"Zo? What is it?" Jörg asked
"Well to sum it, we've just decided what we're all looking for in a team member haven't we?
Not only that..."
Everyone waited with anticipation for his next words. Thats when Telaga put his finger up to his chin, tapping it for a short few moments before then resting his eyes on everyone.
"But we've also decided how the rest of the game shall go moving forward." He said.
"What?" Usuda said confused. Jörg seemed dismissive of the statement, yet he still seemed intrigued enough to stay.
"Yes, we've let everyone know who stands with who. And just who is willing to win, and who isn't.
Who's willing to throw others away just to get what they want. Its not surprising, but it is still unexpected." Telga said.
"Nice words. Should they mean something to us?" Kibe asked. "Maybe, maybe not. Its up to you." Telga said as he began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Jörg asked turning to him. "Back to the town hall, i have a feeling that my hunch to head back will be correct." Telaga said before he departed from everyone. Without saying so, they knew that Telaga was infact onto something, and if not he was likely trying to trap them. Either way, he was their key to the next part of the Assassination Games.
Soon they all were back inside the town hall where funny enough, Edward had wandered back to. He turned around and scowled at everyone.
"WHAT THE HELL? You weirdos following me or something?" He growled. "Calm down canine, none of uz iz following you. Was für ein Schlägertyp ist dieser Kerl eigentlich?" Jörg said. Edward stared him with a mean mug as he walked over to him.
"What did you say?!" Edward shouted
"Who? Me?" Jörg said jokingly. "Speak English freak, lets see how you really like it when I punch in you-" suddenly gates would fall over the front and back doors. The windows would then be barred up as well. Edward ran over and grabbed the bars. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!?" he shouted as he tried to rip them apart, but to no avail.
"What the- what is this?!" Edward said
"This happened before to us in the tavern. This must be another test." Usuda said. "Great." Jörg thought. Thats when a TV would appeared from the ceiling in front of the front door.
"Welcome to the next test of your teamwork capabilities.
Welcome to Brawl and Call!
In this short event, you all will be battling in a free for all, but not with your fist however.
Instead you each will take a card from the box on the desk in the hall behind you." Said the voice from the screen, they all looked behind them and saw the doors to the hallway behind them open, and reveal a box on a endtable.
Everyone walked to it and surrounded it.
"Once your card is picked, you will use your said weapon on your opponent. Which will also be listed on your card.
The rules are simple. You will use your weapon to either take down or incapacitate your opponent.
If you use your weapon on anyone that isn't your assigned opponent.
Each fight must be no more then 3 minutes. If it last longer then that, then you will be forced to surrender to your opponent, depending on who had struck last.
Let it begin." Said the voice from the TV. Everyone looked at one another before they all put their hands into the box one at a time and pulled out a card each.
"The games got more horrific and complex from there.
It was just like the earliest days when I was in that place. Test upon test, profiling upon profiling.
Observation is the key to all problem-solving and openings to awareness and self-reflection. When it comes to life it really is all just one big test isn't it.
Maybe another time. I can tell you what happened next during my time in Hawaii." Kibe said.
The events of the story now return to the present. Specifically after the events of the episode: Normal Girl.
The International Puzzles of the World, is a almost new found right of passage for all geniuses. If you don't win, then you'll be noticed and maybe even offered jobs into your respective field of study.
Its a all around thing, everyone is get excited to the intellectual minds of the world. From the young to the old. All of the world would tune in to watch. As well known as memorial day and the 4th of July. Everything stops on that day. Other countries had their hands all in the setting up of the event, security and all.
5 days till the IPOW.
The day after Brandon's "date" with Kat, he would get a call about a murder in the Ushin district. He would arrive there. Standing in the parking lot of the hotel and infront of Himmy's home. Officers surrounded the place and everyone was scrambling and walking around. Brandon was wearing a black trench coat with a red vest. He was staring blankly at everything his eyes looking around.
Mr.Nakayama would arrive with Mr.Miyuki. They both got out of the car and walked out towards the scene, moving past the tape. "Hit me Miyuki." Mr.Nakayama said.
"Man's name is Tahaki Luu. He's a delivery driver. Delivers packages day in and day out. He had a stoo about a block from here, reports from the restaurant he last delivered to had customers saying he was confronted by a black haired girl in the parking lot. She got in his vehicle with him after a quick chat and the two speeded down the street.
The landlord here, Mrs.Telia, and five other residents heard a gunt shot and immediately called us." Mr.Miyuki said, Mr.Nakayama stopped as at the front door as they watched forensics go over the body, getting samples and clues.
"So then why am I just hearing about this now? Why are we so late." Mr.Nakayama asked, but before Mr.Miyuki could answer-
"Because its normal for this area. This is Ushin, a place for you shoot first and ask later. The crime rate here is far higher then anywhere else in Japan. A whopping 12% higher to be exact." Brandon said. Mr.Nakayama looked at him and then to the body.
"That is true, but then why kill him here? Why move him?
...He was a tool. She was using him to get her someplace. To get here, but why?" Mr.Nakayama asked as he looked at the body.
"She was meeting someone, she was looking for someone." Brandon said.
"Seems she found who she was looking for. The owner says the girl who lives here goes by uhhh "Himmy"? Yea." Mr.Miyuki said as he checked the clipboard. "Himmy huh? Real name?" Mr.Nakayama asked. Brandon walked over to the body of the man and crouched to it. He studied it and made note of a few things. The bullet wound in the head wasn't fresh, but there was a small yet noticeable blood stain a few inches away. He noticed how it looked like a trail lead out the door before stopping.
Brandon scratched his chin.
"Uhhh real name, real name. Ah ha! Humiko Shimodaira. Abusive mother, deceased father and sent to Saint Terry's Home for Lost Girls. She spent nearly all of her life there, till the school burnt down. Killed half the staff and nearly all the girls there.
Was a tragedy. Yikes..." Mr.Miyuki said. Mr.Nakayama scratched his chin.
"Miyuki, tell the office to run down all the survivors of the fire at Saint Terry's, and then see where they are located now." Mr.Nakayama asked as Mr.Miyuki nodded and got on the phone. Mr.Nakayama walked over to Brandon.
"What do you see?" Mr.Nakayama asked. "Both these events happened separately, the killing of this man and the kidnapping of Himmy here.
See look, the bullet hole through this man's head. Its much older then the blood around him. Showing that the kidnapping happened post-mortem. And there. The blood splat near the body is few inches away. Thats the victim. When forensics comes back they will have both this man and Himmy's blood samples.
The only thing we're missing now...is where did she take her." Brandon said. Mr.Nakayama looked at Brandon, he could see his eyes were more tired than usual, he had been up longer. Perhaps he was withholding something.
"Is this him?" Mr.Nakayama whispered to Brandon. Brandon nodded slowly as Mr.Nakayama got up.
Suddenly though, everyone at the scene would turn around and see black cars and vans drive into the parking lot. Mr.Nakayama and Brandon looked over at the vehicles as they saw American men come out of the cars. Wearing black suits, some with black shades. Brandon stood up and immediately noticed who they were.
"Who the hell- what is this?!" Mr.Miyuki asked with a stern tone as one of the men walked over, he had blonde short hair and small beard. Brown eyes. He put a piece of paper to Mr.Miyuki's chest.
"I'm Philies Wheels. This is a signed affidavit from the prime Minister. The U.S is officially taking control and warch over the White Rabbit case during and precisely 3 months after the IPOW." Said Philies much to everyone's shock. A few officers whispered to one another.
"Look at the white-boy, who does he think he is?" Said one of the officers. A few of the American looked over at the Japanese officers. The two giving one another ugly glares.
"Woah woah, what's going on over here?" Mr.Nakayama asked
"Nakayama they're-"
"Excuse me sir, are you in charge of this unit? I'm Special agen Philies Wheel." Asked Philies as he walked over and him and Mr.Nakayama shook hands. "I indeed am." Mr.Nakayama responded.
"I have a written affidavit that I just gave this man-"
"Thats senior detective Mr.Miyuki, and what affidavit?" Mr.Nakayama asked.
"The one saying that me and my men are taking charge of this investigation. The White Rabbit case is ours as of right now." Said Philies much to Mr.Nakayama's suprise. "Nakayama?" Mr.Miyuki said as he looked to him dumbfounded. Mr.Nakayama didn't know what to say. Thats when Philies looked behind Mr.Nakayama and saw a familiar face, Brandon.
"Well I'll be dammed. If it isn't Brandon Wright. Still sniffing corpses hound? Or have you thrown in the towel?" Asked Philies as he walked over. Brandon got up, still facing away from the man. His face for the first time showing a long of frustration and annoyance.
"They must really not give a damn about this case if they handed it to you Wheels." Brandon said as he turned to him. "Funny. Well they do. Cause I'm taking charge here. You're done. Guess bother the pres and the minister both have seen just how you guys really operate." Said Philies as he looked back to Mr.Nakayama who stared daggers back at him. Brandon was shocked at the news.
"What did you say-" Mr.Miyuki shouted as he walked to Philies only for Mr.Nakayama to stop him, holding him back. "Hold! Don't." He said. Mr.Miyuki looked at him and then Philies.
"...Theres nothing we can do." Mr.Nakayama said with a defeated tone. Mr.Miyuki looked defeated as well. "Don't be upset guys." Philies said. Brandon looked down with shock as Mr.Nakayama grabbed his arm and pulled him away.
"Don't worry we'll give you the credit. We'll say you gave us donuts as we caught the guy. No need to worry." Philies said. Brandon, Mr.Nakayama and Mr.Miyuki all looked at Philies with a pissed off look. Brandon's brain was racing. "Come on guys, we'll go talk to the chief. See what we can do..." Mr.Nakayama said.
"NO! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!!
NOT WHEN WE'RE SO CLOSE! THIS CAN'T BE! THEY'RE GOING TO TEAR UP EVERYTHING! THEY'LL RUIN EVERYTHING!
THIS IS IT...This was his plan all along. Waste our time with this investigation, hide his pieces across the board carefully and then when the game begins to come to a close...we get the rug pulled right under us! They want to terminate all we've done! I can see right now!" Brandon thought. As he mind raced he pictured in his mind Kibe's shadow as it began to cover up a chessboard covered in pieces.
"I CAN'T SEE THE ENGAME ANYMORE!!!" Brandon thought, he was in a intense daze as he was pulled back by Mr.Miyuki with Mr.Nakayama watching.
"Brandon! Move!" Mr.Nakayama shouted, his voice like a echo ro distant voice in Brandon's head.
"Come on!" Mr.Miyuki shouted tugging at Brandon. He was barley moving. The whole case, everything he had done these past days were all going to be gone, and because of what!? Some stupid men in suits feel like he wasn't solving it quick enough. Brandon's eyes looked as they saw Kibe in the doorway, they saw him staring back at him. Both their eyes meeting. The flashy image of Kibe quickly fading away.
"NO! I HAVE TO BE THE ONE WHO CATCHES HIM!!!" Brandon thought. Theu screamed at him. His thoughts-
THEY SCREAMED AT HIM!!!
THINK
THINK!
THINK!!
THINK!!!
Thats when Brandon's eyes moved towards Mr.Miyuki's waist. His gun at his side. "FIND A WAY TO WIN!" shouted the voices in his head.
"Are you going to just stand there?" Said a women's voice. Thats when Brandon's eyes would shrink. He was taken back to that day. Where he stared from his bedroom as a child and saw that cop again. That crooked bastard as he beat his mother in front of him. His body was frozen, he couldn't move...just watch.
"Are you just going to stand there?! His mother worded. As all Brandon was watch in fear.
"NO! I WILL NEVER-" Thats when Brandon would quickly reach over and grab Mr.Miyuki's gun and lift it into the air.
"STAND AND WATCH AS MONSTERS ARE ALLOWED TO WALK AGAIN!!!" Brandon screamed in his head as he then looked to Philies, everyone saw him. The American agents immediately reached for their weapons.
"WHEELS!!!" Brandon screamed as the man turned around and saw Brandon pointing a gun at his head. Philies's eyes grew in shock and surprise.
"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY CRIME SCENE!" Brandon shouted.