Jeagers in the Night Shadows
Mrotrax here, welcoming you to my half of the collaboration project between WarHawk07 and myself. Please check out his 'Melt the Ice' and 'Specter' (the tie-in to this story) fics.
Read and review, would ye kindly?
Let's get started…
"So, I had an interesting day yesterday." Leone smirked as she gave Najenda a bottle of water to enjoy whole she prepped herself for the massage her former boss had requested. "Care for dets?"
The mayor of Empire City mused, a light chuckle escaping her lips as she opened the water bottle.
"Alright, I'll bite; what made it so interesting?"
Leone's usual grin become even brighter than it usually was. Najenda had a good feeling where this was going, but listened anyway.
"Well for starters, the baby kicked four times. Four times, boss!"
Najenda smiled, happy for her former suboridin…no, friend. She corrected herself. Leone was a friend first and foremost. Always had been. Always would be.
Regardless, Najenda was elated that Leone's pregnancy was going along smoothly and that the baby had so far given her and Run no worries. She inwardly laughed at that thought, remembering the two or three times Run and Leone had worried each other whenever they engaged in something that could've potentially made their significant other a single parent…not that she'd fault either them for doing so; it was one of the reasons she liked the Mastema wielding teacher her masseguer was planning to marry in a few months:
Much like the mother of his child, he was willing to do whatever it took to keep the peace of Empire City, even if it meant sacirficig his life to do so. Bit, he'd never charge towards death if he knew there was even a slight chance he'd come out alive
Thinking/speaking of whom….
"I take Run and the Jeagers were happy?" She mused.
"Runnie stopped talking for a while, he was so happy." Leone smiled, remembering how Run had felt three of those four kicks, the last one apparently being enough to send him back a little in the diner they'd been eating at. When he'd regained semblance, he'd spoken in bables that she'd found adoreable…and she knew Wave would never let him live down, even with Kurome and Maki demanding he cease 'bullying' his best friend.
Leone herself had been elated that her baby was so active, if a little underprepared for the sudden burst of kicks. Not that they could predicted, she mused, and she still had a few months to go before she had to worry about the actual delivery date….
And that was when the worry came in. She remembered Bols mentioned that Ursa had been in labour for 12 hours before Ursa was finally born, which instantly made her respect and liking of the quiet and loving woman go up exponentially, but had also made the rough and tumble gal a little nervous. Would her baby take forever to come into the world? She'd heard from Kurome that giving birth to Maki had been the single most painful experience of her life. Worth it nonetheless of course, but the SINGLE MOST PAINFUL EXPERIENCE?
Considering what she knew of Akame's backstory and the snippets Run had shared with her about Kurome, of which she was both irritated and grateful he never really prodded into his comrade's pasts that was saying something.
And like most, while Leone loved dishing out pain (especially if the beatee deserved it), she was not a fan of herself going through it.
"I'll have to make Lubbock do all his baby research once he finishes healing up." Najenda mused, dragging Leone out of memory lane. "And the other highlight of the day?"
"I found out how Jaxon got to be the badass who swept your rival off her feet." Leone added, hoping she'd gotten her boss' interest.
She was not disappointed.
Najenda broke her usually calm and stoic façade and instead opted for an almost fangirl/ spunky reporter like persona, demanding all the details and that Leone recite Jaxon's story word for word.
The blonde woman did her best throughout the massage she gave her former employeer, trying to tell the story in tune with the relaxing music and atmosphere her massage parlors' 'private/executive' room was going for. Considering what Jaxon, Armin and the other Specter agents had gone through, she did a good job.
"On your back now, please." Leone said as she finished rubbing the knots out of Najenda's shoulders.
Najenda unstrapped her mechanical arm and then did what Leone had asked of her.
"Kind of got me thinking, you know?" Leone mused. "We came together around the same time too, didn't we?"
While still relaxed and enjoying the massage very much, Najenda's sole eye widened with the realization of what her friend had said. Then, as she began to fully immerse herself back into enjoying the massage, she turned her head.
"Three years ago already huh?" Najenda mused as she looked out the window, the sun shining off her metallic arm. "Feels like a lifetime ago."
As she fell asleep, her mind drifted back to that fateful day. The day so many lives irreversibly altered course, whether or not they had even been aware of it.
Prologue
As it often starts, it was supposed to be a routine job.
The two most promising Rookies of their class, Najenda and Esdeath of the North, where to lead a strike-force in and out of an apartment building in one of the poorer districts of Empire City. It was suspected that a drug cartel was operating in the building, and they were authorized to kill if they had to, as long as the drugs were kept off the streets.
They had done this kind of work before, and expected to do it over and over again over the course of their careers.
"You seem bored, Esdeath."
The blue haired woman looked over to Najenda, who was honestly the only person she truly respected in the ECPD ever since her mentor Togami died: She was devoted to her cause and had the strength to back it up, caring little if she tarnished her beauty to get it done, like so many of the other female officers Esdeath could immediately think of.
She had a keen mind, able spot signs of lying better than anyone Esdeath had ever seen and able to anticpate the moves of all she came across to startling accuracy. She was also a devoted leader, perfectly willing to fight alongside her subordinates…though Esdeath noted only one man, a green haired one, was the one closest to her.
"I am." Esdeath said truthfully. "When I agreed to this assignment, I was expecting something of a challenge; a few bodyguards or a Danger Beast or two. These people clearly have the funds to afford such…It's almost as if they're asking to be taken down."
"I agree." Najenda noted. "Still, we mustn't look a gift horse in the mouth. We have a mission to do."
"Indeed."
The two women dismounted from their bikes and turned to the assembled man.
"We have intel that states that the local drug cartel may be using the building for its place of operation." Esdeath announced, being the more public speaker. "Your orders are simple: You have a warrant; bring everyone our and then search the building from top to bottom. Leave no stone unturned, no door unlocked…and do have fun."
"Wait, what?"
It was a nightmare after that; the officer burst into apartments and ripped the people outside, forcing them to the outside lobby. Furntiure was torn apart, photos smashed…
And only a single bag of drugs had been found.
As the renters were rounded up and put in a circle, Esdeath turned to see Najenda looking at her in shock, worry and some slight disgust, along with her two direct male subordinates.
"Is there something on your mind?"
"This is wrong." Najenda snapped. "Yes, we had a warrant, and I agree that we might have to get a little rough…but these are…"
"Potential drug-dealers. The Mayor wants them gone." One officer said, getting the renters attention. "Tell us were you got this, or whose this even is, and you can go back home."
None of the renters spoke up.
"Oaky, your loss." The officer said, truning to the leaders. "Permission to begin executing until someone speaks up?"
"Granted."
"Denied."
The two women looked at each other.
"The strong make the rules, Najenda." Esdeath reminded her cohort. "It's the way of the world. If these people don't like it, then they should get stronger and come take vengeance on me."
The other woman growled at her former classmate
"Not all have the resources to do that." Najenda tried to remind her cohort. "Most of these people are refugees, half can barely speak our tongue."
"There problem, not mine." Esdeath shrugged, turning around to give the order…only to see a blast of energy zip past her.
She looked over her shoulder to see Najenda glaring at her with nothing short of hatred. Off her back and in her hands was Pumpkin
"You'll have to kill me before I let you execute any civilians without proof of wrongdoing."
Many of the officers who had accompanied them rushed to aid Esdeath, who merely put up a hand, sigling them to stop.
"I could use a challenge." She smirked. "Though I honestly wish this was hap…"
A punch sent Esdeath teerting back slightly and gave her a cracked lip.
"You talk too much." Najenda hissed, firing another blast from Pumpkin. Esdeath leapt and dodged the attack…several or her men weren't so lucky.
Najenda fired a few more blasts of Pumpkin, Esdeath barely dodging them all, but with an irritated look on her face.
"That Tiegu is really starting to annoy me…." She growled. Glancing around, she spied a rapier on one the men who'd accompanied her. She leapt over and took it from him, along with a slew of knives. Just as another burst of energy raced towards her, Esdeath leapt over and swung a dagger at her rival, slicing her hand and near one of her eyes.
Dropping Pumpkin, Najenda grabbed her arm and forced the wound to close, her eyes never leaving Esdeath.
"Those are the eyes." The Northerner said aloud. "The eyes of my perfect quarry; not afraid to die, ready to go full strength from the beginning….how long has it been since we last sparred, Najenda?"
"Not long enough."
The silver haired woman glared at the woman in front of her, then glanced around the area: No civilains, which was good; but most of the men were clearly of the opinion Esdeath was in the right.
Most, being the key word.
"Lubbock." Najenda commaned
"On it."
Wires came from the hands of the green haired man that Esdeath remembered followed her rival so closely. They quickly formed a barrier around the two women, cutting off the other officers
"Susanoo."
"Understood, mam."
The tallest man in the group, of slightly higher rank with his jacket and the horns that adorned his head, pulled out a staff and leveled it as he stood in front of Lubbock.
"You know what this means, right?" Esdeath told her former college as she drew her sword. "Your career with ECPD is done, even if you survive this."
Najenda sighed and looked at Esdeath.
"Why did you become a cop?" She asked her rival. Not waiting for an answer, she continued. "I became a cop because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to put down the nightmare-makers, protect the innocent the city hasn't corrupted yet….and I thought you'd be able to do that. But cleary, I was wrong. You only fight for yourself Esdeath. And while it may not happen today, or tomorrow, or even in the near future…it will be your downfall."
Esdeath waited a minute before asking.
"Anything else?"
She had no more interest in what Najenda had to say; she too, had thought she had finally someone she could grow to like…but she was clearly to sentimental and sympathetic. A pity.
"Do me a favor." She said. "Don't fight me. Kill me."
Esdeath smiled sadistically.
"With pleasure."
The two rookies then raced toward each other, and their battle began. The officers who saw the ensuing fight would never forget it; Esdeath, with nothing more than her honed hunting skills and some martial arts, was on even ground with Najenda, the prodigal student of Comissioner Budo himself; their punches sent out waves of force that shook the area.
There were no fancy moves; every single blow or tactic was used with the clear intent of ending the fight then and there. Esdeath lost her sword in the third second when Najenda used her arm to block it, then tossed Esdeath to the ground and then threw the weapon, coated in blood, away. Esdeath kicked Najenda to the ground, but the silver haired woman spun mid fall and delivered a kick to the stomach.
They grappled and tried to throw each other to the ground, but kept upright. They tried to deliver kicks to each other, but their feet blocked each other. They tried to punch each other, but their fists blocked each other or they moved their heads out of the way at the last second.
It was a whimper that had ultimately cost Najenda the battle.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a young girl with pink hair carrying a paper bag of some kind and rushing over to a couple that had been rounded up, her parents no doubt.
An officer, seeing the girl, drew several blades and threw them at her.
"NO!"
Najenda leapt through the barrier Lubbock had set up and dashed in front of the girl, shielding her from the blades…and reminding Esdeath of Togami's final moments just as the same officer pressed a detonator.
BOOM!
The building was engulfing in flames and force, crumbling beneath the bomb's destructive power…and taking everyone in the building with it.
Esdeath, paying the fire or cries of pain and help, walked over to the bag the little girl her rival had sacrificed her life for had been carrying
"Groceries and medicine." She said, walking over to the man who had effectively killed everyone in that building. "You fired at a little girl carrying groceries and medicine to her parents."
She was completely calm in her delivery, but only a fool wouldn't have been able to see she was angry. While Esdeath valued strength above all else, she wasn't completely heartless, a child with parents always brought a smile to her face, and having lost her own family, even she wouldn't wish that loss on her worst enemy.
"She was just a refugee, nobody'll care, milady. Besides, she and her parents could've been traitorous spies…." The officer started, only for Esdeath stabbed him in the liver and then turned to the others.
"Return to your homes and stay out of my sight for a week." She commanded. "We lost good officers today because of miscommunication and false information. Unless you wish to join this fellow…."
The officers did as she asked, leaving her alone with her new toy. She twisted the blade deeper into his stomach, and then lifted the blade with him still attached to it.
"I…I'm…sorry…."
"No." Esdeath smiled, taking his daggers away "Not yet."
With her human kabob in her hand, Esdeath left the area and took the idotic, rascit officer to a hill in which she planted her sword and let him be implaed to death, while occasionally nicking at his body….but nothing that would kill him immediately.
"While it is good assume anyone could be a suspect," Esdeath lectured the man as he whimpered in pain. "A true officer does not let it, or petty and pointless racism, cloud his judgement. This is your punishment. But don't worry; if you have family, I'll make sure they have enough to get by….and that they know why you died."
It was 6 in the evening when the poor soul finally passed into the afterlife
"I'll have words with the mayor later tonight."
XXX
A few minutes after Esdeath had departed, the rubble of the building moved. A bright light brough the girl back to reality
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" Najenda asked the girl, who kept her face buried in Najenda's face
She looked up and started bawling:
Najenda's entire left arm and her right eye…were gone. The eye was slashed out by the debris and were her arm had once been was just a whole. Her career was over….but the former ECPD rookie couldn't care less.
"It's okay sweetie." She cooed, trying to wipe the girl's tears away. "They're just a few scratches, I can always get a new arm."
"B-But…." the girl whimpered, trying to compose her words, but only tears coming from her.
"What's your name, sweetheart?" Najenda asked.
"M-Mine."
Najenda smiled and lightly hugged the girl, looking around to make sure the cost was clear, which, for a newly one eyed woman….
"This'll take some getting used to."
"Boss!"
Najenda turned to see Lubbock stopping dead in his tracks, his eyes filled with relief that changed into shock and anger. He rushed down to her side and fell to his knees. Susanoo quickly followed
"I…I'm so.."
Najenda briefly stopped her hug to Mine and patted Lubbock on the shoulder
"There is nothing to apologize for. Thank you Lubbock. For everything." She smiled weakly
The green haired man wiped his tears away as Susanoo began wrapping a bandage around Najenda's eye and were her arm used to be.
Mine looked at the horned man in awe and a little fear.
"There's no need to fear me, little one." Susanoo replied.
"Little?" Mine said, a little braver than she had been before. "I'm 11 years old! I'm not a little kid!"
"My apologies."
Najenda and Lubbock laughed at Mine slightly before Najenda stopped from the pain.
Lubbock had another reason entirely for his stopping.
"Um, we got company."
She was a girl, no older than mine. She had long, dark hair and red eyes, and wore a coat not unlike Najenda and Susanoo. At her side was a katana in a red sheath. Her name
"Akame." Najenda smirked weakly. "They sent you to clean up, huh?"
The girl said nothing, marching closer to the former ECPD members and the orphaned girl.
Susanoo drew his spear, fully prepared to fight Akame to the death if it had to come to that. He was unsure if he could win, but to defend his mistress, Lubbock and this child, he'd gladly give his life.
Akame took out her sword, the legendary Murasame, duty seemingly on her mind…
"Get the girl out of here." Najenda commanded Susanoo, but the girl refused to let go off her savior
She then dipped Murasame into the pool of blood that had steeped from the stump where her boss' arm had once been, flicked it onto a nearby wall. She then cut herself on the cheek and did the same thing before tossing off her jacket and slashing it to pieces.
The young swords-woman then got on one knee and looked Najenda straight in the eye.
"Can we actually do it?" She asked. "Can we purge Empire City of its corruption?"
"Not by the way of the law." Najenda said. "If we're trylly going to make a change…we need to go down a very dark route. A route with no u-turns or ways out. Are you prepared to do that?"
Lubbock and Susanoo both placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'd follow you through the gates of hell, boss." Lubbock said truthfully.
Susanoo followed with a simple bow before he noticed the girl. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two scrunchies. He then gave them to Mine, but she refused to take them, so he did her hair himself, giving her two pigtails.
"As I suspected, you look cuter this way." The Teigu smiled, Mine quickly following and hugging him as well.
"I follow the boss." Akame said plainly. "I'll kill anything that corrupts the city."
Najenda smiled at her trusted subordinate.
"Um, excuse me?"
They looked at Mine.
"…Where are we going to stay? And make money?" She asked in a cute voice.
"I have another property we can use." Lubbock noted. "It's an empty restaurant, no one's used it in forever…"
"Perfect." Najenda mused. "It'll make a perfect hideout, and once we get cooking down, it'll be an easy way to bring in cash
"As you command." Susanoo bowed.
Nobody noticed a male figure watching the whole scene, laughing at the destruction caused by the two rookie's battle. He was clearly oogling the females in the group, licking his lips as he did so.
"Things are going to get a lot more fun." He mused.
XXX
The three ECPD officers and little girl were presumed dead and given unmarked, empty graves, along with obituaries in the newspaper. There bodies were never found in the deceased state…but in a few weeks, they would be well known throughout the city.
Even they had no idea of how far this idea of there's would go. Or the people it would affect.
Read and Review, would ye kindly?
Next Chapter: The Jeagers come together for the first time and other Night Raid members are recruited to the cause as a new threat appears on the streets of Empire City.
Once again, please check out, read and review WarHawk07's fics.
