbe8.jpg

[spoiler=Lisa Red Dress]

LisaRedDress_zps9fe1bc0a.jpg

[/spoiler]

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 16, April 9th

Gender: Female

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Intern for Cortez Shutaru

Hobby: Fishing

Family:

  1. Aunt- Grace
  2. Brother- David
  3. Father- Christian
  4. Grandfather- Eric & Gary
  5. Grandmother- Martha & Velma
  6. Mother- Akane
  7. Uncle- Xazeon

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’

Weight: 136 lbs.

Bust: A-Cup

Piercing: Ears

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            Lisa is kind and the poster child for what it is to be a normal teenage girl. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and shopping, though her true passions lie in marine life. She hates to fight and seeing other people getting hurt will cause her to jump in the way to protect someone, regardless if they’re friend or foe. Despite having a few boyfriends over the years Lisa is deeply in love with Al, though even mentioning dating him will cause her to blush.

Fear(s):

Education: Student

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Scythe

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 2

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Rachel Anastasia Comali]

RachelAito_zps5a523ca1.png

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 17, January 31st

Gender: Female

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: O+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Dojo Assistant

Hobby: Inventing

Family:

  1. Mother- Emma
  2. Step-Brother- Zugai Hollow
  3. Step-Father- Blake
  4. Step-Grandfather- Michael
  5. Step-Grandmother- Jami
  6. Step-Uncle- Neo
  7. Twin Sister- Lyn

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 3’’

Weight: 143 lbs.

Bust: D-Cup

Piercing: Ears and Belly Button

Tattoo(s): Name on her upper back

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            Best described as a “firecracker”, Rachel enjoys proving her superiority to everyone anywhere and anytime. Unlike Zugai and, to a lesser degree, Lyn she enjoys causing trouble and disobeying her parents. Mostly a problem child to those who don’t know her, Rachel is incredibly smart though she only feels school is holding her back. In her spare time she invents contraptions to sell to make enough money to achieve her goal, which was inspired by the former Emperor.

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Pistol
  • Whatever else is usable

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Setsuna]

SetsunaNatsuki_zps2f27121f.jpg

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Lyn Angelia Comali]

LynAito_zps67ca64fd.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 17, March 1st

Gender: Female

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: B+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Dojo Assistant

Hobby: Inventing

Family:

  1. Mother- Emma
  2. Step-Brother- Zugai Hollow
  3. Step-Father- Blake
  4. Step-Grandfather- Michael
  5. Step-Grandmother- Jami
  6. Step-Uncle- Neo
  7. Twin Sister- Rachel

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 4’’

Weight: 145 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: Ears

Tattoo(s): Name on her upper back

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            While Rachel is the more extreme of the two Lyn is generally calm and quiet, only speaking when she feels it is needed. Since she hardly speaks or addresses anyone people believe she is smarter than her sister, who has gained a reputation of being the “bad girl” type, though Lyn is just as devious as Rachel. Also like her sister Lyn invents devices to sell for their future goal, which neither have stated exactly what it is, though unlike Rachel is willing to give some away if the cause is worthy.

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Pistol
  • Whatever else is usable

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Zugai Mathias Hollow]

ZugaiHollow_zpsa267d863.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 16, March 22nd

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: AB+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Wendy’s Cashier

Hobby: Meditation

 

{Family/Friends/Acquaintances}

Family:

  1. Eldest Step-Sister- Rachel
  2. Father- Blake
  3. Grandfather- Darren & Michael
  4. Grandmother- Rosalyn & Jami
  5. Mother- Emma
  6. Uncle- Neo
  7. Youngest Step-Sister- Lyn

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 1’’

Weight: 181 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

            Straight forward and honest, Zugai’s upbringing underneath the Mod Blake has lead him to try and be the best on his best behavior. Known for being serious most of the time he will loosen up when not under supervision. Since he is the son of a Mod Zugai has a very clear definition of right and wrong, believing nothing can change his ideals.

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Lawful Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Diamond Knuckles

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Hanna]

HannaBlackmore_zps1506fbf0.jpg

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Lorana Angelia Valiant]

LoraTeacher_zps7feaf554.jpeg

Aliases/Nicknames: Lora

D.O.B./Age: 15 – 40, March 11th

Gender: Female

Race: Hispanic / Caucasian

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Home Schooled Student, Banned Member - English Teacher

Hobby: Singing

Family:

  1. Adopted Father- Jacob
  2. Adopted Aunt- Jackie
  3. Adopted Uncle- Michael
  4. Adopted Grandfather- Frank
  5. Adopted Grandmother- Deborah

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 8’’

Weight: 117 lbs. - 165 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: Both Ears

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s):

  • Lizards

Education: High School Diploma, Teaching Degree

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Carbon Steel Plated Staff; Capable of Changing Size from 3’ to 8’ and Energy Bow Form

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

“Watch Me Shine”

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Isaac Guile]

IsaacGuile_zpsa863598f.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Mr. G

D.O.B./Age: 44 – 69, May 14th

Gender: Male

Race: Hebrew

Blood Type: B-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Yugo High Teacher - Yugo High Teacher

Hobby: Reading

 

{Physique}

Height: 6’

Weight: 221 lbs. - 147 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Glasses

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Diploma, Teaching Degree

Moral Alignment: Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • None

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 1

Defense- 1

Speed- 1

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 1

Killing Intent- 1

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Adam]

AdamLampert_zps963e5c7f.jpg

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Max Maximus]

Maximus_zpse3ad32d4.jpg

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Katara Ayako]

KataraAyako_zps0c6ba603.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: None

Age/D.O.B.: 15 - 40, August 5th

Gender: Female

Race: Native Alaskan

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: High School Student - Nurse, Yugo High / Part-Time Waitress

Hobby: Ink Painting

 

{Physique}

Height: 4’ 8’’

Weight: 128 lbs. - 162 lbs.

Bust: D-Cup

Piercing: Ears

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Diploma, Nursing Degree

Moral Alignment: Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • None

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 1

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Akane Crab]

AkaneCrab_zpsc1f758f7.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Aka

D.O.B./Age: 15 - 40, May 25th

Gender: Female

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married

Job/Occupation: Inactive/Banned Member, High School Student – Stay at Home Mother

Hobby: Origami

Family:

  1. Brother- Xazeon
  2. Daughter- Lisa
  3. Father- Gary
  4. Father-In-Law- Martha
  5. Husband- Christian
  6. Mother- Velma
  7. Mother-In-Law- Eric
  8. Sister-In-Law- Grace
  9. Son- David

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 4’’

Weight: 128 lbs. - 114 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Two different colored eyes

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Staff

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 2

Defense- 3

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Christian Denver]

ChristianDenverFusion_zps6f497fcb.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Fuse, Fusion

D.O.B./Age: 16 - 41, May 10th
Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: B+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married

Job/Occupation: Banned Member - Journalist

Hobby: Reading

Family:

  1. Father- Eric
  2. Mother- Martha
  3. Sister- Grace
  4. Wife- Akane
  5. Son- David
  6. Daughter- Lisa
  7. Mother-In-Law- Velma
  8. Father-In-Law- Gary
  9. Brother-In-Law- Xazeon

 

{Physique}

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 182 lbs. - 233 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student Diploma, Journalism Degree

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Hammer; Spinning Head, Electrical Field, Fire Coated, Rocket Propelled, Increase Size & Spiked

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 4

Speed- 2

Intelligence- 2

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Martha Denver]

MarthaDenver_zps5ad61e3c.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 38 - 63, September 11th

Gender: Female

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married

Job/Occupation: Day Care Worker - Retired

Hobby: Cooking

Family:

  1. Daughter- Grace
  2. Daughter-In-Law- Akane
  3. Granddaughter- Lisa
  4. Grandson- David
  5. Husband- Eric
  6. Son- Christian
  7. Son-In-Law- Xazeon

 

{Physique}

Height: 4’ 1’’

Weight: 182 lbs. - 179 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: Both ears

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma

Moral Alignment: Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

None

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 1

Defense- 1

Speed- 1

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 1

Killing Intent- 1

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Rue Karnon]

RuiKarnon_zps2b9f12f8.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 17 – 42, January 12th

Gender: Female

Race: Japanese

Blood Type: A-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married

Job/Occupation: Nurse Aid - Stay at Home Mom, Children’s Dentist

Hobby: Go Kart Racing

Family:

  1. Aunt- Fumiko
  2. Cousin- Rogue
  3. Father- Sabakuro
  4. Father-In-Law- Nathan
  5. Grandfather- Shin
  6. Grandmother- Sakura
  7. Husband- Elfman
  8. Mother- Tomoe
  9. Mother-In-Law- Kimberly
  10. Nephew- Sven
  11. Son- Alejandro
  12. Uncle- Shinichi

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 5’’

Weight: 145 lbs. - 179 lbs.

Bust: B-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

Aims for Pressure Points

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 2

Defense- 5

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 5

Skill- 5

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Elfman Make]

ElfmanELMake_zps1bc1e678.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: El

D.O.B./Age: 16 – 41, December 25th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: A-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married

Job/Occupation: Banned Member, High School Member - Chemist

Hobby: Playing Poker

Family:

  1. Mother- Kimberly
  2. Father- Nathan
  3. Wife- Rui
  4. Son- Alejandro
  5. Father-In-Law- Sabakuro
  6. Mother-In-Law- Tomoe

 

{Physique}

Height: 6’ 1’’

Weight: 218 lbs. - 227 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Glasses

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Chemist Degree

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Bloncordo Sword
  • Nugora Sword
  • Fusoku Sword; Combination of Nugora and Bloncordo Sword

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 3

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 5

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Yumiko Ikina]

Pikani_zps2d794854.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Pikani

D.O.B./Age: 32 - 57, February 29th

Gender: Female

Race: Korean

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Super Mod - Super Mod

Hobby: Modeling

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 4’’

Weight: 136 lbs. - 162 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Cat-Ear Hairband

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Mod Educational Training

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Electrical Armor & Gauntlets

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

“Pika Girl”

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 4

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Clair Brady]

ClairBrady_zps17309de9.png

Aliases/Nicknames: None

D.O.B./Age: 17 - 42, July 2nd

Gender: Female

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married

Job/Occupation: Banned Member, High School Student - News Reporter/Writer

Hobby: Dancing

Family:

  1. Husband- Remo
  2. Son- Dexter
  3. Brother-In-Law- Madara
  4. Mother-In-Law- Haruto
  5. Father-In-Law- Rin

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 9’’

Weight: 145 lbs. - 183 lbs.

Bust: D-Cup

Piercing: Both ears

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Journalistic Degree

Moral Alignment: Lawful Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 4

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Daisuke Nathaniel Link]

DaisukeLinkDL_zpsdf69b5fb.png

Aliases/Nicknames: DL

D.O.B./Age: 16 – 41, April 25th

Gender: Male

Race: Japanese American

Blood Type: AB+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married

Job/Occupation: Banned Member, High School Student- Professional Writer

Hobby: Telling dirty jokes

Family

  1. Mother- Aiko
  2. Father- Hirako
  3. Step-Father- Reggie
  4. Sister- Loren
  5. Wife- Karin
  6. Eldest Daughter- Sarah
  7. Youngest Daughter- Keiko
  8. Son- Daniel
  9. Sisters-In-Law- Kana & Aqua
  10. Mother-In-Law- Blair
  11. Father-In-Law- Odin

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 8’’

Weight: 213 lbs. - 229 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Glasses

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Steel Claws
  • Water Pistols; Boiling or Freezing Water

{Quotes/Theme}

“Underwear”

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Susan Melody Chao]

Susie_zps55b7b0d9.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Susie

D.O.B./Age: 13, January 22nd

Gender: Female

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: AB+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Junior High School Student

Hobby: Walking

Family:

  • Uncle- Sonic Chao
  • Grandfather- Chuck
  • Grandmother- Maria
  • Granduncle- Jose

 

{Physique}

Height: 4’ 2’’

Weight: 98 lbs.

Bust: A-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: Junior High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

N/A

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 2

Defense- 2

Speed- 5

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 2

Killing Intent- 1

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Sonic Chao]

SonicChao_zps6614dd34.jpg
Aliases/Nicknames: Leader of the Vongola, Sonic Kid

D.O.B./Age: 15 - 40, February 22nd

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Banned Member, High School Student - Mod

Hobby: Magic Tricks

Family:

  • Niece- Susan
  • Father- Charles
  • Grandfather- Erik
  • Grandmother- Ashlee
  • Mother- Maria
  • Uncle- Jose

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 9’’

Weight: 171 lbs. - 228 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Mod Educational Training

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Rubber Sword; able to rebound off any surface and add more power behind it’s blows using the recoil

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

“Sonic Boom”

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 2

Defense- 4

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Arm Drillo]

ArmDrillo_zpscebfa642.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Armadilloz, the Mad Doctor

D.O.B./Age: 30 - 55, October 8th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: O-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married (to Science)

Job/Occupation: Rogue Scientist - Freed Scientist

Hobby: Inventing

Relationships:

  1. Lover- SCIENCE!!!

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 5’’

Weight: 213 lbs. - 196 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Glasses and lab coat

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: College Drop Out, Cheated on His IQ Test

Moral Alignment: Lawful Evil

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Wacky Over The Top Weapon

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

“They’re coming to Take Me Away!”

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 2

Defense- 4

Speed- 2

Intelligence- 5

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Sora Roxas]

Sora_zps4d5606d6.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Sora the Heartless

D.O.B./Age: 20 - 45, February 8th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: O+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Inactive Member - Mod

Hobby: Spending time with family

Relationships

Family:

  1. Brother- Albert Roxas

Friends:

  1. Student- Sonic Chao

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 8’’

Weight: 228 lbs. - 220 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Mod Educational Training

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Key Blade

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 5

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 5

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Luna Moon]

LunaMoon_zpsdac7b956.jpg
Aliases/Nicknames: Poison

D.O.B./Age: 14 - 39, February 26th

Gender: Female

Race: Korean

Blood Type: A+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: In a Relationship

Job/Occupation: Super Mod - Psychologist, Super Mod

Hobby: Astrology

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 2’’

Weight: 159 lbs. - 178 lbs.

Bust: D-Cup

Piercing: Ears

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Psychologist Degree, Mod Educational Training

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Flash Sphere; Creates loud Bang when going off

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 1

Defense- 5

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 5

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Mitchel Zone]

MarbleZone_zpsb163b58b.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Marble Zone

D.O.B./Age: 45 – 70, August 26th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: A-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Mod - Mod

Hobby: Piano

 

{Physique}

Height: 6’ 2’’

Weight: 156 lbs. - 187 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Mod Educational Training

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • 200 Layer Nanobot Armor
  • Ball Bombs

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 5

Speed- 2

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 5

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Zero Legend]

ZeroLegend_zps3df83000.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames:

D.O.B./Age: 16 - 41, May 14th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: AB+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Married

Job/Occupation: Banned Member - College Professor

Hobby: Lacrosse

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 10’’

Weight: 171 lbs. - 174 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Teaching Degree

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Steel Knuckles
  • Short Sword

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Anne]

AnneTakyr_zps182d9526.jpeg

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Chase Maker]

ChaseMaker_zps9bd2d011.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames:

D.O.B./Age: 13 – 38, June 25th

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: AB+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Banned Member, High School Student - Yugo High Principle

Hobby: Backgammon

Family:

  1. Mother- Tea
  2. Father- Yugi
  3. Uncle- Yami
  4. Grandfather- Joey
  5. Grandmother- Rebecca

 

{Physique}

Height: 6’

Weight: 148 lbs. - 206 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Teaching Degree

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Twin Handheld Flamethrowers

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 4

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 5

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=May Shutaru]

MayShutaru_zpsabb87b86.jpeg

Aliases/Nicknames: Black Spider

D.O.B./Age: 19, August 19th

Gender: Female

Race: Brazil / Caucasian

Blood Type: B+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: High School Student, Akatsuki Member

Hobby: Bungee Jumping

Family:

  1. Mother- Gwen
  2. Father- Cortez Shuturu

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 9’’

Weight: 173 lbs.

Bust: C-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Magnetic Boots & Gloves
  • Sensory Helmet; able to use Soul
  • Web Shooters

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 5

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 5

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Juliette Ann Nequam]

JullietteNequam_zps064b6de7.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Julie

D.O.B./Age: 18, May 14th

Gender: Female

Race: British

Blood Type: B-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: High School Student, Fashion Designer

Hobby: Fashion

Family

  1. Mother- Resona
  2. Father- Lee

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 5’’

Weight: 102 lbs.

Bust: A-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 1

Defense- 1

Speed- 2

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 2

Killing Intent- 1

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Riku Ashton Kinshi]

RikuKinshi_zpsb02a248d.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames:

D.O.B./Age: 19, August 26th

Gender: Male

Race: Norwegian/German

Blood Type: A-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: High School Student

Hobby: Weight Lifting

Family:

  1. Brother- Reginald
  2. Mother- Mist

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 3’’

Weight: 119 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Neutral Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Vibrating Gloves

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 4

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Theodore Gary Paistro]

TheodorePaistro_zps514c4680.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Teddy

D.O.B./Age: 18, August 22nd

Gender: Male

Race: French/German

Blood Type: AB-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: High School Student, Computer Hacker

Hobby: Hacking

Family:

  1. Mother- Pepper
  2. Father- Stark

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 7’’

Weight: 241 lbs.

Bust: None

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Student

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Good

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 4

Skill- 5

Killing Intent- 3

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Takeshi Duno]

Pikachu_zps2c158377.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Pikachu

D.O.B./Age: 13 - 38, March 16th

Gender: Male

Race: Japanese

Blood Type: B+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: In a Relationship

Job/Occupation: Club Pikachu Leader, High School Student – Game Producer

Hobby: Collecting Pokémon

Family:

  1. Brother- Kotoma

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 6’’

Weight: 148 lbs. - 203 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Genetically Spliced Tail and Ears

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Gaming Degree

Moral Alignment: Lawful Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Twin Taser
  • Iron Tail; Attachment

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 2

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Kotoma Duno]

Pichu_zpsc5ad8462.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Pichu

D.O.B./Age: 08 - 33, November 18th

Gender: Male

Race: Japanese

Blood Type: B-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Club Pikachu Follower, Elementary School Student – Game Sound Producer

Hobby: Collecting Pokemon

Family:

  1. Brother- Takeshi

 

{Physique}

Height: 4’ 6’’

Weight: 100 lbs. - 188 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude:

Fear(s):

Education: High School Diploma, Game Degree

Moral Alignment: Lawful Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Twin Tasers

 

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 2

Defense- 2

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 1

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Hal Raver]

HalRaver_zpscbbdc9db.png

Aliases/Nicknames: Junk Warrior

D.O.B./Age: 27

Gender: Male

Race: Caucasian

Blood Type: O-

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: In a Relationship

Job/Occupation: Moderator

Hobby: Plastic Models

Relationship

  • Girlfriend- Marylyn Flame

{Physique}

Height: 6'

Weight: 205 lbs.

Bust: N/A

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: Mod Training

Moral Alignment: Lawful Good

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Junk Warrior Armor

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 4

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 4

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Marylyn Dorothy Flame]

MarylynFlame_zps0d9f7688.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: Mary

D.O.B./Age: 23, August 19th

Gender: Female

Race: Australian/Caucasian

Blood Type: B+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: In a Relationship

Job/Occupation: High School Student, Mod Assistant, Pyrotechnical Expert

Hobby: Fireworks

Family:

  1. Father- Draco Flame
  2. Mother- Roxi

{Physique}

Height: 7’ 1’’

Weight: 115 lbs.

Bust: B-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: None

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Student, Mod-in-Training

Moral Alignment: Lawful Neutral

 

{Weapons/Armor}

  • Handflammpatrone; "hand-held flame-cartridge"
  • Flamethrower
    • Greek Fire Ammunition

{Quotes/Theme}

N/A

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 4

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 4

Killing Intent- 2

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Amethyst Aina Nanako]

AmethystAinaNanako_zps1088ba36.jpg

Aliases/Nicknames: The Fortuneteller

D.O.B./Age: 19 – 44, October 18th

Gender: Female

Race: Gypsy

Blood Type: AB+

 

{Character Information}

Relationship Status: Single

Job/Occupation: Inactive Member - Fortune Teller

Hobby: Learning new languages

 

{Physique}

Height: 5’ 1’’

Weight: 105 lbs. - 216 lbs.

Bust: B-Cup

Piercing: None

Tattoo(s): None

Special Features: Her piercing gaze

 

{Mental}

Attitude: N/A

Fear(s): N/A

Education: High School Drop Out

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

 

{Quotes/Theme}

“Gypsy Woman”

 

CHARACTER FIGHTING STATS 1-5 (1; Weakest, 3; Normal 5; Strongest)

Power- 3

Defense- 3

Speed- 3

Intelligence- 3

Skill- 3

Killing Intent- 5

[/spoiler]

[/spoiler]

 

I'll upload new characters whenever they make their appearance within the story. So if you're the kind of person who's just wanting to read this to see if you're going to make an appearance then ya might want to check here first.

 

If you DO want to be featured in the story there isn't any harm in asking, but don't expect to be included just because you asked . . . like . . . ten times and said you'd be my best friend. I DON'T NEED YOUR FRIENDSHIP!!!

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Anyway, so when can updates be expected?

 

Updates are going to be done every month, to give me enough time to complete other chapters.

 

I still need to finish the first one because nobody in the world seems to have a way to access it despite asking all these bunches of people.

Besides that, how am I supposed to know who is who unless I finish the first one?

 

As I said if Fusion will allow it I have the entire original saved on my computers so I'll post it here. However, the biographies give a good idea who is who along with any other pertinent information.

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Really? I can't tell at all who Addy, Tamane, Sarah, Keiko, Lisa, Rachel, Setsuna, Lyn, Zugai, Hanna, Isaac or...Katara are supposed to be referring to. I'm just wondering if this can all be avoided by reading the first story or if you should give some identification.

 

Well some are new characters and some aren't. If you read the entire thing all you'd learn is that Sarah, Keiko, Lisa, rachel, Setsuna, Lyn, and Zugai are teenager and the second generation from Trio of DEF's main cast. Isaac and Katara were one-off characters I decided to give a more concrete existence.

 

Addy, Tamane, Setsuna, and Hanna are brand new characters. The reason they only have their picture is because I do not want to reveal any information about them as of right now.

 

I hope I'm not sounding rude or anything. I really do want to post the original story so that anyone who hasn't read it can quickly catch up in an hour or two, but it's not my work and I don't feel right just posting it without getting the rightful owner saying yes.

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I'm just really curious as to which characters/children are based off who and I'm 100% certain I'll never find out without somebody telling me.

 

Most characters are based off of people within the actual community and generally share the name of either their current or past username. Velma Crab, Aka Crab Helmet, is actually based off of the Moderator (or former I don't keep track anymore) Crab Helmet.

 

So it is possible to find who is based off of who, but it will do some leg work.

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Yeah, like Desu said: A bunch of grammar and tense errors throughout. I didn't mind, though.

Not gonna lie, though... The scene with the football players made me cringe a bit. It may just be the gratuitous amount if times I've heard that kind of talk from the "bully" character both fictional and IRL, but if that guy surrounded me with that dialogue, I'd just laugh and take the beating.

And I find it fitting for Max to be the Phy. Ed teacher.

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Interesting to see this than the preview you graced some of us with before.

 

Find it funny how you bring forth a DeLorean (as I can only think of Back to the Future with that XD) as well as seeing the offspring of the original Trio.

 

Kinda could use a bit of me in it, though XD All in all, so far so good! ^^ I hope to see more!

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I find it fitting for Max to be the Phy. Ed teacher.

 

You can thank Fusion for that.

 

Find it funny how you bring forth a DeLorean (as I can only think of Back to the Future with that XD) as well as seeing the offspring of the original Trio.

 

Kinda could use a bit of me in it, though XD All in all, so far so good! ^^ I hope to see more!

 

Well it is a sequel so the children are going to play a big part of the entire series. And, yes, you are in the story as well (XP)

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I like what you got so far, Jake. I feel like dialogue and character interactions are pretty decent so far, though stuff like the football team scene and Daniel and Al using porno mags for Akatsuki stuff was kinda dumb to be honest. 

But overall you've got a good start here and I'm looking forward to what else is coming.

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. . . though stuff like the football team scene and Daniel and Al using porno mags for Akatsuki stuff was kinda dumb to be honest. 

 

Well the football scene was more to introduce Setsuna than anything else while give off the fact that Rachel and Lyn tend to "be in the know". The football team served no purpose beyond that.

 

As for the porno magazines. What can I say? Al and Daniel are teenage boys.trust me it ties in later.

 

But overall you've got a good start here and I'm looking forward to what else is coming.

 

Thanks (^///^)

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  • 2 weeks later...

Just noticed, what is up with the Rogue Studios tag?

 

Oh well since people in the RP section have things like "A Blu♦Dawn Production", "Regal Play Productions", "~Renegade~ RP Production", etc. I thought I might as well have my own so I came up with 'Rogue Studios'.

 

Also, any word on the original DEF getting posted in the OP?

 

The original DEF will be uploaded with the new chapter.

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