Blazblue, and anything in it, or associated with it, is owned by Ark System Works. I don't own a thing, except Ghaunt and Mariana.

Chapter 9: Kokonoe

"What the hell is with that girl!"

The shouting from his boss did not faze Tager, even in the slightest. He had grown accustomed to it, actually. He just listened on as she bantered and raved. She'd stop sooner or later.

"Kokonoe, wasn't this a matter that happened some time ago?"

The pink haired scientist swiveled around in the chair she sat in until she faced her huge operative. She glared at him fiercely.

"Yeah? So what?"

"Well, it seems irrational to complain about something that has already occurred-"

Tager cut himself off as Kokonoe's burning eyes bore into him. He knew there was no arguing with her. She got up from her desk and walked towards the exit of her office. As it opened, she turned around in the doorway.

"If you need me, I'll be working in my new chamber." And with that she left.

As she made her way down one of the many hallways of Sector Seven, Kokonoe grumbled angrily to herself.

"She's just a private! And she has the NERVE to hang up on me? I'm her boss for crying out loud!"

She stopped walking and scratched her head. "Maybe I'm just overeating…" There was a long pause between the conversation with herself. "…Naw, I'm pretty sure I'm doing okay."

The chief scientist continued her way for some time. She passed other scientists working on other side projects and experiments. She barely noticed, she was on her own mission. Eventually, she came to a large door at the end of the hall. To its side was a keypad. She punched in a code and the door slid open. Kokonoe stepped through, and looked around, pleased. This was her new wing of Sector Seven: strictly for her own scientific endeavors. The chamber was immense, with both an upper level (which she was directly on now) and lower level. One whole side of the room was one great window overlooking the world outside of the compound. Computer monitors and other mechanical equipment were spread out on the top, where as the bottom was open for testing and the like. Kokonoe smiled as she made her way to a desk with a communicator on it. She pushed a button on it, and spoke through it.

"Lambda, get over here."

A monotone voice replied. "Order…Acknowledged…Spatial transfer…Initiating…Returning to base…"

In less then a few seconds, a faint purple and black portal appeared, as did a figure. The figure was young female, wearing a skin tight suit with other metal pieces attached to her. Her blonde hair was braided, ending with an odd sword sticking out. Her eyes were covered by a visor, replaced with one, singular red eye. She floated over towards her master.

"Spatial transfer complete…" Lambda droned.

Kokonoe nodded. "Good. Lambda, I've summoned you here to tell you what I've been doing lately, mostly because it involves you," She turned towards one of the various computers in her workspace and began bringing files up. "I've been experimenting more with the spatial power you use to transport from place to place. I'm thinking that I can upgrade your usual abilities so that when you transport, you can bring more than yourself with you, like Tager or something."

Lambda stood quietly, obediently listening to Kokonoe's speech. She couldn't do much else anyway. Her pink haired master pointed to something laying on a desk farther from both of them. It rested atop a stand on the work bench, along with other scattered equipment probably used in its creation. Kokonoe continued.

"I've created a prototype that I want to try out. So, let me turn you off so I can-"

A beeping sound blared from the computer, interrupting her speech. Kokonoe turned to it irritably. "What now?" She read the screen in disgust. "Who could possibly-"

Lambda suddenly turned and shifted into battle mode. "Alert…Outside spatial phenomena occurrence…Target formalizing…"

Kokonoe stared in the direction Lambda was facing. It was true: A portal appeared right inside her secure laboratory. But how? Kokonoe uncharacteristically gawked at the spiraling matter forming in front of her. It had an eerie green glow to it, something alien, something deadly. A dark silhouette walked out of the mist, smiling a devilish smile. Kokonoe glared at the familiar face.

"Rachel, what the hell do you think your doing here? Didn't we already establish neither of us like each other?"

The vampire stood silent for a moment before busting out into uncontrollable laughter. Kokonoe was taken aback by this. Lambda did not, and stood in her defensive position as the girl in front of her filled the room with insane noise.

"Target identified as Sankishin….Other target detected…source unknown…" Lambda incoherently spoke.

"What?" Kokonoe shouted. "That doesn't make any-"

Rachel placed her hands on her head, like she was actually being hurt from her laughter. She fell to the floor, and laid there on her hands and knees like a dog. Her laughter slowly transformed into pants, until she began to breath very hard. Rachel looked up at her formal cohort and mumbled something that Kokonoe interpreted as "stop him," before passing out. Kokonoe could only blink.

"What…just happened?"

Lambda kept focus on the unconscious child on the floor. "Sankishin…immobilized…Second target still conscious."

"Huh?" Kokonoe could not understand what was going on. All she wanted to do today was test out her new invention. Now all this was happening. "This is giving me a headache…Wait, what other target?"

Lambda pointed at Rachel. She began to twitch, like she had some uncontrollable muscle spasm. It grew worse and worse, she began to roll around, moaning in agony. Then, all of a sudden, a gaseous vapor began to pour out of her mouth. It had the same evil, otherworldly shine as the portal did. It came out slowly, and spread itself throughout the top layer of the chamber. Both Kokonoe and Lambda looked around in horror, or Lambda would, if she felt that emotion.

The gas began to collect and merge, taking the shape of a human body. The head of the figure was covered by something, a hat most likely. It tipped it up, revealing a blank face, save for two neon eyes, staring directly at the two. It lifted its arms up, held them up for a short time, then brought them down with a great force, expelling all the gas that had formed it such a short time ago. Kokonoe shut her eyes, the gas stung them greatly. When she was able to see again, a new figure stood in place of the other one. His metal body covered by scraps of burlap complimented the chains that hung from his upper torso, his face hidden behind a mask. He was either a really threatening force, or…

"Hey! Asshole in shining amour!" Kokonoe shouted bitterly at the new arrival. "What was all that? Some disgusting form of torture? Get the hell out of here!"

The metal man chuckled. "Talk about bringing out the welcome wagon." He took a look around the massive room he intruded into. "So, this is the legendary Sector Seven, eh? Hmph."

Ghaunt folded his arms, angering an already pissed Kokonoe. "What? My organization not good enough for you?"

"Apparently. You're security could use some work. Meh…" Ghaunt scoffed. "Six out of ten."

This sent Kokonoe over the edge. "WHAT?" She stomped her way towards the smirking Ghaunt, and stared right into his eyes with vicious intent. "Who do you think you are, some kind of critic? How dare you barge in here - GAH!"

Her biggest mistake: She walked up to him. Ghaunt seized her by the neck, but not with a force to kill the Grimalkin. He chuckled. "Don't be ashamed, I gave the NOL headquarters a four out of ten." He began to bust out laughing, and threw her back from where she came. She landed on the floor with a thud.

Lambda saw an opening and took the initiative. She quickly ran towards the metal aggressor, and attacked with one of her many swords. Ghaunt stepped back and dodged it, silencing himself. He extended his arm out and grabbed Lambda by the face, blurring her vision and immobilizing her.

"This fight is not yours for the taking, child. Your time will come, but for now…" He shot a surge of energy from his arm into Lambda, whose muffled screams barely escaped her mouth. She stood for a few seconds before collapsing onto her knees. Ghaunt released his grip, which sent Lambda onto the ground. "Sleep."

He turned his attention to a recovering Kokonoe. "Your doll is quite cute. Can I keep her?" He chuckled at his own pitiful question. Kokonoe slowly stood up, also chuckling. This displeased Ghaunt. "What's so funny? It wasn't a joke."

"I'm not laughing at your stupid remarks, creep," Kokonoe smirked. "When you threw me, I landed right next to the table with the silent alarm button underneath it."

"…Shit."

The door opened behind Ghaunt, revealing a group of armed guards with rifles, and a certain "Red Devil." They rushed the room, forming a circle around their target. Ghaunt did looked at each one of them, especially Tager, then took off his hat.

"Aw. You brought in eight guys plus a giant? I'm flattered." He crowed.

Tager spoke in his usual calmness. "I don't know how you got in here, or who you are, but I'm going to have to ask you to surrender."

Ghaunt shook his head as he placed his hat back on his head. "No can do, big guy. I have business to take care of. But here's an idea. If you let me take what I want from your dainty little corporation here, I might actually decide against using all those nukes in the basement. How 'bout it?"

Both Tager and Kokonoe gasped. "How long have you even been here?" Tager nervously asked.

"Who cares? Waste him!" Kokonoe roared her command.

Amidst the confusion, Ghaunt pulled out his pistols out of their holsters and pumped lead into two of the guards. The rest of them began to shoot at the metal man, whose chains came to life and blocked most of them. Any stray bullets were deflected by the armor he wore. Tager rushed with full force at Ghaunt, who jumped atop his head and back and landed back by the door. Tager staggered a bit before coming back into control. One of the guards rushed Ghaunt with a baton in hand. Ghaunt made short work of him by deflecting his blow with his hand and breaking the guard's arm. Two more came at him, and he responded by blasting them down with his revolvers. Tager charged one of his fists with electricity and ran towards Ghaunt again, ramming it towards him. Ghaunt jumped from the wall behind him and passed Tager, again, landing on another guard with his metal boots. Tager slammed into the wall with a loud bang, causing him to collapse The nameless man Ghaunt stood on top of shouted in agony. He was silenced by Ghaunt's canon. Kokonoe watched in horror as her "elite" guard were being slaughtered one by one, right in front of her eyes. The last two charged Ghaunt, who holstered his guns, anticipating for a fist fight. The one on his right he grabbed by the neck with his clawed hand, the other was introduced not only to his steel-plated knee and metal fist, but also the floor too. At last, Ghaunt stared down the final guard who yelped in pain.

"Pitiful."

He spun the defenseless man around once and chucked him through the huge glass window on the other side of the room. The guard's screams of mercy and terror were short. Both Kokonoe and Ghaunt looked around the room and viewed the carnage. As he dusted off his hat, Ghaunt sighed.

"When I came to Kagutsuchi, I at least expected a challenge. And so far, the only two to have bested me are a naïve blonde and a damn child," His laughs were sinister but low. "Truly the legendary guardians of the city, eh?"

Kokonoe barely made out a quiet mumble that escaped the masked man's mouth. Something about a damn ninja and cat-girl. Kokonoe had no idea what it meant, but it didn't matter at the moment. All that mattered was the masked man advancing towards her. As he passed right by her, neither did anything to the other. No speaking, no attacking, nothing. Tager couldn't do much either, his batteries low and depleting. Ghaunt strolled on up to the workbench where the prototype invention rested. He swiped it up and studied it for a second before slamming it onto his wrist. The mechanics in the small invention turned on as it connected with its new master's own hardware. Power coursed through Ghaunt like a lightning bolt to the face. Green energy began to spark as he turned to face Kokonoe again.

"Hmph. At least your technical skills are impressive. I'll be taking this, if you don't mind."

He lifted his arms up again, spreading electricity throughout the room. The mere power from it burst the great window, sending glass every which way. Kokonoe observed the sight and whispered.

"What are you?"

Ghaunt replied with insane laughter. The green energy began to encompass the electrical components of the top layer of the chamber. Computers popped up info at an alarming rate, lights flickered like fireflies. Beneath the machines formed a portal, one wide enough for all of them to fit. Kokonoe backed away, only to trip over one of her fallen guards. She was out of the portal's grasp, but the same could not be said for her personal equipment. Ghaunt eyed the scientist one last time.

"I would like to thank you, Miss Kokonoe. You have single handily assisted me in plotting the downfall of Kagutsuchi and everyone who lives there. Now, if you excuse me, I got a date to get to."

And in a flash, it was all gone. Ghaunt, the machines, the electricity. All disappeared into the void, leaving only the lifeless soldiers, the ashamed giant, and the even more ashamed and distraught chief scientist.

"I've figured it out. I know his plan."

Noel and Makoto cocked there heads at Mariana, who had suddenly jumped up.

"What do you mean?" Noel asked.

"I've been reviewing some old tapes I brought with me from the asylum," Mariana explained. "Its been giving me clues and hints about Ghaunt's plan."

"He had a plan?" Makoto teased. "I thought he was just a nut bar on the loose."

Mariana ignored her and continued. "In his later sessions, he kept going on and on about this girl he loved."

"Oh, he's not insane. He's just melodramatic." Makoto interrupted again.

"Makoto! This is important!" Noel shouted.

Makoto shrugged, trying to look all innocent. Mariana went on. "He kept babbling on about this girl, kept saying they would be together through hell or high water. I don't think she's living in the city, or else he would have already left by now. So, I think he's going to try something with another girl."

"Wait. If she's not here, than why would he come here in the first place." Noel asked.

Mariana shook her head. "I'm not sure. I don't think it was a part of his original plan. She probably came up in his mind at one point or another."

"OK, so we know his motives and plan, kinda. What do you know about this girl? Does she have anything we can use to track his next target or something?" Makoto surprisingly spoke out.

"Actually, yes," Mariana nodded. "Ghaunt said that the girl he loved so dearly had red hair."

Both Noel and Makoto's eyes grew. "Red?" They asked at the same time.

"Yeah. Why? Do you know someone with red hair?"

The two exchanged glances and spoke again. "We know who he's going after."

A/N: Oh my god! So much tension! Anyway, I enjoyed writing this one. Sector Seven was an easy thing to write about, just needed add in some action scenes and…well…Ghaunt.

I hope this cliffhanger doesn't murder you guys. I'm pretty sure you know whose up next though. Only a few more chapters to go!

Thanks for reading!

P.S. Ghaunt mumbles something about a ninja and a cat-girl. What does it mean?