"He" had arrived... and at last, their subsequent stories had become one.
Iori, hair messed up and clad in boxers, looked upon the proceedings with initial confusion... but as soon as he glimpsed at the fallen Leona, anger flooded his heart and fueled his flames. "Leona!"
He immediately rushed there, kneeling to check her out. She was, thankfully, moving under her own power. After ascertaining she was okay... then came the beratement.
"Leona, don't tell me you were...!"
He didn't need to finish the statement for Leona to understand what he meant. She only replied with an eyes-closed nod.
"What the hell were you thinking?! I could feel the air burning my blood from blocks away!"
Leona looked away. "It was the only way... I don't regret it."
Iori stared for another second or two; realizing she wouldn't relent, he sighed and rose to his feet, opting to direct his frustrations at a different target: the man standing there, his blade drawn.
"What the hell were you doing to her?"
Genjuro smirked. "Hah. I was helping her serve her truest purpose in life: to die on my sword."
"Wrong answer."
His flames manifested, rising from his fingertips, until the individual strands molded into two complete balls of flame, rising higher and higher in his palms, until they stood high as his face.
Genjuro's eyes widened with glee, as he once again took stance, with new prey in mind. "Now YOU... you're something special. I can tell, just by the air around you, that you're more powerful than everyone else here combined. The girl was a disappointment... fight me to your fullest extent, and I'll spare her life in favor of yours."
Everyone else was understandably on edge; a dangerous person like Iori could spell disaster for anybody, be they friend or foe. A pissed Iori... tenfold.
Rose saw only a gift horse. Her lips regained their cockiness as she smirked. "Mr. Yagami, this man has been threatening all of us, including your girly friend there. Destroy him!"
Vanessa took a step back. "Is it really a good idea to have Iori here right now?"
"...Who else is going to defeat that man, you idiot?"
A familiar, unpleasant, unwelcome British tone sneered in the distance, and the Agents turned to greet her.
"Well well, look who's back from her nap. And still just as cranky." Mary taunted.
"Sod off." Lien spat.
Iori shut out the petty bickering, the obvious manipulations... the entire world around him. He fought at his best when he focused only on the opponent in front of him, and Genjuro was now more than deserving of his wrath.
What was going on here? What were the stakes? Didn't need to know. He saw someone he wanted to fall... that's what was about to happen.
Genjuro, despite the fatigue of the past opponent, had no reservations about facing Iori in mortal combat. He took a high stance with his katana, inched forward... and even now, bellowed a taunt.
"I might even enjoy this more than fighting Haohmaru. Do me a favor... put on a good show."
Iori's eyes grew menacing as he snarled. "The show's over."
Genjuro lunged and swung; Iori dipped left, and Genjuro went horizontal to try and slice him. Iori extended his hands and caught the steel in his bare palms; Genjuro's initial moment of shock was short lived, as Iori flung his hands downward and exposed his face for a brutal left hook. The first punch sent blood flying from Genjuro's lip... but the taste of his blood was overshadowed by that of bile, as Iori ravaged his stomach with a follow up. Genjuro collapsed to a knee, obviously rattled by the unforeseen power... but he turned his position to his advantage and tried to slice Iori's calf. Iori dodged it, and Genjuro recovered fast and lunged with a thrust. Their bodies crossed, and Genjuro tried to spin around fast with a follow-up; Iori caught him at the shoulders, and spun him around, before letting him go stumbling into the distance.
Genjuro used his sword as a brake to stop himself... but he never had time to rise back up, as he spun around, and was met with a charging knee from Iori, that cracked him in the face and laid him out.
"God have mercy..." Seth watched in awe. There was something spectacular about seeing Genjuro fall, where Leona's blows had failed.
Genjuro never had a prayer to get back up on his own; Iori snatched him by the neck and STOOD him up, before shoving his body backwards into the nearby wall, where he started opening up Genjuro's face with bare elbows. A left sent his head sideways, a right snapped it back the other way... blood flew from his temple, where a cut opened up.
A knee to the midsection folded Genjuro, and the samurai pulled a desperation move by planting his foot on the wall behind him and springing off, giving him the momentum advantage as he plowed into Iori and the two tumbled to the ground, Genjuro rolling over him and gaining freedom to sprint back to his sword.
Iori rose back to his feet, wearing blood... his opponent's. "Come on... come on you mother f**cker! I thought you were a big game hunter! COME HUNT ME!"
Genjuro exhaled loudly, spitting blood. Having regained his sword, he took stance once again, and rushed Iori. He swung to the midsection, and Iori backpedaled, forcing Genjuro to go horizontal instead. Iori dodged it once again, and Genjuro continued to command the distance, coming at him with a flurry of swings. Iori dodged two, but finally took one on his upper pectoral that nicked him pretty wide... he ignored the blood that began drizzling into his curves.
Iori finally intercepted the next blow, catching it on his bare hand and spinning around with a flaming backfist... Genjuro just barely backpedaled to dodge it, and he spun around with a decapitating swing of his own; Iori ducked, and Genjuro had to spin around again to regain his balance.
Genjuro regained his footing and rushed Iori with a telegraphed swing; Iori took advantage and parried the blade, redirecting it downwards and forcing Genjuro to stumble low. The samurai instinctively stuck his tip in the concrete to stop himself... that's when Iori effectively disarmed him, kicking the blade from his grasp, and sending his arm in the same direction, carrying his body into an uncomfortable fall. Before Genjuro was able to rise back up, a sloppy axe kick from Iori served its purpose, foot crashing on the back of Genjuro's neck and flattening him out, facefirst.
"This is insane... Iori's destroying this guy. It's not even close." Clark stated the obvious.
Ralf, perhaps with the poorest of timing, looked at Leona and tried to make light. "You should hit the gym again, sweetheart."
...Leona's daggers could pierce as deep as her hands.
Genjuro tried to scramble for his sword, but Iori never let him get close. He snatched the man up by his shoulders once again, easier than a child, and stood him back up... keeping him in the deadliest of clinches. Genjuro vainly tried to rain punches into his stomach; they had no effect. Iori started unloading on him; a kick to the left knee, a kick to the right knee, even at their close proximity as devastating as a kick at full range. Genjuro's legs gave out, and Iori backed him up, firing knees into his body. Left... right... left again... Genjuro was a limp mannequin in his grasp, at the mercy of Iori's strength.
"Rrragh! AARGH! HRRAAAH!"
Iori was just hitting him at will now. A left hook made his cheek ripple with blood and saliva spatter, before a right knocked him back the other way... another left again sent his cheek inwards, and another right bounced it back. It was a miracle his head remained on his shoulders.
"Yes, Iori! Yes!" Rose exclaimed, clapping with glee. "No mercy!"
Heidern watched with mixed feelings; he was grateful for the help, but at the same time... he could only ponder what terrifying things Orochi power was capable of, if Iori in his boxers could do THIS.
The force of that fourth punch knocked Genjuro clean into the nearest wall, and he collided hard. His face nearly completely closed, spitting blood, he stumbled forward with one last offensive punch... Iori ducked it and rammed a fist into his stomach, pressing his shoulder against his torso and shoving him right back into that wall, which would become his tomb.
Iori roared so loudly, purple embers spewed from his mouth, as he rammed into Genjuro and dug his fingers into the midsection. He felt the warmth of blood cascade over them, as he lifted Genjuro up high, easily, with one arm... feeling the blood pour down atop him.
"RRRRRRRAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Iori screamed as he slammed Genjuro onto the concrete, his fingers dislodging from his body, and carrying his blood with them... he was red, all the way to his knuckles.
Genjuro lay before him, blood trickling out of the fresh puncture wounds... he tried only for a second to get up, before his strength left him, and he went limp.
Just like that... it was over.
The man who had been terrorizing them, who looked nigh unbeatable... he had fallen to Iori in a matter of moments.
At this point, the tenacity, the power... the DANGER of Yagami, could never again be denied. Rose was less impressed, than terrified at the notion of this man facing her brother. He had to be eliminated. No matter what.
"Holy... shit." Seth groaned. "Remind me... urgh... never to f*** with Yagami..."
Iori stood there, overlooking the body of his fallen opponent... the blood began to drizzle downwards, and rest on his fingertips, before the droplets slowly dripped...drip...drip...drip...
"Do it, Iori! Do it!" Rose urged. "Finish him!"
Th-thump...th-thump...th-thump...
He looked at his own hands; the blood made his irises quiver, like he was on cloud nine. So badly he wanted another taste... to sink his fingers into the soft meat and pull apart the insides... but he knew what that would mean. Losing himself.
"Why do you hesitate? Scared to kill? Scared to be what you truly are? You're pathetic."
"Shhh..shh...sh-shut up..." Iori panted.
Everyone else remained silent and uneasy; Rose was the only one who was failing to see the picture, as she kept screeching.
"Why are you just standing there?! Kill him and be done with it! We don't have time for this!"
Iori's body trembled as his hands wobbled... the blood began to shake off quicker, the droplets falling like rain dripping off a rafter.
"...Where does it end?" Iori called out, to nobody. "I kill him now, what if I can't... stop myself...urrgh...!"
"You're not meant to stop, you idiot! How long are you and that girl going to run from your destinies? You're meant to kill.. to supplement the carnage, and carve a blood offering for my resurrection. I'm going to come back, regardless... you might as well put one more human fool out of his misery."
"No! Urrrghhh...grrraaaahhhh..."
"RED... RED... EVERYTHING RED! SPILL IT! BATHE IN IT!"
"NOOOOO-uurgh!"
Everyone gasped; Iori's internal battle had been abruptly halted, as he took a brutal shot to the body, and collapsed on all fours.
"What the...?!" Rose squeaked.
Iori was down, not by the hand of Genjuro, or some surprise assailant...
...It was Leona, who slumped to the ground alongside him. As soon as they were eye to eye... Leona pressed her body against him. Her arms found their way around, and he too responded with an embrace.
Just like that, Iori felt at ease. He felt sure of himself. He felt... human. The simple gesture reminded him that he held humanity in higher regard than his destructive abilities. As long as he didn't lose sight of that... he would never lose himself.
"I softened him up for you." Leona whispered with some light banter.
Iori managed a smile.
Rose had her hand on her forehead, a tired groan dragging out. "Alriiiight fine! It's over now! Will you PLEASE go get my brother back?!"
Iori slightly broke the embrace, turning to face her, while half-holding Leona. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Look, let me bring you up to speed..."
ONE QUICK EXPOSITION DUMP LATER...
"...What the f***." Having heard the full story, Iori uttered the most predictable of responses.
Rose nodded. "You're the only one healthy enough to go after him. Please! Go rescue my brother!"
Iori groaned; he obviously didn't care about Adelheid Bernstein on a personal level. He wasn't a friend, and barely an acquaintance. But he had a feeling Chizuru would want him to do the right thing... if this played some importance to the balance of the world, it was less a request from a spoiled cunt, and more a duty.
That blurry line is what compelled Iori to stand up, run a hand through his hair, and sigh. "Alright, fine. All of you, wait here."
Rose clapped with a smile. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou! Please hurry!"
Iori scoffed. "Yeah, yeah. Go sip your fancy... domestic tea."
Iori scampered off with his new objective, but not before turning one more time to Leona... there were no words shared, just a slight nod, before the man exited the square.
"So you won. Good job, 'heroes'." a derogatory voice mocked them from a distance. That voice once again made her presence unwelcome, particularly to a select three.
Since Mary was the only one fit to move around, she was game enough to approach Lien, where the defeated Brit had been handcuffed to a street sign, courtesy of the detective. Even as Mary's shadow began to loom overhead, Lien looked up at her with no intimidation; only contempt.
"Now what to do about you..." Mary questioned, looking down at her with equal disgust.
Lien flashed a coy grin. "Why don't you kill me and be done with it, pig?"
Mary's eyes sharpened. "You nearly killed my boss, and tried to cave my best friend's face in. Don't tempt me."
"You just don't have the guts."
Mary rolled her eyes. "You really think your words are going to get to ME? I've seen everything, Jumbo Jugs. You're gonna stay right there, because you look good in my favorite handcuffs. Whether you sit there until you rot or starve, is not my problem."
With that last line, Mary walked off, leaving Lien to sit there. The blonde Brit became agitated, and began tugging fiercely at the bindings. "Nngh! Hrgh! Why don't you take these off and give me a fair fight?! YOU'RE SCARED! Nobody can handle a woman like me, so you wanna hide me away and pray I never come back!"
"Nah, I just like your soothing voice. I might record tapes of it."
Back in the Square, confusion was spreading on what the next move should be. The battle was won, but there were several urgent factors that needed to be addressed sooner than later: several allies were gravely wounded, Adelheid had yet to be retrieved... and the goon squad was starting to awaken from unconsciousness.
"Urrrgh...ughh..." Nick Commando stirred from his grenade slumber. "Gonna... make America... totally rad... again..."
A single boot from Heidern sent him back to sleep.
"Miss Bernstein," he addressed, "I'm not waiting around here much longer. My men need proper medical attention, and we also need to get these guys into custody. They're starting to wake up..."
Abobo was the next to stir... Ai was beside him, her nose stuck in Ikari Warriors.
"Cmon, shoot the... arrgh, stupid... scrolling...screen... EEEK!" As soon as she noticed Abobo waking up, she summoned her baseball bat and conked him on the head.
Rose pouted. "B-but we still haven't found my brother yet! He could be... who knows where he is?! You can't leave me here all alone, with no protection!"
(Hein and Silber were too tired to resent that statement)
Heidern wasn't hearing it. "I'm sorry, Rose, but we're moving out. You're welcome to come with us, or wait right here. Your call."
Heidern gave a single hand gesture; Leona helped Ralf and Clark to their feet, and they began to form on his position.
"G-guys!" Rose whined.
Mary, too, was helping Vanessa and Seth. "Yeah, it's been fun Rose, but we're outta here too. Send our checks in the mail."
"B-but! Y-you can't just leave me here!" Rose screeched. "S-somebody! Hein! Stop them!"
"Miss Bernstein, I was hired to protect you." Hein calmly stated. "Not forcefully restrain allies."
"Are we going too, Yuki?" Ai questioned, walking behind her partner.
"Yeah, the fight's over. Let's at least enjoy our vacation."
"Yay~!"
"...That means not playing videogames the whole time we're here."
"Oh we'll see about that."
Rose had to once again have the reality of being defied rammed into her face, as she watched her entire fighting force begin to exit the square, en masse. A vein was close to popping out of her head, as she stomped her red slipper-clad foot.
"COME BACK HERE! Y-you uncouth... savages! If you walk out on me, so help me, none of you are getting paid! Do you here me?! Y-you can't leave me here! You ca...?!"
...Her screeching was suddenly silenced. This was enough to attract the attention of them all, as they stopped walking and turned back, to see what had shut her up.
...There was a strange combination of pure shock, and no surprise at all, to see who had reared his ugly bald head again.
"Not so fast, princess!" he spoke with a desperate snarl, his Eskrima sticks crossed against her throat. "We need to talk payment!"
"BIG!" they yelled in unison.
Mary and Leona tried to rush him... but as soon as they saw Hein immobilized, they knew why; Yamazaki was standing there as well, his knife out, which could be a bad day for anybody. It was officially a hostage situation.
"Ghh...ghhkkk..." Rose whimpered with struggling breaths, demonstrating that Big was making it uncomfortable for her. He wasn't playing.
"Big! Stand down!" Heidern ordered.
"Ohhh no. Not this time." Big hastily fired back. "I want my f***ing money! I'm not giving up until I get what I want! I'M GONNA WIN THIS TIME!"
Mary took a step forward, her eyes on the other one. "RYUJI... knock it off."
Yamazaki shrugged, flashing a sheepish grin. "Sorry Blue, I gotta back the Big Enchilada on this one."
Yuki aimed his wrist gun. "I can get a bead on his bald head-"
Heidern lowered his hand. "We can't risk hitting Rose!"
"I say cut our losses." Vanessa deadpanned.
Big spat with booming words. "All of you just SHUT UP! SHUT UP! I can do this, you know! I can crush her windpipe, break her neck... you name it!"
"What do you want?!" Heidern demanded.
"I want my freaking money!" Big responded. "Now listen here... I've had it with everything this week! I've been slapped around, pushed here and there, dirt in my face, spit in my ear... WELL NO MORE! I set out for one goal this week in Germany: to get 2.5 million dollars! AND HERE IT IS! Her fair and dainty, yet moderately voluptuous bod right in my grasp! I'm not letting her go until I get it, so hand it over! The prize money! NOW!"
"Grr...ghhhk...rrkeee...rrrkeee...!" Rose strained.
"What?"
Big ever-slightly lowered the pressure, enough that she could breathe. "OKAY! OKAY!" she gasped out. "Silber- cough cough cough cough- has the key! They key to the prize vault!"
Big grinned. "Now we're in business. Ryuji!"
Like dance partners switching, Big fluidly shoved Rose into Yamazaki's grasp, who accepted her with one arm around her neck. With an eager grin, Big approached Silber, who was still paralyzed.
"Don't you touch m-"
Big fearlessly dug around Silber's pocket; the immobile man appeared to struggle, trying to move a muscle, but to no avail. Finally, with an "aha!" Big yanked it free and exhibited it, in the moonlight.
"Sparkle sparkle... hello beautiful key! You're all mine!" Big cackled. Then, in an odd move... he presented it to his lips with a kiss.
"That was in his pants, Big." Yamazaki casually puffed.
Silber looked up at him with vengeful eyes. "As soon as I get my strength back... you're a corpse."
...Big's cheeky response was a thump of Silber's nose, as he turned away and cackled merrily. "I WON! HAHAHAHA! I FINALLY WON! WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! HAHAAAAA! 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS! MINE ALL MINE!"
"S'been fun, gents." Yamazaki saluted, before sheathing his knife, putting his hand back in his pocket, and walking off into the night, with a victorious Mr. Big laughing the whole way.
It took a moment of silent reflection, among all those present in the square, to really process the reality...
Big had won.
For all his blathering, all his failed schemes, his stubborn persistence in the face of futility...
The prize money was in his grasp.
He had won.
Rose massaged her throat angrily, as she turned to face all of her would-be deserters. "NOW will you stay?!"
SALVATORGARAGE
There was a solemn air looming about the parking garage, as the three still-standing hovered over the body of Shion, who lay unconscious, blood leaking from three puncture wounds.
Botan had not moved from her spot. Her eyes had yet to avert from the body of her colleague. It was a... sympathetic sight, and this shed a light of reassurance that Adelheid maintained his own humanity, as he, even now, in the face of someone he hated... did not make a move against her.
She ran her hands along the wounds... felt the still-warm blood stain her fingers. "We... we both joined the cause on the same day. I still remember it, thousands of years later."
Adelheid too broke his silence. "You see where this cycle leads now. You seek revenge against me, I you... aggression begets aggression, and nothing comes from that except loss. The cycle has to break. No more fighting, no more grudges... no more blood."
Botan rose to her feet, and locked eyes with Adelheid, as he stood tall and emphasized his point.
"I can choose to walk away right now." Adelheid emphasized. "Despite how BADLY I wanted to see you punished... that's still the man I am. I have to keep it a part of me, no matter what. So I implore you... walk away as well. Get your friend some medical attention while he's still got breath in his lungs. Stop your insane doomsday ambitions."
Botan growled. "And do WHAT with my life?! I've been doing this for generations! Millenia! Long before you ever came along, or any of the miserable humans here in the present! It's my lifelong charge! A goal that's endless! Eternal!"
"Just... walk away." Adelheid breathed, as simple and casual as a breeze. "Live your life. Treasure your health, and find something new to live for. Easy as that."
"But... but I..."
Botan stared into his unwavering gaze, and for once... her eyes faltered. Seconds and seconds of silence between them, until a minute passed, working on two. Eventually, she looked down at the body, seeing him still writhing, suffering... a thread of life remaining.
She knelt down slowly... and placed a tender hand on him, as if to give her answ-
SQUEEEEEELCH!
Adel's eyes widened as Botan ripped the blades from Shion's torso, eliciting a pained whimper from the man. The anger returned to her eyes as she rose up, and tossed the knives to Eiji.
"KILL HIM OR DIE TRYING!" she commanded, with a wave of her hand, tightening the mental strings to her fullest...
"BOTAN!" Adel bellowed. "You treacherous-"
...But he had no time for words, as the enslaved ninja bore down on him, with killing strokes from his twin blades. Adel's first dodge was the sloppiest, and he felt his forearm get nicked; it wasn't until the second and third that he was able to get his rhythm, and start avoiding the short-range strikes.
Eiji mixed his attack well; he stabbed with the left, which Adel parried at the wrist, and the ninja dipped low to try and trip him up with a low kick, before spinning around and swinging wide with the right. Adel avoided the sweep and caught his right arm, spinning him around and sending him into a nearby vehicle. But instead of colliding...Eiji's ninja reflexes allowed him to walk along the car and use it as a springboard to launch back Adel's way with both knives crossed, unleashing a dual strike. Adel limbo'd so low, he was forced to use his hands to stop himself, and follow through with a sloppy backflip.
Adel cursed as he returned to stance, as did the crazed ninja. He didn't want to kill Eiji... he was just a victim, same as his sister once was. There had to be a way to make him stop...
Eiji charged; Adel shifted position to a nearby vehicle, and awaited the first attack... he anticipated the arrival of the left, and threw a roundhouse into his arm, redirecting Eiji's hand into the car, plunging his knife handle-deep into the steel. Adel spun around with the momentum and fired a spinning axe kick, cracking Eiji atop his head and bouncing his chin off the hood.
Now armed with just one knife, Eiji rolled to a distance, but still pressed onwards with the same mindless intent. He swung once, twice... Adel's head movement alone was enough to avoid the short blade, and on the third strike- a stab - Adel was able to catch his wrist and stop the blade, inches from reaching him. The two struggled for a second, Eiji backing Adel up... the scramble ended with their feet in full motion, and Adelheid dipped low and used the momentum to send Eiji's body over his head; but Eiji continued to cling onto the knife, and they tangled up on the ground, both vying for position. Feet erratic, rolling, each one achieving the top for only seconds... Eventually, Adel won the chess game, as he pressed his feet against Eiji's torso for leverage, cranked on his arm, and used it to complete a sweep, landing their bodies side by side. A well-placed kick to Eiji's face at last freed him from the blade's grasp, and Adelheid hastily tossed it out of reach.
The two returned to their feet, and before Adel gave him a chance to recover, he slammed into Eiji with a Body Press and took him clean across the parking lot, crashing him into an SUV hard enough to dent it. Eiji collapsed to the ground.
"Whew..." Adel breathed a weary sigh. Long night... hard to even think that tomorrow he was in the semifinals of this week-long terror his sister constructe-
...ROSE!
"Damn! The square...!" Adelheid cursed himself for that temporary lapse of memory, and tried to hurry on his way-
"I WILL KILL YOU!"
...Oh great.
Adelheid sighed; he turned back around, and saw Eiji, on shaky feet, still approaching, still unarmed. The purple ninja put his hands together, and swung a deep vertical stroke... launching a huge, crescent-shaped, orange projectile, dead at the man... obviously a super move.
...With an annoyed sigh, Adelheid activated his reflect barrier, and sent the projectile crashing right back into Eiji. He dodged, but it hit the vehicle behind him, and it exploded, knocking Eiji unconscious.
Silently praying the mindless ninja would stay down for his own good, Adelheid retreated from the parking garage, and back onto the city street. He knew the place well, so it wouldn't be hard to map out the quickest route back to the square... back to Rose. SHE was what was most important. As long as he remembered that, that's what separated him from the other barbarians. He needed to get back to his allies.
"Mr. Bernstein! Over here!"
...Though he wouldn't need it, as it seemed allies had found him first. He instantly recognized the girl's voice, and if that hadn't tipped him off, the brown bird flying overhead left no doubt.
"Nakoruru!" Adelheid called out to her.
But she wasn't alone... the man walking alongside her was the last person he expected to see out tonight. Someone who had been a bit of an enigma this entire week... destroying his opponents in the ring, yet shunning the limelight in favor of seclusion. A strange trait for a celebrity, both in the musical and martial arts worlds. Even stranger... he wasn't even dressed? Did some bizarre dream compel him out onto the city streets in his boxers? Perhaps the influence of some narcotic?
Judging from his face, he appeared to be lucid... and Adelheid could sense, even from a distance, in a state of great unrest.
"Iori Yagami." Adelheid addressed the red-haired man. "You're the last person I expected to see out and about on a night like this."
"Well, here I am." Iori shrugged. "Now what the hell are you doing out here?! Your sister's back there, and people are trying to kill her and a bunch of others, and-"
"Nakoruru." Adelheid interrupted, much to Iori's displeasure. "Please tell me... is my sister okay?"
Nakoruru smiled. "They still live. All of them. Thanks to him."
"Yeah, ME! You rich asshole." Iori snarled, grabbing Adelheid's top.
Adelheid forcefully removed the hand. "Judge me before you even know me, why don't you. I'm not just some pampered aristocrat like others seem to believe."
"Yeah, well, your bitch sister doesn't exactly help that argument." Iori snapped back.
Mamahaha finally finished circling around, before touching down on Nakoruru's shoulder. The girl gave her a tiny kiss. "Good job, Mamahaha. Thank you."
The nature maiden turned to her two male counterparts... who were currently toe to toe, in a dramatic starting contest. Iori's lips were slowly parting, teasing the appearance of fangs...
"You guys!" Nakoruru intervened. "I understand tensions are high, and the events of the night have everyone in an elevated state. But please, try to remain calm."
The two didn't immediately cease their brewing hostility... but they were aware of her words, and understood that she was right. Both of them had unleashed terrifying aggression, going so far as to nearly become something other than themselves... it's no wonder they were at each other's throats.
Adelheid finally proved the bigger man, and, with a clearing of his throat, disengaged. "So... is it true that you saved my sister and the rest?"
Iori followed suit, taking diplomatic steps back. "Yes, I did. It wasn't my initial plan... but it worked out that way."
After another brief period of no words... Adelheid extended his hand. "Then in that case, you have my gratitude. I humbly thank you.'
It took a second for Iori to come around... but after eyeing it for a moment, he finally accepted Adelheid's hand and completed the gesture. "It was nothing. REALLY. I don't know why they were struggling so much."
"This is good." Nakoruru smiled. "Now that you two are here, and we're at peace... we must talk." With the two at full attention, she began.
"I am a protector of the natural world, though my endeavors, more often than not, err into the supernatural. I'm here because the cosmic balance of the world has fluctuated; darkness is threatening to tip the scales, and I can only fear what terrors will awaken from slumbers long and deep, should the situation get any further out of hand. Here and now, this is the most delicate time that we must operate with discretion. This tournament could be the catalyst to a grave disaster..."
"You're late to the party, girlfriend." Iori rebutted. "The Hakkeshu's already been squashed."
"Hakkeshu?" Adelheid inquired.
"Worshipers of Orochi, in modern time." Nakoruru enlightened. "And I'm afraid the situation has gone too far beyond that now... the presence of your so-called Hakkeshu have weakened, yes, but I can still sense a terrifying imbalance of the cosmic forces... darkness is running rampant. I'm afraid the fabric of the universe may be too riven at this point for us to make a difference, but at the very least... we can begin by cancelling the tournament."
"What?!" Adelheid brusquely questioned.
Nakoruru continued. "It ends with you two... you, who carries Orochi blood in your veins, and you, who carries your father's evil blood."
"Bullshit!" Iori snapped. "I'm the one in control! It's MY power to use!"
"I agree with him." Adelheid seconded. "This power will never be used to be a threat to others, or the world!"
"You think you two are the masters of your own destiny," Nakoruru continued, "But there are other, higher powers, that will dictate what is and isn't to be. As long as you two continue... I fear this will only end one way."
"You don't understand," Adelheid's turn to retort came. "You can't just... stop King of Fighters."
"Why not?"
"You JUST CAN'T!" Adelheid's voice grew intense, before quickly returning to a more subdued volume. "You just... can't."
Nakoruru didn't seem to understand. She opted to remain quiet, to take in the breadth of Adelheid's reasoning. He exhaled sharply, as he looked down, with a far out expression. His fists slowly clenched...
"This tournament... it's driven my sister insane. She's become obsessed with seeing it through to its completion. It's just too big now... too much has been risked, and sacrificed... too much blood, shed. After everything, EVERYTHING we've been through this week... how could you think of asking me to stop?"
"But this is madness!" Nakoruru argued.
Adelheid nodded. "Madness, it is. I agree... that's why I've got to fight. Fight, and win, and put an end to this nightmare, once and for all. I'm going to see my sister's goal fulfilled... and then we'll have peace."
Iori scoffed. "Pfeh. There's a solution here that'll make this a breeze... I don't give a f*** about this tournament, anyway. I'll just forfeit. Let you make the Finals. Win your damn trophy."
Adelheid frowned. "You think that's how I want to win?!"
Iori shrugged. "I didn't think it mattered. Look, fancy boy... I don't fight for glory, or confections, money, or golden knickknacks. I only fight for the REAL stakes. So if this is what gets us home quickest... screw it. I don't care."
Adelheid folded his arms. "You made it to the Final Four of the world's most prestigious fighting tournament... even you know you can't quit at this point. Deep down, you won't let yourself. You're here for the same reason we all are. You want what we all want... and even if it's textbook insanity, we all want to fight for that year where good triumphs over evil, and the truest, purest nature of King of Fighters shines through in the end."
Iori stared him down for a minute, taking a moment for his words to properly marinate... before the smuggest of smirks formed on his lip, and he broke into laughter.
"Hehehehehe... hahahahahaha... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Adelheid's eyebrow curved, as a smiling Iori replied. "You're a good talker, fancy boy... and I think you may be just as annoying as a certain nappy-headed idiot I know. Heh, well fine then! If we're all f***ed anyway, maybe it's worth seeing this shit show through to the end."
Nakoruru shook her head in dismay. "You two are making a serious mistake..."
Iori never dropped his smirk. "Sweetheart, what's gonna happen will happen, and it won't happen any other way. Maybe it is a mistake; maybe we're on the train ride to We're F***ed Avenue tomorrow... but no matter what happens, we'll still win in the end. Always have. Always will."
"You're willing to bet the well-being of humanity on it?" Nakoruru questioned.
Iori swatted, like the question wasn't even a big deal. "I do it all the time. Now let's get the hell out of here."
ODEONSPLATZ
Back in the square, the gamut of emotions had been run: it started off tense and fearful, before taking a plunge to peaceful respite... and back to tense again. What could've been a celebratory moment for all, was overshadowed by the anticipation of seeing their allies return back safely.
No one looked out to the distance moreso than Rose Bernstein. Clutching her dress tight, she looked out... and prayed... for her brother's safe return. Things had gotten confusing at times, and she found herself at a crossroads with her priorities... but above all else, she desired her brother, safe, in her arms.
There were others, as well, who had a stake in this. Though her demeanor bore a more impressive facade... the ones close to her could see through, easy.
"You're worried about him." Ralf spoke with a slightly raspy breath, still nursing a terrible wound.
Leona shook her head. "I'm not."
"Oh yes you are."
"Shut up." she dismissed. "The more you talk, the more you hurt."
Ralf grinned. "Oh I can handle pain just fine... but I'm not sure I could handle the heartbreak of your little boyfriend not coming back."
"He's not my...!"
...But, as if to completely destroy her credibility, Leona's words fell dead, and her mouth parted, as she looked to the distance with a certain joy that was rare on her face.
It was a sight of triumph, of hope; Iori Yagami and Adelheid Bernstein, walking side by side, safe and sound. It signified the final defeat of the threats that plagued them that night... and finally, the end to a long and grueling night in the city.
"ADELHEID!" Rose cried, and made a beeline for her reunited sibling, nearly tripping over her dress multiple times. She finally did take one wrong step and begin to fall... but she landed poetically, in his arms, and Adelheid lifted her with ease, spinning her around joyously. As soon as her feet touched the ground again, her arms tightened around his neck and a flurry of kisses found their mark.
"Adelheid... you damn stupid brother!" Rose wailed, burying her face in his neck. "Don't ever run off like that again!"
Adelheid smiled, reaching a hand behind her head to gently stroke her. "Sorry I worried you, Rose... I lost myself for a bit, but I think I'm good now. I think... I can move on from some things."
The other reunion took place not far from theirs. Leona and Iori's was far less sappy, and consisted of little more than a reserved distancing of a few feet, Leona with a hand gingerly clutching her other arm, Iori with his arms folded.
"Aren't you cold, running around like that?" she asked.
"Cold's not exactly a synonym of mine." he smoothly replied.
"In any case... I'm glad to see you unharmed."
"You too."
And thus, it was left at that. Rose, who had finally removed herself from her brother's embrace, called out to him. "Mr. Yagami!"
"Hm?"
Rose walked up to him... trying awkwardly to avoid looking at his scantily-clad body. Nonetheless, she maintained her professionalism, and spoke. "You rescued my brother... for this, I owe you."
"W-well, I helped..." Nakoruru casually mentioned, on the sidelines.
"Oh, you owe me? Well freakin' a!" Iori grinned. "I have a request, and you're going to grant it."
She maintained her composure, despite a vein teasing itself to the surface. "Okay then... state your terms."
For all his bravado, Iori's face turned to an... unsettling solemn. She looked into his eyes, and saw something not often shown... it was almost... PLEADING...
"Please..." he started, as his eyes closed. "...Don't make me fight Chizuru."
Rose was initially silent, taking in the strange request... oddly, she didn't look surprised. She looked more like someone expecting that exact favor... when her lips curved to a smug grin, Iori found out exactly why.
"Chizuru asked me the same thing."
And that is THAT. For real. Swearsies. The big, bad Square War is finally over. Breathe a sigh of relief, all of you. It's been a long, grueling arc that led to a months-long hiatus... but we're past it now. We are finally past it.
NEXT CHAPTER: Before moving on to the final day, what the heck happened to Angel? Her off-screen adventure is finally revealed!
But, before we go any further, I have a SLEW of Bonus Scenes for you. Sit back and get comfy, because you don't want to miss any of these.
BONUS SCENE 1
"The police are here!" Mary announced. "Let's bounce! I don't wanna get caught up in procedures and reports."
"I'm with you." Ralf grunted. "I've had enough of this godforsaken square. Time for a comfy hospital bed."
"Everyone's who's healthy, gather the wounded." Heidern ordered. "Let's get everyone out of here."
"What about the assassins?" Yuki asked.
"Leave them. Most are too hurt to flee. The police will pick them up."
"Sounds good to me. Cmon Ai, let's help these guys out. Ai? AI!"
"Okay, okay! I was just... finishing this level..." Ai grumbled
"Iroha-chan, over here!" Nakoruru waved.
"Hai!" Iroha nodded.
Mass evacuation was underway. The good guys, hot off their victory, were now picking their wounded carcasses up, and getting out of the square, before they got tangled up with law enforcement. Those who had made an attempt on the Bernsteins' life, would be left to sit there and be taken into custody.
Lien was one such. Handcuffed and immobile, she was helpless as she watched the frantic, scrambling feet... she vainly tugged at the confines a few times, to further express her frustration at the situation.
In spite of everything that had happened, the Hizoku assassin Lin still felt a tinge of sympathy as he walked by her... her eyes lingered on him, and he felt it, and turned to face her as well.
Only the slightest moment of silence was shared, before Lin turned away. "I'm sorry, Lien Neville. Maybe we'll meet again some day, under different circumstances. Good luck."
Lien said nothing in response; it continued that way, until Lin was well out of sight. With that, she finally settled down, and breathed a long sigh... as she accepted her fate.
"Heads up!"
A voice she hadn't heard in a hot minute piqued her attention enough to look up... she saw naught but a twinkle, and then...
FWWWIT!
A steel projectile flew so fast and true, she barely caught a glimpse of it; all she saw was the aftermath, as she looked at her wrist and saw... the handcuff chain had been severed. She was free!
Not one to question blessings, Lien wasted no time returning to her feet and flexing her now-free hand. After enjoying the feeling of being on her feet again for a second, she finally looked, and studied the projectile...
...It was one of her shuriken.
"Nagase!"
As if on cue, a pair of feet landed beside Lien; she turned, and the spectacled ninja was there, grinning goofily.
"You coward." Lien spat. "Why didn't you fight?"
"Hah." Nagase scoffed. "I know a losing battle when I see it, and y'all motherf***ers were screwed from the start. Besides..."
Her glasses shimmered, as the grinning girl flashed her own fancy wrist technology. "I couldn't miss out on all that juicy data."
An eyeroll. "You and your nerd data... you know you can't take it with you when you go."
"That's why I'm not going for a very long time." Nagase retorted. "I'm a survivor... that's why I know not to jump into a shit storm like you did. You could learn a thing or two from me~"
Lien shoved her, before sharply turning and walking away. "You're the one who needs some education... never free your enemies."
Nagase watched with ire, as the tall blonde made her way into the night, slowly becoming a distant sight. The modern ninja only smirked.
"Heh... I freed you because I'M the one that's going to take you down, tits-for-brains."
BONUS SCENE 2
"Hands in the air! Do it now!"
"Down! Down! On your knees!"
The ones who didn't get away were being swiftly taken into custody, courtesy of Munich PD and the special unit GSG9. Rose and crew had thankfully mopped up before they arrived; it generally wasn't safe for common beings to try and apprehend skilled fighters, but in their beaten-down state, policemen with guns more than sufficed.
"Chief!"
Chief Tirpitz, who was overseeing the proceedings, was beckoned by one of his men, who was waving at a very obvious trail on the ground. "Got a blood trail here. Do we follow it?"
The chief dismissed it with a shrug. "We don't have to be in a hurry to save any of these scumbags. The more who succumb to their wounds, the safer the world is."
"Yes sir."
Out on the streets, the blood trail carried... courtesy of the wounded Genjuro, no longer operating of his own two feet. He was being sustained by another pair of arms: a twisted poetic irony, to say the least.
"You idiot... why didn't you just wait for me?"
"Huff...huff... hahaha... I've dedicated my whole life to the day my sword ends you. If I killed you too soon, I'd have no reason to keep on living."
"You really are hopeless. I don't know why I bother with you."
"Perhaps you should reconsider... urrgh.. and leave me here... your generosity...may prove to be your folly one day..."
"Oh shut up. I'm only doing this for one reason. You once showed me mercy and spared my life... consider us even now."
A raspy chuckle. "Ha ha ha ha... cough cough cough...one day, I'll make you regret this night, Haohmaru."
BONUS SCENE 3
"Ha haaaaa! Look at it, Ryuge! It's glorious!"
Big hadn't let up in his trophy-parading, holding the key up with sparkling sunglasses, while trying to walk at the same time. "2.5 million dollars... right here in my hand. This little key is the key to Southtown!"
Yamazaki, despite the victory, remained silent. He appeared fatigued by the night's events, a rarity for the often-manic individual.
"HEY BOYS! LOOK WHAT IIIIIII GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!" he yelled in a singsong voice to his loyal henchmen, his crew of undying, unwavering faith-
...Or so he thought.
His "loyal crew", all seven of them, had formed something strangely akin to a picket line, as they were standing there, all eyes directly focused on him. It was tragic if not funny in a dark way, as most of them were still struggling to remain upright from their gruesome injuries.
"Listen, Big..." Mickey Rogers scratched his head. "There's no easy way to say thi-"
"What are you talking about, of course it's easy!" Raiden interrupted. "We're done, Big. All of us, done!"
"Whoa whoa whoa whoaaaa hold up now!" Big intervened with his hands up. "C-cmon guys, what's this all about?"
"If you don't know what it's about, you're either in denial or just plain stupid!" Hwa Jai snapped. "Joining up with you has been nothing but trouble! But THIS? This is too far! Geese never sent us to our near-deaths!"
"We're out here bleeding out because of you!" Chang yelled.
"But guys, you don't understand, I GOT THE MONEY." Big tried to persuade. "Guys... we won! Cmon!"
"Ain't worth my blood. Ain't worth my life." Raiden began to back away. "It was a mistake ever joining you, Big. I thought maybe teaming up with you would give me a taste of nostalgia, of the old times. But it's clear that you'll never measure up to what Geese could be. He's gone now... and I'd be stupid to keep trying to grasp at those old days. They're gone. So am I."
Big reached a hand out. "Dude..."
...But it was too late. Hwa Jai was right behind him. "I agree, this whole thing has turned me off to criminal dealings once again. If nothing else, I have you to thank for that, Big. I'd rather go straight than have my limbs nearly sliced off. See ya around."
Having failed with those two, Big turned to the next pair: Chang and Choi. From one look on their faces, however... he could already tell which way they were going.
"Guys, not you too!"
"Big... thank you for helping us hide from Kim and Jhun." Chang nodded. "But this has been a revelation for us too. I realize now that me and Choi have to find our OWN path. We've been too institutionalized. Too used to others guiding us. Telling us where to go, what to do next. Making the choices for us, to spare us that responsibility. Now I see what that costs us... if it's not physical and mental abuse from a Taekwondo master, it's being manipulated by you into risking our lives to line YOUR pockets. Well, no more. We're outta here."
Two more down. Big turned to the other three- the ones who had been loyal to him the longest - and he looked like a man on his last legs.
"Guys... you too? Jack?"
Jack started to limp away. "Big, the old days were fun, but I'm not young and dumb enough for that nonsense anymore. I'm outta here, to savor the years I got left."
"Mickey?!"
Mickey, too, was walking away. "I think I can still get a job as a boxing coach somewhere. Sorry Big."
"John... cmon John, I saved your life in 'Nam!" Big pleaded.
John growled. "And I think I've paid that debt back, my old friend! Especially tonight! Sorry, but this is the last blood I spill for you. Sayonara!"
And that was that. Big, and whatever high he had been carrying from his successful square ransom, came crashing down around him. As he once stood proud, just minutes earlier, he was now a man who felt like he'd lost everything. Suddenly... the money felt a little insignificant.
Nonetheless, he tried to use it as the last tangible bargaining chip he had left, as he screamed out into the night.
"BUT GUYS! I HAVE THE MONEY! 2.5 MILLION! IT'S ALL OURS! GUYS! GUYYYYYYYS!"
His plea was to no avail. As Big stood there, close to falling on his knees, he thought he couldn't possibly be lower... and then he heard one last voice.
"I'm out too, Big. Sorry."
THAT one pushed him over the edge, as he literally sprinted to desperately clutch the black t-shirt before it got away. "No, NO! Ryuji... no... not you. Please, not you. I can handle anybody else, but... not YOU."
Yamazaki looked at him with the closest he could ever muster to sympathy... before prying the hands loose. "Big... it's been fun, man. Really, it has. I had a blast doing this job with you this week. Hell, I was even considering betraying you and taking it all for myself when we scored."
"Th-that would have been so cool!" Big wailed. "We could have had an interpersonal villain feud, and... c-cmon dude, you can't leave me like this! Not when we're this close!"
Yamazaki shook his head. "I've got bigger fish to fry. Stuff you wouldn't understand, and don't want to. Enjoy your money, man. You earned it."
He started to walk away, and Big finally DID fall to his knees. "RYUJI...DON'T LEAVE ME! PLEASE! WE CAN TAKE OVER SOUTHTOWN TOGETHER, JUST THE TWO OF US! THE MONEY'S ALL OURS!"
"Good luck, Big." Yamazaki gave him one last parting wave, with the left hand, as the right hand tucked into his pocket, and he walked off into the night.
With nobody left, and no assets to his name except a silver key worth 2.5 million dollars... Mr. Big never felt more defeated. Even when he won... he lost. Would he ever truly win?
"No... NOO... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
BONUS SCENE 4
Two pairs of gentle footsteps contradicted their fierce natures, as they slipped past the numerous doors of the hotel, searching for one in particular... until they found it.
"Wait right here." Iori whispered a command.
Leona was understandably reserved. "A-are you sure this is-"
"It's okay." Iori doubled down. "Just wait here, and don't move."
"Iori..."
Leona nervously clutched her arm, as Iori opened the door and slipped inside, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. She slowly backed up, unsure of what to expect, as a tense and unsettling silence carried on for several, several seconds...
Suddenly, her nerves jolted, as she heard clear signs of a struggle. She stood rigid, combat instincts compelling her to want to go in and help... but he was very clear not to move.
Finally, she heard the most disturbing noise of the encounter: a loud thud, as if a body had forcefully slammed against the door.
A moment later, the door swung open... and two bodies came flying out.
"Agh!"
"Ugh!"
Leona was wise to sidestep, just barely avoiding contact. All she could see was a crumpled white sheet, and within it... the bodies of two people she very, VERY much didn't like: Mature and Vice.
A moment later, Iori emerged from the door, his hand extended. "Cmon."
Leona started to walk forward, but hesistated, looking down at them. "But-"
"Come ON. It's okay."
Finally, she found her courage. Taking a step forward, another, another... she took Iori's hand and disappeared into the room with him, shutting the door.
Mature and Vice scrambled in the sheets, their heads coming up for air. With a disgusted snarl, the duo responded brief and blunt.
"Stupid-"
"-Cunt."
Now secure within the sanctity of Iori's room, the reunited duo turned to each other, locking eyes for only the briefest of moments... before their bodies collided, lips becoming one. Leona's face melted into his, her tension and reserve surrendering, as her arms draped over him, fingers digging into his bare back.
Their mouths parted only slightly, enough that Iori's tongue could find access inside, as his hands traveled around her, one hand clutching aggressively at the back of her tanktop, the other hand dipping just below her glutes, to grasp fiercely at her thigh, inviting her leg to lift up and wrap around him.
The night followed a linear path: a uniform, and two pairs of underwear left a path to the bathroom, before two fluffy white towels led a trail back towards the bed, where Iori and Leona now resided, the soldier's long blue hair still damp, draped over Iori's bare torso, which gently rose and fell with his relaxed breaths, taking her face along with it. He had one hand on her exposed back, gently caressing the rough, calloused flesh, and another running through that damp forest of hair, while her fingers danced on his pectorals... whimsically, curiously tracing the wound left behind by Genjuro.
"You okay?" Iori softly mumbled.
"M'fine..." Leona mumbled back. "The Riot healed my wounds. How are you?"
...Silence.
"Don't dodge the question." Leona persisted. "How are you?"
A long, hard sigh. She felt the vibrations from his chest.
"I shouldn't fight tomorrow..." Iori spoke out with a breathy whisper. "This whole thing is f***ed."
"What do you mean?"
His grip on her back tightened. "Ah, that nature girl... she said if I fought tomorrow, it'd bring disaster. Either me or rich boy. Or both. Normally I wouldn't give a shit what others say, but... I can't help thinking she's right."
"Forget what others expect of you." Leona encouraged. Her fingers caressed the rough, rigid seam of the congealed wound. "What do YOU want?"
Iori gave a half chuckle. "A fighting tournament doesn't mean squat to me. But at the same time... ha... it's screwed up, but... a part of me wants to prove em wrong. Prove myself wrong. I know I'm a marked man-"
"You're a human being." Leona interjected, picking her head up, to look into his eyes. "Being cursed doesn't change anything. You have a right to pursue goals. You have a right to compete, and be the best you can be, and win. You have a right to success, and happiness."
"And that's just it. " Iori guided his hand to her cheek, gently laying her head back down on his chest. He stroked her face. "A part of me wants to say 'f*** the oracles, f*** the prophecies and foresights and all that crap. But can a guy like me really take that risk? I mean, what if I'm... what if I'm not in control, even if I fool myself into thinking I am? What if I really do hurt someone tomorrow, or cause a catastrophe? The tournament's fun and games, but I really just want everyone to be safe. If something happened to..."
Somehow, even without him uttering the name, Leona knew who he was talking about. "You're worried about her."
"If I ever hurt Chiz... I wouldn't live with myself." Iori's voice found less and less volume, as if the very though those words pertained to struck fear in him. "I couldn't face her, or anybody, ever again. I couldn't look myself in the mirror. Us two being here, in the semifinals... it shakes me to my core. And I... gurrgh..."
His grip seemed to tighten harder on Leona's bare flesh, though the soldier didn't flinch.
"...I resent her for it. I hate her for putting me here, in this position, building me up like this, giving me hope that I can just win this stupid tournament and be a champion like a normal human being... why the FUCK would she torture me like this? Give me a glimpse of... normalcy..."
"If Chizuru thought you were incapable, or a threat, then she wouldn't have let you come this far." Leona assured.
"Oh bull SHIT." Iori countered. "You heard what Rose said... even Chizuru knows I'm too dangerous. I should just... f***ing forfeit. Get out of here while I still can. Nobody will miss me. They'll celebrate that I'm gone."
"Iori..." Leona picked her head up again. "You're uncertain of yourself, and so you lash out, and turn that fear to hate. But hating yourself isn't the answer, and ESPECIALLY hating Chizuru."
Iori was silent, captivated by the gaze of a woman wise beyond her years, as she continued. "If you want to use anger as your weapon so badly... then get mad and get strong. Use it to fight back. It's your power, and your right. Stop being a victim of it all."
"So what would YOU do then?" Iori deflected.
"...I don't know." Leona truthfully answered. "Maybe I would believe in my self-control. Maybe, when it mattered most... I would let fear win, and back away. I'm grateful I don't have to be in that position. But you're here... and no matter what you do, I'll understand."
Iori's response to that was a long, deep, tired, inhale, one that elevated Leona's torso with his rising chest... before bringing her back down as he exhaled. His hand on her back gently rubbed back and forth, as his other hand cupped her cheek and laid her gently back down on his pectorals. She moaned softly, nuzzling against him into a comfortable resting position.
"I'm tired. I'll figure it out when I get there."
BONUS SCENE 5
"Urrgh, my head..."
Eiji, the victim of a week of psychological torture, was finally, wandered down the street, nursing a throbbing headache.
Where was he?
What had he been doing this whole time?
Why did he feel like an angry mob held him down and stomped his head against a sidewalk?
"Urrrgh.. has the tournament started yet?" Eiji asked a question to thin air, since nobody else was listening. "Last thing I remember was getting my entry card, and looking down at that loathsome Yagami...?!"
He froze.
His eyes stared forward, blankly... but they weren't his own.
The clacking of footsteps sounded behind him. He didn't hear them.
"We're not done yet." Botan announced, her hand up, fingers outstretched, as she worked her ethereal strings. She looked, understandably, worse for wear: bags under her eyes, hair messed up... she was covered in Shion's blood. A look of insanity and desperate plastered her discolored face. "I'll never be done... never... never... never... neverrr..."
Botan, having regained her primary puppet, set the two of them out on a new path. Along the way, Shroom and Rimelo passed their route. The taller, slender blonde folded his arms, keeping his eyes where they remained, though he spoke to address her.
"You realize you're not going to win at this point? It's over."
Botan's deranged gaze didn't acknowledge him. "Shut up! You cowards don't want to lift a finger, FINE! I'll do it myself! I'll reap all the reward!"
Shroom finally turned his head, to watch her disappear into the distance, Eiji in tow. When they were but distant blurs... he shook his head with pity.
"Madness... she's a slave to a lifelong pursuit. She knows nothing else. The reality of an immortal becoming mortal is a sad one... the brain is conditioned, over thousands and thousands of years, until that life becomes the only life that can ever be. That's not going to be us. We're leaving."
BONUS SCENE 6
Drip...drip...dripdrip...
His blood continued to fall around him, as shaky legs wobbled forward, the only crutch sustaining him his spear, which he pressed all his weight on and literally pulled himself forward.
His skin was pale white. He was just barely standing. And yet... he had willed himself to this destination: a deep, dark, secluded hole, where his one and final trump card lay.
Botan had taken over this restaurant at the start of the week; it's staff under her mind control. Unknowingly, they carried on with their lives, despite their meat freezer containing a very suspicious product... a piece of Those From the Past that had been lost, and recovered, before his secrets could be compromised by Heidern's military force.
Only a desperate, hysterical strength compelled Shion at this point, as he dragged it out, took it to the parking lot, where he desperately sought an electrical source... there.
Popping the hood of a dormant vehicle, he acquired a pair of jumper cables from the trunk, and hooked them up to the battery, before applying the red and black clamps to the cold corpse.
"You..." Shion's voice was a weak rasp. "You never respected me. You never treated me as an equal. I did more for the cause than you ever did... but you, just like Saiki, thought I was just an expendable pawn. Well look at us now... hahahaha... look at us now..."
Shion didn't care if he broke the ignition; he jammed his sai into the keyhole, and twisted with all his remaining might... he just... had to... start it... his lights began to flicker... his head light... he felt his eyes closing...
Vrrrrrrrroooooooooooooommmmmmmmm...
He felt the vibrations, heard the hum of the machine coming to life... with a smile, he slumped over, his head hitting the steering wheel.
...On the ground, the cadaver of a being long dead opened two menacing, cerulean, bug eyes.