Devil's Playground

Chapter 1:

Silence; often described as a state of calm, benefic for people from an evolving society, but for the police, for MWPSB was just a mere sign that soon enough something was going to happen again. Makishima Shogo was not a man that would stop from manipulating other people suddenly. Not until he had reached his objective. One that was still unknown.

The atmosphere inside the MWPSB building was a bit tense, since Akane Tsunemori decided to touch the sensible chord of her senior, by asking a question that was rendered as a taboo. Everybody tried to act as if they were working on different things, but the typing on the computer was nothing more than an excuse to focus on something else and not to laugh. However, that situation didn't last long, since Masaoka entered the room, allowing the said inspector Ginoza to leave without bothering to answer to Akane's question. The girl was confused because that was the second time she asked that, yet her senior seemed displeased with talking about that matter. Nobody bothered to help her understand why he was so sensitive about that subject or if it was because she was prying too much into his business.

"Akane-chan, don't worry that much." The girl turned her head to look at another one of her superiors that returned recently to work. She followed the movement of her hand, of how the said woman took the cigarette from her mouth, keeping it between two of her slender fingers. "Gino's displeasure towards that matter is something personal. Just don't try to ask him anymore or you'll get yelled at." Even if she said that, the said woman was still amused by her colleague's expression, because it was the same when she returned to work. Though, unlike Akane, everybody got accustomed to Ginoza's behavior, so they didn't bother anymore to try and find a reason for his actions.

Even if she had just returned, Julie managed to get a grip on the situation and also had a talk with Kogami, confirming some things with him. Makishima Shogo's existence was something they were both aware, but the one that had done further investigation was the same Enforcer who tried to find that man and make him pay for his crimes. "Julie-san…shouldn't you have rested more? Your wounds still haven't healed yet…" the woman stopped from typing, since now she took her work seriously. She looked at Akane with a bored expression, because that was the first thing Ginoza told her. Or more like, he yelled at her, because the doctors said that she should have stayed more in hospital.

"Don't worry about me, Akane-chan. I'll survive, but I think you should get working. I don't want to hear that Gino scolds you." She couldn't help but smile at the said girl, because she was really innocent and deep inside, Julie hoped that nothing would be able to destroy that kindness and purity the girl held. She hoped that Makishima's evilness wouldn't reach even Akane. There were enough people that had suffered because of his cruelty and desire to see the dark side of humans. "Julie-san, may I ask you something?" The woman nodded, wanting to hear what Akane might ask her. She thought that if she was going to wonder about the situation between Ginoza and Masaoka, she wouldn't say anything, but either way, the said woman was curious about the question that bothered Akane.

Julie looked in the girl's eyes, inhaling the smoke of her cigarette, but what she had been asked was nothing but a displeasing surprise. "How have you been hurt?" Hearing those words, made the woman take out the cigarette from her mouth and extinguished it. Like the business between Ginoza and Masaoka, that was also a taboo for her and that was why nobody asked; yet she couldn't blame Akane for not knowing, since she came during the time she was hospitalized. From what Julie heard, that girl was kind-hearted and cared about the well being of her colleagues, so it was normal to be asked that and yet, it wasn't something she could talk with anybody.

"Just a mistake. I'm going out for a bit, I want to be alone." At that point she didn't care if there was somebody who looked disapproving at her behavior, but even if it was a question from a person that cared, it still hurt to remember. Betrayal was betrayal no matter which form it was. It was hard to forget like that events that she never thought it was going to happen. Like everybody there, Julie had her darkness that she kept inside her and wasn't going to be free of it anytime soon. But she wanted to calm down a bit before she went back and apologized to Akane for her rude behavior. That girl only wanted to be friendly and her attitude wasn't the right one.

Julie lit another cigarette and lifted her head to look at the sky, wondering why that happened. She began to doubt the Sibyl System, yet the fear of being rejected from it wasn't there, but maybe that was thanks to him. That man, with his cruelty took it from her during her last mission, when she didn't expect to meet him there, to see how displeased he was with her evolving. Because right then, everybody in the police was nothing more but a puppet in Makishima's hands. They might catch the manipulated culprit behind one crime, yet nobody found solid evidence that could accuse that devil. Only Sasayama, who managed to take a picture of him, yet it was blurry. But even he, was now dead, because he became a victim in 'The Specimen' case that revolved around Toma Kouzaburou.

She let out a sigh and didn't bother to go inside, despite the raindrops that began to fell from the darkened sky. It was almost hilarious, because it was a day like that one in which she met the source of their misfortune. "Missy didn't mean anything bad when she asked you that." Julie turned her head and looked at Masaoka with a reassuring expression because she was aware of that. She pulled out her cigarette from her mouth, since it was already wet and threw it into the bin. "I already know that, Masaoka-san. I have to apologize to Akane-chan for being rude to her."

It wasn't the first time since he became an Enforcer, that Masaoka came to make her feel better and Julie almost thought of him as her own father. It felt really nice to have somebody that cared, when her family was away thanks to their jobs, but she could say that even Ginoza and the Enforcers there were like a family. But good things were never meant to last for a long time and Julie became aware of that when she learnt of her former lover's true nature. When she found out that he deceived her for a long time. It was almost like she developed another nature that made her aware of his presence everytime and Julie was finally thankful of that. If that hadn't been within her personality, Masaoka would have been dead.

Saving him was a priority to her, but she knew that it was only a trap to lure her inside the devil's nest and it didn't matter. Julie was aware of that and decided to act as if she fell for it. If second ago she protected Masaoka with her own body, tripping him, so they fell to the ground, in that moment she didn't spare him a glance, before rushing without further explanations towards the one that shot. It could have been a mistake that could cost Julie her own life, but in that game of cat and mouse, somebody had to win and she didn't want to lose. At least not until they had enough evidence to trap Makishima Shogo. Maybe that was a new chance or a trap to end her life.

It didn't matter how hard it rained, because she kept following the one that shot and seemed to miss on purpose, not losing sight of him even once. Julie was tired, mostly because of her wounded body, but that didn't stop her once, taking those turns on those alleys, till she reached something that looked like an abandoned building, but she knew that it was end of the road. Inside she could meet her dead or the game might end for him. Only one of those was the possibility, but he was a sly man that could create another scenery, only to his liking. Something that they wouldn't even think of.

Wasn't always like that? When the MWPSB thought they had a clue that could bring evidence against Makishima, he proved them otherwise. Kogami had always been right and she knew better than anyone. He was a man that rarely killed with his own hands. There were people he manipulated and made them kill only to force them experience what it's like to act on their own. Those who became caught in that devil's trap were either imprisoned or killed because Sibyl decided so. To say she wasn't one of them would be a lie, because Julie began to doubt their laws and only for that reason she looked forward to another meeting with Makishima, despite the consequences.

Without further thoughts about what would await for her, Julie decided to enter the building and her steps were the only thing that made a sound in that deafening silence. Her eyes were analyzing her surroundings, yet the girl kept walking, but in the end she was aware that she had just walked right into his trap. The Dominator wouldn't work against him, a person who had his Hue pure white since he was a child. However, this time she was decided that if Makishima tested her again, she wouldn't lose in front of him once more. By living she won the battle with death and decided to make that an opportunity to stop Shogo's crime once and forever.

The building looked old enough, but now it wasn't the right time to focus on that. Julie hurried herself, catching glimpse of somebody; that was the only way she could reach Makishima. The girl remembered who that person was, because she saw him in the same day she had been shot. He was Choe Gu-Sung, Shogo's right hand and friend. The same hacker that managed to get into her computer and make her be part of one of the fox hunts; the ones that Senguji Toyohisa enjoyed. Now that she remembered him, it was weird that it wasn't that one who lured her there, but Choe. He didn't like to see blood, so there was laying the missing piece in that puzzle. It looked like there were things she hadn't been informed about.

Stopping for a while, Julie decided to take another route, after all, she knew Makishima and he could try to test her again, but she didn't want to die. Not there. Since luck was on her side, she took out the Dominator and had her finger on the trigger, because with that man, you couldn't know what traps might lay. She paid attention to every little detail, since missing even one of them could cause your death. Julie began to walk slowly, finding it weird that the route she had taken was harmless, but maybe it led to the room Makishima was in. Her steps took her upside the stairs, yet the girl kept focused; every noise made her more alert than before. For her, it looked like it was end of the road once Julie was at the upper level. She could only trust her senses and face whatever danger might be behind that door.

She walked until she reached the door, her hand touching the knob and turning it slowly, while her other one was holding the Dominator, just in case. Letting it open, Julie saw the person she had longed to meet ever since she had been hospitalized. It felt like a dream but she knew that what was in front of her eyes was the reality. His amused smile made her think that if she had followed Choe Gu-Sung, then death would be imminent. It was almost hilarious that she understood right before facing the danger. Since Julie knew that the Dominator was useless against him, she let her hand fall down, next to her body.

"I would lie if I said that it's a pleasure to see you again, Shogo. What's your purpose this time? I remember clearly that you said that I failed your test…" She made a little break, leaning her back onto the wall and crossing her hands against her chest. "I disappointed you back then, didn't I?" Almost like everytime the girl saw him, Makishima held a book in his hands. One which he closed once she spoke and pointed out her defeat. But Julie was a smart one, catching up with the situation fast. It seemed like since then, she evolved in such way that now he found a new purpose for her, but there wasn't going to be a second time. Now they were enemies.

Her eyes made contact with his, the situation being almost like in the past, yet, right now that pure, innocent and full of love smile was replaced with amused one. One that seemed to tell that no matter what game he would pull, she wouldn't fall in it again; that it was pointless to even try. "The Sibyl System is not something you should risk your life for. It restricts ones movements, controlling people like puppets." Julie knew that what he said might be right, but she had to reason to believe him or offer her help. Not after he betrayed her like that. "You're saying that I should help you destroy it? As you see, I've learnt to see the meaning behind your words, Shogo."

"It's a bit sad. I really loved you back then, but now I don't have any intention to help you. I can't forgive you for killing all those people." Julie put a strand of her hair behind her ear, walking until she was in front of him. If there was somebody dangerous, it would be him, since using the Dominator was like trying to kill somebody by using snow. Maybe it was out of reflex, but her hand rose, almost reaching his cheek, but deep inside, Julie was glad that he stopped her. "Your doubts regarding the Sibyl System are what made you come here, not because your friend was in danger."

Julie didn't deny his statement, because it was partly true. By following the one that shot Masaoka, she would be able to find him. Still, it was odd to see that Senguji Toyohisa wasn't there, because she managed to gather enough information about Makishima's movements and that man should have been there, unless something had happened. Something that she wasn't aware of yet. If that was the case, then it looked like somebody would have to give her a lot of explanation regarding the reason they kept her in the dark. "Where is Senguji Toyohisa? He was in the same place as you most of the time…" Julie regretted that she hadn't been able to continue with her investigation, because it seemed like somebody caught her movements. What she had until then wasn't useful to accuse Makishima or Choe Gu-Sung.

It was a rare chance to find out the truth, but if she could kill Choe Gu-Sung with the Dominator, with Makishima was another story. His fighting skills were better than hers, who had tried to learn some things from Kogami. "Even with this missing information you came to find answer to your questions. Tsunemori Akane, like you, failed her test and lost her friend." She was at loss of words, because it looked like that girl had to witness the death of somebody in front of her eyes. It was almost like the situation repeated by itself, only the persons were different. Julie was angry because he did that to Akane and the guilt of acting so rude with her was heavier.

"Sibyl won't grant you access to any information regarding Senguji Toyohisa, but you should be grateful. I spared Kogami Shinya's life after he won the fight against Senguji." Pieces started to come slowly to her, because she understood the reason why Kogami had been hurt. That was also something she wasn't supposed to find out but it slipped somebody's tongue. Yet, what angered her more was that he could talk so easily about killing somebody; because Akane had to go through all that. She wasn't a girl that deserved to see her friend dying in front of her because of somebody like Makishima, who disapproved the Sibyl System and wanted to force people act on their own, by making them commit crimes.

It was out of instinct that she pointed the Dominator at him, despite the result being exactly what she expected. His crime coefficient was thirty-two; the trigger was normally locked at that value. "I should have killed you back there, Shogo. It's true that I doubt Sibyl, but your methods of getting rid of it are harming too many people." Julie knew that even the slightest mistake could lead to an unfortunate event, but she couldn't help but look down after she said those words. It didn't matter that he was no longer keeping that book in his hands and that it should be a sign to her; the girl tried to calm down and act reasonably.

It was unexplainable, but maybe the reason behind his next move was because they knew each other better than the police would have though. As a consequence, Julie didn't fail to react just in time, avoiding his hand, when Makishima tried to grab her. She lowered her body a little, letting go of the Dominator since it was useless in that situation. It was a scene that she never thought would ever happen, but they belonged to different teams in that moment. It was different from training with Kogami, because he was always going easy on her, but now, she lifted her leg, wanting to hit Makishima, yet he managed to stop her by simple using his hand. It was no wonder when their skills were on a different level.

Julie clenched her fingers into a fist, using the chance she had when she barely avoided his kick, but their abilities were too far from each other. She expected that Makishima might stop her once more, but this time he grabbed her fist and twisted her hand behind her back. "Justice is subject to dispute; might is easily recognized and is not disputed. So we cannot give might to justice." That had been one of his quotes, but this time she used it against him, because Julie didn't waste her last trump card. It was risky, but she had to use it. She turned her head, to watch him, showing a smile that held amusement in it. "I should have killed you, shouldn't I? If I did, I might have been able to save my brother."

Her eyes met, but her were showing determination, because if that situation ever repeated, she would pull the trigger without hesitation. "My sins might be as great as yours, Shogo, but this could end now, you know? If I pulled the trigger and the bullet hit your heart and you would die." If normal conditions, her body would tremble in fear, but that had been a long time ago. Unlike Akane, she changed after her brother's death, but that didn't matter anymore. She tried to say something else, but there was a call from Ginoza, who seemed to find out about what happened. Julie hated that, but he would scold her when she got back; that if Makishima wouldn't decide that she was useless.

Her hand had been freed; because of that call, their fight had to stop, to keep the appearances. "What is it? I'm fine, you shouldn't worry. I was going to come back, since I lost the suspect." Instead of being happy with that, Julie felt that there was something more behind that, because once she heard Ginoza's voice, she realized that something was happening. If her doubts deepened, then she could as well listen to what Shogo had to say and even help him destroy the Sibyl System. "Return immediately! Once you do, it's the chief's order to receive treatment! Your Psycho-Pass went overboard!" That was definitely a lie, since her Hue was still white. What one would associate with a criminally asymptomatic person.

Letting out an amused laugh, Julie got the grip of the whole situation and decided that it would be worth a try to listen to Makishima. Even if they belonged to different teams, she also thought that Sibyl was wrong and it had also destroyed the lives of many people close to her. "Alright. I'll be back in half an hour, Gino. I've wondered too far; you can rest assured. I'll give my report to you after I receive treatment." She felt bad for lying like that to them, but if anybody else found about that, they could be in trouble. If in the end it would come to that, Julie preferred to take all the blame instead of dragging them with her.

By hiding the truth from Ginoza, she had agreed to help Makishima, even if that was simply unpleasant for her. Working with somebody like him was against her principles, but the situation asked for it more than ever. Strange things were happening inside the MWPSB and the lie about her Hue confirmed that. Even if the situation seemed a bit too convenient for Shogo, Julie wanted to hear what he had to say regarding the Sibyl System. It was difficult to admit, but since the time she had been shot, doubts about their world bothered her everytime. The inspector was becoming more aware of the fact that they became manipulated by Sibyl. Couldn't what happened to Kagari be a reason? Or to the other Enforcers?

Despite her mind being confused, Julie listened to what had Makishima planned to do to destroy the system. It was a crazy thing, but if they succeeded, then people like Masaoka, Kogami and other who became Enforcers, could take back their lives. It was a risk, but she wanted to take it, rather than allowing to be controlled anymore by the Sibyl System. For her, everything was weird, because all that time, Julie imagined that the next time she would meet Makishima Shogo, she would kill him without hesitation. Yet, she was talking calmly with him, as if nothing had changed between them. It was a bother to work with them, especially since she couldn't stand Choe Gu-Sung, but if the first plan backfired, they had to come with a backup. Julie thought that it would be better to retire from MWPSB, but then, they would lack information and if something happened, she could try and cover it.

Julie wondered what would have happened if back then, when her Hue was still normal, her way of thinking would be the same as her current one. Her changing was because of Shogo, yet the girl remembered something that he told her; a quote that made her understand something important, yet it was irrelevant, since her feelings for him also disappeared. The only thing she was grateful for, beside letting Kogami alive was that his betrayal made an essential change regarding her Hue. Even if at times it was pure white, just like his, it didn't matter what situation she was in, her Psycho-Pass wouldn't get clouded that easily. Not even when she thought of killing.

Paying attention to the end of their talk, Julie couldn't help but show a smile full of amusement, since their plan was dangerous and if somebody noticed, death would be imminent. Nonetheless, she agreed to everything, because with everyday that passed, she opposed the Sibyl System more. "Shogo, do you remember what you told me when you shot me the same night you killed my brother?" Seeing the expression of his face, she couldn't help but laugh softly, because even if that memory hurt, it was expectable of him to show his displeasure. That time she failed, but it looked like another opportunity arrived and the exchanges of looks between them made it clear that it was another test that she could choose whether to pass or fail.

"Romantic poses aside, let us recognize that "falling in love"...is an inferior state of mind, a form of transitory imbecility. Ortega, wasn't it?" At that time she didn't realize, because like Ortega said, love makes you blind. You can't see anymore what's right and what's not. That was also one of her mistakes. Her thought process had been clouded because Julie let her feelings control her to such degree that it almost destroyed her. And it wasn't a reference to the moment when Makishima almost killed her, but because she became another person. One too different from her true self. "At that time, I didn't understand what you meant by quoting Ortega, but now I do. Otherwise, as somebody who loved you once, despite not being able to stop you…"

Her voice didn't waver as it could have if she still let her emotions control her. Julie took a few steps, taking back the Dominator, since she managed to carry one without being discovered. "…when you killed my brother, I'd still try to change your mind to save you." She looked through the window, seeing that the rain finally stopped. It wasn't that she disliked it, not when there were happy moments that happened during rainy days; what saddened her was the fact it was almost like the world itself pitied them for being controlled in such manner and those cold water drops were a form to manifest that. "Right now, if you're right or wrong, I will save that for myself. I want to see Sibyl destroyed; I already became sick of how we became its puppets."

Not waiting for an answer from him, despite not liking Choe Gu-Sung, she gave him her number, one that nobody beside her and a few close friends knew it. But she made it clear that if Makishima or him ever called her, they wouldn't be able to talk freely all the time. But she couldn't stay anymore, not when probably Ginoza had been ordered to search for her, despite what she said. Julie turned to leave, because it would be a bother if somebody found that placem waving her hand to them as a good bye, since it was pointless to say anything else. Yet, she stopped, turning her head to look at Makishima. "We do not live to think, but, on the contrary, we think in order that we may succeed in surviving."

"Ortega again, right?" No matter what people would say, she started to understand Shogo better than she thought she did before. Julie controlled herself from the urge of laughing, because she compared the current her with the one she had been after falling in love with Makishima. It was amusing how big the changes were, even if the individual was the same. The former her wouldn't have understood that and would have a silly opinion about that quote, yet now she thought different. The same way she did before meeting Makishima Shogo. "All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with the reason. There is nothing higher than reason."

Julie saw him closing his eyes, before opening them, yet that amusement from his face didn't disappear once. "You quoted from Kant. I would have given you the same answer if you quoted from Ortega." It was odd, but she had the feeling that now they got along better than before, that they were on the same length, but there was no time for thoughts like that. Their priority was the destruction of Sibyl; even if there would be things that would happen till the plan was fulfilled. "Shogo…don't die on me during this." It wasn't anything affectionate in her words, but right before she exited the room, Julie looked back at him and chuckled. "The difference between Akane-chan and me is that this time I'll pull the trigger in order to stop you from committing more crimes." She turned herself, letting out an amused chuckle.

"After all, I want to see who will catch and kill you. Me or Kogami?" She didn't meet his gaze this time, but right before she finally left, Julie decided to look in his eyes. Maybe it was the thing he had wanted to see from the very beginning in her, because it really looked like he was taking her in serious. "You're unlucky. This time, if your hurt anybody that I care for, without hesitation, I'll pull the trigger. No matter what consequences may wait for me."