Sup' you beautiful people! Hope you had a wonderful New Year! I apologize for not updating this before the big day itself; I was swarmed with work! In fact as I type this I have another work to do!
Anyway, you may have noticed but I'm finally free from that camp! It was more of a 20 days and a half stay than a 21 days stay. I'm just glad to be out of there. But that doesn't mean the service itself is over. Until the 15th of October I'll be busy working at some government building and helping the community.
I should also add that a friend of mine from abroad and I are planning to create our own Youtube channel. What will be the content? You'll just have to wait and find out when I think the timing is right.
Note: You may need to read chapter 3, 20 & to understand the references made in this chapter first. But if you think you won't be bothered by slight mentions of certain events, please go on and read.
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE SHOWS IN THIS FANFICTION! EACH CHARACTER BELONGS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS AND NETWORKS!
Now that's out of the way, let's jump right into it¨
Chapter 35: Spear vs Kurome
Sheele was training hard in the hideout's training room. With Extase in her hand, she rushed at a boulder and cut it in two perfectly from the sides. Everyone watching her clapped for her in applause.
"Way to go, Sheele!" Mine shouted happily.
"Yeah, that's nice. But I could do that better." Lubbock said smugly.
Leone nudged him at the side. "Ignore the pervert. He talks too much." She said.
Sheele smiled without saying a word. This feeling of gratitude was speechless to her. It was only lacking the appearance of a certain teenage boy with a certain alien device on his wrist. Sheele didn't mind the fact that Aria and Spear were also absent.
Eunice showed up to the training room. Sheele had been training for about an hour, which the Unitrix could see. The boulder she recently cut wasn't the only one. Other boulders cut in halves were also there.
"I see the treatment is working well." Eunice said as she approached the others.
"Yeah, it sure is." Tatsumi said happily. He stood up from where he was sitting with a question in mind. "But I've got to ask. Just what is the treatment you gave her?"
"It's a medication the Galvans developed." Eunice answered. "Azmuth gave it to me just in case I run into any trouble that leaves me paralyzed or wounded. I may be a prototype of the Omnitrix, but I don't come with the many failsafe it has."
"That Azmuth guy must be cool then." Tatsumi smirked. "Since he built the Ultimatrix, maybe he can get us some awesome gear."
"I wouldn't count him to do that." Eunice said.
"What? Why?" Tatsumi frowned in disappointment. "We're cool with Ben. I'm his friend."
"And so are Sheele and Leone." Eunice added. "But he sees all of you as just barbarians. He even wanted to pull Ben out of this world when he almost lost to the Prime Minister's son. I can't blame him really. He's the smartest being in arguably four or five galaxies."
"Uh…what are galaxies?" Tatsumi asked.
"Wait, I'm not Ben's friend?" Lubbock asked, confused.
Eunice frowned. 'These guys are really behind huh?' She thought. She then turned to Sheele and put up a genuine smile. "Anyway, not bad, Sheele. Keep it up and you'll be back to your full strength."
"She's right." Mine agreed. "You can then join us on missions again."
"Right…" Sheele nodded and looked her.
Akame and Leone noticed the hesitance in her voice. Something about Sheele was conflicted and it made them curious. But before anyone could ask, she turned back to Eunice and bowed her head at her.
"Thank you for what you did." She said humbly. "I know it may not have been easy. We are assassins and have killed many people. It's no secret that you despised us when we all met."
"True, there was that." Eunice admitted. "But after staying with you guys for a while, I finally understood why Ben cares for you guys. You're killers, but you're doing it knowing it's for the future of the innocents to live in peace. Back in my world, some criminals almost always found a way to break out and cause more trouble."
"You're world is weird." Leone stated with her arms crossed. "No offense, but if they keep breaking out then you should probably just end it all once and for all."
"Uh…we'll think about it." Eunice lied.
Before any conversation could be continued from that, Sheele decided to break it. Akame and Leone mentally noticed the conflicted look on her face. Since it was Sheele they were talking to, it was likely that she had held up such feelings for a long time.
"Everyone, I have something important to say." Sheele said reluctantly. "I can no longer go on as an assassin and as…a member of Night Raid."
Everyone presently there were shocked at the news.
_(LINE)_
The Jaegers were having breakfast. Wave and Bols had offered to cook the meal while the others wait. The moment was pleasant to say the least. Kurome, Seryu, Sunny and Esdeath were seated at the table while Run and Dr. Stylish stood aside discussing with one another. Koro was interested in Kurome's candy, but the stoic girl refused to let him have it.
Sunny frowned. She lived for the chaos and action in their world. But seeing everyone seated back made her feel they were being too normal. Fortunately, Seryu broke the small silence due to her fascination with the ice general herself.
"General." She called with a perky smile. "What about you? What have you been doing with your spare time?"
"Mostly hunting and torture." Esdeath graciously answered. She put down her glass of wine and continued. "Otherwise, I study. But at the moment…" She put her elbows on the table and held her hands to top of the other and smiled. "I was thinking that I might try my hand at being in love."
Both Seryu and Kurome were taken aback. Kurome didn't show it; her stoic personality prevented it, but Sunny could sense it. The shift in the air even made the Anodite smirk a little.
Esdeath then changed the subject. "By the way, I heard that you fought young Tennyson before my arrival. Can you elaborate on it? I would like to know the details."
"Um…yes, ma'am."
Seryu explained hesitantly. Sunny could sense the tension in the girl. She could feel anger, betrayal, fear, hatred and confusion from the girl. It wasn't like she could blame her; Esdeath could feel the emotions as she explained.
"I just don't understand…" Seryu said, holding her hands together under the table. "I thought we were on the same side. He even saved Koro and I when we were goners by an Imperial Arms user. But that night…he just attacked us for no reason to the point that we almost died."
"Was there a guy with spiky hair?" Sunny asked. She already knew the answer to the question though.
"Uh, yes." Seryu answered with a surprised look on her face. "You know him?"
"Sort of. I almost killed him and his Night Raid friends." Sunny continued. "That guy was a friend of Ben's. You definitely pissed Benny off when he saw him dead."
Kurome's interest was peak. She didn't show it though. The conversation between Sunny and Seryu was too interesting.
"So Ben's a member of Night Raid?" Seryu asked.
"Nope." Sunny shook her head. "He hates those guys so much that he already fought them on his own. But he does have two friends within their ranks – well more like he used to. You already killed one of them."
"I don't regret it." Seryu stated sternly. "He was a criminal that had to be dealt with. The fact Ben even has a friend within them disgusts me."
"But it gives us an opportunity." Esdeath said with an intrigued smile. "If he has another friend within them, perhaps we can use the young man to track Night Raid's hideout and neutralize them once and for all."
Seryu grinned maliciously. She enjoyed the idea of finding Night Raid's hideout and taking them out.
"By the way, have the reports on the missing Teigu and the axe come in?" Esdeath asked.
"Yes." Seryu answered and frowned a bit. "Investigation into their disappearance is unconcluded sadly. The guard on watch stated he saw a blue flash of light from the room that contained them. We suspected he might've been lying about it and whisked them over to some potential buyers. But he didn't give in even after days of intense interrogation. Before we knew it, he disappeared along with any traces of his family."
'Paradox. That must've been his doing.' Sunny determined easily. 'I did sense some slight shifts in the vicinity on that day. No one can cause such a thing even with a Teigu like that Prime Minister's son.'
"That's disappointing." Esdeath commented. "I would've recommended investigating it but something tells me that the disappearances aren't in our field."
"I have a question." Kurome said with her left hand up.
"Go on." Esdeath permitted.
Everyone was intrigued to hear what the stoic girl had to say. Usually she'd be quiet and eat her candy while others talked. It was a nature that they were already getting used to. She put her hand down and spoke.
"Is Ben Tennyson the kid with brown hair and a number 10 on his shirt?" She asked.
Everyone was either fascinated or surprised. The only people who knew Ben's description were Esdeath, Seryu and Sunny. The others had only heard his name since it was confidential to the public and they were granted permission. The Capital had forbidden under Esdeath's request to keep him off from the wanted list for the time being.
"Yes, he is." Esdeath answered. "Did you meet him?"
"Yes, in the forest when I was hunting for a Danger Beast to add to my arsenal." Kurome answered. "He changed into some kind of Danger Beast that was loud and talked a lot and beat up an Apeman. He was there because of some blonde girl."
"Blonde girl?" Seryu asked. It then clicked into her. "Are you talking about Lady Aria?"
Kurome didn't say. She shrugged her shoulders in response and dipped her hand into her bag of cookies on the table. Esdeath was curious and intrigued by this information. She then turned to Seryu with a question in mind.
"You called her Lady Aria. I'm to assume that she's of a noble status."
"Yes, ma'am." Seryu admitted. "She was the only survivor of Night Raid's invasion on her mansion. Ogre-sama took her in, but Night Raid came and cut him down. Ben was able to save her in time and get her away."
"I see." Esdeath said and stood up. "I think it's high time we track her down. If we find her, we can find Ben Tennyson and if we find him then we'll find Night Raid. Besides, she's a criminal and has to be persecuted."
Seryu was surprised. "I'm sorry, but how? She's from a noble bloodline."
"Just a hunch." Esdeath smirked.
_(LINE BREAK)_
Wave felt bored patrolling. It had been two hours since Esdeath had dispatched them into a team of two. He and Kurome were meant to patrol one of the shopping districts in the Capital for any signs of Tennyson or Aria. He doubted it though, seeing as Ben had been involved with the Capital too much to be involved.
"I wonder how long till we can stop." He said with a sigh. His hands were behind his head as he thought carefree. "I don't think Tennyson would show up at the very place that he attacked multiple times. Yeah, he doesn't have his wanted posters up, but he – Ow!"
Wave bumped into someone. He hadn't expected such despite the street being less crowded and popular to the average commoners. But being the polite man he is, he looked to the person and apologize.
"I'm so sorry. I wasn't –"
Wave was baffled at who he saw. Their search may be been for two hours, but he never thought that it would've been successful. Ben Tennyson was standing in front of him with an apologetic look on his face. Aria was also with him at his left side and an unfamiliar woman at his right side.
"It's fine, dude. I wasn't looking either." Ben admitted.
Wave couldn't speak back. He was still baffled by who he was staring at. Kurome somewhat understood his shock, but not to the extent of doing the same thing.
"He ate something bad, but he'll be fine." She said.
"I see…" Ben replied awkwardly. He and Aria and Spear then walked past them. "Have him taken to the doctors, okay?"
"Sure." Kurome answered with her eyes following him. She then turned to Wave and slapped him on the left cheek.
"Ow!" Wave yelped and rubbed his cheek. "Thanks. I needed that. Let's follow them and see where they're going."
Kurome simply nodded. She and Wave followed Ben and his group from behind with utmost secrecy. The passersby functioned somewhat as a shield as they weave their way through them with ease. Eventually, they followed Ben and the girls to a café and watched them seat under an umbrella table.
"He's acting too nonchalant." Wave whispered.
He and Kurome were also sitting under an umbrella table. Their table was some feet away from Ben and his group and allowed them to watch without getting spotted. Kurome did hear Wave, but she chose to ignore him and focus on them.
"Master Tennyson, I have a question." Spear said respectfully.
"Shoot." Ben replied.
"I don't want to shoot. I just want to ask something that has been bothering me since we came to the Capital."
Ben groaned. 'Great. Just what I needed. Another Rook has appeared.'
Spear asked anyway. "Why are we here? Do you wish us to do some scouting for any crimes?"
"Uh, firstly, I told you to stop calling me master." Ben said. "Secondly, we're celebrating Aria's training and your teaching skills. The both of you have done pretty well. I'm so proud."
Aria blushed while Spear smiled. They felt appreciated by the young hero that they knew. It reminded them about Ben's goodness and generosity towards them, and his commitment to protect the innocent.
With all that, celebration was needed. Ben allowed them to order for anything they want. Spear was reluctant until she decided to order for a non-alcoholic drink. Aria ordered for vanilla ice cream and became happy with the result.
"So good!" She exclaimed happily while savoring the taste. "This brings back so much memory. I used to order for things like these when I was a noble."
"I'm glad you like it." Ben stated.
"Wait, didn't you kill people back then?" Spear asked obliviously.
Aria's eyes widened as she remembered what she said. Spear's question caused her to look away in sadness and frown. The ice cream was no longer on her mind. Ben felt guilty while Spear remained oblivious.
"Did I do something wrong?" She asked.
"You shouldn't bring that up in public." Ben said with a sigh.
"It's fine. No one is hearing us. Everyone seems to be…minding their business."
Spear's hesitation hinted with suspicion. She had cleverly looked around and noticed two familiar faces sitting just some feet away. It made her suspicious, but not enough to draw attention. She needed to get Ben's attention about it and fast.
"Waiter, may I have a towel?" She asked.
"Spear, you need to apologize to Aria." Ben stated.
"No, it's fine." Aria said with the same frown. "We shouldn't let my troubled past stop us."
The waiter came and brought a white towel. Spear took it from him and gestured him away. Ben and Aria, meanwhile, went back and forth on the issue about Spear and her behavior. Spear bit her index finger with her teeth and used the blood to write something on it. It caught Ben's attention and alarmed.
"Spear, what are you doing?" Ben asked.
"Just making some art with the towel. I think Aria would appreciate it once I'm done." She answered calmly.
"But you're –"
"Please, Master Tennyson, let me finish." Spear interrupted.
The graduate of the Imperial Fist was trying hard to disguise her true intention. Wave and Kurome didn't seem to have notice her intention, which was good. She finished what she was doing and then turned it to Ben to see.
"What do you think, master? I tried my best." She said with a sweet smile.
Ben's eyes widened. He hated the sight of blood and the smell of it. But the message on the towel was something that he couldn't ignore. The towel said: Do not look back, but we're being watched by those two from earlier.
"I…think it needs some work." Ben replied hesitantly.
"What about me?" Aria asked obliviously. "I thought it was supposed to be me to see it. I mean, it should be, right?"
"I wanted Master Tennyson to see it since he favors you more." Spear answered calmly. "It'd appear I'll have to restart all over."
Kurome became suspicious. She could see Ben and the girls with Wave next her. Their attempt to blend in was successful to say the least. The both of them had ordered things to eat and drink so they wouldn't draw attention. And yet she knew Spear had discovered them.
Ben contemplated over their next move. He knew he couldn't let Kurome and Wave know that they suspected them. He also knew that one wrong move would get the Capital's forces on him again. The teen didn't want it, but fortunately he had an idea.
"Loosen up, Aria. We're here to enjoy ourselves, right?" Ben asked with a genuine smile. He then grabbed his drink and sat back with a cheeky grin. "We're going to be busy from here out, so let's have this moment while we still can."
"You're right." Aria smiled.
Spear understood Ben's secret response to her. She played along by forming a smile on her face and nodding at him. Ben ordered a drink which they all put into their respective cups and had a joint cheering. It was a normal time and something that the three of them enjoyed.
Meanwhile, Wave was growing bored. He had been watching the group of three for about thirty minutes. It made him wonder when they could make a move on them.
"How long are they going to be there?" Wave asked. "I think we should get in touch with the general and let her know they're here."
"I already did." Kurome informed him. She ignored the shocked look on his face and continued. "Besides, that tall girl knows that we're here. We should follow them when they make a move."
"Uh…sure. You mean like right now?" Wave pointed.
Kurome looked back and saw Ben and the girls leaving. She didn't say a word to Wave to stand up and follow the group. The black haired teen had to follow her from behind and let her lead the way.
The chase was on. Ben and his girls went through the street, talking with one another casually, with Kurome and Wave following from behind. The duo kept their distance to avoid getting into some form of confrontation with them. Their mission was to find and follow them. Direct combat wasn't needed unless necessary.
In time the number of people on the streets began to change. Wave and Kurome were becoming suspicious when they noticed they were passing unpopular places. Criminals sometimes dominated that area, but they didn't know that. Some civilians were seen, but the duo only remained their focus on Ben and the girls.
Eventually, the chase led them to an alley. Ben and the girls went through it without another word. Kurome's suspicion increased along with Wave's tracking instinct. The both of them paused for a moment to contemplate following them to the alley. A trap was possible; however, they couldn't afford to lose them.
The alley turned out to be a dead-end. Kurome wasn't surprised by it, as seen by her stoic face expression. However, the shift in the atmosphere changed and made them to turn back just in time to see three familiar faces. Ben, Spear and Aria stood at the entrance of the alley, blocking the only way out.
"I've got to say, you guys aren't what I expected from the Capital's new forces." Ben casually said.
"You knew we were following you." Wave stated bluntly with a glare. He reached his right hand to the hilt of his sword. "Surrender now. The three of you are under arrest."
Spear became offended. "How dare you insult Master Tennyson? I'll make sure you regret it."
"Spear, you're not helping." Ben said. He then sighed and pinched his nose and looked back at Wave and Kurome. "Look we don't want to fight. The last time I fought in the Capital, it didn't go so well. So how about we call this a day and go our own –"
Kurome made a leap at Ben quickly. Ben saw her coming and made no motion to avoid her. Kurome's speed was too fast for the teen to avoid; fortunately, he didn't need to make a move. Spear intervened with her weapon (an actual spear) and clashed with Kurome's blade with a swift move.
"So I'm guessing that's a no." Ben said nonchalantly.
Spear and Kurome were in a standstill as both tried to overpower the other with their weapon. This meant that their strength was put up to the test but with neither able to win. Eventually, they broke apart by making a jump back at their respective member.
"That girl's good." Kurome commented with a monotone voice.
"Thank you. I learnt from the best teachers in the Imperial Fist." Spear said with a boastful smirk.
"You're from the Imperial Fist?!" Wave asked in offense. "How could you join a criminal and a murderer?! Don't deny it! We overheard what you said about the noble girl with you!"
Aria was shocked but guilty when she heard that. Ben knew the kind of effect it had on her without looking. It made him angry.
"And you guys are better?! How many innocent lives did the both of you take to kiss the prime minister's butt?! At least she's realized she was on the wrong side!"
"We've had enough!" Wave stated boldly. He drew out his sword and struck into it the ground. "I won't hear anymore of this! We'll take you guys down here and now! GRAND CHARIOT!"
Powerful wind emitted from Wave's sword. Ben and the girls were taken aback when they saw a giant armored figure in black appear behind him. It reached down on Wave and took him in. When the wind dispersed, Wave stood in a black armor with blue eyes with a phantasmagoric defensive film on its back.
"That transformation is like Incursio!" Ben stated the obvious.
"Don't compare me to that prototype!" Grand Chariot retorted and flew straight for them.
Ben was kicked in the stomach and knocked to the ground on his back. Spear screamed Ben's name and turned to save him from Grand Chariot. She failed though, as Kurome attacked her swiftly with her sword and caused her to back away when she used her weapon to block.
Aria was surprised by the turn out. The kick from Grand Chariot caused the teen hero to groan when he sat up. His stomach couldn't recover from such an attack so soon. It took much of Ben's resolve to sit up and hold his stomach.
"Ow…That's going to leave a broken bone or two." He muttered.
"You have no idea." Grand Chariot said boldly. The Imperial Arms user walked up to Ben and lifted him off the ground by his shirt. "I could've killed you with just a stronger kick, but we have to take you in."
"Sure, I get you. But there's just one thing."
"What's that?"
Ben lifted his Ultimatrix arm to Grand Chariot's view and slammed his hand on it. "I can still do this." He answered.
Ben's body was instantly engulfed by green light. Wave was taken aback by it and released the teen intentionally. He then regretted it when a red fist hit him right in the face, sending him flying back into the alley.
"FOURARMS!" Ben bellowed as the alien form. He then looked at himself and smirked. "I would've preferred Lodestar, but this guy works too!"
Grand Chariot was angry. He wasted no chance to get back on his feet and charge straight at Fourarms. However, he barely had a chance against the alien hero, who reacted quickly. Fourarms clapped his hands together and created a shockwave that sent the Imperial Arms user back in the alley.
Aria was surprised. She was the only one out of the fight due to obvious reasons. Grand Chariot's crashing into the alley broke through the wall and created a small dust cloud. Fourarms saw the brief moment as a chance and leapt up into the air so he could come down on the Imperial Arms user.
He failed, however, as Grand Chariot leapt out of the alley and got him. Fourarms's coughed out some saliva as the Imperial Arms user's fist dug in deep on his stomach. The both of them were flying higher into the air because of Grand Chariot.
"Did you really think I would be taken down that easily?!" Grand Chariot asked angrily.
His anger became his boosted strength as it heightened the adrenaline rush. He grabbed the alien hero by the leg and swung him around in the air. Fourarms was unable to control himself due to the suddenness and latitude and the fact that Grand Chariot had him. The Imperial Arms user only let him go when he threw him down to the ground, which shaken the ground.
Aria tried to rush over to Fourarms to assist. Grand Chariot's throw was so powerful that a strong dusty wind caused her to stop at her tracks and shield her eyes. She barely had a moment to look at the aftermath of Grand Chariot's attack.
"Grand Fall!" Grand Chariot exclaimed.
Before Aria could blink, the Imperial Arms user came down Fourarms with a drop-kick.
"Ben!" She screamed. She reached out into her side where the Imperial Arms, Scream, was strapped. "Hold on! I'll help you!"
"You mustn't, Aria!" Spear shouted. She was fighting Kurome some feet away with her weapon. "These two might be the new team Esdeath formed. The ice general herself might be close by. You cannot use that Teigu here!"
Aria hesitantly complied. The situation made her feel useless as she couldn't do anything. Spear didn't have it any easier though. Kurome was proving to be quite the opponent as she was able to push Spear back despite the older girl's skills. If it weren't for the fact that she was a graduate of the Imperial Fist, she certainly would've been dead before the battle began.
"Don't think I don't know that Imperial Arms you're using!" Spear said bluntly. "March of the Dead: Yatsufusa. The katana weapon with the power to reanimate and control the corpses of those it has killed. The Imperial Fist is taught about some of the Imperial Arms that serves the empire just in case we run into them. That is one of the reasons why I shall not let myself die in your hands."
Kurome thought otherwise. She didn't have to say anything when she suddenly slashed through the middle of Spear's weapon. The Imperial Fist's graduate would've been surprised if not that she regained her stance and gripped the two sides of her weapon and clashed with Kurome's blade.
"What did I tell you?! I'm not dying here! My life belongs to Master Tennyson!" She stated angrily.
Kurome again didn't say anything. Her situation wasn't too different from the many opponents she had faced and killed. But her expression was angering Spear and in a way distracted her from another opponent.
Kurome saw her 'puppet' appear behind Spear. Natala, a childhood friend with blonde hair and blue eyes was ready to slash Spear with his weapon. He wore a long trench coat with a green and blue scarf and knee-height boots. Spear, fortunately, saw him and swiftly moved aside to avoid his attack.
"Another one?!" Spear asked, confused.
The girl had little chance to react. Her instincts kicked in and she began to run. Bullets were coming straight for her without any indication that it'd stop. Spear noted their accuracy and their trajectory just from her distance. The shots only ended when she came to a stop and looked up at a rooftop not too far.
Another puppet of Kurome had joined the battle. Her name was Doya, an assassin from the Northern Tribes. She wore a brown hat, best which was joined by a red scarf and boots which represented the southerner type of outfit. She also wore a greasy long-sleeved shirt underneath and blonde hair and green eyes. Her main weaponry were two pistols, which Spear had skillfully dodged.
"Not many can say they avoided Doya's bullets and lived to tell the tale." Kurome said amusedly. Natala stood behind her while she had her hands behind her back.
"Those are corpses! You coward!" Spear stated angrily. "You can't fight me one-on-one, so you call for those whose souls should be at peace! People like you disgust me! I'll ensure that your Teigu is destroyed and those souls are freed."
"Not if you become one of them." Kurome smirked
Doya opened fire. Spear saw them coming and quickly used the two ends of her weapon to deflect the weapons aimlessly. Her efforts were admirable, but they were a cover for Natala to approach her and attempt to slash her. The young girl was barely able to bend back and miss his blade which enlarged in size.
'Too close! He's fast!' Spear thought as stared at the corpse blonde. 'Is that weapon a Teigu? Doesn't matter. I can still fight!'
Spear sent a kick up and hit the blonde at the jaw. She then did a backflip and landed on her feet. The fight was good until another puppet arrived. His name was Henter and he seemingly appeared out of nowhere behind her.
Spear barely escaped one of his thrown knives. She felt its cold and metal brush through her back when she turned to punch him in the face. Its nature was almost like a ghost when he went through the air to dodge her punch. Any other attempts to hit him failed as he kept on dodging.
Spear could already feel fatigue. She knew the battle was dragging longer than it should have. Kurome's puppets were no amateurs when it came to her level of skills. They were coordinated and unbelievable skilled to match and overpower her.
Henter's next attack was a barrage of knives. Spear was barely able to use both ends of her weapon to deflect them away. She was almost in the clear when Natala suddenly appeared in front of her and thrust his weapon and extended its staff so the long blade on top could kill her. It was a close call but Spear fell to the ground on her back and rolled out of the way.
Natala wouldn't allow her though. He held his long weapon and sent it down on Spear. The young girl barely made it out of the attack unharmed. His attack caused a small shockwave to send her flying away.
Spear coughed and quickly stood back on her feet. Her body was growing exhausted with each attack she had avoided. She lost her weapon when she had been flown away by Natala's attack. She was, thus, weaponless as she tried to make her last stance.
'This is dragging on longer than it should. I'm barely able to keep up with them now.' She thought as she made it to her feet. 'But…for Master Tennyson's sake, I mustn't –'
Henter interrupted her train of thoughts when he sent another barrage of knives. Spear saw them coming and tried to avoid getting hit. Her effort wasn't easy though, as the knives she passed still scratched the surface of her skin and clothes. The pain was getting too real and she didn't know the time extent she'd last.
The final blow then came with a bullet to her chest. Spear barely noticed it before it went right through her body. Blood came out of the opened end that was her back and she gasped. It surprised her and made her stumble backwards until her feet staggered and she fell on her knees.
"What…just happened?" She muttered weakly.
Henter appeared in front of her. Spear could feel an odd emotion coming back to her. It was fear and it felt cold and chilling as she saw the corpse coming straight for her. It reminded her of a moment in her life that she couldn't forget. The time she was almost killed by Nyau, one of the Three Beast Warriors, when he was able to tear her face off because he liked it.
'What is this? Why…can't I move?' She thought frightfully. 'This cold feeling…This unimaginable pain right now…I know what it is. It's the chilling feeling of death. I'm going to die here.'
Everything in that moment seemed to be slow motion for her as she watched her killer coming for her. It should've then been over for her. There wasn't that much fight in her anymore. However, there was a flash of memory and she suddenly shifted that stance.
"LIKE HELL I'LL DIE HERE!" Spear yelled suddenly.
The adrenaline rush in her went through the roof and pushed her back to her feet. She instinctively grabbed a knife from the ground and pierced it right through Henter's throat. With it, she tore through his skull and kicked him right in the stomach.
"MASTER TENNYSON…HASN'T GIVEN ME PERMISSION TO DIE YET!" Spear bellowed.
Fourarms was surprised to hear his name. He was still engaged in battle with Grand Chariot when he looked back and saw Spear's stance. The young girl's clothes were covered in tears and blood was leaking through the wounds she had.
"SPEAR!" Fourarms shouted. He was reminded of Ieyasu, who had also fought in a similar manner until his death. "I can't let her go on like that. She'll die just like Ieyasu."
Fourarms turned his body to assist her. Time was ticking and it was only a matter of time before Spear's body would fall due to one or many factor the hero could imagine. However, Grand Chariot came in the way in front of him and swung his spear to kill him. Fourarms had to jump back to avoid getting killed.
"Your fight is with me, villain!" He stated boldly.
"I don't have time for you!" Fourarms angrily said and clapped his hands together.
Grand Chariot saw the shockwave coming. The last time he had been caught off guard by it and hit. But the situation was different this time and he was ready. As such, when the attack came, he swung his weapon at it and caused a huge explosion that destroyed anything in their vicinity.
Spear was shaken by the ground. Grand Chariot's move had been felt tremendously. But it didn't excuse Natala, who came for Spear again with swift moves. He was fast and swung his weapon with such precision and speed that it was almost hard to keep up.
Spear was able to narrow down his weakness though. His weapon was for long-range attacks, which gave her an idea. As such, she moved as fast she could, predicting his actions by pushing her body further than it should. It didn't take her long to get close to him and punch him right in the face.
Natala was taken aback by the attack. Spear's punch caused him to jump back just to avoid falling down. He was a corpse, so he didn't feel any pain. Spear was running straight for him again with so much determination in her.
The corpse quickly extended his weapon to slash the young girl right in her tracks. He failed when she jumped up into the air with the intention of a drop-kick. Natala seemed to sense it as he jumped to the side to avoid it. Spear followed that move, however, by landing directly where he once stood and throwing the knife from earlier into the area where the arm was connected to the shoulder.
Natala was caught off guard. The arm holding his weapon felt numb due to the block caused by Spear's knife. It also distracted him long enough for Spear to attack him with a coordinated move. She used her right open hand to push against his face to distract him further. She then followed that move by punching him right in the gut and sending him flying into a shop.
Natala stood up from the inside. His silhouette disturbed Spear and made her look around. There had to be something she could use to stop the moving corpse. Fortunately, she saw that thing and recognized it as his weapon.
Just then, Henter came for her from seemingly nowhere. His head was still split in two and blood gushing as he came for her. Spear quickly grabbed the weapon and sliced him in two from the abdomen. She then twirled the weapon and threw it straight for Natala's stomach like a javelin.
The corpse was coming out of the shop when it was close to being eliminated. Kurome quickly intervened with her katana and hit the weapon away. Her attitude then changed when she turned to Doya.
"YOU! KILL HER RIGHT AWAY!" She yelled in anger.
Spear discovered Kurome's trigger, but it was too late to stop it. Doya did as ordered and began shooting at her with rapidly. The bullets were coming faster than usual and made it harder for Spear to dodge flee from the scene. The young girl jumped back when suddenly she was hit at her right leg's ankle and her left arm.
"Argh!" Spear screamed.
Kurome saw her opening. She may've wanted the girl dead, but not in the way that would make her a body with bullet holes. Someone had to compensate for Henter's loss and she just found that person.
Kurome removed her puppets and went for Spear. Everything was happening so fast for anyone to predict how the battle would end. Spear's body was falling backwards while Kurome was closing the distance with her katana to end the fight. Spear could see the girl coming for her and feel the dread of servitude as an undead.
'So…that's how it is. I'm sorry, Ben…I'm sorry, father.'
Her doom drew close. Spear could sense it with each crunching sound Kurome's fast feet made. The countdown had begun and it was only a matter of time before it ended. It was even clear to Aria as she reached for Scream to stop Kurome.
'Wait, is this truly the end…?' Spear thought.
Life memories suddenly went through her mind. Each contained a specific moment in her life from the very moment she could remember things. From her age of four, to her zeal to fight, and to her day she went to the Imperial Fist to learn martial arts, all of them were held dearly to her. Those memories also went to the day her father died before her. She had wept bitterly on his dead body for about an hour on that day. Then there was that day she had sworn to serve Ben since he was the reason she was alive that day.
'That's right…I can't die here! Not without letting him grant me death!' Spear thought strongly. Her inner fire was lit and she let out a loud voice. "ARIA! DON'T YOU DARE USE THAT THING!"
Kurome and Aria were surprised by the outburst. The former was already close to Spear with her blade just inches close to tear into the girl's body. But the seconds distraction was what Spear needed and made her turn the balance of the battle to her favor.
Spear marched her right foot on the ground to regain balance and moved her body to the right just in time. Kurome's blade grazed through her cloth and left a tear, but she didn't care. Kurome was in her sight and unable to change her course. The timing then became was for Spear when the black haired girl turned to her.
"I CAN'T DIE HERE!" Spear screamed. With that, she turned and punched right down on Kurome's face.
The blow was very effective. All of her emotions and strength were carried into that one fist that made contact with Kurome. The Imperial Arms user wasn't able to withstand the punch at all. As such she was hit with its full blunt and knocked to the ground which then cracked.
"S-So cool." Aria said in astonishment.
Kurome lay on the ground defeated. Aria was unable to come to terms with it until she saw Spear stand up straight and smirk. Immediately, she cheered for her and called out her name. Spear was happy about that and hit her fist to her chest proudly.
"That's what it means to live for someone." She said proudly.
The sound of a gunshot ruined it. It echoed through the air and caught the attention of everyone in the area. That meant Fourarms and Aria watched as a bullet went through Spear before her body hit the ground bleeding.
"SPEAR!" Both Fourarms and Aria screamed in shock.
Doya put her pistols back in their respective places at her hips. The shot had been cleaned as she had seen it. As for her master, she stood back up like nothing happened. The only difference was that her body had a pink aura which then died down.
"That was unexpected. I went too easy just to test that thing out." Kurome said with a serious look on her face. She then looked down at Spear's body. "You were a tough one. I don't think I've met anyone who could take on four of my puppets and face me singlehandedly. You'll make a worthy addition."
Aria was speechless, with the same for Fourarms. The alien hero tried to intervene, but was obstructed by Grand Chariot at every turn. Meanwhile, Kurome picked up her katana and raised it over Spear to kill her.
"How…" Aria asked in fear. Her body couldn't stop trembling as she eyed Kurome. "Spear beat you…Just how did you walk out of that?"
Kurome paused and just blinked at her. She wasn't much of a conversation person, especially to girls like Aria. But the fact she moved her head gave Aria the chance to see a familiar pink seal on the girl's neck.
'That seal is the same as the one Ben's grandmother gave to Tatsumi, Leone and Akame. Don't tell me that Sunny is involved with this.' Aria thought.
Kurome went back to her focus. She gripped her katana and sent it straight down for the bleeding Spear. Aria couldn't let it happen though, and decided to intervene. The Teigu, Scream, was quickly in her hand and she played a song.
Scream came with many functions depending on the music that was played in it. As for Aria, the one she played was a lullaby she remembered long ago. It had dangerous effect on Kurome and Grand Chariot, as both of them heard it and staggered to stay awake. Kurome lost grip of her katana and fell on her knees.
"What's…going on?" Grand Chariot asked confused. He fell on his knees despite his struggle. "My body is…feeling weak."
"That tone…" Fourarms muttered and realized who it was coming from. His eyes widened and he ran over to Aria. "Aria, you've got to stop! She's –"
He was too late. Harsh cold and icy wind suddenly blew through the street. The clouds changed and the atmosphere became freezing to stay in. Aria was interrupted from her melody as the cold slammed on her and shaken her.
Fourarms was also affected. His thick body could feel the cold in that moment. Already, he could sense the one who was the cause of it, and turned to face her. Esdeath, the ice general of the Imperial Army, was approaching them.
"When Kurome told me about their location through the psychic connection with Sunny, I thought this would be a perfect moment to witness their full potential and Sunny's enhancement power." Esdeath said casually. "But…" Her tone changed into an angry one. "imagine my surprise to see one of my dead men's weapon which I bestowed upon to him being used by such a weak girl."
Fourarms turned back to Aria. "Go now! I'll hold her off!" He shouted.
"B-But what about you?!" Aria asked.
"I'll be fine! Now run!" Fourarms stated and slammed his hand on the Ultimatrix symbol. The light died down and revealed his new alien form. "CANNONBOLT!"
Cannonbolt didn't stop there though. He slammed his hand on the device's symbol again and caused four spikes to form. He was then engulfed by a wave of light that changed his color and armor.
"ULTIMATE CANNONBOLT!"
Aria made her move and ran away. Meanwhile, the ultimate alien curled into his ball form and went straight for Esdeath. He built up speed to slam the woman and give Aria much time. However, Esdeath effortlessly caused a pillar of ice to appear underneath the ultimate alien and send him flying up.
"What the – She can do that?!" Ultimate Cannonbolt was surprised.
His body crashed into a shop right next to Spear's body. There were two flashes of light from the debris before the whole place became quiet. Esdeath focused her next move on Aria's feet and covered them in ice. Ben in his normal form emerged out of the remains of the building and groaned.
"Just great…Stupid watch changed me back before I could do something." He said and lifted his hands to his chest level to use the Ultimatrix again. "Ultimate Big Chill should be able to handle this. Don't fail me now, Ultimatrix."
The Ultimatrix was suddenly covered in ice. Ben was surprised by it until he saw Esdeath approaching him.
"That's quite enough." Esdeath said strongly. "I froze your Teigu here because I don't want to hurt you. Don't force me to knock you out."
Ben was taken aback. With the Ultimatrix frozen, he couldn't do anything but watch as Kurome and Grand Chariot get back on their feet. Esdeath had won the fight without trying so much to do so. Worse of all, Spear was bleeding to death and Aria was held back from running away.
Just then, someone landed into the middle. Her intervention surprised Esdeath, Grand Chariot and Kurome, but not enough to make them back away. Eunice revealed herself of being the cause of it when the dust cloud cleared.
Esdeath was immediately reminded of the last time she met Eunice. It was back at the invasion of the Imperial Castle when the girl came to save Ben. The memory sparked something in Esdeath and made her to draw out her sword and send an ice-covered slash at her.
Eunice responded by punching it. The impact caused a strong explosion that created a dust cloud. When it all died down, Ben and Spear's body was gone.
"He evades me…just like before." Esdeath said and looked over at Aria. "But…he left his little pet behind."
She walked over to Aria with a strict look on her face. Meanwhile, Grand Chariot joined Kurome and powered down.
"What now?" Wave asked. "Should we start looking for them?"
"No." Esdeath answered. "Ben Tennyson and the organic Imperial Arms may have eluded us, but it won't be for long before we meet them again. The tides are in our favor and it's our time to send it washing on them and Night Raid."
Aria felt the ice holding her feet break apart. She then tried to running away from Esdeath as fast as she could. However, her attempt ended in failure when Esdeath caught her by the hair and lifted her off the ground.
"T-That hurts." Aria cried out in pain.
"You think that's painful?" Esdeath asked and made her turn to her. The glare from her cold and deadly eyes was enough to frighten Aria. "You don't know the first thing about pain. But don't worry. I'll be certain to teach you every bit of it."
Before Aria knew it, she was punched in the gut. Esdeath's fist was dug and heard the loud grunt from the blonde. It wasn't long before Aria blacked out and let Scream hit the ground.
"Take this filth to the Imperial Castle's dungeon!" Esdeath stated and threw Aria's body to Kurome and Wave's feet. "The Emperor would want to hear about this one. From there we shall get all the answers we need to find and track down Ben Tennyson and Night Raid."
Wave carried Aria's body and placed it on his shoulder. He tried to hide his disgust at the thought of carrying a known murderer on his shoulder. Kurome followed him as he walked away with the unconscious body.
Scream was still lying on the ground when Esdeath decided to pick it up. She took a look at its body and smiled a bit. The image of a young blonde boy she knew came to mind.
"Welcome back, Nyau." She said.
_(CHAPTER END)_
Yup, that's where this chapter ends. Ben and Spear have been rescued, but with the cost of Aria being taken captive. Will they be able to save her before it's too late? Find out in the next chapter.
Now I know some of you may be surprised that Spear was able to keep fighting despite the injuries that she went through. That's because she's a graduate (in this fanfiction) of the Imperial Fist. I also think it's because of her previous experience with Nyau and her commitment to Ben that she was able to keep fighting. That doesn't mean she can take on Kurome's puppets again. Kurome was taking it easy on her because she was ordered to test out Sunny's regenerative power on her body. If Spear faces Kurome alone again, she'll certainly die.
Well that's all for now. Thank you so much for reading this chapter. If you liked it, please favorite and follow this fanfiction. Also do not forget to review. Hearing you guys thoughts helps me update and improve as a writer. Bye!