Chapter: 102
In other places…
–Frank Castle–
"Please Frank! Don't do this!" The Colonel pleaded as he scooted backwards with his hands. A small trail of blood followed him on the hard cement floor. Frank Castle had double kneecapped the man to prevent him from running.
"You lied to us. You told us our missions were sanctioned by the government! And then when I found out they weren't and chose to leave peacefully and not report you all, you tried to kill me and my family! You killed my wife!" Frank yelled angrily as he leveled his assault rifle at the Colonels head.
"That wasn't my decision. I swear! This goes so much higher than you or me Frank! You can't kill me you. You don't know the organization you're messing with!"
Frank scoffed. "And what is this mystery agency? Hydra? The people who ran away scared from Layla?" Frank asked. He noticed the look of fear in the Colonel's eyes when he mentioned them. Frank put his finger on the trigger and snarled. "Absolutely disgusting. To think the man I respected and followed all this time was a disgusting Nazi…"
"Frank! Wait no!"
BANG!
Frank lowered his rifle with a tired sigh of relief. He'd finally avenged his wife and made sure his children would be safe. If Hydra ever reared their ugly heads to come after he and his, then he'd put them down too.
…
Frank limped his way out of the secret safehouse/bunker that the Colonel and the other members of his former squad had been hiding in. Once they had heard he survived and was on a warpath aiming for their heads, they had all turtle up and hid from him here in the middle of nowhere. He made his way up the stairs and emerged to fresh air and sunlight. This place was in the middle of woods bordering Canada. The perfect place to hide if they needed to quickly flee the country.
That was why Frank was surprised when he saw an obvious suit waiting for him just outside. There were a couple other agents behind him sweeping the area. None of them had their weapons drawn on him though so he figured he might as well hear them out.
"Frank Castle I presume. Are you alright. Your limping and covered in blood." The Agent asked.
Frank glanced down at his left leg. A bullet was stuck in their alright, but he had had worse. "I'm fine. Most of the blood is not mine." Frank said.
The agent nodded. "If you're sure. I've read your file and I suppose you've had worse. Anyway I came with an offer for you. I'm Agent Coulson of Shield."
"SHIELD?" Frank asked. He'd heard whispers of them in the military. They became a bit more known when Hydra was exposed to the world recently in the "Race Track Incident" that happened overseas. "What do you all want from me? I ain't joining you guys to be an agent. I have two kids to raise now." Frank said dismissively.
Coulson waved him off before presenting him with a folder. "You're not exactly subtle enough to be an agent. We'd like to offer you a spot in an upcoming initiative we have. We call it the Avengers."
…
–Yasaka–
"Mom! Check out this awesome move Sif taught me!"
Yasaka was sitting under the kotatsu watching her daughter swing her practice sword in the yard. Her daughter had rarely been so enthusiastic about anything, but she was really liking swordsmanship. Yasaka would see about getting her a proper full time teacher. Sif gave Kunou a decent foundation, but Yasaka knew she couldn't be her daughter's teacher now. Not until Kunou was older at least and could travel. Layla and Sif both struck Yasaka as women who were constantly on the move.
Yasaka envied them a bit. She wasn't able to leave Kyoto for long because she was linked to the Leylines. If she did, she would lose a massive amount of her power and wouldn't be able to protect her daughter. Nine tailed fox Yokai like them were incredibly rare after all. Yasaka had no doubt some evil devils had their eyes on her young daughter!
Yasaka continued to watch her daughter practice sword moves for a few more minutes while she enjoyed a calming cup of tea.
That was until someone knocked on her door and interrupted her relaxation.
"Lady Yasaka! The Fallen who poisoned Lady Kunou have returned. They are claiming to have the antidote to her poison and are acting very arrogant. They clearly do not know that she has already been healed." One of Yasaka's servants spoke to her through the door.
Yasaka's eyes narrowed into slits and a wicked grin formed on her face. The ones who had dared poison her daughter had finally come. Just like layla had predicted they would.
The air vibrated around Yasaka as natural energy laced with her killing intent started to leak out of her. She stood up and headed out to go visit her guests/future prisoners. She had promised Layla that she wouldn't kill them, but she never said anything about some casual torture. She'd find out who gave those Fallen the poison and who sent them after her daughter. Once she found out she'd send them back to the Grigori where Layla had promised her they'd be further punished.
…
–Akeno Himejima–
Akeno Himejima was currently sitting with Asia and Gabriel in the two girls' assigned bedroom. Akeno wasn't quite sure how to feel right now. When she was a devil, she'd been constantly told that angels were evil and that they would kill her on sight. Doubly so because she also had Fallen Angel blood. To Akeno's surprise though, Gabriel didn't have any hostility towards her. In fact, Gabriel looked at Akeno with kindness and even love in her eyes.
"Hello, Asia. Hello, my dear niece Akeno. It's so nice to finally meet you both!" Gabriel said enthusiastically.
"I can't believe you're actually here Gabriel! This is amazing. Did God hear my prayers!?" Asia asked. She was so excited that she missed the wince that went across the Archangel's face when mentioning the Lord. Akeno did not. She made a note to ask about that later.
"Hello…Aunt Gabriel?" Akeno said questioningly. "Is there a reason you're here? Also, how are you even here? Isn't this the Grigori Headquarters?" Akeno asked. Shouldn't the Fallen all be mobilizing to drive the Archangel away?
Gabriel laughed. "The Angels and the Fallen Angels aren't as divided as the Devil's make us out to be. Sure, a few hundred years ago we might have been, but now it's much different. We've learned to remember that at the end of the day despite the color of our wings' were all still family. Well most of us have…there are still a few outliers unfortunately." Gabriel explained.
Akeno blanched at that information. They didn't hate each other. Weren't the Devil's screwed then!? If another war broke out, it wouldn't be a three way fight but a 2 on 1 instead!
"That's so wonderful Miss Gabriel! Family shouldn't fight after all." Asia said innocently.
Gabriel nodded. "That's right, Asia. They shouldn't. And speaking of family, have you heard of the Brave Saints system heaven has been creating?"
Akeno and Asia shook their heads. Gabriel explained it to them. Akeno was shocked to hear what it was. A way to reincarnate other beings as Angels. That was another Game changer. The evil piece system was the only thing that saved the Devil's from annihilation and allowed them to remain the strongest of the three factions. With an influx of Angels in Heaven though, Akeno knew the balance of power would shift. She realized the Fallen would also not have a problem with the new system because some of those reincarnated humans would Fall themselves after becoming Angels. Both factions would have their numbers bolstered.
"So I can become an Angel!?" Asia asked excitedly.
"Yes, I want you to reincarnate under me, Asia. It'll be like having a daughter." Gabriel said.
"I've always wanted a mother!"
Akeno felt bitter at hearing that word.
She was startled when Gabriel hugged her suddenly. "I know I can't replace your mother, Akeno. The offer extends to you as well. I heard you hate your Fallen Angel wings. As a half human, you can also reincarnate and turn those black wings white." Gabriel said to her.
Akeno's eyes widened before she laughed. "There's no point. I would immediately Fall…I'm quite the sadist you know and I don't think I can abstain from sex forever." She said. She laughed at Asia's blushing face when she said the S-word.
"Ah, that would be true. However, Heaven's System will be undergoing some…changes in a few years. Michael and I do not think Angels will even be able to Fall soon…" Gabriel explained.
What!? Did Akeno hear that right? What was even going on in this world anymore?
"You can take your time to decide. There's no rush since the Brave Saints system isn't finished yet and you'll all be leaving soon with Layla." Gabriel explained.
Akeno grimaced at that reminder. The Gremory Clan had posted an actual bounty for Akeno's return. Akeno now knew the truth. She wasn't Rias's sister or even servant. She was her escaped slave who Rias wanted to buy back from whoever came to claim her bounty…
Akeno then had her mind blown for the final time when Gabriel went on to warn the girls about the place Layla would be taking them. Aliens? Mutants? Evil planet killing Space Gods!? And they thought Akeno and Asia would be safer there…
Akeno figured that it would at least be interesting. Akeno did also want to finish High School for real and not just because Rias wanted to play schoolgirl. She figured Asia could use some friends her age as well. As long as they were the right sort of friends that was.
Akeno had spent the past few days with Asia and found the girl incredibly endearing and kind…and also very naive. Akeno would be sure to keep Asia away from boys until she wised up a bit.
XXX
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