(Night Raid HQ)
It had seemed rather impossible back in the past that the fight against the Empire could lead into another conflict with a dictatorship from far beyond the stars. Her life being one that was filled with one impossibility after another, however, Najenda unfortunately had to come to accept this painful truth for the entire length of time she spent walking back to headquarters, the distance of which was so incredibly far that had she known about what this would entail beforehand, the call made to the Revolutionary Army without a doubt would've included an extra call for transportation. But alas, the time and situation at hand were not at all working in her favor so she had no choice but to settle for her vision being filled with nothing but dirt with the occasional look being given to her comrades just to break up the monotony of it all until eventually they moved into the forests where all she could see then was just trees. Nothing but trees off to her left, trees off to her right, trees behind her, had she not been as good of a navigator as she was, she might've said they were going in circles.
But then again, that would also rely on her current feelings at the time not being in the bind that they were in at that time. So regardless of what the circumstance could've been, Najenda knew that she would be keeping silent through most of it, not bothering to join in on any of the little bits of banter and camaraderie which was quite normal to most so they didn't exactly question it. In fact, the only time anyone seemed to really flash her as much as a look was when they finally got back to base where soon after setting the injured down and having just barely enough time to lick their less tangible wounds, the order was given to both Lubbock and Mine to move out into the Capital and do a little investigating to see if Wave's claims were as true as he was making them out to be.
As was to be expected, the two did raise at least an eyebrow at this, asking why she would bother sending two tired souls out into enemy territory when there were far more important matters to attend to and discuss such as the situation involving Tatsumi. Had the time maybe been slightly lenient with her then a proper explanation could've been given but for now, what the two had to settle with was an all too familiar death glare, warning them that denying her chain of command or questioning her methods like the boy had done before was not something she was wanting to deal with at the moment and luckily enough for her, while Mine took slightly longer than normal to get moving, at the very least Lubbock and her were out the door at a relatively decent pace, thus allowing her to make her way down the hall to her office the moment the doors shut.
The walk down took a few minutes longer than she would've liked or at least it felt that way to her since she was moving at her usual pace if maybe a little faster which was what best described her internals really as they all seemed to be moving at a faster pace than normal which was usually reserved for when immediate threats were nearby.
Well technically there was a threat and if the information given happens to be true then they are most certainly nearby.
Finally inside the rather relaxing confines of her office after slamming the door shut and locking it tightly, Najenda found herself letting out a sigh of relief and her back resting against the wood surface, her muscles allowing her to slowly slide down until she was in a sitting position all the while she was huffing and puffing from over-exertion. Almost by instinct, the commander then reached into one of her pockets, jostled it around for a bit before proceeding to raise a small pack of cigarettes to her face with her prosthetic being used rather unceremoniously to grab the lighter from across the room.
"As my protector, my Imperial Arms, I always expected that your death would be as a means of sacrifice." Najenda thought as she carefully closed her lips around the small white stick, lighting the tip with a bright orange ember, an ember that would probably have more meaning to her now than it ever did in the past considering who it was that she was having this smoke for.
"And you... you'd always tell me that was the way you hoped for, stating that you were happy to be of service but that you were nothing more than that." Slowly, the commander looked up into the window at the skies, now tinted with the orange of sunset. It already had been that long since his passing? It was quite the surprise to her since if anything, it still felt like both his introduction and death came just mere seconds ago and yet here the day was now, discarding that idea just through the light that shone on her face.
A face that was looking far more forlorn than what was expected out of her.
"You always told us that your life was meaningless to worry about since regardless of whether or not you'd survive, you said your purpose would always be served." As time went on in between puffs, Najenda could feel her hands beginning to... tremble? Despite being well regarded as one of the hardest commanders of the Revolutionary Army, despite her being essentially the backbone that absolutely everyone could rely on as being one of the few who could keep the organization from completely collapsing, despite spending several years of her life experiencing death and destruction on a frighteningly regular basis, the commander found herself for the first time since her catching initial glimpses of Esdeath's psychopathic tendencies trembling over a loss and not just any loss but an Imperial Arms.
Then as if her human side just realized what it was she was thinking about, her brain immediately skimmed over this next thought.
"And I guess you might've been right... but that doesn't mean it hurts any less." Throughout the entire experience, the commander soon began to regret having sent Lubbock out once she felt an unfamiliar sensation in her eye, her vision clouding up in just under a few seconds before she felt something trickle down her cheek.
"If only you could've been able to see Susanoo just how much you meant to us both as a weapon... as well as a friend." After finishing up her first cigarette, Najenda was just about to rush down to grab another one when she suddenly froze, the memories of her fallen comrade flying through her mind as she expected, causing her to put the pack down and just sit there.
"Despite being someone who could be considered as being without a soul, you were ironically one of the most human companions that I've ever had the pleasure of working with. A truly brave, honest soul who went above and beyond in the effort to achieve peace." Wiping the mist from her eye, the commander looked down into her open prosthetic palm, remembering her first time approaching Susanoo during the attack on their original base, how initially before she realized the man already trusted her she set this one caring hand down on his own in an unnecessary effort to try and build compassion when there was no point to do so whatsoever. It was as the warrior said in his own lovably monotone words.
"The polite gesture is welcome but highly unnecessary since I hold no animosity towards you. I know who you are." Afterward, she remembered it ending with just a lighthearted chuckle, one of the few occasions where that could be managed freely and with the emergence of the First Order and its possible rumored alliance or takeover of the Empire, it was quickly becoming a rarity, almost like minerals of gold or silver and without Susanoo around to help her deal with the threat, without the assistance of his trump card or his meals to boost efficiency as well as morale, she was certain it was possibly on the path of becoming an impossibility.
"Even when faced with such an unknown dangerous adversary like this First Order, whatever fear you may have had, you never showed it. You just kept your chin up, stood up straight and said that you would always be on duty." It was at this point that Najenda really started to regret the lack of Lubbock. Out of all of Night Raid's members, compared to all the Revolutionary Army had to offer, absolutely no one was as helpful or as close to her as he was.
And unfortunately for the time being, he was going to be way too far off and with the state everyone was in, they were absolutely in no position to go out and look. Speaking of which, the commander soon found herself really coming to terms with just how awful this turn of events turned out to be, especially at this time. Compared to most, Susanoo was by far one of the luckiest members to ever exist as thanks to the nature of living Imperial Arms, he had the special ability of being able to regenerate whatever damages he may endure throughout any fight. Granted the downside to this was that if his core was struck hard enough he would meet his end but even then the task for lack of a better term was damn near impossible in of itself with his skills and sheer strength being more than enough to face any sort of challenge and when combined with these abilities, it was safe to consider him as being worth a whole platoon of soldiers thus meaning that had he still been around, the upcoming inevitable fight with the Order wouldn't have her as stressed as it did now.
And of course as seemed to be the norm for the time being, events didn't quite pan out the way she was hoping as although they were able to prevent the demises of at least four members excluding herself and Tatsumi as his status is currently up in the air, Susanoo was quite possibly one of the most useful out of any of them, especially for a conflict like this which up until that point had been able to be delayed to perform all tasks necessary. Now, it seemed as though times were becoming more and more desperate with the number of measures that could be taken to make sure they're prepared dwindling far more than anticipated. At this point, Najenda was almost certain that when they go out into battle, whether or not they'd win was leaning far more towards the latter outcome or at the very least, she felt in her bones that even if by some slim chance or freak accident they did survive, she was most likely not going to be a part of the group that lasts.
Not that it mattered much to her anyway since hey, going out for a cause she fought for and believed in sounded way better than dying for nothing and she did have the small sliver of hope that they would pull through far in the back of her mind but until then, everything just started to seem all the more bleak. Upon giving it a bit more thought, she felt a few more tears trickle down her face which led to her remembering a similar moment that occurred with Tatsumi as well as her lines about how his focus should be on the mission and not letting them die in vain, that there was no time for crying and yet here she was, actually letting it out. All possible hypocrisy aside, Najenda just sat back took in a deep breath and buried her face into her knees all the while one final thought crossed her mind.
"Susanoo, if you're listening right now... know that you were more than just a weapon and that you were loved all the same. And that I... we deeply regret not taking the chance to show how much you meant to us."
(Finalizer)
A blaring, piercing white light woke Tatsumi suddenly as he coughed and sputtered awake, struggling to breathe, his heart repeatedly beating against his chest with such force that it was shaking both the fabric of his slightly worn, bloody jacket as well as the cold... metal? The moment the icy cold smooth surface nipped at one bit of his exposed wrists, the boy's eyes quickly darted around the unfamiliar dark, scarcely lit room, his eyes widening at the combination of red and white lights and the flickering square panels with his ears perking with the sound of inhuman hums, beeps and squeals of machinery going about its mundane task. Panic rising within him, he tugged his arms repeatedly, each time adding more and more strength but the clamps would not break or loosen.
"What... the..." Was all he could let out in his attempt to exclaim his surprise when the sudden spike of pain rippled through his jaw, causing him to then attempt to shut his mouth. Unfortunately, the universe was clearly not on his side as his mouth felt sore, so much so in fact that he realized he couldn't fully close it, his response to that little discovery being a most quiet utterance of "Damn.". Through a few more jostles, he quickly came to realize that there was something wrapped around his chest. It felt like some sort of thick steel with there being just barely enough room for him to breathe and when he attempted to raise his hands in an attempt to maybe find a lock to disengage, he both remembered that his wrists were tightly bound to the contraption he was on by two thick metallic rings which made him feel like an idiot and that his arms were being held down by the same sort of mechanism.
That didn't stop him from trying to free himself though. After all, even if his last memory just so happened to line up with this whole situation or if this was a dream, he still wasn't willing to let himself go out without a fight. And so, Tatsumi's weak body lightly jostled around for several seconds up to a full minute or at the very least, it seemed as though his movements were light. The surface he was laying upon was hard and slightly bumpy, presumably to try and accommodate both the extra mechanisms that were stored inside the structure as well as maybe his own body shape. Speaking of the contraption, Tatsumi quickly realized with a little hint of unease through a quick look and his own deduction skills that with how he was still looking for the most part straight on albeit on a slight slant combined with the metal clamps holding him down that he must've been in a holding cell of some kind, one that he wanted to say was like the one he was in when Esdeath had brought him back to the Capital in chains but upon giving it more than just a few seconds of a glance, he quickly came to realize that wasn't to be.
He squinted at the doorway ahead of him, red and white lights sparsely scattered about the somewhat familiar recognizable surface with panels letting out distinct whirs, crunches and chimes, all of which were completely foreign to his ears. Honestly had he not known any better, he would've thought this was just one of many outlandish nightmares that he used to have upon first joining up with Night Raid about what the Imperial holding cell must've looked like which would often times end with soldiers entering the room followed up by him letting out one long blood-curdling scream that would follow him in his transition back to the real world much to the frustration and amusement of any nearby teammates who would usually express their annoyance before following it up with a laugh about how they remember the few times they've had similar experiences.
Oh how he wished it was just some joke, how everything that has ever happened to him up until that point was just some harmless if a little morbid gag that he could laugh off a few moments later and get on with his day. Especially once the sound of boots clamoring down the hall echoed faintly within his eardrums, each step strangely increasing in volume as time went on and seemed to be perfectly matched with how his heartbeat was picking up in its pace which was strange for someone like him who had once been in captivity before this point so the fact that his heart was already quickening in its beat as though this was his first was quite the oddity.
That was until he heard the beeping and crunching of a control panel, followed by the door hissing to life as two panels retracted into the walls, revealing a sliver of black fabric, fabric that seemed to almost exactly match the kind that was present on the robes of his captor, a thought that soon had him seething with rage with the sensation only seeming to grow once the full body was revealed and a cold feminine voice sounded off.
"Hello my love." The former Imperial greeted, her voice disturbingly calm. "It has been quite a long time." The moment the ice queen's familiar seductive yet psychotic chords entered his eardrums was the moment the boy threw himself against the bonds in one last ditch effort to break free, one last supreme motion to escape this living hell. Smirking at his last burst of strength, Vitani began to edge her way closer, all the while implementing as subtle of a Force motion as she could with the removal and hanging of her cap on a nearby wall and all the while this went on, Tatsumi felt as the strength within him rapidly faded, the urge to throw out a possible brave quip or retort leaving his system along with it. All the boy felt right now was the purest, most volatile form of hatred, a sensation that his interrogator seemed to sense when he saw her smirk shift into a full grin.
"You needn't struggle, these bonds were made with the absolute toughest metals one could find. Pushing against it as much as you did will only crack you and not your target." Feeling a little bit of strength return as memories of the tournament passed through his system, the boy turned his head to face the general with piercing green eyes.
"Honestly I'd rather have that happen to me than spend another moment with either the Empire or the First Order." Tatsumi replied, not making any attempt to hide his vitriol until just a few seconds later when his brain gave him a snap back to reality on who he was speaking to which caused him to shut up almost immediately and his eyes to keep locked on her. Through the little bit of time he spent with the Empire which involved for the most part him either being spooned in bed or doing a bit of digging with the confirmation coming in the form of when him and the ice queen were trapped on that island, Esdeath had become rather infamous among the group and especially to Najenda for her gruesome as all hell torture tactics and wicked temper with special notes being given to one time where one soldier was being rather testy with her following rumors that they were committing acts of treachery.
It was later revealed rather quickly that these were very much nothing but empty hollow words started up probably by some fool who took a personal disagreement way too seriously but the general, she didn't necessarily care about the result. From that point the details got a bit muddled since the one he spoke to was clearly not a fan of the Empire but was wanting to keep their life as they were speaking rather quickly but from what he could gather, it didn't exactly end well for the soldier as they apparently had to clean up a huge bloody mess following their actions.
With this in mind, Tatsumi leaned back against the contraption holding him, watching and waiting for the former Imperial to do her worst. Much to his surprise seconds later, she simply kept her smile though he could tell her tone was tinged with some hint of disappointment.
"I thought you'd say that. Well it can't be helped, after all you had quite the eye for revolution back when you met me." The warrior's eyes flashed, the blue seeming to be tinged with red for a split-second. "Speaking of which, I just have to ask... why did y-"
"Why Night Raid?" Tatsumi finished, his voice showing a surprising lack of love. Stuck in a state of dazed shock, Esdeath blinked silently at him before nodding seconds later. "I may not exactly possess the most love for them now, especially Najenda but one thing's for certain, they're a hell of a lot better for this nation than you or the Empire ever was." Shaking her surprise free, Esdeath felt her smile return. Of course the comment upset her and had this been her from the past, she most certainly would've closed the distance right there and done something to silence the fool but whether it was because this 'fool' was her love or the might of the Dark Side that coursed through her veins, she felt her anger both come and go within a flash.
"I hope you'll be relieved to know that I share your grievances with the Empire." Esdeath said crossing her arms, smirking at the surprised glint in her love's eye. "They were a band of unkempt, untrained and not to mention uncivilized animals just barely able to be held together by a useless drunk who was lucky enough to be able to speak to the interests of the people."
"S-So you listened to my words?" Almost immediately, Tatsumi felt his arm instinctively try to rise to slap himself for that bout of ignorance, only to wince slightly as his arm hit the cold steel a little bit too hard than what he was wanting or expecting. Chuckling quietly to herself, the former Imperial started to ease her way towards him.
"In a sense I guess you could say that. After all, I didn't dare to go near the murderers, traitors you called the Revolutionary Army and instead chose to align myself with the First Order."
"I noticed, usually I don't expect all-black wearing Imperials with laser-swords to be a common trend." Chuckling a bit more at her captive's small bit of bravado, Esdeath just kept easing herself closer.
"And what you call 'laser-swords' are just one of many incredible examples of efficiency that the First Order possesses over the Empire and Revolutionary Armies. I would go down the entire list though I'm sure you have a good enough idea." Tatsumi couldn't help but nod in agreement albeit with a hint of disgust for himself. After all, he got to witness first-hand exactly the kind of skill, endurance and equipment a standard (or at least what he thought was standard) foot soldier possessed, the design of the room and wherever it was located acting only as further vindication.
Speaking of which, considering he had not even the slightest of hints to where he was, he felt he had no choice but to ask even if his position should've told him otherwise.
"Where am I anyway?" The ice queen smirked at her love's face, noting how he always had been so fond of asking millions of questions as she found out from her time with him on that island.
"Does the physical location really matter much?" In Esdeath's voice there was the gentleness that the boy had come to expect from just every time they engaged one another. It wasn't quite sympathy which he'd be an idiot to expect from someone like Esdeath but it did lack the hostility he would've expected from someone who found out a lie as massive as what he pulled off. "I'm just happy to have you back within my grasp."
With that said, the former Imperial extended one arm out towards Tatsumi, her fingers upon just barely grazing his cheek causing him to shiver with a mixture of disgust as well as fright but only for a split-second as he would rather not have it be known that she was intimidating him even more than she already was, even with the disturbingly seductive tone she took.
"This was all I ever wanted, no Empire, no Revolutionary Army, no Jaegers, just you and me." As she felt her body beginning to heat up ever so slightly, she flashed a grin. "Together at long last." As the molestation of his face continued on, Tatsumi found it rather surprising that he was starting to feel even more helpless than he already was and was searching for something, anything that could keep him calm. Hell, even the voice of Yoda who had been most oddly silent throughout the session was something he welcomed by this point as it would at least take his mind off of the disturbing imagery that passed through his mind.
Imagery that he didn't realize was being watched by someone else.
"You certainly have some... interesting thoughts." Esdeath said, a slight blush showcasing across her face once her love's eyes widened with shock. "Thoughts that we definitely could explore later..." Realizing that her voice was trailing off and that she was pressing just a bit too far into the boy's chest, the former Imperial immediately re-situated herself, pulling back until she was standing completely straight with one hand still resting on her lover's cheek.
"But now's not the time."
"Thankfully." Tatsumi thought. "But in that case, what are you doing here anyway? Were you going to execute me?" At that moment, the ice queen just had to laugh.
"Had I never known about the First Order or the Dark Side then maybe." Halting herself after a few seconds, her tone noticeably darkened. "Though there is still a chance of that happening if you don't comply."
"Comply? Comply with what?" Esdeath sighed. Such a pity to her that youth had to be so naive at times.
"Tatsumi, you know as well as I that it's not too late to change your mind." Esdeath said, slowly rubbing Tatsumi's cheek. "You must be so unhappy with how the Revolutionary Army has been treating you, so pained that they have not a single shred of care for their members, especially if they die in battle." As this was going on, what was quite possibly the faintest whisper Yoda had ever let out just so happened to ring within his eardrums with the message unfortunately unable to be made out. What he could gather though was that it probably had something to do with the Dark Side and how he needed to resist it which as far as Tatsumi was concerned, he was already prepared to do so.
Though he had to admit, those comments about Night Raid did strike a cord within him but not the one anyone would expect. It was of anger for sure but it wasn't quite for the person telling him this as much as it was for the group itself, a feeling that Esdeath seemed to notice right away judging by how a grin flashed across her face, her tone becoming a bit more seductive and maybe slightly hypnotic in nature.
"I can only imagine how much that must've hurt to have to hear who you considered your allies, friends contemplating your future demise." Upon hearing the last word, Tatsumi right away noticed and felt the sensation of something or someone poking and prodding at his mind. "It's almost like they've forgotten just how much you've done for them, how you did most of the heavy-lifting to get them to the stage they are now and yet, such an important part of the revolution needs to be tossed out, all because you weren't a good enough puppet for Najenda." Despite who it was this info was coming from, Tatsumi could feel his fists beginning to clench, his teeth gritting and adrenaline coursing through his veins which were becoming more and more defined in the flesh with every second all the while Esdeath's grin continued to grow, especially when she came across a few more items that could be put to some very good use.
"It really makes you think, with all that talk about Night Raid being a group that does the right thing and consists of humans, were they really all that heroic in the first place? Especially when you consider how you were forced into it?" As much as he hated to admit it, the ice queen did indeed have a point there. His reason for joining Night Raid, if you can even call it that, pretty much sprang about due to how he bore witness to their assassination attempt on that young blonde girl and her family, making it to where if he wanted to keep his life, he pretty much had no choice but to join up as the risks of refusing the offer very much outweighed the positives. Fast forward a few days and Tatsumi then found himself going from being at the very least unsure of the whole group to being completely on board with it with the ones who he was at odds with at first becoming those who he shared the most personal of connections with.
Which made it all the more angering, shocking and heartwrenching when he heard the discussion between Lubbock and Najenda, a moment which even to this very day always has him asking himself whether or not he really was considered a part of the team. Seeing that he was asking it now judging by his expression, the ice queen knew she had him and that now, all that she needed to give was the punchline which if it worked would make it so that Tatsumi would at long last be by her side.
"It's not too late for you to break free." Esdeath began, her tone gaining strength. "I know that the Empire has caused you so much pain as did the First Order but please try to understand that it was for a greater cause." Tatsumi's eyes flared up ever so slightly.
"What?"
"Even if you were to find some way to return to them before the attack, you would've found not the life you once knew but one tainted by the lies spread by the Revolutionaries, one that's way too fragile for its own good. Tatsumi, as much as you want to deny it, your hatred for Najenda, your seething rage for that woman, it's not doing Night Raid any favors. In fact, you might say that it's only giving them more reasons to take you down, not so unusual given their penchant for treachery and lies has been at an all-time high as of late." Tatsumi wouldn't necessarily say that they were lies. Sure they angered him and certainly did nothing to convince him that they were a group to be loved but to state that they were lying seemed a bit too far-fetched but he had to admit, it didn't seem like it was to the extent of Esdeath's kindness which the more he thought about seemed all the more fake to him, especially with all that he did to her.
"I know I should be taking my chance now, that I should take my saber and ram it through your heart for all that you've done..." Her tone softened some. "But even then, just seeing your face it... it douses the ember of fury within me. Please Tatsumi, it's not too late to join me and the Order, I know they've hurt you so much already but then again, so has Night Raid." Tatsumi just overall couldn't believe what he was hearing. All this and more just to try and gain his membership, his loyalty to a group that not only were complete strangers but had already confirmed themselves as being heartless monsters of the highest caliber with their actions far outranking possibly both the Empire and Danger Beasts combined, all of it just made him sick to his stomach.
"Please do consider it and I promise you that if you do join us, you will be forgi-"
"A bitch's forgiveness is something I can live without." Tatsumi cut in gruffly. "My answer is simple and sweet. I will never fight for the First Order."
"I-I beg your pardon?" Noticing the break in tone sent a few shivers down the boy's spine as did the sight of her lightly gripping the saber by her belt, ready to ignite it at any time but by this point, he had not a shred of care left.
"You heard me, I will not fight for the First Order, especially if you're a part of i-" Tatsumi's harsh unforgiving hisses were immediately cut off by the loud flaring of life that ringed within his ears followed up by a rapid hum as a single crimson blade was soon held just mere inches away from his throat.
"If you will not accept then you know what must happen. Tatsumi, please don't be such a f-"
"I will die for what I believe in. I may share no love for any group which now includes Night Raid but I cannot and will not serve someone as tyrannical as you or Kylo Ren." The ice queen felt her muscles beginning to tense with rage. Surely Tatsumi wasn't actually going to force her to kill him was he? Surely he knew just how massive of a mistake this was and how this would end far more horribly than he was imagining currently?
But then again, maybe he could tell that she wasn't willing to do it and that he took her not at all well hidden attempts at stalling the process as being a sign of such.
"You're making a big mistake. Don't make me do this."
"Am I?" Tatsumi asked rather mockingly. "Do the words of a murderer really hold such merit that they must be followed without question?" Before Esdeath could retort, Tatsumi continued on. "You know, it's always fascinating to see how people like you justify your actions, how the answer for all the horrible acts you commit is either 'I do it for love.' or 'I have to do so.'. Yes this isn't much different from Night Raid and as I've said before, I don't exactly possess the love I used to for them. I feel that as protectors of this world they'd do a hell of a lot more harm than good if they continue down their path in believing compassion and sadness to be weaknesses and I do admit that the fact they essentially lied to me about being a part of the team and were just going to throw me out is possibly the most hurtful thing they could do." A few seconds later, Tatsumi's voice gained a bit more strength, raising and morphing into a bit of a growl.
"I also do believe that if they were to finally obtain what they wanted that the power will inevitably corrupt them and that everything will be back to square one at least until Night Raid decides that the Revolutionary Army is a threat and that it needs to be taken down. However, if there is one thing I can credit this group on, it's that there are at least those present who actually are fighting to make a difference, at the very least I can look at them and say with utmost honesty that they are trying their best to do what is right and absolutely necessary for this world to thrive. Hell even those I dislike within the group I know are trying their best and while I certainly don't desire to be a part of them from here on out, I feel even less of a desire to join with you." Despite feeling the urge to make Tatsumi pay, the former Imperial held her breath and let him continue, her blade still being kept inches away from his throat.
"Tatsumi, I..."
"If given the choice between being devoured by Danger Beasts and having to be your slave for all of eternity, I'd choose the former without a second thought and trust me when I say that I had absolutely no thoughts like this before but now that I've seen and heard everything, now that I know exactly the kind of person you are, I realize just how much of a fool I was for believing I could try and change you or better yet, that you were even a person worth redeeming. Even to this day it makes me sick, I believed that you, a heartless, cold bitch of a commander who's only pleasure in life is to torture and kill all who stand in your way and cause mass destruction was even worth saving and I have to unfortunately live with that fact... but unlike you I put my efforts into something that actually was worth a damn." With every word that was uttered, with every venomous remark, Esdeath could feel her self-control beginning to loosen and her being forced to use more and more effort to refrain from trying anything on the boy right then and there.
"Please st-"
"Let me tell you exactly what I hate about you ...it's that disgusting attitude of yours that repulses me. No, it's more than that, it's the complete lack of empathy you possess for all your victims, how you will sometimes even go as far as to take those innocents captive and force them to watch as you proceed to 'toy' with whatever family they may have, showcasing clear joy as you either drive them into a mad fury or as they cry and beg for forgiveness. It's that face I see with pure joy that lets someone suffer because she thinks she's doing them a 'favor'. And for what?! To impress me?! Is it to impress your superiors?! Oh wait, I know, it's actually because that monstrosity you called a father led you to believe that this was necessary, that this was how the world works and yet despite growing up away from your father, you can't even tell the simple fact that this is completely wrong! My group may have been hypocrites sure in that regard but at least they didn't stoop to the levels you did, at least they use their amazing skills in positive ways that benefit humanity! Where as you're still convinced you're above everyone else. That everyone must bow down and lick your boots otherwise they'll endure brutal torture and I'm sure the same will happen to me. After all, it must be the answer for everyone that can see through your facade and see what a heartless bitch you are."
"Tatsumi, en-"
"I'm not finished yet bastard! What I especially hate about you, the only thing that has managed to simultaneously make me sick to my stomach as well as quiver in fear is how you cannot take a hint. From the very beginning even before you slapped that chain on me, I possessed absolutely no interest in you whatsoever and you know what? I was sure you'd get it eventually what with you being one of the most trusted members of the Empire and all but the fact you couldn't even stop to think for just five seconds about how I react to you every time we're around one another, the fact that you were so naive, so blind, so unbelievably stupid to where you actually believed that someone like me would go for someone as cold as you is just icing on the cake for how fucking dense you really are! No matter what the situation we may be in and even as I lay strapped to this contraption. I will never, ever be your boyfriend for as long as I'm still breathing and if you still haven't gotten the hint now, I'll make it absolutely clear to you." With that, Tatsumi took in a nice deep breath, making sure to enjoy it for a bit longer in case this would be his final one before speaking in a tone that was filled with nothing but pure spite, very similar to Esdeath's own.
"How dar-"
"I'm not afraid of you, you sick little bitch. I'm sick of you, I'm sick of your shit, I'm sick of your constant ridiculous attempts at trying to earn my love and most notable of all, I'm sick of having to share a world with you. Right now, all I desire is for you to take that blade and run me through, at least then I will die with some dignity, knowing that I stood for what I believed in, knowing that I didn't fall for someone who's only joy in this world is gained through war and destruction. But you won't do that, will you? Because as much as you hate to admit it, I'm possibly the only other thing in this world that gives a bitch like yours a purpose and killing me will expose everyone to the truth. You're no all powerful general nor are you worthy of being a part of this First Order, you are nothing but temperamental bitch who got through their life with luck, hypocrisy and disloyalty now that you've left the Empire and to be honest, I don't think some prick in a mask is much better than a fat drunk, especially if you're still the weak pathetic lapdog without a backbone." For the first time in a long, long while, Esdeath felt herself completely boiling with rage.
Remaining completely still and silent with the exception being the occasional twitching and grunts every few seconds or so, Tatsumi watched without any sort of care as the woman's face started shifting, even when her eyes became nothing but soulless black slits. Their attention still being locked on one another, the two failed to notice the door behind them opening with Esdeath in particular not being able to sense the presence of the man standing within that doorway. Instead a few seconds later, the general let out a simple utterance, one that was filled with malice.
"So be it." Without any hesitation, the warrior drew her saber back with a mighty roar, her yellow and red eyes staring down into Tatsumi's soul without the slightest hint of remorse, a sight that the boy had to admit completely terrified him as he then began to regret everything he had ever said to someone as psychotic as Esdeath. Certain that this was it, Tatsumi shut his eyes tight, waiting for the blade to come ripping through his body. Without further delay, Esdeath brought the weapon down into its lethal arc when she felt her body come to a screeching halt and in just mere seconds, she watched as her blade disappeared back into the cylinder and as her torso went from being stiffly situated down on the metal floor to being flung backward through the air, just barely missing the door as it closed shut, locking mechanisms clicking in place moments later. Still agitated, the general was just about to try and make a move when she felt a gloved hand roughly shove her against the door itself, forcing her to look into the masked visage of her master.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kylo demanded, making no attempts at hiding his dissatisfaction. "Have you completely lost your mind?!"
"I'm deeply s-"
"Your apologies mean nothing to me, Vitani!" Kylo growled. "You realize how stupid, how brash that was?! I gave you strict orders to keep him alive, I thought I could trust you enough so that I could leave with Hux for a small little display at the Capital and this..." The Dark Lord's tone possessed far more in common with the unfiltered and unapologetic rage of both the Danger Beasts that graced Earth as well as various Sith of the past. "THIS IS WHAT YOU THOUGHT I NEEDED?!"
Vitani swallowed hard, she wasn't one to be fearful or at least unnerved by someone but with how Kylo was at the moment, she was certain that one wrong move, one slip of the tongue and he'd be rushing to cut her down. "No master, I was not at all what I intended."
"Is that so? Tell me my apprentice, how was I supposed to in any way misinterpret someone raising their lightsaber over their head with a guttural growl?" The former Imperial opened her mouth for a split-second until she realized that there was no way she could try and work her way out of this one and that it was best for her to just take it with at least some degree of responsibility.
"I truthfully am sorry." Vitani said, bowing her head in shame. "It's that boy, I j-"
"You're just so infatuated with him aren't you?" Vitani nodded to which Kylo responded by easing himself towards her. "Here's a tip, for the sake of your sanity and mine, get over it."
The apprentice's tone possessed a significant amount of shock. "Excuse m-"
She was interrupted. "You know exactly what I said. This romance you're pursuing is a complete and utter farce, it always has been and always will be." At that point Vitani couldn't help but possess a certain degree of frustration. Sure Kylo was her master but there was no way she was going to let her badmouth her longstanding love for the boy, even if he did pretty much crush her dreams prior.
"My connection with him is as real as you can get. He just needs to come ar-"
"How long have you been telling yourself that? How long is it gonna be until you realize that this denial is unhealthy for you?"
"I know it's true, I feel it in the F-"
"You feel nothing!" Kylo interjected. "I hope you haven't forgotten that I too can sense the Force and thus can notice those subtle nods because I have my senses as alert as I can have them at the moment and there is nothing that indicates you two as having a future together!" Before Vitani could say anymore, the Dark Lord gripped his apprentice by the shoulders. "Search your feelings, let your eyes open to the truth knight of Ren!" After taking a few more seconds to do as Kylo told her, Vitani found much to her dismay that the man was right.
Not willing to accept it though, she made sure to double, triple, even quadruple-check everything only to find that the result that came about was the exact same and she didn't even need to say it out loud as Ren could already tell through the tears that started to well up in her eyes what the true answer was.
"Anyways." Kylo began, his tone softening some. "I can tell that boy possesses a lot of willpower, typical of lost youths his age." He slowly turned his attention towards the door, his hand casually without the need to look wiping the tears from his apprentice's face. "But nothing that I can't handle, all I need is to apply what the Supreme Leader taught me and I should be on my way." Casually, Kylo began to use the Force on the control panel, ready to embark on his task when suddenly just seconds later, he felt a heat engulf his shoulder.
"Wait, before you go I just have to a-"
"There's always something." Kylo grumbled to himself. "Well go ahead, while my attention is diverted. Tell me."
"Just... why did you have to go out and crush my love for Tatsumi?"
"It's not crushing as much as it is just revealing the truth." Kylo sighed. "Too many people like you fall for this lie, this whole idea that the one who you must be with is the unobtainable. Too many believe this whole laughable ruse that the will of the Force speaks to those who are opposites when in reality, your true love, the one you've been seeking..." Right as the door slid open, Kylo shifted his gaze back towards his apprentice.
"Just happens to be the one you've been working with this whole time. Now if you excuse me, I'll be off working." Being one who was nowhere near as naive as others, it took Vitani only a few seconds to realize exactly who Kylo was talking about and only a few extra to recognize all the signs such as her keeping her arm wrapped around him for slightly too long and what they were pointing towards.
But before she could stop Kylo one final time, the door slammed shut once more, leaving her to pine over her newly found masked love.
Author's Addendum:
Oh man did Lucasfilm pull through for me with this one, oh my lord that Rogue One trailer was awesome.
Other than that, there isn't really much to say here except for a little special response for one of my reviewers on here and that person just so happens to be Thaqif, the same person who gave me that idea for a crossover between PlanetSide and Akame ga Kill and fairly recently, he ended up posting a few more ideas on here that he seemed to wish I'd respond to and give my thoughts on each and every one of them and I felt with this chapter, I was more than happy to oblige so let's not waste anymore time and jump right in.
Warframe: Kill the Lightning (AKG X Warframe): Before I really begin, I just want to say that regarding your idea Planet ga Kill, it was not at all a bad idea and that me turning it down was just due to a lack of interest in the property involved and unfortunately, I have to just say that the same goes for this one and unlike PlanetSide, Warframe was a game I found that I really just didn't care for as in not only did I not really have too much fun with it but overall it just didn't interest me.
As far as the story concept is concerned, I can't help but feel there are a few similarities between the two ideas but that doesn't matter since it does look interesting and it could turn out to be quite fun but overall with my lack of care and enjoyment for Warframe along with a few other elements, unfortunately I have to decline this one. That isn't to say my opinions may change and that it does happen at some point but as of now, I'm not really feeling it.
Guardians and Assassins: It's a decent idea but unfortunately it's not one I'm interested in. I don't really know if this is meant to be a crossover or what franchise it's based on but overall it's not something I'm going to indulge in.
Death Await to Reap and Sow: Out of all the ideas so far, this one is actually one of the most interesting and one I definitely am considering for a story. It sounds cool, it can really lead into some interesting twists and I think it's just overall a really good idea.
Akame Enemy Unknown: Now this is something I can definitely work with. While I never was into the RTS genre, XCOM was a series that I've enjoyed for a good while and I think if anything this really could become one awesome story.
Warhammer 40 Time to Kill: Oh boy this is where I might piss off some people so let me just get it out of the way right now...
I've never liked Warhammer.
Out of all of that I've seen from this series I just have no interest in it whatsoever and while the idea is cool, it's because of my lack of knowledge and care for a franchise that I have to decline this.
Fallout: New Earth: I loved the hell out of Fallout and I definitely enjoy Fairy Tail, overall the idea is cool and is something I'll probably make into a story in the future.
And while we're on the subject of you Thaqif, I think now's a good time to really sit down, pull back the curtain and tell you a bit about what's going on behind the scenes as well as what I do and why I do it and to kick everything off, let's chat a bit about how I respond to people. Now as you've probably noticed in the review section if you've ever checked it on occasion for whatever reason you may have, I tend to respond to people through those reviews and have even on occasion gone off of my own account to do so (a tendency of mine that I am working to cut back on.). Now of course no one seems to have paid much attention to it with the exception of Thaqif who said that it might be cheating for me to just increase the review count and to be fair, it kind of is considering that I'm a guy looking for more people to come on board and say something so the increased counts may either leave me feeling a bit confused or in fact it might cause some issues for the audience who's reading this.
My response is simply this is just how I respond to people initially. Whenever a new chapter is posted, I'll usually try my best to leave a quick review that will either clear up a few misconceptions that may inevitably arise with the release. It may be cheating but this is just how I run things on here so if you're not a fan of it well... I really don't know what I can say other than that I appreciate you for being quite civil about this.