Disclaimer: I don't own Getbackers….well darn. It would have been nice though and instead of writing fanfiction, I would be making the series! XD how awesome would that be! But unfortunately not.
Story disclaimer: Everything in this story was decided by the luck of the draw (the placement of the 7 deadly sins for example). Just so no one gets confused I am here to tell you that it is a story about a cataclysm and the aftermath of. Sometimes the story will be interrupted by scenes for the actual cataclysm then it will return to the actual events before the catastrophe. The two stories will eventually merge and then we will begin the Aftermath which is the real story. BTW This is four years after the end of series (anime) so everyone gets to be older yeaaa!
Now presenting:
Getbackers : Surviving the Aftermath
Chapter 1: A Time to Be Merry
Part One : Mugenjou Sept. 17 12:12 p.m.
Makubex's eyes were wide in panic. For once in his life he had no idea of what to do. His eyes roamed over all of the camera monitors on their virtual projections that were set to view the outside of Mugenjou. The walls were packed with people trying to get in. The whole city was seeking shelter now. He was on the Shinjuku city level of Mugenjou trying to sort everything out. He could hear the faint roar of their voices filtering in over the walls. Makubex listened to the Get Backers panicked voices in his earphones as they argued, cursed, and tried to stop this madness. They would not make it. He looked quickly to the timer that floated on a virtual screen just above his head. Less than thirty minuets. They could not make it in time. It was impossible. Makubex saw his hands shaking. Was he scared? He pressed the button to a different channel on his headphones.
"Emishi, are all the inhabitants of Lower Town moved?" Static. "Emishi, Sakura, answer me!"
"We're ready here Makubex. The Core is filled with them." Sakura's voice came over the wavelength. She paused for a moment, "Don't be frightened, we are going to help you."
"I'm going to have to let the city inhabitants in. There will be a panic but try to keep the riots down on our side."
Emishi's voice came next, "Let them in….is it already too late?"
"There's no time. They won't make it."
Makubex got quickly to his feet and ran across the streets to the main gate of Mugenjou where Juubei and Toshiki were standing guard at the barricaded entrance.
"Makubex, they're going to bust down the doors if they keep at it." Toshiki said, then he pointed to some of the weak points in the door, "I don't know how much longer the doors will stand."
"It's fine, we're going to let them in. When we open the doors, take them immediately to the lower levels. Don't let them wander about. I know I'm asking a lot but we can't let them die out there."
Makubex climbed up to the top of the wall and gazed out at the screaming wailing masses of Shinjuku. He moved as close to the edge of the wall as he dared then typed out a command into a virtual keyboard that appeared at his finger tips. Monitors displaying his image popped up.
"Please be silent and listen!" He waited for the crowd to notice him and then it quieted down, "I am Makubex, ruler of Lower Town. We are going to let you in. Once you pass these gates—" He paused for the relieved cheer to die down, "Once you enter these gates you will be subject to our rules. For your own safety do not rush the doors. You will be immediately conducted to the sheltered areas beneath the city. Stay in a group and do NOT panic. Any deviances will be dealt with."
Makubex sighed as he closed the monitors. He started back down the wall and pressed another button, "Juubei, let them in."
Makubex did not have long to try and help sort the crowd with Juubei and Toshiki as Emishi came panicked over his com.
"The Beltliners are coming down in droves in East A 45."
"Raitei save us!" Makubex felt like he should either cry or tear his hair out. This was too much. He glanced once to see that Juubei and Toshiki had their hands full with the people crowding in form the city. He was relieved to see Teshimine, Masaki, and Kanou show up.
"The streets have been cleared. There is no one from Lower Town left on the top levels." Teshimine reported.
"Teshimine, Kanou, help Juubei and Toshiki get these people down. Masaki, come with me. The Beltliners are flooding down in East A 45." Makubex checked his watch with a harried expression.
Masaki shot off at a run with Makubex at his heels. They arrived just as the first group muscled their way past the protective barriers Makubex had placed on the entrances to the Beltline.
"Get out of our way!" One man yelled.
"I can not let you go any further." Makubex stood as tall as he could.
"What's this, a runt and a wannabe? The two of you alone can't stop us."
"I'm betting we could." Masaki popped his knuckles and smirked.
A lone man moved forward, he bowed almost politely, "Be polite gentlemen, this is the Lord of Lower Town you are threatening." He looked up, "Would you sentence us to death young lord by barring our path to safety?"
"Are you asking me for mercy?" Makubex's brow furrowed with anger, "Hasn't Lower Town begged you for mercy for years and not received any?"
Someone started to say a snide remark but was cut off as someone hit him in the ribs.
"We will not mock you by asking for your mercy Makubex but we merely ask for an armistice until this entire cataclysm is over." The tall lanky man bowed low to Makubex once more, "If you let us die, you will be committing genocide and that is far worse than we have ever been."
Masaki looked to his right to see Makubex with his eyes narrowed, "Makubex?"
Makubex glanced down at his watch. Tick, tick, tick….time was running out, "Can you assure me that there will be no trouble?"
The man smiled widely, "There will be no trouble until this situation is over. You have our word."
Some of the Beltliners started an argumentive murmur but they were silenced by the others.
"Who are you?"
"They call me Lucifer."
"Stay in levels F 22b through F 24c. I don't want to see any of you mixing with the others. I'll hold you to your word Lucifer."
"We understand and will comply Lord of Lower Town. We thank you for your generosity."
Masaki stepped aside and let the group filter into Lower Town. He put a hand on Makubex's shoulder, "Are you sure you made the right decision?"
"No. But we would have wasted too much time fighting them here. There are fortifications to be readied to protect the lower levels or we'll all be dead." Makubex watched them go then saw another group pushing through the barriers, "They won't do anything yet. It would do them no good."
"Don't worry. When the time comes, Teshimine and I have your back…Lord of Lower Town." Masaki chuckled, "Slick words for a worm wouldn't you say?"
Makubex let a small smile cross his face. Masaki was trying to cheer him up, "Come, we have to see if all the people are inside yet."
"What about Ginji and the others?"
"They won't be able to stop it in time but they'll make it here. I know they will. We'll keep the doors open until the last minute."
Part Two: Shinjuku Sept. 12
Ginji woke and rubbed his eyes with a loud yawn. He sat up. As he dressed, he kept thinking that perhaps there was something that he was forgetting. He jogged into the main room of the apartment where Ban was sitting lazily on the couch with his arms along the back and a bowl of cold ramen on the small table before him. They had managed to upgrade their apartment from dirt cheap one room to a little cheap two room. Ginji flew at him with open arms.
"Goooood morning, Ban-chan!"
"Oi, Ginji, lay off!" Ban pried the chibi off his head then gave him a lazy smile. It was Ginji's ritualistic morning hug, "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, how about—" Ginji cut himself off from the rest of his sentence as he saw Shido enter the room buffeting his damp hair with a towel, his smile brightened, "Shido! I didn't know you were here, too! When did you arrive?"
"Last night." Shido exchanged glances with Ban, "I came to visit."
"Ah." Ginji looked around there was no evidence that anyone had slept in the living room, "Where did you sleep, we only have two rooms and….oh…" Ginji's brain put two and two together again this time getting four, "I see…well…um…I'm going to head on to the Honky Tonk now. See ya there." Ginji grabbed his jacket from the chair by the door and fled the scene.
"We'll be there in a bit Ginji." Ban waved a hand at him as he ran.
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Ginji walked down the sidewalk to the Honky Tonk and entered with a large smile, "Hello Paul-san, Natumi-chan!"
"Good morning Ginji, bright and early for once I see." Paul set a cup of coffee down on the counter.
Ginji put a hand behind his head and grinned, "Yeah."
"Greetings, Ginji-san."
Ginji looked over at a nearby table to see Kazuki, Juubei, and Toshiki sitting at it, "Kazu-chan!" He hurried over.
"Hey, you forgot your coffee." Paul shook his head, "Not like you need it."
"Oh, right." Ginji darted back to the counter and grabbed the cup before returning to their table, "So what are you guys doing here?" He beamed at them.
"Waiting for you, Ban, and Shido, or have you forgotten what day it is today?" Kazuki took a sip from his cup with a polite smile.
"You know, I kept thinking that I was forgetting something." Ginji put a hand to his chin, "Hm, now what was it?"
"Need a hint Ginji?" Toshiki smiled.
"No, no. I got it, um, …is it….uh…Kazu's birthday?" Ginji fumbled in his mind for the right answer.
Juubei smiled this time, "Not quite Ginji-kun, try again."
Ginji sat in mental turmoil when he heard Kazuki laugh, "It's the celebration of the day you and Ban completed your very first job."
"That's right." Ginji looked thoughtful for a moment, "Man I can't believe I forgot."
The door to the Honky Tonk jingled it's bells announcing the arrival of Ban and Shido. Ban stretched and gave Paul a nod hello," Ready to go?"
"We're ready." Kazuki and his entourage stood.
"Where are we going?" Ginji looked confused.
"To Mugenjou, or did you forget that everyone is going to celebrate. Geez, Ginji sometimes I wonder if your brain works at all." Ban sighed and shook his head.
"If we are ready, we should go. The others are waiting for us." Juubei turned to face the door.
"Besides, I heard Sakura was making dinner. I bet she cooks as fine as she looks." Toshiki laughed as Juubei turned to glare at him. It was his goal in life to torment Juubei as much as he could. The guy was just too serious for his own good.
"Now, now." Kazuki held up his hands, "No fighting today."
"I can't wait to see Makubex and Sakura again. It's been a long time." Ginji jumped up from his chair, "Come on, let's go!"
End Chapter One