Sakaki watched as the remains of the fifteenth Azumanga Brigade member were extracted from the burning ruins. The dark haired, but light hearted girl felt tears slowly drip off of her pale chin. The other Azumanga Brigade members slowly placed the remains into a box. The strange black material did not shine even though the sun beat down upon it. As each part of the former Azumanga Brigade member was placed into the box the material darkened even further. Soon the other members finished their somber task. With their heads bowed in respect the Azumanga Brigade stood silently as the box began to turn red.
This is all my fault, thought Sakaki. I never should have suggested that we try to stop these monsters. How could I have really thought that we stood a chance? The girl looked down at her feet. But how could I just sit there? How could I not suggest that we try to stop them? Those people were the reason that we had to hide in the first place. And we did manage to drive them back.
The box turned a light shade of blue as Sakaki continued to ponder the day's events. I should have led this assualt, she thought, If I had she would still be alive! But we agreed that she needed to gain experience in leading the team. So was it really my fault, or was it the fault of all of us? We never expected her to lose—well she did win—but I never wanted us to become like this. I never wanted any of us to be unable to see our victories.
The box turned a bright yellow, mocking the sun with its pigmentation. I can't let this happen again. Red and orange cinders flew into the sky. I'll never let somebody else do my work for me. Flames crackled and popped, filling the ears of everyone present with what might as well have been the crunching of bones. Sakaki looked as the original members of the Azumanga Brigade clenched their fists. I'll never send someone to their death. The box turned white. The ceremony was over. The remaining members of the Azumanga Brigade turned towards the heart of the city. That was where they needed to go. That's where everyone is counting on us to be.
I won't let us lose anyone else. I won't let them steal another one of my friends.
Sakaki turned to see the faces of the others. They all seemed so young, despite the fact that most of them were just as old as Sakaki. Yet their eyes showed that they were no longer the same carefree girls they had once been. Such was the nature of the events that had transpired. This last battle had made sure of that. No one had expected the attack to be easy, but they had never expected to lose so many of their own. Five of them had been stolen away by the thieving hands of the unknown darkness. Their only consolation lay in the fact that the one who had taken so many lay dead underneath the piles of concrete and ash. They had all fought to keep their friends safe. No one had escaped without scars of somesort. For many they split their faces and hands, but for some they rested inside. But all of their pain, all of their sacrifices weren't for nothing. Or were they? Sakaki was no longer sure. It had been so easy to think that when the whole affair had begun. That had been before the newest members of the Azumanga Brigade had been ambushed. Before they had retreated across a bridge as it crumbled into the sea. When the feeling of the Earth shaking beneath their feet had yet to come. And before they had to watch people dying on the streets in droves. Sakaki saw the tears in her friends' eyes. Now isn't the time to grieve, that can come later. Now is the time for anger, and maybe we can stop this insanity.
The remaining members raised their heads, as the box returned to its orignial shade of black. Sakaki wiped her face with the sleeve of her uniform. This had been a difficult day, and it was only going to get worse. The raven haired girl knew that this would be their final test, because the Azumanga Brigade couldn't last anymore. Before they headed towards the center of the city, Sakaki took one last look at the rest of their faces. She looked at Koyomi's face, a fractured lense hiding the fright in her eyes. She saw Tomo, her face no longer curved in its usual smile, replaced instead with the tortured grimace of someone who had seen enough death to last a thousand lifetimes. Kagura's normal optimism had been replaced with a deep anger, her burning eyes a monument to its intensity. Ayumu still whimpered from the recent loss, she was the only one among them that had changed the least. The spacey girl still drifted off at times, but she no longer did so with a smile on her face. It's a good thing Chiyo isn't here to see this, thought Sakaki, She didn't have to see all of the pain.Sakaki watched as the skyscrapers in the distance swayed. There are only twelve us. A white cloud began to drift behind one of the tall buildings. And now there are only eight of them. She saw a small figure on the roof. The dark cloak around its body made her shiver with rage. The pale face of the man smiled beneath a mess of dark hair. I don't know what's going to become of the Azumanga Brigade, thought the girl. But I know, that whatever happens next, I won't fall. Not until they're gone. Until that day comes—I will never rest.And with that the Azumanga Brigade marched towards their ultimate foes, and what would be the end, for they would never let these tyrants rule. Because they could never let those who would do evil win, without a fight.