During the Meeting

(POV: Third)

Liam didn't want to be involved where he knew he wasn't wanted. He understood the severity of the situation. However, the final straw was seeing Arkaid as furious as she was when she discovered the drawbacks of the dreadful power Liam wielded. He was alone, scrunching over in response to the frigid cold of the darkening night. No one roamed the streets. Lonely lights from street signs and lanterns marked the path he knew to follow. He wanted to head back to his place and only hear what he needed to hear when everything was said and done.

Why bother dealing with the crap now, he wondered. The cavalry dragons expressed concern over the presence of Demios alone. Liam heard from CJ discuss the fact that the cavalry dragons don't see him as a member of their group, so it was only a matter of time for dragons like Doble to speak his mind towards Liam. Liam hated that kobold of a dragon. He gritted his teeth as he tightened his grip on the sweatshirt pockets.

He hated how Doble saw Demios. He hated how the rest saw Demios. If it wasn't for CJ and Arkaid, they would have been complete outsiders. Now, after all of that, he had to watch the beginning of Arkaid's fury towards him, and he didn't want any of it. How could he? He got along so well in the past, and him giving the Dark Core Deck Case to CJ was like a promise of safety. He reassured to Arkaid that CJ would be fine. However, there were just some things he just could not control. Once the Disaster Force showed signs of taking over him, he realized that he couldn't speak up. He hated himself for withholding the truth.

It didn't stop him from thinking back to Doble, watching as he portrayed himself with such immaturity. "Gobshite," he muttered to himself. "Worse than Fridrik. The bitch."

It was almost like a call. For the first time during his long walk, he heard the flapping of intense wings. Liam looked above, expecting a fight. He prepared himself by placing his arm just over his Dark Core Deck Case. If this monster wanted a fight, he was going to bring it to them. However, the monster snatched Liam before he could make another move. The feathered foe snatched Liam with her tight talons. The eagle clad in dangerous armor flew Liam into an alley and pinned him against the wall. Liam struggled for freedom, but nothing worked. His clothes were getting torn with each twitch and twirl. Liam stopped fighting fate when he heard a voice coming from the back of the armorknight eagle "A". "So, you think I'm a bitch?" The voice struck Liam with a playful tune. He hated it. For that woman to act so playful and silly while he was pinned, completely restricted…. He knew from the get-go that it was Ms. Fridrik. It was just his luck to run into her. "To be fair, you have every right to hate me. When we've talked, you've mostly seen me bash on your friend. He's forgiven me. Why can't you?"

Liam gasped as he struggled to regain his footing. He looked at the monster pinning him, recognizing her as Halia. She looked antsy, almost nervous. Halia kept repositioning her talons so that she wouldn't be crushing anything. Despite this, Liam was pissed. "Sometimes he doesn't know better. I fucking hate people like you."

"Oh, really now?"

"Yeah!" Liam barked back. "You're his boss, so of course CJ will sit there and take it, like. You're taking advantage of him!"

"I'm sure we can agree to disagree," Ms. Fridrik answered back. "I tell him what he wants to hear. He's not satisfied with hearing that he did nothing wrong."

"He ain't some geebag," Liam grunted. "You really expect me to believe that he wants to hear that?"

"He wants to hear what he thinks is the truth," Ms. Fridrik replied. "I've been rough with him, but when lives are on the line, you really think I should take things likely?" Ms. Fridrik shook her head. "You would know that, right? I mean, you're the murderer we've been looking for."

It was as if Liam's body erupted with adrenaline. Simply hearing those words propelled his muscles into action. In no time at all, with no more struggle, he managed to activate the Disaster Force. Predicting the worst, Ms. Fridrik commands Halia to fly back. Just as they manage to do so, Liam materializes the Demios Sword in his left hand. The sword just barely clips away at some of Halia's feathers. Halia looks extremely rattled, causing Ms. Fridrik to look down in concern. She strokes her buddy's head, calming the whimpering Halia down. "So, you would strike her down, knowing she is a friend of Chase's." She angrily turns to Liam. "I must've struck a nerve. I have no more doubts; you did it."

"I didn't do anything!"

"You killed those three men, and you were the one to kill Hoshi! Just like how you tried to kill Halia now."

Liam shook her head. "She's on Earth, you Eejit. She'll just de-materialize into her card. Don't pretend I don't know that shit."

"With reflexes like that, do you really think that thought came across your mind?" Liam gritted his teeth, readying his sword for another attack. "The evidence is coincidental, but you definitely possess enough of a motive. Even if you didn't kill those three guys, there's a motive when it comes to Hoshi."

"Stop trying to get to me," Liam returned coldly. "Now don't talk. I don't want to threaten an agent, but you used illegal force on me."

"Now that we're simply standing, now you use your head."

"Fuck off."

"So you admit that you would've been fine if Hoshi killed your friend?" Even Halia shuddered at the thought of that. Liam inhaled deeply through his nose, exhaling with the air grinding against his throat, creating a harsh, raspy growl. "You know the Disaster Force clouds judgment. If anything, for that one moment, it could've made you into a murderous killing machine."

"If that's the case," Liam began, building a rebuttal. "Then it would be your fault for letting me have it."

"I'm certain there's a chance your buddy was involved," Ms. Fridrik openly pondered. This angered Liam even more. He swung his sword through the air, slamming it against a nearby trash can. Ms. Fridrik, believing that progress was made, smiled faintly. "I'm certain, with the other three bodies, we could match that sword you have with some of the wounds. We already have some witness statements stating that they saw a large, armored dragon. The descriptions they gave fit the bill."

Unfortunately, Liam's body was starting to rattle. He knew and understood that the evidence was circumstantial, but he also knew the truth. Right now, he could try to see if the witness testimonies were lies, but to take that risk? On top of that, his buddy could be in trouble if Ms. Fridrik publishes this sort of information. It was then that his mind popped. What if the others find out? His mind went to Arkaid and CJ first. Knowing them, just the mere accusation would … he didn't want to think about it. No… he couldn't allow it to ever happen. "W-what makes you think you can trust those sources?"

"We'll find a way," Ms. Fridrik replied. "Alvis told me on some occasions that your buddy has a vendetta against The Will. Not only that, the murders just so happen to start occurring after you arrived in Japan."

"Implying that you wanted to look for me," Liam struggled to explain. "Why the hell would you even start?"

"You know, today's findings, as well as the circumstances behind Hoshi… such information really opened my eyes," Ms. Fridrik replied. Her platinum blonde hair seemed to further freeze the words she spouted. Liam knew that there was only so much that he could say was "circumstantial evidence." "Having Demios as your buddy… already a red flag, especially after his association with Kyoya. Secondly, I found out that you can use "portals" with that Disaster Force of yours."

"So?" Liam struggled to return. "Any buddy monster can do that."

"Ah, but they need to establish a link between one world and the other," Ms. Fridrik returned. "Their portals aren't like the ones you use. While theirs connect to their different worlds, yours connect to different areas in space. No doubt in my mind could you have left the scene through a portal, and simply returned. Hell, you chased Hoshi before Chase's group did. How do you expect me to believe that they managed to find Hoshi first? You were at least fifteen minutes ahead of them and searched more areas than you did."

"Circumstantial."

"Then you factor in the motive, which is to protect Chase, and then you include Demios's vendetta against the Will, and everything seems to fall, generally, into place."

"Again, Circumstantial."

"Liam, let me tell you something," Ms. Fridrik sighed. "I've seen people go to jail, for life, for way less." There was only so much Liam could deny. The motive was clear, the testimonies would fit (if applicable), and he is in possession of the Dark Core Deck Case, a weapon that could cloud and destroy the mind. Not only that, but the time slot is believable. Even though there was nothing concrete yet, something was lingering in Liam's mind. He wanted to keep denying it, but a part of him even knew that could only get him so far. However, Ms. Fridrik was Chase's boss. To lie to her… that would be like lying to Chase. He took in another deep breath as he stared at the ground. His sword de-materialized, marking his defeat. No. Not even lying to Chase was enough. After thinking, even more, he realized that the one thing that truly made him want to come clean was the fact that he did it… and he was proud of it.

"So… what do you want to hear?" Liam morosely replied.

"Actually… for right now, I've seen everything I needed to." Liam looked up, watching as Ms. Fridrik dismounted from her buddy. She confidently walked over, stationing herself right next to Liam. She made a quick gesture to Halia. Odds are, it was a sign to flee and report if Liam did anything sketchy. "Now… what would you do if I told you that I can make all of this go away?" Liam's fingers curled, for he could just smell the corruption in her voice. "Hey, you're the vigilante."

"Why would I want to work for you?" Liam brashly asked.

"For the clean slate," Ms. Fridrik replied. "Don't work for me, and I'll have the guys back home look into you and your profile. They'll start investigating with you as their angle and, well, odds are, you would either get charged or, based on the lawyer, you could get freed."

"Heh, I could always get Chase's dad," Liam replied with a weak smirk. "The guy's a lawyer."

"I doubt he'll defend someone who's sketchy like yourself," Ms. Fridrik confidently replied. "An internet friend from across the world? A person who's buddies with the leader of an army of darkness? If he knew you, he'd possibly do it. Has Chase ever brought you up to his father?"

"…. No."

"Of course not," Ms. Fridrik returned. "… Now, to get down to business. I need you to do what I can't tell my agents to do, alright? That's all you need to do."

"… What am I limited on doing?"

"As long as it's for me, you can do whatever," Ms. Fridrik casually replied. "Maim, kill, maybe there was someone who you were hoping to get some sweet revenge on. As long as you get the primary work done first, I'll cover up the mishaps that happen on your missions, but I won't sweep away anything that happened outside of them."

Liam looked over at her, watching as the platinum blonde hair seemed to hide an ingeniously warped face. He couldn't look at her without seeing her as a monster. It made him wince, too nervous to even spend another moment looking at her in the eye. "You yelled at CJ for "getting someone killed" when it was not his fault, and now you're saying that it's fine I killed those people?!"

Fridrik smiled softly, but soon it faded to a hard, cold frown. "Because I didn't know. Not knowing is chaos. Now I know who the murderer is, and now that I know it is you, you can be used as my means." She looks down at Liam, eyeing his pocket. "Where's Demios?"

"He's with CJ."

"Text him; tell him to have Demios pick you up. If you reveal what we've discussed here outside of us three, then the deal's off."

"…One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"You're a monster, you know that?"

Finding the comment funny, Ms. Fridrik chuckled. "You're a part of the purgatory knights. The Ends Justify the Means. Or do you not remember your army's ways? I want peace between monsters and humans, the same dream that Chase has; the same dream that Halia shares with him, and I will do everything in my power to obtain it." With a quick mounting, Ms. Fridrik flew on the back of Halia, vanishing into the night.

Across Tokyo, another meeting was about to take place. The eyes of the world took no notice of the lonely alleyway at the edge of the city. Alvis and Sitri remained inconspicuous as they eyed the streets, surveying for any possible intruders. They didn't want anyone else to eavesdrop, not a meeting like this. Alvis was getting antsier by the moment; he felt compelled to speak his mind. He needed to talk about what his brother had done. In fact, this was the third thing he had issues with what his brother had done.

Sitri remained in his SD form for the sake of getting less attention. However, his ears perked up from the distracting and attention-grabbing sound of Alvis angrily, and impatiently, tapping his foot. Sitri, at first, did not want to speak up; he understood why Alvis was so angry. Instead of barking at him, Sitri decided to confront Alvis about whatever he possibly could. There are only so many things that Alvis has already talked to his brother about, so Sitri hoped that discussing the previous two issues would be beneficial. "Everything okay, my main man?"

Sitri grunted back to the small, humanoid panther. "Not in the mood right now, Sitri."

"I can see that, and hear that," Sitri replied, carrying a snarky air in his voice. "They say third time's the charm, but…."

"I just don't get it with him," Alvis angrily moaned. "He's the boss, I get that, alright? But he's definitely living out the stages of a younger brother, even if it is only by two years."

"Guess he's a late bloomer," Sitri returned. "You know, you didn't have to listen to him. You could've led the thing yourself and got your stuff by yourself."

"No, he had more motivation," Alvis morosely replied. "He's been thinking this way since the beginning. But for me… by the time I was finally interested in his cause, he had already grown it to the way it is now."

Sitri shrugged his shoulders. "It's weird how a person can be someone's motivation by, well, just existing, am I right?"

"Chase and Arkaid are going to be ageless, living for an eternity, or God knows how long," Alvis angrily replied. "No. I can't stand that. I may not be Cavalry material, but goddamnit, how can I just go on knowing that one of my closest friends is going to outlive me?"

"It's not exactly a blessing," Sitri retorted.

"Not a curse, either," Alvis retorted back. "What is a curse is having people like Hoshi and Gale in the first place. Both just had to say my brother's name in that recording. Idiots. Fucking idiots What kind of idiot hires people that address their leader's name?"

"The same idiot that shows up in person?" Sitri snickered.

"Right?!" Alvis replied with a muffled shout. "I mean, when I first heard that Shido saw him and the guys, I almost thought that he saw some fakes. That's why I had to go in and get that information and get it now; I just had to know if he really did something that stupid! Otherwise, we're just waltzing around for Ms. Fridrik, the wart."

"At least she didn't dock our pay."

"You know she was planning to."

Their ears picked up a sudden shift in the air around them. Wisps of dark, purple aura began to spark into a large, oval mass. Alvis turned looked back at the source with unimpressed eyes. He's already seen one too many people create a portal with the Disaster Force, seeing his brother do it didn't exactly interest him the way it used to. From the portal came one figure; he looked older than Alvis, with his well-defined chin and cheekbones. He appeared rather unkempt with his messy black and wild hair. It curled at the ends, showing no signs of care. The man was definitely tired as his purple eyes drearily observed his surroundings. His attitude didn't pick up until he noticed his brother present. He gave off a friendly smile, happy to see that his brother had listened to him despite the recent troubles. "Al! You came after all!"

Even though the excited shout wasn't too loud, Alvis hushed him. He wasn't intimidated, even when he noticed the dark trench coat Eirik wore. Alvis knew him better; to him, Eirik's not the type of guy to lash out. "Keep your voice down."

"Oh, sorry," the weary man replied. He could tell that, even though his brother and his buddy arrived, Alvis was still visibly frustrated. It made things awkward between them, making it so Eirik couldn't make himself talk. It was for that reason that he didn't feel comfortable bringing Sinblade with him. "I cannot act like Sinblade never did what he did. I promised to keep CJ safe, but you must understand that he almost died."

"That's on you."

"I know, but we care too much for each other," Eirik solemnly replied. "He may be a monster to you, but he's listened to me from day 1. Unlike you."

"Don't put this crap on me, Ei," Alvis sneered. "I don't want CJ involved in this crap."

"Why?" Eirik replied, showing genuine confusion. His voice softened as his eyes seemed to urge the man to look closer for answers. "You know what's going to happen to him."

"I don't want him to go through too much until then," Alvis forced out. "Is it too much to make sure he stays safe until then?"

"I can't control everyone," Eirik lowly replied. "Criminals are easy to hire, but damn it they are rebellious most of the time. Speaking of which." Eirik reached into his coat, pulling out a Dark Core Deck Case. The dark jewel's eye seemed to twitch as it eyed Sitri. The black panther morosely looked away. He hated this more than anything. However, the bond between buddies kept him going. Besides, he also valued Chase as a close friend. Sitri's playful, sarcastic attitude faded away, showing his more genuine side as he gripped his chest, feeling sick to his stomach. "Does this one look good to you? It's one of the latest models I've been working on."

Alvis stared at the device, observing it closely. "You're reverse engineering them now?"

"A little bit. I have some scientists working on getting a better deck case for CJ. The one that emo-guy gave him was an older model. The one I have here shows much more potential."

"Keep them for your guys," Alvis returned. "The older models would probably be more unstable, logically. It works in our favor when it comes to him."

"R-Right," Eirik quickly replied. "Then should you take the device?"

"Not yet," Alvis returned, pressing his hand against the dark item. "I know how to use it, but I don't want to risk any chance of any of the officers finding it."

"… Makes sense."

Sitri was definitely growing more annoyed. His emotions, uncontrollably, began to pile up. He spun around and released an intimidating snarl, spooking the brothers. "Damn, Eirik. Do you have any clue what you're doing?" Master Eirik could only try his best to ignore the comment, avoiding eye contact. "Three strikes. Three fucking strikes, Eirik. First you hire nitwits, then you reveal yourself to that Shido idiot, and then you nearly get Chase killed! You almost got our most important piece mauled to death."

"In my defense, Sinblade didn't stab him in the heart," Eirik hastily replied. He was growing anxious as he spoke. His tone was shaking, for his mind started piecing together the plans he'd been developing for quite some time. However, he could not excuse how he's let his emotions get the best of him. Revealing himself to Shido, especially, was a horrendous move. "And trust me, I was horrified to know that Shido turned out to be a complete coward."

"And Gale and Hoshi?" Sitri growled. "Hoshi got too pissed and now he's dead, and Ms. Fridrik thinks you killed him."

"Fuck," Eirik announced.

"And Gale's in the Buddy Police HQ, being questioned. Were those two idiots really supposed to be your main three?"

"No," Eirik slowly replied.

"Oh?" Sitri was astonished. "That's new."

"Hoshi was just some hot-shot who wanted more power for himself," Eirik began. He turned his back to Alvis and Sitri, collecting his thoughts without having to look at their angry faces. It was troubling him, and the more he thought about the anger the harder it was to explain his line of thinking. "I… knew that I needed him for a short time. He was violent, but someone had to kill him off. Gale, on the other hand, is young, and he's felt betrayal." Eirik turned back to Alvis and Sitri. His confidence returned, watching as the two men began to put two and two together. "Yes, he's the one I've been keeping for a few years. I heard his story, and I watched as his emotions empowered the Disaster Force. It must've been due to his own mental weakness, or his strong emotional response in acknowledging that weakness, but whatever it was, the Disaster Force ran wild… but it was not enough. He's found solace in not having a true buddy, fine with using the Death Rulers… It's unfortunate, really; deciding that puppets were good enough to fill the void…."

"What is he to you?"

"He's only a fraction of what we can do with Chase, that's what he is," Eirik focused all of his attention on the panther. "Gale Minas is a reminder of what I can do with the Disaster Force, but he managed to find a replacement for the time being."

Alvis sighed. "Unfortunately," he returned. "… Even now, I think Chase is still saddened by his old buddies leaving. Even Arkaid couldn't replace them."

Sitri whimpered. "Goddamnit, Chase…."

"So…." He brought his intense focus to his brother. Eirik flinched a bit, but soon he noticed the genuine, loyal eyes of his brother. "What do you want us to do?"

Eirik smiled back. It was not that of a villain, but, in that moment, the two brothers felt some kind of connection that one would find in a schoolyard. In a morbid way, the events transpiring from their actions were dubbed minuscule in overall importance, almost like they were developing some sort of school project. Alvis stating that he was on board, well, it made Eirik feel like this could finally get going. Nothing else matched the feeling of knowing that his brother was still on board with him. However, Eirik replied with a stern, mature voice. He understood that he couldn't let another error like this happen again. However, he needed to agree with Alvis a certain tactic he was thinking up. "You and Sitri need to focus on making sure that CJ is close to Arkaid or Liam, either or, really. I need you to make sure that their bond is secure and tight."

"How tight are you talking about?"

"Very," Eirik returned. "But do it with either Arkaid or Liam. The person you choose doesn't matter at this stage. I want to test something."

"Oh?" Alvis replied. "What kind of plan."

"For starters," Eirik stated. "I want to know which one of them Chase has closer ties to, and then we can work from there. However, …we are going to need our puppet master."