Hello to all my readers, and Darker than BLACK fans! This is the first of my (very) sparse author's notes—but I feel the need to clarify that this particular story is not based off the events following the anime, but are rather a continuation of the first manga, in an "alternative universe" of what may have happened should Kana Shino again cross paths with the "Black Reaper," Hei. As such, it will contain references from both the anime and the first manga, so having some knowledge of both will ensure that the reading of this story will go smoother. But enough of my rambling; I present to you...
Darker than BLACK: Apocalypse Trigger
Prologue
The ominous night sky loomed over a Tokyo that was darkened by shadow. Streetlights strained hopelessly to pierce through the gloominess, yet only served to punctuate it with a wane, yellowish glow. A stifling sort of silence draped over the city at night, and few dared to rise up from the safety of their blankets to challenge its oppression.
It was now that the Black Reaper emerged to do his work.
Hyperventilated gasps could be heard from a figure running along those darkened streets—hunted by someone who was swathed in those very shadows.
The man sprinted into an alleyway, dodging and weaving past trashcans, cracked bottles and rusty bicycles, tipping several of them over in a desperate attempt to deter the assassin who was steadily closing the distance between them.
In his haste, he nearly ran into a parked car—and then with a grin and a wave of his hand, he crushed the vehicle into a steel ball and flung it at his pursuer, red Contractor eyes gleaming in the dark. He saw the wreck hurtle into the assassin, smashing him into a wall.
"Heheh," he smirked. "That takes care of hi—…urgh!"
His head jerked back and he felt the cold steel of a dagger pressing against his throat. "You—…!" he gasped out. "How did you…"
"Cut the crap," came a quiet voice. "Where is the disc?"
"I—I don't have it. I only—…"
"Bullshit. Where is it?"
"I swear I don't have it! It was passed along to another agent half an hour ago—"
"Seems like he's telling the truth—or most of it," interrupted another voice, this time from a microphone pinned on the lapel of the assassin's coat.
"Then he's a dead end."
"What? No, don't get ahead of yourself here, he still has his uses."
"Please," interjected the man still in the assassin's grasp. "I swear, I would have given you the disc if I had it—"
"Spoken like a true Contractor…your own life above loyalty. You sicken me."
"Hey, Hei, don't bother killing him—"
A shrill scream pierced the silence of the night, and the sickeningly sweet scent of burnt flesh drifted on the breeze.
The assassin released his grip on the man, and watched as he crumpled to the ground, electricity still sparking off his clothes.
"Geez, Hei…you just had to kill our only lead, didn't you?"
"I've always told you that Contractors were liars and traitors, haven't I, Huang?"
Kana jolted awake with a gasp, her hand clutching her pounding heart. She noticed the rumpled blankets pooling around her legs, and with a shuddering breath, wiped her forehead on the sleeve of her nightshirt.
"What a horrible dream…"