Minor and Major Arcana, two major groups in the Arcana organisation. Only the strongest are known as the Major Arcanas, while the Minor Arcanas are scientist and minor members in the organisation.
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Crowds of people chattered in anticipated excitement as they filled the Stadium, ready for the National Basketball game of the year finals .
Among the crowd, a blonde haired girl walked. Large black sunglasses hid her eyes, but for a moment, she paused in her footsteps, turned her head and glanced at Tokyo Tower. She lifted a hand and waved, a small smirk on her lips before she walked into the Stadium.
The day had come. It was time to begin the end.
"I'm in place," said the blonde haired girl lowly as she took her seat, a light pink line formed with ancient encryptions decorated her wrist as the link connected her to the other Arcana members.
Kuroko smile internally in amusement at First's greeting, she had always been the comedic card amoung the Major Arcana's. Shaking his head, he collected his thoughts and focused. He stood in broad daylight, his eyes narrowing at the stadium where all of them, the traitors were gathered. A part of him wanted to go join First with her assignment, but it was not his place to do so. As the Fool, his job is to oversee the entire process, and to not intervene in other Major Arcana's work, besides he held the utmost confidence in the Magician to do her job.
He took a deep breath as his eyes flickered to other locations in Tokyo. Scientist of the Minor Arcana cards had recently developed a new bomb, and Tokyo was the perfect place to experiment it. Each Major Arcana member had a role to fulfill that morning, and Kuroko wasn't going to disappoint the leaders of Arcana. He glanced at his wristwatch, it read 12pm.
It was time, it all began now.
He took his violin, and began to play. The tragic and emotional melody of Ziegeunerweisen filled the air. He remembered this song well, it held a strong significance to him as he heard it the night he was betrayed.
He sat alone in the basketball court as he let the world drown his existence away, the rain poured down heavily onto his frail body. His head was bent over as his hair covered his eyes, hiding the tears that streamed down him face.
It was then he heard it.
The sound of a violin, he looked up as his teal blue eyes spotted a man. He stood upon the building across him, hands playing that sad song.
On the inside, Kuroko knew that song was for him.
Beneath him, people stopped and listened as they felt their emotions stir within as sadden and grief began overwhelming them. Tears fell from their eyes uncontrollably.
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Inside the stadium, Kagami Taiga frowned. He didn't know why, but he woke up this morning with a really unsettling feeling in his gut, as if something really bad was about to happen. Suddenly, he straightened up as he heard the sound of a violin coming from outside. A part of him felt that it was a message meant for him. A message for the betrayal he had done two years ago. He had thought his actions wouldn't hurt him too bad, and that it would eventually fade away. Guess he was wrong. Instead, Kagami spent many sleepless nights in agony, with a cold feeling that it'll one day bite him the arse.
Loud shouts suddenly interrupted his thoughts as he snapped back to reality.
"What's going on?" Kagami looked around as he noticed the Stadium's large television screen fade and fuzz before an all familiar red logo appeared bright and clear. He heard people around him scream and gasp as they stared at the sudden appearance of the logo, it was the Arcana symbol.
Everyone in the world had heard of Arcana, and how their members came from all over the world. They had only come into the media attention after Interpol had finally released details of their activities to the public. Kagami had read that they assassinated members of several Royal families before, destroyed buildings and even robbed the world's most secure banks. So what puzzled him was why Arcana had appeared here? And why now?
The blonde haired member of Arcana smirked as she got out of her seat and disappeared, in her gloved hand, she held the card of the Magician before she dropped it on the ground.
Suddenly the logo began to fade as a voice spoke.
"Once upon time, there was young boy," the screen showed a blue haired boy. Blank face, pale skin, frail appearance with those wide blue eyes.
Kagami's breath was caught in his throat as he stared wide eyed at the screen. He knew he wasn't the only one as the Generation of Miracles and ex- Seirin members had matching expressions and emotions, as they gawped at the boy's haunting face.
Blank eyes that stared at him every night for the past two years. Eyes that made him feel guilt, and unnerved him till the point he spent nights awake, fearing that he would come and haunt him in those nightmares. Those eyes only belonged to one person, and there was no denying the boy's identity. No matter how young the boy looked.
It was Kuroko Tetsuya.
"What the hell?" It was Aomine Daiki that had exclaimed as he took a step forward, closer to the screen.
Beside him, his childhood friend, Momoi Satsuki stood frozen. She had loved Kuroko, but she had also betrayed him herself. For years it ate her up, but she always reassured herself that it was better for herself, and her career in the basketball world. Sure she hoped to see him again, but not like this. Not with Arcana involved.
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Aomine continued to yell out to no one in particular.
"Silence," a strong commanding voice said. Within seconds purple binds appeared around Aomine's wrist and ankles, the tanned player fell to his knees. Everyone around him gasped as a blonde haired girl appeared, she wore magician's costume, with a black waistcoat and white buttoned gloves as her cold blue eyes glared directly at Aomine. "All of you sit," she said. To everyone's shock, they found their bodies moving on their own, forcing them to sit regardless of their attempts to escape.
Kagami stared at the blonde stranger with gritted teeth. She couldn't have been older than him, give or take, a year difference at least. What irked, yet scared him the most slightly was how she was able to control their bodies with only voice commands. 'Is this the true power of Arcana?' Kagami's red eyes glared at the girl.
The Arcana member smirked to herself. 'Zero's powers are stronger than I thought,' she mused to herself. "Listen up, and don't you dare talk because I'm about to tell you all a little story." She clapped her hands as the screen picture changed again. "There was once a boy that had a very weak presence, and because of that, he had no friends. One day, he fell in love with basketball after watching it on television and decided to explore the wonderful sport he loved."
The screen showed images that continued to follow their captor's words. "Soon after days of playing alone, he made a friend who taught him how to play better." Ogiwara Shigehiro's picture appeared this time. Words could not describe how painful it was for the Generation of Miracles to stare at his bright, wide smile. They remembered him, they remembered how they broke him. If this story was supposed to unnerve them, it was doing a very good job. "But unfortunately, they were separated but made a promise to play themselves again in middle school. The boy then went on to attend a very known school," Teiko's logo appeared earning startled looks from the audience that watched it.
"It was there that the boy joined the basketball club. At first, he always remained in the third string, practicing hard to get into the first string. One day, he made a friend," Aomine Daiki's picture appeared, his hand outstretched for Kuroko to take. A wide grin on the tanned boy's face. "His made a friend who decided to help him. They spent countless hours playing basketball, and then it was time for the boy to shine." A younger version of Akashi Seijuro in his Teiko uniform, talking to Kuroko was shown. "He soon became the Sixth member of a greatly known basketball team, but from the shadows he remained as he watched his friends grow till the point their friendship broke apart. The sport he loved had destroyed his friends, and soon the boy quit the basketball team and began to hate the sport." The image of a younger versions of the Generation of Miracles in their final year appeared. "After that chapter in his life, he found himself at a new school," Seirin's picture appeared. "And he made a new friend, and played basketball with a new team that trusted him. Or so he thought."
Kagami felt dread and fear as he stared at images from two years ago. He didn't like this story. Not one bit. "With the boy's talent, the team won the Winter Cup and he thought he had finally been accepted..." said the girl, her eyes darkened as the crowd flinched from the malice that entered the air. "But that wasn't the case as the boy soon found himself alone, abandoned and betrayed by his friends. They left him all alone in the dark and so, the boy simply vanished." The girl concluded as she snapped her fingers, the image of a defeat Kuroko disappeared before the Arcana symbol reappeared.
"The moral of this story," The girl laughed to herself for a moment. "There is no moral. This world is cruel to humans like us, there's no happiness in this world, only sadness and grief. Arcana knows that, and it's pathetic to see humans like you praying and begging for something that will never come. What's the point in wasting time? It'll never happen, miracles don't exist in this world. And now it's time you all know it too." She said. Her left hand glowed as a small blue box with a red button appeared, a soft smile upon her lips. "Let's start by exploding this nice big stadium above you." Her smile changed before turning sadistic as she looked at the horrified expressions from people around the room. "But first," she whispered, her fingers snapped. "Do me a little favour and panic for me." The binds that forced their bodies down were lifted as the people ran, and fled. Little did they know, the rest of Tokyo was just the same.
Aomine and Kagami reacted fast, lunging for the girl, but she simply laughed cruelly before her body began to shake before scattering into a million of butterflies that disappeared through the walls. They could only watch her leave, the feeling of helplessness and dread filling the pits of their stomachs.
Akashi stood cross armed as his eyes were focused on the Arcana symbol that glowed. He couldn't help it, his mind just wouldn't stop remembering the story the girl had told them. Why Kuroko Tetsuya? What does he have to do with all this? "Tetsuya, what happened to you." His comment didn't go unheard as a single pink butterfly glimmered from the shadows before vanishing through the wall.
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A sullen smile decorated Kuroko's face as he took out a silver coloured baton, and held it firmly in his right hand. "Your tricks never cease to amuse me, First," he said as butterflies gathered behind him as First reappeared, her blue box in hand.
"A magician never reveals their secret," replied the girl, flirtatiously as she placed a finger on her lips winking at him.
Tap tap
Kuroko tapped the baton against a metal pillar beside him, before placing his arms out. "Let us begin then," said the boy.
"Indeed, Zero," said First as she pressed the red button.
Boom
The Stadium collapsed as flames engulfed the building. Walls shattered and caved in on the structure as screams could be heard, but that wasn't the only thing heard. Four other consecutive explosions were heard as black clouds of smoke filled the air, dust from crumbling buildings soon engulfed the city of Tokyo as people ran and screamed. Panic filled the air along with sirens of police car, ambulances and the fire whole city was in chaos.
"It's beautiful," First turned to see Kuroko, for a moment, she swore she saw the devil. The smile upon his face sent a chill down her spine. There was no mistaking the joy and pleasure he was experiencing, the fast movement of his hands didn't help tone down his glee as Kuroko continued to orchestrate the events below.
'He truly is the maddest of us all...' First looked down, her blue eyes locating a group of rainbow haired basketball players. She smirked to herself, "Look at what you've created," she said. "You've made a monster."
Omake: A thank you for A.A followers, reviewers and people who placed this on their favourite's list.
An overview of the daily life at the Arcana Manor
Part One (Mornings)
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6AM
Kuroko Tetsuya softly smiled as he stood upon the rooftop of the Manor, his hands on his violin as he began to play a soft graceful tune.
Below him, Rachel Hastings abruptly sat up, a scowl on her face as she grabbed the nearest item next to her. She nornally wouldn't be this sensitive to sound, and would often sleep through Kuroko's songs, but this morning was not an exception. Beneath her blue eyes were two dark circles as she scowled at the window, throwing her balcony door open before she growled and grumbled. "Shut up, Zero, it's too early in the morning." She threw the item in her hand, which happened to be a double edged axe at the violinist's figure.
He jumped to the side, narrowly missing the blade that embedded itself on the roof before sighing to himself. Kuroko jumped down to his balcony before locking the doors, and soundproofing his room. Just because one person didn't appreciate his music, it didn't mean he didn't have to. A smile decorated his lip before his hand moved, playing that soft peaceful melody to himself.
Rachel smiled satisfied as she fell back to bed to catch up on more sleep.
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7AM
Erik Dragnoth the Second scowled as he sat up, grabbing a red robe to cover his naked body. A frown on his lips as he woke up an hour later than usual. "It's all First's fault, she just had to be a critic to Zero's beautiful music." He muttered, snapping his fingers as he marched towards the breakfast hall. His lion, Momo, following him in tow.
"First!" yelled Erik as he glared at the blonde haired girl. "How dare you stop Zero from playing my morning symphony?" He demanded.
Rachel ignored him and turned to Kuroko, "Pass me the butter please," she said.
Erik grumbled before he slammed his fist against the dining table. "How dare you defy me!" He screamed, jabbing a finger at her. "I am the Emperor! You don't defy me, you obey me! You're only a peasant beneath me, you should know your place. You can't disobey me, I'm a monarch." He bellowed, his breaths heavy as he stared at the empty table. The other Arcana members had disappeared. He turned to Momo, "When did they leave?" He asked in a soft low tone. All the power in his voice was gone as he simply sounded like a lonely little boy.
Roar
"What! They left the moment I began talking?" Erik growled before looking back down at his pet lion. "You won't leave me right, Momo," He whispered lowly, petting the lion.
Roar
"Oh Momo," He wailed before the Emperor hugged the lion. "I love you too!"
From afar, five Major Arcana members stood, staring blankly at the scene.
"..."
Thus, a normal morning at Arcana Manor.
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Mentioned Arcana members in this chapter:
The Fool (Card Zero) - Kuroko Tetsuya
The Magician (Card One/ First) - Rachel Hastings
The Emperor (Card Four/ Fourth) - Erik Dragnoth the Second
