Chapter 18 – Kill The Deception
Kasumi awoke on a small pile of thick clothing. The housing complex in which she lived in with the rest of the orphans was damped, dower, dark, and heavily smelled of mold. A drop of gross smelling water dropped upon her forehead is what woke her up. She sat up and stayed there for a while as many other kids had already gotten up. She mused on what kind of impact her attempt to inspire people will really have. She looked over and saw a half sleep Bet walking toward her.
She focused on how short he actually was, he wasn't much taller than she was. Somewhere around 5,1 in weight in contrast to her 5,0. She somewhat found solace in having a new friend who was short like her. His hair was also dark like hers was. There was a tint of red to his hair which was actually kind of unique. She smiled as he got closer and yawned.
Bet: Mornin, Kasumi.
Kasumi: Good morning, How'd you sleep?
Bet shrugged his shoulders at the question while still rubbing his eyes, as further evidence to him just waking up as well.
Bet: Good I guess, you?
Kasumi: Pretty okay actually. Better than sleeping on concrete.
Kasumi looked to her left and saw the morning sun gleam through into the foggy, and or cracked windows. Clearly they haven't been clean in a while, a long while. It was early.
Kasumi: Why are you up so early?
Bet: Me and the boys are going to scavenge for some supplies to patch up this place as much as possible.
He turned around and gestured at the cracked, dirtied, and even missing some ceiling.
Bet: As you can see this place is coming apart like crazy and like Viot said we gotta leave soon cause of all the nasty stuff. So we're trying to keep the place as livable as possible.
Kasumi: Why not just go somewhere else?
Bet: Only if it were that easy. The empire's been knocking down a lot of the older buildings lately and I think it's partly to do with trying to keep us out and about. But there aren't any near here anymore, we're looking for a place though in the mean-time. So while we go, wanna help find some supplies with us?
Kasumi without hesitation accepted the offer. But she pondered how useful this will be in the long run. Basically living day by day, trying to find meaning through the most menial things possible. There has to be some-way to enhance her and these other kids standards of living through helping inspire the citizens to fight back against the empire. For now she'll have to think about that stuff later, finding building supplies was her job to pull her weight right now.
Morning – Imperial Squalor District
Kasumi, Bet, Viot, and Teg walked along the populated cobblestone roads as the morning sun lit up the roads of the empire. Kasumi had noticed that it wasn't everyone who was in the squalor district was poor. She seen kids in lavish clothing whilst heading to school, and among other things. She decided to break the silence with a question.
Kasumi: So, when are we going to fight the empire?
Bet: After we find the supplies.
Viot: And after that we get the food.
Teg: Do you fight them after the supplies or after the food?
Bet: We'll be fighting them while we get the food. So we'll doing both.
Viot: I'd suggest we split up, we'll find more lumber. If there's four of us it'll increase the likelihood of us finding the supplies we need. With around five destitute buildings with the area and perimeters of-
Bet: We get it.
After each of them split up they looked. Back alleys, dumpsters, older buildings, and they found some. Cheap woods, nails, hammers, and a few other miscellaneous items that can help them along. Kasumi however only found a few two by fours and a few rusted nails. As she made her way back to the meet up point, and something caught her eye. Several men were stomping out a boy of lesser means and they were beating him down pretty badly. All she heard were grunts and the shuffling of boots on the hard ground. "Stop!"
Kasumi had looked around as if to see who had yelled out. All of the attention was to her, and the men had ceased beating on the boy and also focused on her as-well. She then realized she was the one who shouted at the men.
Man 1: What? This boy stole some of our stuff!
He said as he pointed to a loaf of bread on the ground that as smashed after the men stepped on it.
Kasumi: So?! No one deserves to get beat up like that if they're only trying to eat. He needs it! Isn't it obvious! Maybe he wouldn't have to steal anything if it wasn't so expensive!
She said as she dropped the supplies it took her quite some time to find. The men folded their arms and shot glares at her that if they could kill, she'd be completely incinerated.
Man 3: I don't like your tone, you'd best run along with your long skirt, and your shoes, and ah.
After a few moments of the man trying to find an insult. Kasumi yelled "Shut up!". The man got upset and ran over to her to strike.
Kasumi then also ran at him and slid underneath him, taking his legs from under him, and his balance as well. She then jumped up and was met with another man, the man attempted to grab her. Kasumi then cocked her arm back and threw a cannon ball like punch to his gut. After he crumpled to the ground in agony the two remaining men struck at her only to have them utterly blocked as she sent some of her own. As she traded blows with the adults the other two men recovered and grabbed her from behind.
Bet had then ran to see what was happening as did many others and after shoving through people, he'd seen Kasumi being grabbed. Without a second thought dropped his surplus of supplies and went in for the save. He then went to catch one from behind but one of them sent him tumbling to the ground with a massive punch to the jaw. The grown man then mounted him and began to pound his face in with a onslaught of hooks.
Kasumi saw as she was struggling to break free. Seeing her friend in peril sent her into a rage. She broke free of the men and before she was able to save him, the girl was punched in the face by one of them. Kasumi was sent face first to the ground. The men regrouped and then proceeded to stomped on them both.
Bet after regaining some semblance of consciousness threw his body onto hers after crawling through then men's legs. He laid on her and did his best to shield her from the barrage of boots as they seemed to be endless.
Afternoon – Rocky Outskirts
The sky was a light blue without a cloud in the sky was all of the Jaegers along on horses traveled to their destination. Esdeath had remarked that she didn't care whether or not this was a trap, "we'll destroy the trap too," were her direct words. [Name] remarked on how was such a brutal tactician as to not only not avoid any trickery or diversion, but to smash through it entirely.
As they rode further and further away from the capital the time came for them to split up. [Name] was going with Wave, Kurome, and Bols; while Esdeath accompanied Run and Seryu. A mountainous fork in the road separated the points in which they had to separate.
Esdeath: Wave, Kurome, Bols, and [Name]; remember our briefing and try to come back alive. Be careful. And [Name]?
[Name] looked at her as she didn't look at him, only looking toward her destination.
Esdeath: Do try and come back to me in one piece.
[Name]: Yes Esdeath.
Esdeath: And may fate bring us back together again.
She said as her and the other Jaegers members disappeared behind the rock that separated the areas in which they needed to travel to. Wave and Kurome exchanged playful banter as they had came up on what appeared to be a scarecrow.
From a great distance away lied Mine. She was looking at Wave, Kurome, and Bols with her naked eye. She'd remarked on how similarly Akame and Kurome were even from a distance. Something puzzled her however; there was a fourth member. She hadn't counted on there being more than three. Her mind was fill with shock as her mind had spoke.
Mine: Why is there another member? A new guy?
She looked through her scope to see the male. Upon identifying him, her heart almost stopped. It was [Name]. The very same [Name] who not only knows where they live, was an honorary Night raid member, and is a good guy. How is this possible? She'd begun to tremble and her aim suffered as she lied in disbelief.
Mine: [Name] how could you? We all liked you too! And then you turn on us by joining them? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. What if he's a double agent? Or a triple agent? Oh man if he was, the boss would've told us. I don't know what to do!
In an act of desperation, she shot! A speeding energy bolt flashed from the barrel and headed towards Kurome. In an instant Kurome detected the projectile and jumped out of its trajectory.
Mine: No way she could be fast enough to dodge that!
Then out of nowhere the scarecrow like effigy burst into powder and Susanoo emerged with amazing speed! He attempted to take Kurome's head off with a strike but Wave was fast enough to intercept the attack. The sheer force from the strike sent Wave flying miles away.
Najenda: Well the sniper may have missed but at least we got rid of one of you. Too ba-
The Night raid's core ranks had just came about with it's leader expressing her happiness. But the triumphant entrance was cut short upon them noticing [Name] amongst the Jaegers. Tatsumi was beyond flabbergasted, he could barely find words. Akame while she was as stoic as ever, her jaw was somewhat hung open. Najenda eye was so wide open she might as well have had the other rematerialize and open too. Leone was also without words.
Tatsumi: Bro. . .Why?
[Name] didn't reply. He knew this moment would come, but he still couldn't figure out what excuse he could come up with that wouldn't oust him for both sides. He had to play the part.
[Name]: I did what I had too. I joined the winning side, like any intelligent person would do.
He said as he brandished his obsidian sword. Tatsumi shuttered, and as he did this Akame and Kurome stood to each other who apparently had to be sisters given the similarities of the mentality and physique wise. This wasn't shocking to [Name] given all of the crazy situations and twists he's endured. The two young women unsheathed their blades as they spoke.
[Name] couldn't make out what they were saying but that didn't matter. He saw Tatsumi walking toward him. Leone however, jumped in front of him and brandished her claws.
Leone: Don't worry Tatsumi I've got em. The little traitorous bastard is mine, he doesn't seem like much.
Najenda: Don't underestimate him Leone. He's extremely formidable even for a person who doesn't have imperial arms. Not to mention now he's aiming to kill, that at least amplifies his lethality by double. Don't forget he fought Lord Valron all on his own and wasn't even trying to kill him.
Leone: The boss is right, I gotta be careful of you. You self-serving prick. How's Rom by the way?
[Name] this question took him back to when his friend was alive. He forgot that [Name] told him that he and Leone had met in a particular circumstance, though he didn't say what; he had an idea and didn't quite care to think of it. Using his superb acting he stated.
[Name]: Rom is gone. He was weak and foolish like the rest of you. So I destroyed him.
Leone's guard had dropped as her fists clenched to the point where she may have broken her own skin. Dark red blood had begun to dampen her yellow furred claws as she ground her teeth in anger.
Leone: I'll peel your goddamn face off.
Najenda shouted to Tatsumi.
Najenda: Tatsumi you can't let your personal feelings get in the way. He's an now a target of the revolution just as much as those two are. Just to be safe you and Leone should both attack him at once.
[Name] knew even at around one hundred percent of his power, fighting against Leone and Incursio Tatsumi would likely kill him rather soundly. It doesn't even seem remotely feasible to fight them at the same time, but likely for [Name] a surging orb emanating purple and black lightning hailed from Kurome's sword. Moments later hands had begun to rise from the ground. Numerous dead bodies that Kurome had collected had arisen to join his fight.
Kurome then explained how she obtained each of her current puppets. She said it so care free and with a smile no less, being nothing but proud of her achievements.
Kurome: [Name] if you need any help just gimme a shout okay?
[Name] gave a light wave as he saw her hop into the hand of a massive S class Desta Ghoul danger beast. He was in awe of this now skeletal creature.
Kurome: A battle between imperial arms. I wonder; how many will die?
She said with a gleeful expression. Instantly an Apeman went after Tatsumi and had begun to pummel him. Leone then dashed after [Name] and she flew up and came down at [Name]. He then moved as she cratered the dirt and [Name] dashed back. The two clashed arms and made a massive shock wave that blew the dirt away around their feet.
They hands were crossed opposite of each direction, they were in a battle of mercy. A test of finger, hand, and wrist strength the two locked gazes as well.
Leone: You don't have the guts to kill me!
[Name]: Then I'll take yours.
Leone threw her head back and launched her head forward, she gave [Name] a devastating headbutt. [Name] after blood spurted from his forehead, released his grip and kneed her in the face. She staggered back and the two began to trade blows. The two went on for minutes, each blow sending shockwaves out through the air. [Name] with a punch to her gut and Leone with the same.
As her assault intensified she realized she couldn't hit him anymore, his dodging and weaving were too fast even for her perception. Then she realized she'd made a fatal error. Where was [Name]'s blade? It wasn't on his person, his sheath, or on the ground. [Name] then raised a hand up and caught his sword from above and slashed Leone repeatedly whilst stringing in physical attacks and sending her flying backwards with an elbow to her chest.
He'd thrown it up in the air, when the battle began after she dashed at him.
As The boss, Akame, Susanoo, and Tatsumi struggled with Kurome's puppets, Leone thought "how long until someone dies?" Akame was doing her best to fight off both the puppets and Bols's flames which licked at everyone's skin who was anywhere in the vicinity which was everyone in the fight. Leone pounded her fist into the ground in aggravation. After looking up to engage [Name] again she realized he was gone. He was lost into the fiery display of madness that was the Night raid versus the Jaegers.
Evening - Orphan Household
Teg and Viot had recovered the savagely beaten Kasumi and Bet at the hands of those store owners. Teg carried them to the free clinic while Viot hammered them both with insults of how stupid this was.
The children and teens of the abandoned housing complex comforted them both upon their return. They return with much less supplies than they would've if they avoided the situation altogether. Kasumi and Bet sat together at a lone table at the place. Bet's face was stricken with welts, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. One of his eye were black, blue, and even pink. Kasumi fared no better, she was stitches and bruises over various parts of her face.
Bet: Well, we barely got any supplies. We have to go out again soon.
Kasumi: I'm really really sorry about what happened. I just thought I was doing the right thing.
Bet: You were doing the right thing. It just so happens that doing the right thing in this case set us back and messed us up. Hell even the dude you saved said "screw us" ran off with what was left of that bread that got smashed on the ground. We just have to pick and choose when the right time is to do the right thing.
Kasumi let a pained smile show on her mangled but still cute face.
Kasumi: You're smart.
Bet: I have to be to help run this place. Viots' the smart one, I'm the medium smart one, and Teg's the strong one.
Kasumi: I know, Teg spent our entire trip carrying us and Viot did telling us what injuries we had and when we got to the clinic he was right about each one. Only if we had more support to help us out.
Both: Like the revolution?
Neither one of them said a thing after that. Bet looked down at the table and smiled in uncertainty.
Bet: When I rounded all of us up, I thought we could just live by leeching off the empire through small hit and runs. But the empire is getting desperate now, we can't catch a break anymore.
Kasumi: But if we join the revolution, they'll help us out a great bit.
Bet: You're right, and if we help them vice versa and our faces show up with them. Any imperial that see's us; which might I remind you are a shit ton of them, will wipe us out even if we are a bunch of meddling kids.
Kasumi: Yeah.
She sighed in annoyance of the situation. It seems like any decision they try to make will just back them into another corner.
Kasumi: I just wish I would'v—
Bet: Kasumi it's fine.
Bet then winced as he held the ice bag to his eye.
Bet: Forget about me getting stomped out, you should feel worse for the bread. Did you see how smashed it was?
The two shared a laugh and Bet again winced in pain for his eye. Kasumi had immediately stopped and got close to him and the two shared a gaze. Kasumi obviously was concerned about his eye and Bet shrugged it off.
Bet: This ain't nothing, I've survived worse. Wanna see?
She shook her head faintly with a yes.
Bet then placed his ice pack down, stood up, and pulled up his shirt. Along his lower back were a series of extremely deep scarring. Kasumi put her hands to her mouth in shock.
Kasumi: Someone tried to cut you?
Bet: Kinda, My mom suffered from mental illness. That's what my dad liked to call it anyway. I just call it crazy. While my dad was overseas in the navy she went through some really bad episodes and she tried to abort me a few times and ended up killing herself on accident.
Kasumi: So those scars?
Bet: Yeah, those were her tries to get rid of me. My dad took care of me up until I was six and when he got deployed again, he never came back. Them's the breaks though; so yeah.
Kasumi: I'm really sorry to hear that.
Bet: Eh, don't be. If I can survive that as a baby I can survive a beat down from some grown up punks. So in the mean time I'll be out finding some more stuff, and you ask around see what people need and see if you can get it for them.
Bet walked away after fist bumping her and she nodded in compliance as she went to go do as she was told. After she got up, Bet stopped walking away and stated to her.
Bet: Oh and Kasumi, you're a really good fighter. But you're not as good as that shadow guy.
He looked back and smiled at his playful tease. She looked back at him with a smile of her own. The shadow is gone, and he is right she's not shadow. But as of right now she's the closest thing they have and she has to do something with that.
Evening – Rocky Mountains
[Name] had just kicked an unsuspecting Tatsumi from behind and sent him flying into the side of the mountain. That hurt his shin and after all that was extremely powerful armor. Leone then came after him again and swiped at him numerous times as he evaded every strike. She fully healed from her slash wounds and her hair was longer.
She seemed more monstrous though and now she landed a strike on him. He went dazed for a split second and he tried to sweep her leg and she immediately rebounded. They traded blows and hers were far more powerful, but he then butt her with his hilt and began to pummel her.
He stunned her with that hilt shot and he began to give Leone a thrashing of punch after punch. He gave her one shot and she went staggering backwards in a daze. He quickly grabbed her wrist as she fell back.
[Name]: Get back here!
He shouted as he reeled back her into a massive jumping knee to her face and another punch that sent her yards away. She stayed on her feet and wiped her mouth free of blood. The blonde woman smiled at him.
Leone: That was a nice attack. I let you do all that. Now it's my turn okay?
[Name] was almost for a moment sadistically proud of what he had to do now. He's going to have to lop her head off and see if she can regenerate from that. But this is all his front that he put up and now he knows what he actually has to do.
She then ran at him screaming and he then blocked all of her claw strikes with his blade. As he did this he was stuck in a black clash.
[Name]: Just trust me okay, I won't kill any of you.
The woman's eyes widened in surprise.
Leone: You really expect me to trust you?!
She said as she tried to assert more strength against [Name]'s sword to push him back.
[Name]: No, but I'm telling you anyway. I have to make this as believable as possible.
He said in a choked whisper as he struggled against her enormous strength.
[Name]: I see that I'm doing an amazing job.
Leone's smile turned bright.
Leone: No, I knew it from the get go. Your acting sucks!
He then pushed her away and exclaimed aloud.
[Name]: Shut up you revolutionary scum, I won't hear your cries for mercy.
Kurome from the mountain top she sat on spectated the massive battle below, and somehow heard this.
Kurome: Good boy [Name].
She then wondered if Wave was okay from what Susanoo had done to him. She figured that since Wave is tough, he will be fine. Akame on the other hand had just finished off one of Kurome's puppets, the former bodyguard. Leone had just quickly knocked [Name] over and ran to assist Akame with Bols. [Name] tasted dirt as he fell to the ground.
Leone and Akame jumped Bols and even broke his Imperial arms' nozzle.
Bols: You actually bit off my imperial arms. I guess I have no choice then.
[Name]: Bols is in trouble, I've got to save him.
[Name] had sprung up and charged at Leone who had her back turned to him. His sword was by his side as he was going to slash Leone. Not badly and not to kill.
Akame: LEONE! WATCH OUT!
She yelled as her lightning fast speed went passed Bols and Leone. [Name] got startled as the black mass that was Akame flew by him and with Murasame stab to [Name]'s gut.Chapter 18 – Kill The Deception
Kasumi awoke on a small pile of thick clothing. The housing complex in which she lived in with the rest of the orphans was damped, dower, dark, and heavily smelled of mold. A drop of gross smelling water dropped upon her forehead is what woke her up. She sat up and stayed there for a while as many other kids had already gotten up. She mused on what kind of impact her attempt to inspire people will really have. She looked over and saw a half sleep Bet walking toward her.
She focused on how short he actually was, he wasn't much taller than she was. Somewhere around 5,1 in weight in contrast to her 5,0. She somewhat found solace in having a new friend who was short like her. His hair was also dark like hers was. There was a tint of red to his hair which was actually kind of unique. She smiled as he got closer and yawned.
Bet: Mornin, Kasumi.
Kasumi: Good morning, How'd you sleep?
Bet shrugged his shoulders at the question while still rubbing his eyes, as further evidence to him just waking up as well.
Bet: Good I guess, you?
Kasumi: Pretty okay actually. Better than sleeping on concrete.
Kasumi looked to her left and saw the morning sun gleam through into the foggy, and or cracked windows. Clearly they haven't been clean in a while, a long while. It was early.
Kasumi: Why are you up so early?
Bet: Me and the boys are going to scavenge for some supplies to patch up this place as much as possible.
He turned around and gestured at the cracked, dirtied, and even missing some ceiling.
Bet: As you can see this place is coming apart like crazy and like Viot said we gotta leave soon cause of all the nasty stuff. So we're trying to keep the place as livable as possible.
Kasumi: Why not just go somewhere else?
Bet: Only if it were that easy. The empire's been knocking down a lot of the older buildings lately and I think it's partly to do with trying to keep us out and about. But there aren't any near here anymore, we're looking for a place though in the mean-time. So while we go, wanna help find some supplies with us?
Kasumi without hesitation accepted the offer. But she pondered how useful this will be in the long run. Basically living day by day, trying to find meaning through the most menial things possible. There has to be some-way to enhance her and these other kids standards of living through helping inspire the citizens to fight back against the empire. For now she'll have to think about that stuff later, finding building supplies was her job to pull her weight right now.
Morning – Imperial Squalor District
Kasumi, Bet, Viot, and Teg walked along the populated cobblestone roads as the morning sun lit up the roads of the empire. Kasumi had noticed that it wasn't everyone who was in the squalor district was poor. She seen kids in lavish clothing whilst heading to school, and among other things. She decided to break the silence with a question.
Kasumi: So, when are we going to fight the empire?
Bet: After we find the supplies.
Viot: And after that we get the food.
Teg: Do you fight them after the supplies or after the food?
Bet: We'll be fighting them while we get the food. So we'll doing both.
Viot: I'd suggest we split up, we'll find more lumber. If there's four of us it'll increase the likelihood of us finding the supplies we need. With around five destitute buildings with the area and perimeters of-
Bet: We get it.
After each of them split up they looked. Back alleys, dumpsters, older buildings, and they found some. Cheap woods, nails, hammers, and a few other miscellaneous items that can help them along. Kasumi however only found a few two by fours and a few rusted nails. As she made her way back to the meet up point, and something caught her eye. Several men were stomping out a boy of lesser means and they were beating him down pretty badly. All she heard were grunts and the shuffling of boots on the hard ground. "Stop!"
Kasumi had looked around as if to see who had yelled out. All of the attention was to her, and the men had ceased beating on the boy and also focused on her as-well. She then realized she was the one who shouted at the men.
Man 1: What? This boy stole some of our stuff!
He said as he pointed to a loaf of bread on the ground that as smashed after the men stepped on it.
Kasumi: So?! No one deserves to get beat up like that if they're only trying to eat. He needs it! Isn't it obvious! Maybe he wouldn't have to steal anything if it wasn't so expensive!
She said as she dropped the supplies it took her quite some time to find. The men folded their arms and shot glares at her that if they could kill, she'd be completely incinerated.
Man 3: I don't like your tone, you'd best run along with your long skirt, and your shoes, and ah.
After a few moments of the man trying to find an insult. Kasumi yelled "Shut up!". The man got upset and ran over to her to strike.
Kasumi then also ran at him and slid underneath him, taking his legs from under him, and his balance as well. She then jumped up and was met with another man, the man attempted to grab her. Kasumi then cocked her arm back and threw a cannon ball like punch to his gut. After he crumpled to the ground in agony the two remaining men struck at her only to have them utterly blocked as she sent some of her own. As she traded blows with the adults the other two men recovered and grabbed her from behind.
Bet had then ran to see what was happening as did many others and after shoving through people, he'd seen Kasumi being grabbed. Without a second thought dropped his surplus of supplies and went in for the save. He then went to catch one from behind but one of them sent him tumbling to the ground with a massive punch to the jaw. The grown man then mounted him and began to pound his face in with a onslaught of hooks.
Kasumi saw as she was struggling to break free. Seeing her friend in peril sent her into a rage. She broke free of the men and before she was able to save him, the girl was punched in the face by one of them. Kasumi was sent face first to the ground. The men regrouped and then proceeded to stomped on them both.
Bet after regaining some semblance of consciousness threw his body onto hers after crawling through then men's legs. He laid on her and did his best to shield her from the barrage of boots as they seemed to be endless.
Afternoon – Rocky Outskirts
The sky was a light blue without a cloud in the sky was all of the Jaegers along on horses traveled to their destination. Esdeath had remarked that she didn't care whether or not this was a trap, "we'll destroy the trap too," were her direct words. [Name] remarked on how was such a brutal tactician as to not only not avoid any trickery or diversion, but to smash through it entirely.
As they rode further and further away from the capital the time came for them to split up. [Name] was going with Wave, Kurome, and Bols; while Esdeath accompanied Run and Seryu. A mountainous fork in the road separated the points in which they had to separate.
Esdeath: Wave, Kurome, Bols, and [Name]; remember our briefing and try to come back alive. Be careful. And [Name]?
[Name] looked at her as she didn't look at him, only looking toward her destination.
Esdeath: Do try and come back to me in one piece.
[Name]: Yes Esdeath.
Esdeath: And may fate bring us back together again.
She said as her and the other Jaegers members disappeared behind the rock that separated the areas in which they needed to travel to. Wave and Kurome exchanged playful banter as they had came up on what appeared to be a scarecrow.
From a great distance away lied Mine. She was looking at Wave, Kurome, and Bols with her naked eye. She'd remarked on how similarly Akame and Kurome were even from a distance. Something puzzled her however; there was a fourth member. She hadn't counted on there being more than three. Her mind was fill with shock as her mind had spoke.
Mine: Why is there another member? A new guy?
She looked through her scope to see the male. Upon identifying him, her heart almost stopped. It was [Name]. The very same [Name] who not only knows where they live, was an honorary Night raid member, and is a good guy. How is this possible? She'd begun to tremble and her aim suffered as she lied in disbelief.
Mine: [Name] how could you? We all liked you too! And then you turn on us by joining them? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. What if he's a double agent? Or a triple agent? Oh man if he was, the boss would've told us. I don't know what to do!
In an act of desperation, she shot! A speeding energy bolt flashed from the barrel and headed towards Kurome. In an instant Kurome detected the projectile and jumped out of its trajectory.
Mine: No way she could be fast enough to dodge that!
Then out of nowhere the scarecrow like effigy burst into powder and Susanoo emerged with amazing speed! He attempted to take Kurome's head off with a strike but Wave was fast enough to intercept the attack. The sheer force from the strike sent Wave flying miles away.
Najenda: Well the sniper may have missed but at least we got rid of one of you. Too ba-
The Night raid's core ranks had just came about with it's leader expressing her happiness. But the triumphant entrance was cut short upon them noticing [Name] amongst the Jaegers. Tatsumi was beyond flabbergasted, he could barely find words. Akame while she was as stoic as ever, her jaw was somewhat hung open. Najenda eye was so wide open she might as well have had the other rematerialize and open too. Leone was also without words.
Tatsumi: Bro. . .Why?
[Name] didn't reply. He knew this moment would come, but he still couldn't figure out what excuse he could come up with that wouldn't oust him for both sides. He had to play the part.
[Name]: I did what I had too. I joined the winning side, like any intelligent person would do.
He said as he brandished his obsidian sword. Tatsumi shuttered, and as he did this Akame and Kurome stood to each other who apparently had to be sisters given the similarities of the mentality and physique wise. This wasn't shocking to [Name] given all of the crazy situations and twists he's endured. The two young women unsheathed their blades as they spoke.
[Name] couldn't make out what they were saying but that didn't matter. He saw Tatsumi walking toward him. Leone however, jumped in front of him and brandished her claws.
Leone: Don't worry Tatsumi I've got em. The little traitorous bastard is mine, he doesn't seem like much.
Najenda: Don't underestimate him Leone. He's extremely formidable even for a person who doesn't have imperial arms. Not to mention now he's aiming to kill, that at least amplifies his lethality by double. Don't forget he fought Lord Valron all on his own and wasn't even trying to kill him.
Leone: The boss is right, I gotta be careful of you. You self-serving prick. How's Rom by the way?
[Name] this question took him back to when his friend was alive. He forgot that [Name] told him that he and Leone had met in a particular circumstance, though he didn't say what; he had an idea and didn't quite care to think of it. Using his superb acting he stated.
[Name]: Rom is gone. He was weak and foolish like the rest of you. So I destroyed him.
Leone's guard had dropped as her fists clenched to the point where she may have broken her own skin. Dark red blood had begun to dampen her yellow furred claws as she ground her teeth in anger.
Leone: I'll peel your goddamn face off.
Najenda shouted to Tatsumi.
Najenda: Tatsumi you can't let your personal feelings get in the way. He's an now a target of the revolution just as much as those two are. Just to be safe you and Leone should both attack him at once.
[Name] knew even at around one hundred percent of his power, fighting against Leone and Incursio Tatsumi would likely kill him rather soundly. It doesn't even seem remotely feasible to fight them at the same time, but likely for [Name] a surging orb emanating purple and black lightning hailed from Kurome's sword. Moments later hands had begun to rise from the ground. Numerous dead bodies that Kurome had collected had arisen to join his fight.
Kurome then explained how she obtained each of her current puppets. She said it so care free and with a smile no less, being nothing but proud of her achievements.
Kurome: [Name] if you need any help just gimme a shout okay?
[Name] gave a light wave as he saw her hop into the hand of a massive S class Desta Ghoul danger beast. He was in awe of this now skeletal creature.
Kurome: A battle between imperial arms. I wonder; how many will die?
She said with a gleeful expression. Instantly an Apeman went after Tatsumi and had begun to pummel him. Leone then dashed after [Name] and she flew up and came down at [Name]. He then moved as she cratered the dirt and [Name] dashed back. The two clashed arms and made a massive shock wave that blew the dirt away around their feet.
They hands were crossed opposite of each direction, they were in a battle of mercy. A test of finger, hand, and wrist strength the two locked gazes as well.
Leone: You don't have the guts to kill me!
[Name]: Then I'll take yours.
Leone threw her head back and launched her head forward, she gave [Name] a devastating headbutt. [Name] after blood spurted from his forehead, released his grip and kneed her in the face. She staggered back and the two began to trade blows. The two went on for minutes, each blow sending shockwaves out through the air. [Name] with a punch to her gut and Leone with the same.
As her assault intensified she realized she couldn't hit him anymore, his dodging and weaving were too fast even for her perception. Then she realized she'd made a fatal error. Where was [Name]'s blade? It wasn't on his person, his sheath, or on the ground. [Name] then raised a hand up and caught his sword from above and slashed Leone repeatedly whilst stringing in physical attacks and sending her flying backwards with an elbow to her chest.
He'd thrown it up in the air, when the battle began after she dashed at him.
As The boss, Akame, Susanoo, and Tatsumi struggled with Kurome's puppets, Leone thought "how long until someone dies?" Akame was doing her best to fight off both the puppets and Bols's flames which licked at everyone's skin who was anywhere in the vicinity which was everyone in the fight. Leone pounded her fist into the ground in aggravation. After looking up to engage [Name] again she realized he was gone. He was lost into the fiery display of madness that was the Night raid versus the Jaegers.
Evening - Orphan Household
Teg and Viot had recovered the savagely beaten Kasumi and Bet at the hands of those store owners. Teg carried them to the free clinic while Viot hammered them both with insults of how stupid this was.
The children and teens of the abandoned housing complex comforted them both upon their return. They return with much less supplies than they would've if they avoided the situation altogether. Kasumi and Bet sat together at a lone table at the place. Bet's face was stricken with welts, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. One of his eye were black, blue, and even pink. Kasumi fared no better, she was stitches and bruises over various parts of her face.
Bet: Well, we barely got any supplies. We have to go out again soon.
Kasumi: I'm really really sorry about what happened. I just thought I was doing the right thing.
Bet: You were doing the right thing. It just so happens that doing the right thing in this case set us back and messed us up. Hell even the dude you saved said "screw us" ran off with what was left of that bread that got smashed on the ground. We just have to pick and choose when the right time is to do the right thing.
Kasumi let a pained smile show on her mangled but still cute face.
Kasumi: You're smart.
Bet: I have to be to help run this place. Viots' the smart one, I'm the medium smart one, and Teg's the strong one.
Kasumi: I know, Teg spent our entire trip carrying us and Viot did telling us what injuries we had and when we got to the clinic he was right about each one. Only if we had more support to help us out.
Both: Like the revolution?
Neither one of them said a thing after that. Bet looked down at the table and smiled in uncertainty.
Bet: When I rounded all of us up, I thought we could just live by leeching off the empire through small hit and runs. But the empire is getting desperate now, we can't catch a break anymore.
Kasumi: But if we join the revolution, they'll help us out a great bit.
Bet: You're right, and if we help them vice versa and our faces show up with them. Any imperial that see's us; which might I remind you are a shit ton of them, will wipe us out even if we are a bunch of meddling kids.
Kasumi: Yeah.
She sighed in annoyance of the situation. It seems like any decision they try to make will just back them into another corner.
Kasumi: I just wish I would'v—
Bet: Kasumi it's fine.
Bet then winced as he held the ice bag to his eye.
Bet: Forget about me getting stomped out, you should feel worse for the bread. Did you see how smashed it was?
The two shared a laugh and Bet again winced in pain for his eye. Kasumi had immediately stopped and got close to him and the two shared a gaze. Kasumi obviously was concerned about his eye and Bet shrugged it off.
Bet: This ain't nothing, I've survived worse. Wanna see?
She shook her head faintly with a yes.
Bet then placed his ice pack down, stood up, and pulled up his shirt. Along his lower back were a series of extremely deep scarring. Kasumi put her hands to her mouth in shock.
Kasumi: Someone tried to cut you?
Bet: Kinda, My mom suffered from mental illness. That's what my dad liked to call it anyway. I just call it crazy. While my dad was overseas in the navy she went through some really bad episodes and she tried to abort me a few times and ended up killing herself on accident.
Kasumi: So those scars?
Bet: Yeah, those were her tries to get rid of me. My dad took care of me up until I was six and when he got deployed again, he never came back. Them's the breaks though; so yeah.
Kasumi: I'm really sorry to hear that.
Bet: Eh, don't be. If I can survive that as a baby I can survive a beat down from some grown up punks. So in the mean time I'll be out finding some more stuff, and you ask around see what people need and see if you can get it for them.
Bet walked away after fist bumping her and she nodded in compliance as she went to go do as she was told. After she got up, Bet stopped walking away and stated to her.
Bet: Oh and Kasumi, you're a really good fighter. But you're not as good as that shadow guy.
He looked back and smiled at his playful tease. She looked back at him with a smile of her own. The shadow is gone, and he is right she's not shadow. But as of right now she's the closest thing they have and she has to do something with that.
Evening – Rocky Mountains
[Name] had just kicked an unsuspecting Tatsumi from behind and sent him flying into the side of the mountain. That hurt his shin and after all that was extremely powerful armor. Leone then came after him again and swiped at him numerous times as he evaded every strike. She fully healed from her slash wounds and her hair was longer.
She seemed more monstrous though and now she landed a strike on him. He went dazed for a split second and he tried to sweep her leg and she immediately rebounded. They traded blows and hers were far more powerful, but he then butt her with his hilt and began to pummel her.
He stunned her with that hilt shot and he began to give Leone a thrashing of punch after punch. He gave her one shot and she went staggering backwards in a daze. He quickly grabbed her wrist as she fell back.
[Name]: Get back here!
He shouted as he reeled back her into a massive jumping knee to her face and another punch that sent her yards away. She stayed on her feet and wiped her mouth free of blood. The blonde woman smiled at him.
Leone: That was a nice attack. I let you do all that. Now it's my turn okay?
[Name] was almost for a moment sadistically proud of what he had to do now. He's going to have to lop her head off and see if she can regenerate from that. But this is all his front that he put up and now he knows what he actually has to do.
She then ran at him screaming and he then blocked all of her claw strikes with his blade. As he did this he was stuck in a black clash.
[Name]: Just trust me okay, I won't kill any of you.
The woman's eyes widened in surprise.
Leone: You really expect me to trust you?!
She said as she tried to assert more strength against [Name]'s sword to push him back.
[Name]: No, but I'm telling you anyway. I have to make this as believable as possible.
He said in a choked whisper as he struggled against her enormous strength.
[Name]: I see that I'm doing an amazing job.
Leone's smile turned bright.
Leone: No, I knew it from the get go. Your acting sucks!
He then pushed her away and exclaimed aloud.
[Name]: Shut up you revolutionary scum, I won't hear your cries for mercy.
Kurome from the mountain top she sat on spectated the massive battle below, and somehow heard this.
Kurome: Good boy [Name].
She then wondered if Wave was okay from what Susanoo had done to him. She figured that since Wave is tough, he will be fine. Akame on the other hand had just finished off one of Kurome's puppets, the former bodyguard. Leone had just quickly knocked [Name] over and ran to assist Akame with Bols. [Name] tasted dirt as he fell to the ground.
Leone and Akame jumped Bols and even broke his Imperial arms' nozzle.
Bols: You actually bit off my imperial arms. I guess I have no choice then.
[Name]: Bols is in trouble, I've got to save him.
[Name] had sprung up and charged at Leone who had her back turned to him. His sword was by his side as he was going to slash Leone. Not badly and not to kill.
Akame: LEONE! WATCH OUT!
She yelled as her lightning fast speed went passed Bols and Leone. [Name] got startled as the black mass that was Akame flew by him and with Murasame stab to [Name]'s gut.