Two hours earlier...
Rain poured down, drumming against the pavement.
A lone girl stood beneath a tree, her slender figure shrouded in shadows.
Three high school boys, laughing and joking, approached her.
"Who's this cute thing?" one of them asked, his eyes roving over her.
The girl's gaze lifted, her eyes locking onto the trio.
As they surrounded her, their smiles turned predatory.
"You're right, she is cute," the second boy said, his voice dripping with entitlement.
The third boy's hand reached out, grasping her chin.
"We'll give you whatever you want... just say it and it's yours..."
Raindrops echoed through the silence.
The girl's voice trembled. "Wh... whatever I want?"
The boys exchanged eager glances. "Yes, whatever you want."
Their smiles grew wider.
The girl's expression transformed.
Her smile twisted, horrific, and inhuman.
Her eyes blazed with an otherworldly excitement.
"Give me your lives," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The boys exchanged confused glances.
"Huh, we couldn't hear you?" the first boy asked.
The girl's head snapped up.
Her eyes flashed with malevolence.
"I said... Give me your lives."
Blood began to seep from the boys' wrists.
It rose into the air.
The boys' screams echoed through the rain-soaked streets.
They attempted to flee.
The girl's voice dropped to a menacing whisper.
"Running, boys?"
Her laughter erupted.
A maniacal, chilling sound.
"We're just getting started."
The boys' terror-filled cries were drowned out by the rain.
As the girl's laughter faded into the darkness.
The shadows seemed to deepen. The rain drowned out the boys' terror-filled cries.
The rain intensified. with no one
And the night grew darker.
Current time...
The crime scene bustled with police activity.
Caution tapes crisscrossed the area, and cones blocked off the surrounding streets.
A girlish voice pierced the somber atmosphere. "Officers, can I pass please?"
The officers remained focused on their work, none turning back.
"Sorry, ma'am, this is a crime scene," one replied.
Botan's persistence was evident. "But I'm here to investigate."
One officer stood, turning to face her.
His expression changed from dismissal to surprise.
"I don't think you..." He trailed off, entranced by her cute face.
"Let her through," he said, his tone softer.
Botan's cheeky smile acknowledged his permission.
"Thank you, officer."
She walked into the scene, her eyes scanning the bodies.
"No hits or cuts... then how did blood leave their bodies?"
Her gaze swept the area.
She knelt beside a corpse, examining its hand.
"Their hands are with holes, but they weren't cut... hmm."
Botan's brow furrowed.
"The holes were made by force..."
She looked around then a seed dropped from her hand onto the corpse.
She stood, dusting her dress.
"Thanks for the time, officers. I'll be on my way."
As she departed, her expression turned serious.
"This wasn't a spec..."
"I'm going to need backup."
Botan vanished into the crowd, leaving the officers bewildered.
Their faces reflected a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Who was that?" an officer whispered.
The one who let her through smiled.
Meanwhile, at Squad Omega's base
An explosion occurred, smoke and debris filling the air.
Ryujin and Kuro struggled to their feet, bruised and battered.
Kaito approached them, concern etched on his face.
"So they're out..." He turned back to the girls. "Who's next?!"
Yukiko and Mizuki stood united, determination burning in their eyes.
"I guess it's both of us," Mizuki said, her gaze locked on Kaito.
She tilted her head toward Yukiko. "You up for it?!"
Yukiko's smile was radiant. "Why don't we start right now...?"
Ice erupted from her feet, soaring into the air.
Mizuki's grin matched Yukiko's. "If that's how you like it?"
Eight water tentacles burst from her back, snaking toward Yukiko.
Yukiko leaped off the ice, her body arcing through the air. She manifested an ice saber, its blade shimmering.
With a battle cry, Yukiko dove toward Mizuki.
Mizuki dodged with a fluid backflip, landing meters away.
Yukiko touched down, smoke swirling around her.
When it cleared, Yukiko emerged, her eyes blazing.
She launched herself at Mizuki. The water tentacles enveloped Mizuki, but Yukiko swung her blade in a mighty arc.
The tentacles severed, revealing Mizuki's shocked face, Mizuki tried to retreat by jumping back, but Yukiko was relentless she was already at her front.
Her blades crossed, trapping Mizuki.
Their eyes locked, the air charged with tension.
Mizuki's voice barely escaped her lips, "I got you where I want you." A sly smile spread across her face. "I was waiting for this moment."
Water began to rise from the grass, creeping upward like a living entity.
Kaito's eyes widened from his distant vantage point. "What...?" he exclaimed, grateful for the distance.
'Thank goodness I'm not near them,' he thought.
Yukiko's eyes flashed with alarm, she landed her left foot on the ground and pushed off.
But a water tentacle snatched her leg.
Yukiko's head whipped back, surprise etched on her face.
Mizuki's smile grew.
The water enclosed them, a transparent prison.
"Aqua Prism," Mizuki whispered.
The water shimmered, refracting light.
Yukiko's struggles intensified.
The Aqua Prism hardened.
It was trapping both Mizuki and Yukiko within its watery core.
"She trapped both of them in water..." Kaito muttered.
"I wonder if she got that technique from Riasa..." His thoughts trailed off.
"But what next...?"
A sudden wave burst from the prism.
The water began to freeze, creeping upward.
"What?!" Kaito exclaimed.
"Yukiko is overpowering her..."
The prism solidified, its icy grip encasing Mizuki.
Finally, it shattered, and shards fell slowly to the ground and mist enveloped the scene.
As it cleared, Yukiko stood victorious, her grip on Mizuki's hair tightened.
Yukiko's gaze locked onto Kaito, sharp, piercing.
"Whoa..." Kaito breathed.
The shards and mist dispersed.
Yukiko released Mizuki's hair.
Mizuki crumpled to the ground.
Yukiko's eyes never left Kaito. "Kaito, you're next..."
"Maybe later," Akari's voice trailed.
Suddenly, she appeared before them.
"We have company."
Kaito's eyes widened. "Huh?!"
A branch wrapped around him, pulling him back.
"Aww, I wanted to surprise you..." Botan teased.
Kaito's muffled voice protested, "What..."
Botan walked toward Akari, Kaito trapped in branches. "Akari."
Akari's soft smile welcomed Botan.
Ryujin and Kuro rose from the ground. "It's been a while," Akari said,
"How have things been?"
"Busy with my team, they all need the training they can get" Botan replied.
"Now, I need your help."
Akari's expression turned serious. "What's wrong, Botan?"
Botan's voice dropped to a whisper. "I don't know yet... It might be a Code B."
Akari's eyes narrowed. "Classic," she muttered.
Botan's urgency grew. "I need some of your squad mates... and your investigation skills."
Akari turned back, her gaze intense. "What do you need me to investigate?"
Botan's voice barely rose above a whisper. "Koji's last movements..."
Kaito's eyes snapped wide, and Mizuki's face paled.
Akari's gaze locked onto Kaito. Lightning crackled around him.
Botan's eyes followed the sparks. "He has some connection to Koji?"
Akari's voice was measured. "Let's just say they've met."
Akari sighed. "Okay, fine."
"But you'll fill me in."
Botan nodded. "I'll choose who I need."
Soil erupted, burying Ryujin up to his neck. "This one," Botan said, smiling.
Grass bound Yukiko to the ground. "...and this one."
"I choose three of you... hehe."
Botan's grin sparkled. "You three are coming with me."
Meanwhile, Koji walked into the school's boys' dorm.
His hoodie shrouded his face.
A deep, evil smile spread.
The shadows seemed to darken around him.
His presence whispered malevolence.