AN: wassup readers! The republican presents yet another chapter. Hope your week went well, mine did. I only have 2 exams left before a month's holiday. Woot! Well enjoy the chapter.
Justin gave the group one look and immediately notified Limo about the situation. The group were all immediately rushed to hospital, where they were all treated for a week, minus The Twins, who escaped with only a few scratches by some miracle and Victoria, who only received treatment for shock after seeing what happened to Kyle.
Keira and Alex were both treated for major concussions, Benjamin for a light concussion and several lacerations and Kyle for two cracked ribs. "Ugh I hate hospitals." Benjamin told the Twins for what felt like the hundredth time since they were allowed to visit. "We know." They said sounding annoyed.
The rest of the team gradually filled the room until all were accounted for. Alex somehow managed to get a full body mirror from somewhere in the hospital. When asked how and where he got it, he grinned like an idiot and answered "Yes.". It seemed as if Alex discovered the high grade pain killers. No further questions were asked and Justin was contacted. "Ah, it's good to see our top students recovering nicely. Speaking of which, how's the recovering going?" He inquired. "We've been discharged with the go-ahead to fight, except for Kyle, who should ease himself into training next week before being fully ready the week after." Keira reported.
"I see... well this is problematic, since I wanted you to capture one of those things and document his or her behaviour. We believe it might be a sort of drug triggering the sudden increase in activity and these strange actions, but we can't do that with only two thirds of the team fighting fit." He explained.
"Sir, in my opinion, I think only one meister alone will be more than able to beat one of them. In fact, I did. We were merely surprised caught off guard since we didn't think it would eat another kishin egg." Benjamin said. Justin sighed. "Well, I hope you're right, Benjamin. I'm extending your stay for a little while longer then. PLEASE be careful, Maka will have my head otherwise." Justin said before signing off.
The groups were given new rooms for the extent of their stay, these rooms were right next to each other and much more convenient for everyone. Benjamin and the Twins' room had also been given an extra bed after Neil looked like he was about to burst into tears. The hotel staff also helped Kyle move all his stuff due to discomfort issues.
Kyle and Keira both just finished unpacking when Keira came into the room. "Victoria, Benjamin needs to talk to you about your role in capturing another one of those things. Alex will be with you to receive his instructions a second time, he really doesn't wanna screw up." She said. "Sure thing." Victoria replied before leaving with Alex.
Kyle made himself comfortable and stared at the roof as he lied down on the couch. He sighed heavily. "Yes?" He asked Keira, who was still standing there. "I just wanted to check how you're doing." She answered.
"Fine." Came the blunt reply. "Bummed about not being able to go on the mission?" Keira asked. Kyle looked at Keira, making eye contact for the first time since she entered the room, allowing her to feel his wavelength. It seethed with pure frustration. "I'm holding the team back. Because I'm injured, the mission was almost compromised. No wonder I only managed third .I'm just not as good as you guys!" he burst out.
Keira sat down on the couch across Kyle, who was still lying down. "So that's how you feel, huh? Well I'm about to leave, but I'm gonna give you something to think about; my life has been in danger twice, and twice it was YOU who saved me. Twice, a kishin egg has been available to consume and twice did you have the full right to claim it for your weapon. Yes, you're ranked third, but that was because I was lucky. Kyle, you make yourself out as useless, but the fact is you are just as talented if not more talented than the rest of us. Now enjoy some well deserved rest." She said to him. As she finished, she stood up and walked to the door, but stopped and looked back. "Thanks for being the hero I needed." She said before smiling at him and then leaving without another word.
Alex joined her in their room after the briefing was done. Alex looked bored in the way he was playing with his earphones.
"So, what did you and Kyle talk about?"
"Oh, not much."
"Yeah right, spill it."
"What? I didn't do anything wrong."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, really."
"Ok, then what did you guys talk about?"
"Look, all I did was thank him for saving our butts the other day."
"Did you kiss him?"
"No, Alex, I did not kiss him."
"But you wanted to."
"Wh-what? No! Don't be silly."
Keira turned a bright red and Alex laughed at his Meister. She covered her face and waited for the laughing to stop. Alex nudged her with his elbow to tell her that he's done. When she looked up, he seemed serious. "Anyways, what are we gonna do about our problem?" He asked.
"Oh right..." Keira said while thinking about her last two fights. "Both opponents so far got the upper hand by grabbing onto you. I'm pretty sure not every enemy will be crazy enough to grab onto you, but we need to find a way to assure it doesn't happen again." She continued.
They left their room and went next door to find Benjamin and the Twins ready for them. "I decided it would be best for Victoria to stay with Kyle, you two have no choice unfortunately. Remember, safety is our number one priority, so we only engage single targets. Once we subdue a target, we come back here as soon as possible." Benjamin gave the final briefing before they left.
The sound of breaking glass filled the night air as a thug decided to try his luck at robbing a jewellery store. The thug was gleeful over his easy robbery when a voice interrupted him. "Attention, noob. Prepare to have your ass handed to you." Alex called from the store's roof. He was sitting on the side of the building with Keira behind him. He transformed into a weapon and the thug readied himself for a fight. Unfortunately, nothing could prepare hi9m from the sucker punch he received from Benjamin.
"Are you sure you don't wanna join them for the interrogation?" Kyle asked Victoria. Victoria was sitting next to him on the couch. "Of course, silly." Came the reply. "I wouldn't want you to get lonely in here, would I?" She continued with a smile. "I'll be fine, I kinda have some thinking to do." Kyle replied absentmindedly. "Oh... Ok." She said and left, not letting him see the disappointment on her face.
The hero she needed...
Entering Benjamin's room, Victoria was greeted by a familiar animal like yell and the sight of an abomination falling to the ground. "Again?" Victoria asked. Keira looked up and saw Victoria. "Oh! Hey, Victoria. It's okay, we know everything we need to know anyway . This one answered everything we wanted to know, including why the last one just died. Side effects of not consuming a human soul shortly after consuming a kishin soul includes cardiac arrest. Is Kyle here?" She said the last part seeming over eager.
"No, he said he had some things to think about." Victoria replied. "Who cares, let's eat!" Alex exclaimed, his torso coming out of the scythe, grabbing the kishin egg and shoving it down his throat. "Thanks for the meal!" he said, clapping his hands together, like his teacher and role model did several times before. He suddenly started glowing but stopped just as suddenly. "...Woah..." He said.
"That's weird. Alex, you feel lighter, not a lot, but lighter." Keira remarked. "That IS weird, I've had two souls already and I've lost no weight whatsoever." Victoria said with a pout. "It might just be nothing, but I'll take it up with my dad just in case." Keira said.
"You guys do that. Keira, if it happens to be something, I want you to be ready to tell me everything. The more we know, the better." Benjamin said. Keira gave a "Right!" in reply. "Also, I want you to report back to Justin as soon as you arrive in Death City, I'll only be joining you two days later since I've been assigned a solo mission by Justin." He continued. "Doesn't that defeat the purpose of us coming in a group?" Alex asked.
"Justin apparently received orders to have my skills felt out a little, so he sends me on solo missions with minor threat levels to do that. Don't worry, I told him my team comes first, so my solo missions will never be during our group assignments." He answered. "Well I'm not complaining, I'm getting homesick." Alex said, thinking about him and Keira's bean bag filled apartment in England. "So am I, Alex we should get packing." Keira said. She greeted everyone and left along with Alex. Victoria did the same and left leaving Benjamin and the Twins to prepare.
He turned to the Twins. "So read that report to me one more time, Thomas." He ordered. Thomas cleared his throat. "The subject is a chef at a local restaurant. He's believed to murder his victims while putting small parts of his victim in the food he makes for others."
"What the heck? How did that not go public?" Benjamin asked. "A client found a nose in his food and reported it to the authorities. Both the client and the investigators vanished soon after." Thomas answered. Neil was giggling. "What's so funny?" Benjamin asked. "His name is Pierre, that is so stereotypically funny." Neil answered. Benjamin and Thomas sweatdroped. "Only you, Neil." Benjamin said.
"Oh, you're back." Kyle said, still on the couch but with his things now packed next to him. Victoria walked right past him.
"So did you guys get enough info?"
"Yep."
"Awesome, feel like watching some TV?"
"I'm good."
"Okay... you feeling okay?"
"Perfect."
"You sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Okay..."
"Well I'm done packing, goodnight."
"Goodnight..."
"Did I miss something?" Kyle wondered to himself. He shrugged it off and went to sleep, still lying on the couch. Victoria heard by the breathing that Kyle had fallen asleep and got up. She walked over to where he was sleeping and watched him for a while. There was a little bit of drool oozing from the corner of his mouth and his eyes seemed semi-open. She waved to make sure he was sleeping. "You know, you can really be an idiot sometimes, and yet I'm not complaining." She said.
"I wasn't crazy, you are lighter, I can feel it." Keira said, holding Alex in his scythe form. "Are you saying I'm fat!?" The boy with a twig-like physique joked. Keira merely laughed in reply, knowing by now when to take him serious and when not to. "Well if that's all, I'll start getting my things packed so I can listen to some Led Zeppelin before I sleep." Alex said, assuming his human form. "As long as I can practice my violin, I'm not complaining." She answered. They raced to see who could pack the quickest and when they finished, Alex put on his headphones and climbed his stairway to heaven and Keira entered the stratosphere playing on her Stradivarius.
Benjamin saw the others off at the airport. "How's the ribs?" He asked Kyle. "Fine, I don't care what the doc says, I'll be fighting fit by the end of next week." Kyle said determined. "I like the determination. Just make sure you can handle it. If you can't, stop." Benjamin said.
He turned to Keira. "Be sure to find out about Alex. I can't stop thinking about it and I really wanna know." He said to her. She nodded in reply. "Well then see you guys in two days. Enjoy the flight." He said to the other two thirds of the elites. The others returned their goodbyes and left.
Benjamin turned to the ever faithful, ever quiet twins. "Alright, time to play food critic." The twins smiled and nodded in reply.
Night time soon arrived and the streets were abuzz with activity. People seemed to be drawn to one place in particular, a restaurant that has recently started making the most delicious food. Benjamin was also making his way towards the restaurant, but with something other than food on his mind. He had a kishin to wipe from the face of this earth.
"Well looks like the front door isn't an option." Benjamin said, staring at the long queue in front of the building. "So we do this the fun way." Neil concluded. An evil grin spread across Benjamin's face. Let's do some damage." He said.
Inside the restaurant, people were running around, trying to get the food ready in time for their paying customers. The organised madness was launched into complete chaos when Benjamin suddenly blasted through the wall.
Everyone froze. "Uhh... Hi, I'm looking for Pierre." Benjamin said. Half of the room raised their hands in response. "Pierre the chef?" He asked. No one lowered their hands. "Okay. Pierre, the chef who puts body parts in the food." Benjamin said, now growing impatient. Everyone gasped in shock. An especially fat chef stepped forward and started talking. "Monsieur, there must be a mistake, let's step outside through this lovely hole you made and we can sort the confusion out." He said, ushering Benjamin outside.
Once outside the chef's facial expression changed to one of panic. "What do you stupid Englishmen think you're doing?" He asked, the tone of his voice urgent. "Looking for a murderer." Benjamin answered bluntly. "This is crazy talk! Head-chef Pierre will have our heads for this, LITERALLY!' The chef said, his desperation for them to leave growing by the second. "So you're against what he's doing." Benjamin noted. "But of course! Well most of us are, we just value our lives too much to say different. I can still clearly remember the last time he dragged one of us to be chopped up. Now please leave before he sees you." He said, looking as if he was about to burst into tears.
Their conversation was cut short however when a knife flew past them. They looked up and the chef immediately fell on his knees, babbling away in French. Benjamin understood nothing, but it was obvious that he was pleading. Benjamin looked at the chef and he assumed he was the head-chef judging by the difference in attire. "So you're my target, huh? Dude, what you're doing is sick and wrong on so many levels. I judge you guilty of straying from the path of humanity. Your soul is mine." He said.
The head-chef was joined by seven other chefs, ready to attack. Benjamin turned to the innocent chef. "Go home, this might become ugly." The chef obliged and ran off into the night shouting things of revolution. When Benjamin turned back all eight of them jumped on him and piled up on him like a dog pile. "BLADES OF VENGEANCE!" the blades extended out of the dog pile and skewered all of them. Benjamin had effectively turned these Frenchmen into Swiss cheese. The twins turned back into their human forms and divided the souls between them. "Let's eat!" Thomas said. "Waiter, please give my compliments to the chef." Neil joked. They walked back to the hotel, laughing and cheering all the way. This brings me closer to turning my brothers into Death Scythes. I don't know what you are, but I will find you and I will finish what my parents started. You're only known to me as the vulture, but that's okay, I don't need to know your name to kill you...
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are about to land at Heathrow airport so please fasten your seatbelts. I hope you enjoyed your trip on flight 8 of Death airlines." The voice announced over the intercom. Alex, Keira, Kyle and Victoria (in that order.) sat and waited to land. Kyle was feeling uncomfortable due to the odd glances he was getting from both girls.
Oh calm down. It's just your imagination. They landed and everyone got off. From there on, they took a train to Death city. "Home!" Alex yelled and stormed off to the campus apartments, his and Keira's bags in tow.
Keira, Kyle and Victoria (In that order) walked calmly after him. "Feels good to be home, right?" Keira asked Kyle. "Yeah, I've been feeling kinda homesick. I don't know what it is, Victoria's cooking tastes much better here." He said. Victoria gave a triumphant smile. "Oh, so you like food? You should come over some time and I'll give it a shot." Keira suggested.
"Sure thing." Kyle said. The smile on Victoria's face group walked on and soon saw a crowd of people gathered at the front gates of the academy. Thinking there's trouble, they rushed to the crowd, only to find no trouble, just a group of people waiting for something.
Out of the crowd stepped Richard with a mischievous smile on his face. "Kyle Haines, I exercise my right to challenge." He said. Kyle remembered Soul telling him that Richard could still challenge if he wanted to. Any time, any place. It felt like ages ago and he had forgotten. Kyle knew this wasn't gonna end well. Shit...
AN: I should really stop ending things in the middle like this... nah. I like it, unimportant cliff-hangers are my thing. So here you go, the next profile.
DWMA profile:
Name[s]: Thomas and Neil Hawk
Class/Title: *Students
*Weapons
More details: The Hawk twins come from a strong line of dual weapons. The Hawk family also has a partnership history with the Hills family and took in Benjamin when his parents, family friends, were killed. The twins are inseparable and stick with Benjamin through thick and thin. They trust every decision he makes and follow his lead 100%. The trust they all share is the foundation of their great teamwork.
Soul's side notes: These guys are like your typical twins, you can't tell them apart until you get to know them (and sometimes you still can't after.) They don't talk much and stick together like they're one person (Hence my wife making one profile for both.) These guys make one badass team with Benjamin and I can't wait to see the full extent of their powers. Soul out.