AN/disclaimer: the following features an experimental writing style attempting to keep the manga-esque dialogue of the original game but also use descriptive paragraphs of traditional writing. It's also not affiliated in any way with Square-Enix, and this is a fan interpretation of a potential continuation of the original story.
And obviously spoilers from the original material.
—
Joshua: Day 6
Rhyme was drifting in and out of consciousness. She couldn't conceive much. Her mind was a puddle. Nothing made sense, everything hurt, and she felt like she was in grave danger.
But out of nowhere, a memory appeared. It was vivid. Once she recalled where she was, she knew exactly what was happening.
Rhyme had lost her memory among other things in her first go around of the reapers game. Her brother masked himself for both their sakes. So they could focus on beating the game. Something they weren't counting on, however, was a trap.
Beat had ran ahead while Rhyme stayed back and talked with Shiki and- well, Neku listened. As Rhyme ran to catch up, she noticed something swimming around Beats feet, her eyes widened at this realization. She ran, pushed Beat out of the way, and was erassed by a giant shark noise. Then everything went black.
Just.
Like.
This time...
...
...
...
...
Joshua was thrown against the wall, Mitaka holding him by the neck.
The game master narrowed her eyes.
Mitaka: Why don't you explain those players yesterday, composer?
Joshua: Heh- I wasn't expecting you to be so protective of the players Copperhead. Then again, seeing what happened to them, you probably feel threatened yourself-
Joshua felt a swift punch to the gut before being tossed next to Rhyme.
Mitaka: You don't want to tell me? Fine. You'll all be dead soon anyway. If not from the reapers or noise, then by my hand.
Mitaka disappeared in a shriek of static. Leaving to duo on the ground.
Joshua: Rhyme- Come on. Not again...
Joshua thought for a second, and had a crazy idea follow. He sighed.
Joshua: I swear you're going to kill me before the snake does.
Joshua gripped Rhymes head with one hand and snapped his fingers. For a very brief second, the world distorted, as if the color had misaligned with the rest of the world. Joshua felt some life being sapped from himself.
Rhyme slowly came to. She tried to stand, but was met with a sharp pain across her chest.
Rhyme: Ah- god- forgot...
Joshua: Can you stand?
She was still wobbling, but Rhyme was on her feet. She nodded.
Rhyme: I think so.
Joshua: Well. Let's set the world on fire then.
The duo began their slow, awkward treck to No. 3. Though, there was still a few things picking at the back of Joshua's mind. Between the rogue reapers, shadowy players, plus the general sloppiness of the these games, he couldn't help but wonder, where was Shinjuku's composer? Or even the conductor for that matter? The game master was attacking players before the end of the week, though, Joshua felt that he was likely an exception.
Then there was the issue of planes. Noise aren't controlled by the reapers, more so guided if anything at all. So it made little sense that the noise could be fought properly in a single plane. There were no clear answers. Much to his frustration. He likely wouldn't find out anytime soon. If at all.
As they approached No. 3. It hit Joshua that they hadn't gotten a mission yet. He checked the time and it was early. Very early. Like, too early for players to be up and about. It was Mitakas first big mitake, and was Joshuas biggest opportunity yet.
Joshua stopped Rhyme near the entrance.
Joshua: We have a very interesting opportunity here Rhyme.
Rhyme: Um. Why?
Joshua: It seems we're the first ones awake today, thanks to Mitaka.
Rhyme: Thats... Convenient.
Joshua: It puts less pressure on us as the reapers and game master prepare for the day. We should use this chance while we can.
Rhyme: Well, whats the plan of attack?
Joshua: We look for a backdoor- so to speak. I want to get in and tear this place down.
They began attempting to sneak behind the building, keeping an eye out for reapers or noise. Rhyme leaned in.
Rhyme: You're not actually looking for a backdoor right? Because I doubt they'd be that stupid.
Joshua: Honestly, I'm too sure anymore. It seems to depend on their mood.
On the back of the building was, indeed, a backdoor. But it was a stainless steel door that was likely locked from both ends, as it was completely immobile, not even a budge.
Rhyme: That rules that out.
Joshua took a second to get a closer look at the door. It was locked on both ends, but since it wasn't even jiggling, that must have meant there was more than a llain old lock. He assumed that meant a metal bar ran across the door holding it in place. He quietly tried knocking around. There was a slight ring around the middle section. With everywhere else sounding like plain old steel.
Joshua recalled that he had been able to use the bare minimum of his powers. He smirked, tilting his head towards Rhyme.
Joshua: Give me a second please.
Rhyme rolled her eyes, turned around and kept an eye out for trouble.
Joshua raised both of his hand as they began to glow an mesmerizing blue. He tried to feel around the other side of the door looking for anything physical that he might be able to move.
There was a sudden creak. The two stopped dead. Joshua wiggled his fingers slightly. The creak appeared again.
Joshua blinked and proceeded to push and pull his hands towards himself. Next thing either of them knew, a metal beam, plunged straight through the door, which creaked open.
Joshua and Rhyme looked at each other, slightly stunned by what just happened.
Rhyme: Well- ah- ladies first?
Joshua, now frowning, dropped his physic grip.
Joshua: You think you're so clever. Don't you?
Joshua entered the building mind flarring with possibilities of what happened and why. Did he have his powers back? Was it a fluke? He needed to know. He figured he'd have a chance to find out soon enough.
They enered into a dark room, presumably storage. It was dimly lit and empty. Crates were stacked all around. Some of them were wrapped together on pallet racks. They had gotten a shipment of something recently.
Rhyme slowly befan to lift the lid to what looked like a recently opened crate. Joshua peeking over her shoulder. She shoved the lid over to reveal guns. Lots of them. Not just any old gun either. Assault rifles lined the inside of the box with minimal packaging. Probably to avoid suspiciousion by minimizing the quantity of crates. The sights was unnerving to say the least. Joshua let out a snort of disgust.
Joshua: Just what the hell are they doing!? Guns like this? Here? Being kept by reapers?!
Rhyme: I- I think I'm going to be sick...
Rhyme backed away, caught *very* off guard by the sight.
Joshua: Oh yeah. You died because of- right...
Joshua scratched his head. Obviously the subject was touchy, so for the sake of the mission, he helped her out. He placed the lid back on the crate and attempted to console her. As well as Joshua could console. Which, mind you, wasn't much.
Joshua: Do you... Need anything?
Rhyme: No, I'm good, just- I wasn't expecting that is all.
After a brief moment of silence the two snuck out into the halls. The very white halls. Joshua turned to Rhyme.
Joshua: My goal is to get to the higher levels, so we need to find the stairs. While down here, if we could avoid getting spotted, that'd be great.
Rhyme: Especially since they're armed now.
Joshua: No kidding. Don't expect them to pull any punches.
Rhyme: Considering who we're dealing with, I'd be more concerned if they did.
They exited the doorway and began their slink through the halls. The two tried to be as quiet as humanly possible. The halls were mostly empty until they came across a trio of reapers all of wich either wore an oddly colored jumpsuit or trench coat. Joshua couldn't help but feel they were trying to compensate for their strength with a slightly more intimidating appearance. Even still, they weren't that intimidating.
They hid in the nearest room once they heard the footsteps and chatter from around the next corner. They pressed against the door to listen for when they had passed.
Joshua: Ok. I think-
?: Is that you Tai?
They froze. Collectively noticing the doorway leading ti an adjacent room. A shadow appeared and was walking towards them. But Joshua had noticed something worse. They were in the servaliance room, with cameras lining the halls and included the two of them on display. They were about to be found out if they hadn't been already.
Rhyme pulled Joshua next to the adjacent doorway and whispered.
Rhyme: (I'll grab them, you turn off the cameras).
Finally, something they could agree on.
?: Hello?
A reaper in a jumpsuit walked out and walked to her station at the surveillance station, past the players.
?: Freakin' Tai. I swear I this is another one of those dumb pranks...
Rhyme looked at Joshua and began mouthing a countdown.
3.
2.
1.
Rhyme ran up behind the reapers and locked her in a chokehold, pulling her chair away from the station.
Joshua ran up and began to search for a way to turn off the cameras and security.
The reaper collapsed to the ground. Rhyme placed her down carefully and approached the station next to Joshua.
Rhyme: Any luck?
Joshua: I'll try and wrap by head around this, you just restrain her. Reapers are always resilient you know.
Rhyme looked around the room for anything useful.
Rhyme: Restrain her with what?!
Joshua stopped, turned and noticed an oddly green first aid kit hung up on the wall with a utility closet next to it. He gestures to the closet.
Rhyme managed some very awkward restraints with tape from the utility closet.
Joshua: Gag her too. We don't want anyone to know something is wrong. So make it tight. If she chokes to death so be it.
Rhyme hesitated, giving a disturbed look to Joshua, who wasn't paying her any mind. She unrolled the cloth bandages from the first aid kit and shoved them into her mouth, followed by wrapping her head with the remaining tape. She threw the emptied tape roll aside.
Rhyme: The deed is done sicko.
Joshua shot her a side glance. Not more than a second later, the console shut down.
Joshua: There. That should work.
Rhyme: What did you do?
Joshua: Let's just say, don't give a reaper admin privileges. I speak from experience.
Rhyme shoved the reaper, now trying to moan as she woke up, into the closet, and the two exited the room.
Continuing down the hall and turning a corner, they found a flight of stairs next to an elevator. They charged in climbing the stairs.
Joshua suddenly stopped and listened. Footsteps, they began to echo the throughout staircase. Faint conversation could be heard.
?: You know Mitaka is being extremely aggressive this time around. It's kinda surprising to be honest.
?: What? Are you doubting her reasoning?
?: No, just curious as to why the composer would allow for a direct approach so early.
Joshua: *Shi-*
Joshua charged through the door immediately closest. It was the 5th floor. Which was a start. He looked around to find it ominously quiet. The two began slowly walking throughout the floor, with nothing but the echo of their own footsteps accompanying them.
Soon, they found themselves at a hall with a completely glass wall. Showing Shinjuku on display from five stories up.
The roads and sidewalks began backing up from the morning commuters and students while the tall skyscrapers reflected the morning sun. For as business casual and traditional as the city tended to be, Shinjuku was still beautiful, even during the day. They took a moment to soak it all in.
Rhyme: You know, it'd be nice to actually experience this place without fearing for our lives.
Joshua: You could say that's what we've been able to do this week.
Rhyme: What? With all the running around and covert op crap? Not what I had in mind.
It's true. They had been on the run almost non stop for the whole week. But, it had been at least slightly eye opening for Joshua. He figured for as long as he could remember this week, he wasn't going to take his powers for granted again. There was also the strange occurrences of his memory occasionally getting sparked by- something...
As they were admiring the view, Joshua and Rhyme heard a door slam open, along with the cocking of guns.
?: I thought I heard someone open the door on this floor...
?: You sure?
?: Yeah. I know that there aren't any reapers scouting this area too. That's supposed to be us.
?: Dammit... Let me call for backup on the floors above and below.
Joshua froze, he knew what that meant. Mitaka was going to find them out and she would be sure there was hell to pay. Mind now on the fritz he tapped Rhyme on the shoulder as he ran back towards the reaper.
Joshua: Be ready!
Rhyme rolled up her sleeves and pulled out a pair of cards and braced as they rounded the corner.
?: Hey!
The two reapers both in jumpsuits turned towards the approaching onslaught. One raised his gun, the other putting away his phone and began to ice the ground, presumably with a psych.
Joshua jumped onto the ice and began to slide towards the reaper whi began to open fire. Rhyme, however, threw two bullet cards, the blue energy melting the ice, providing a path. With the other one jamming into the barrel of the reapers gun.
As Joshua approached the reaper, he pulled out his phone and began to spin it by the strap. He ducked under the reapers bump-stock-led lunge, extended his phone's antenna, and smacked him in the gut, stunning the reaper. Following up with a twirl and a swift elbow to the back of the head, sending him face first across the ice.
Rhyme lept over the faceplanted reaper, bared her blade card, and began to spiral towards his friend in the back.
The panicked reaper summoned a wolf noise that didn't seem interested in her until it realized it was heading straight towards it.
The noise lept for Rhyme to try and cancel her strike. It snapped at her arm and connected, stopping her midair.
Rhyme: Son of a-
Now desperate, with her free hand she pulled out a card she hadn't used before. It featured what looked like a vortex. She swiped at the noise and the card escaped from her grasp, floating in front of them. It quickly revved up and began to suck the two up towards the ceiling at a fast pace.
The noise released its grasp once they collided with the ceiling, giving Rhyme another chance to take out both the noise and reaper.
In one swift motion, she grabbed a card and threw it, once the two were aligned in front of her. A chain trailed behind a card which incresed in velocity as it moved. Once acumulating enough speed, it tore through the noise and reaper instantaneously.
Rhyme landed on the ground, pulling her sleeves back over her arms, hiding the bite.
Rhyme: Damn noise.
Joshua: Doesn't hurt that much does it?
Rhyme: I'll live.
Joshua: Fair enough.
Rhyme: What about those reinforcements they called-?
With that, their phones rang. It was the days mission.
The two shared cautious looks as they opened their phones.
"Reap the player trespassers at No. 3, 90 minutes, fail and face extinction."
They both went white. It was the worst case scenario.
Rhyme: God-
Joshua: Well well. They really hate us now.
Rhyme began pacing frantically.
Rhyme: We're dead. Why did I let you talk me into this? What are they going to do when they-
Joshua: Are we going to waste our time panicing? Or are we going to do something useful?
Rhyme stopped herself and took a deep breath, then muttered something to herself.
Rhyme: Right...
She turned to Joshua, who was waiting, foot tapping. He raised an eyebrow.
Joshua: Yes? And?
Rhyme frowned, eyes now narrowed.
Rhyme: What the hell right?
Joshua: That's the spirit!
They continued to the 6th floor. The reapers hadn't made their way up yet. They needed to be quick and quiet.
Joshua: Top floor. There's bound to be something hidden up here.
Rhyme: Like what?
Joshua: I'm looking for any sort of information first. I think it's clear that "burning this place down" was a little hasty on my part.
Rhyme: No kidding...
Joshua: Whatever the case, just start opening doors. Those reapers from before were coming down the stair well, so they might have been patrolling this place alone too.
Rhyme: One could only hope.
Door by door Joshua and Rhyme peeked in and slinked by. Most were empty offices. As if these buildings weren't used by the reapers until recently.
Rhyme opened a door close to the end of the first hall. Inside she found a very dark room full of cabinets.
Rhyme: Hello there...
She waved Joshua over and together they entered.
They closed the door behind them and turned on the lights. They were met with a massive quantity of cabinets with reaper symbols embedded on them. The two shared a look.
Jackpot.
The began to break open the cabinets as quickly as they could. Attempting to sort whatever they pulled out. Reports, blueprints for constructions, direct orders from the composer, there was a lot to digest. But likely not enough for everything.
Joshua began to rifle through the sorted piles, looking for a general weak points to the buildings the reapers used.
He pulled out a paper for No. 3. The conveyed how the building used support pillars scattered all over. Not necessarily one specific spot. Not cornerstone, not central support point. The building was a sum of its parts.
Rhyme: Yoshiya-
Joshua: God- how many times do I have to-
Rhyme thrusted a folder onto Joshua, who aptly began to look through it. It was a description of significant foreign powers in the reapers game in Shinjuku. Specifically powers from other reapers games.
The long and short of it all described how these powers were to be suppressed by any means necessary. But how reaper headquarters throughout Shinjuku might act as a gateway to the pool of power on the outside.
This was puzzling to Joshua, while, yes, other districts were known for not getting along particularly well, Shinjuku seemed to want to trap other powers and presumably killed them.
To test this information, Joshua tried summoning a pillar again...
Nothing.
He tried again, nothing.
In frustration, he punched a cabinet, and threw it across the room.
But wait- how did he do that? Joshua's physical form wasn't strong. Period. But he lifted that like it was nothing.
After a pause for thought, Joshua attempted to levitate a folder on the ground. Sure enough, it was floating before him.
He recalled the beam on the backdoor.
Joshua: That's right. My psychokinesis works better here.
Them they heard a slam on their door.
?: Hey-! Who the hells making that racket?!
Rhyme: We need to leave. Now.
Joshua's hand glowed a familiar blue aura.
Joshua: And I think I have the perfect idea as to how to do that.
The reapers on the other side of the door continued to slam on the door.
?: Hey! I said open the damn door!
?: Obviously they don't care.
?: So what, we bust in?
?: What else could we do?
?: That's fair.
The two nodded, let their guns hang, and prepared to ram the door.
?: On my mark.
?: Right.
?: One-
*SLAM*
The door thrusted from its hinges into the reapers embedding into the wall.
Joshua and Rhyme emerged from the doorway. Joshua wiping his hands clean.
Joshua: Not even breaking a sweat.
?: Hey it's them!
To their right, down the hall was another pair of reapers now charging towards them rifles drawn.
Rhyme: Run?
Joshua: Like hell.
They darted off in the opposite direction. Joshua tried to obstruct their path by throwing the chairs, tables, and potted plants lining the halls around with, psychkinesis.
One of the reapers was thrown back by a stray chair and began to open fire from a distance. But the other managed to bob and weave around the airborne obsticles.
Joshua and Rhyme rounded the corner, looking back to be sure they're pursuers were still after them. Just in case he still was, Joshua flicked his hand. A horizontal pillar beamed out the hallway from where they came. He was finally figuring out this "pool of power" that was written about.
Rhyme stumbles from the sudden surge of power. She stopped and turned to Joshua.
Rhyme: DAMMIT YOSHIYA! For once could you please-
Joshua: How many times do I have to say- JOSHUA! Just- for the sake of my sanity PLEASE just call me Joshua.
An mischievous grin smears Rhymes face.
Rhyme: You realize that you're just giving more incentive to not call you Joshua... Right?
She elbowed a clearly frustrated Joshua.
Joshua: I-
Voices eminate from the hall they came from. They quickly grew in volume.
Joshua: Wha-?
Joshua turned around, arm thrown towards whatever was coming. The other reaper was met a face full of demon pillar, dissolving instantly.
Joshua turned to Rhyme while walking past her, visibly annoyed.
Joshua: Such sass, Bito.
The two began towards the end of the hall to make their escape.
?: JOSHUA!
Time seemed to freeze. All at once a very real pain surged in his chest, also feeling sick to his stomach. Joshua had been worried about this.
Joshua stepped back next to Rhyme, who had also stopped, hand sweeping hair from his face.
Joshua: Neku...
Neku stopped, thinking about his next words carefully. He sneered.
Neku: Er-
Neku: I mean- Yoshiya.
Joshua's face turned beat red both in embarrassment and anger. He'd been drug through the mud all week. He was tired and ready to kill someone. If Neku wasn't going to lighten up, it could possibly be him. Feelings be damned.
Joshua, fast footed, approached Neku.
Joshua: Listen here, you dick-
He stopped, looking directly at Neku.
Joshua: All I wanted was a nice lunch with an old friend, whom. I, perhaps, might have left things with in a rather premature manner.
Joshua: Furthermore: I even suck up the partnership of Mrs. Ass-umption here. Only, and I repeat, only to reunite with said old friend.
The two shared a very long and anger filled glare.
Neku: Yeah right. Like I'm supposed to buy that?
Neku: I'm here because of you!
Rhyme, meanwhile, took note of Rikka since she didn't get much of a look last time they met.
One thing was for sure, Neku had a thing with girls didn't he? That, or he was either the luckiest or unluckiest, depending on the point of view.
They approached eachother.
Rhyme: What's with Neku getting paired with lookers?
The Rikka's face also beamed red.
Rikka: I-I BEG YOUR P-PARDON?!
Neku: I bet you're the intruders here. Having just killed that reaper.
Joshua scratches his head. He was pretty sure he had killed *four* but who's counting?
Joshua: Guilty is charged. But what was that about me killing you?
Neku: Wha-? You're kidding right?
Joshua furrowed his brow. He had been through this song and dance before. But this time, he really had no clue what Neku was going on about.
Joshua: My dear Neku: that is the single most idiotic thing you could possibly suggest.
Neku cocked his head. He took a step back. Clearly he wasn't in a trusting mood.
Joshua chuckled.
Joshua: You're not putting two and two together I see. If you're dead, that must mean I must be dead as well.
Neku: Please- you can see the dead! You could easily blend in. You've done it before-!
Joshua, eyebrow raised, shows Neku his hand. A red timer counted down.
Joshua: Why would I kill myself? Seriously. Far too messy.
Rikka was trying to argue with Rhyme. Who had finally had time to process what was happening after all the comotion of the chase. She approached Neku and hugged him. She was exausted. She missed home. She wanted to be with her friends and brother again. The wounds in her chest and arm weren't helping matters either.
Rhyme: I've... Missed you guys...
Neku is caught off guard and awkwardly stands there fir a second, but after some hesitation, eventually embraced Rhyme's hug.
Neku: So have I-
Neku grabs Rhymes shoulders.
Neku: Where have you been? Beat, Shiki, and I, have been worried sick!
Rhyme lowered her head. Joshua was messing with a strand of hair, glancing back and forth between Rhyme and Neku awkwardly. He shouldn't have asked.
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Rikka: Er- N-n-not to intrude. B-but don't we have a mission?
Neku stepped back.
Neku: Y-yeah...
Joshua: I wasn't kidding.
Neku: Huh?
Joshua: We're the intruders.
Neku looked at Rhyme, then at Joshua, then back at Rhyme.
Neku: S-so...
Rikka: N-n-no...
Rhyme, with a half hearted smile, raised her hand for a hand shake.
Rhyme: Well- Good luck!
Neku: But- we can't-
Rhyme: I can't think of another way...
Joshua: Hrm? What? Are you giving up Rhyme?
Rhyme: I can't fight my friends... So yes.
Joshua tried to keep his composure. He was about ready to smack Rhyme upside the head. There was so much left to do, if they were stopped now, Neku would like be playing a game rigged against him anyway. He wasn't prepared to go down without a fight.
Joshua: Then I will.
Neku took a step back.
Neku: W-what?!
Neku glances at his hand, and relaxes slightly.
Neku: Fine.
He raised a card towards Joshua.
Neku: You wanna fight?
Joshua narrowed his eyes.
Neku: I'll give you a fight.
Rikka also stepped back. Eyes widened.
Rikka: Y-you can't be serious!?
Rhyme: Honestly! Think of what you're doing! Just for one second! The reapers are on our asses-!
Joshua's expression was grim. He starred at Neku with an indescribable malice that flowed through his gaze. He was mad. No, he wasn't just mad, he was pissed. He was done with Shinjuku, ready to burn it all down. If Neku stood in his way...
Neku: Well-?
Before Neku could finish, Joshua eyes flarred to life with a white energy. He darted forward, thrusting his arm. A demonic pillar shone from behind him and aimed straight towards Neku. He rolled aside, pulling out a card and threw the card to Joshua's right, arcing it. It quickly began to increase in speed, and revolve around Joshua. Tiny gusts of wind seemed to try and swipe at Joshua, a few hit him.
Upon taking notice, Joshua, mildly bloodied, summoned a pillar around him to cut through the whirlwind.
With the flick of the wrist, Joshua leaped from the pillar of light, summoned his phones antenna, and swung three times in succession. Neku sidestepped the first vertical strike, but the following two were lightning fast horizontal stikes that nicked him once in the arm and the opposite side of his torso.
Neku girmanced from the pain, gripping his side.
Neku: Arg-!
Rikka: Neku!
Rhyme: Yoshiya! That's enough!
Everything stopped for a moment, Rhyme taken a step forward in protest. But as Joshua turned his head to her, it wasn't anyone she recognized. There were deep crevices in his face while his eyes eminated a white fog. He spoke, but Rhyme could bare understand it, let alone process he was even speaking.
Joshua: *Don't tell me what to do you bitch.*
Joshua flinched. In a flash, he flung his hand towards Rhyme. Tables, chairs, and vases flew in her direction.
Rikka: Look out!
Rikka jumped into Rhyme, pushing both of them to the floor. The airborne furniture flew overhead.
Neku: What the hell?!
Joshua wasn't even responding. He lunched toward Neku, who rolled to the side, throwing the lightning card as a counter attack. It sheared thought the air with the force of the throw. Joshua simply stepped aside.
Neku: Listen to me for once will you-!
Joshua ran towards Neku to continue the assault. Neku in retaliation pulled out three bullet cards and threw them one at a time. But Joshua weaved around them as they flew.
Once close enough, Joshua flicked his phone through the air, the antenna sheared across Neku's chest.
Neku: D-dammit...
The other two bystanders watched on in horror. Rhyme approached Joshua, who was on one knee, panting.
Rhyme: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!
Joshua: Just-
Joshua stood up.
Joshua: JUST SHUT UP!
A flash from the opposite end of the room blinded everybody briefly. Joshua's appearence returned to normal as he realized who was standing in front of Neku: Copperhead herself, Mitaka. She stood clapping, with a smirk.
Mitaka: Well, isn't this a predicament.
Joshua stood, powerless yet again, sweat beading down his face while gritting his teeth. His mind trying to roll through as many possible escape plans as he could.
Mitaka: Now what am I to do with you two?
Neku stumbled to his feet.
Neku: The hell did you sa-?
Mitaka kicked Neku square in the face, knocking him back across the floor. Joshua flinched at the sight.
Mitaka: Watch your tone!
The game master played with her hair.
Mitaka: As I was saying: the two of you fought with psychs, outside your zones? Tch, hardly appropriate.
I struggled to my feet.
Neku: P-please-
Neku: I could take you the old fashioned way if I knew how to fix it.
Joshua was suddenly reminded that the zones were indeed not working as intended. But something this time clicked, he wasn't sure why, but an idea came to mind. The pain had finally caught up to him, however. He wretched, coughing up a little bit of blood. Before straightening and wiping his chin.
Joshua: So: that's it.
Joshua flicked a few strands of hair that had fallen to his face. He locked eyes with Neku, hoping the message would get across.
Joshua: Neku, Mis Copperhead seems to have a connection with the oddities surrounding this game.
He turned to Mitaka, smirking with certainty.
Joshua: Isn't that right? Copperhead?
Mitaka stood in consideration, her eyes narrowing.
Mitaka: Do go on...
Joshua threw his arms to either side, shrugging.
Joshua: Certainly-
In a flash, Mitaka appeared in front of Joshua, giving him a swift kick to the face. He collapsed to the floor.
Rikka had menuvered around the hustle to Neku, seemingly to check his wounds.
After all of this, a reaper appeared next to Mitaka. One in a very colorful trenchcoat.
Bakanuju: Fantastic Copperhead! May I... Dispose of these pests.
Mitaka: Hrmph. Not yet, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, I must protest.
Bakanuju: Wha-? But-!
Mitaka: What did I just say?
Another reaper appeared behind Mitaka. This time, it was a blonde haired woman.
?: Heh, go on brother- do it.
On the other side of the room, I could hear Joshua let out a loud groan.
Bakanuju: Er- I- But-!
Bakanuju seemed to spaz out of proportion for a moment. But he ultimately charged towards Neku and Rikka.
Rikka, now visibly angry, jumped in front of me. Rather than using a psych, or something viable. She proceeded to punch the reaper square in the face. A loud pop was heard from Bakanuju's face.
Rikka: THAT'S FOR FRAMING US- REAPER BASTARD!
Rikka gripped her now sore right wrist. While the reaper was grasping his face, covering his probably now broken nose.
Before the he could complain, Mitaka disappeared and reappeared beside him, and thrusted her hand through the reaper.
Mitaka: What. Did. I. Say?
The reaper fell to his knees. Then on his already broken nose and faded away.
Everybody merely starred wide eyed for a moment. The exceptions being Mitaka who was unamused, and the apparently sister reaper, who stood with an unnervingly wide grin.
Mitaka: That was far too much to show to players.
She chuckled to herself.
Mitaka: Then again none of you are anywhere near normal.
Mitaka: Consider this a freebie, since we had some- internal issues. But. I fully expect you two-
She eyed Neku and Rikka.
Mitaka: To face me tomorrow.
Mitaka: Two trouble makers like yourselves must be delt with appropriately.
I stood up, leaning on Rikka as support.
Neku: If you really want to fight us- why not now?
Mitaka: I could- but that wasn't the goal of todays mission.
Rhyme, who was helping Joshua up, chimed in.
Rhyme: Then what's this about a "freebie"?
The sister turned and hissed.
?: Don't speak unless spoken to!
Rhyme drops Joshua, pulling out a card and holding up against the reaper.
Rhyme: You wanna try me? Go ahead. I already have nothing to live for.
Joshua: Urg- you idiot- don't-
Mitaka: I'm tired of antagonizing these players. Goodnight.
Mitaka snapper her fingers, and we suddenly all collapsed to the floor.
...
...
...
Or so it seemed.
Whether It be the fuming anger, the fact Joshua had finally had a clue as to how to get his powers back, or something burried deep inside him, Joshua had managed to grab hold of Mitaka by a psychic hold before he and Rhyme could be sedated.
Joshua's eyes flarred back to life with the white smoke. He stood up locking eyes with the game master.
Joshua: *Not. Again.*
With as much force as he could possibly muster, he thrust his arm to the side, forcing Mitaka into the wall, air escaping her briefly.
The other reaper ran to get the jump on Rhyme, who summoned an ice pillar under her to fly over and deliver a swift backwards kick to the reaper, knocking her into the pillar.
The reaper retaliated with a psych of her own, flames suddenly burst forth from her hands, singeing Rhyme's beanie as she tried to duck out of the way.
Mitaka summoned a portal of static where a flurry of darts flew towards Joshua, who levitated above and retaliated with an onslaught of light pillars, which Mitaka gracefully weaved around summoning darts whenever she had the chance.
A dart pricked Joshua on the arm. The pain began very quickly obvious. It was venom. He wasn't sure if it was necessarily poisonous, but he didn't really care at the moment, letting it fule his attacks.
Once Mitaka had weaved into a cross section of the hallways, Joshua flicked two fingers with his free hand, and she was met with a table that sent her flying down the perpendicular hall. Joshua, still levitating, followed.
Rhyme, meanwhile had locked fists with the reaper.
?: What the hell are you trying to accomplish anyway?
Rhyme: I thought that was obvious?
The reaper sneered. Slipped one of her hands free, and backhanded Rhyme in the face. Rhyme was taken aback bewildered. She paused for a moment.
Rhyme: Did- did you just slap me?
The reaper cocked her head.
?: Yes?
Rhyme rolled her eyes, and flicked a card towards the reaper, summoning a vortex that sent her crashing into the ceiling. The drywall around was beginning to crumble from the barrage of attacks from both parties. She followed after Joshua as the reapers fell back to the ground.
The composer and game master charged through the halls, pillars of light shining all around creating holes throughout the building. As Rhyme attempted to make chase, she could feel the rumbling and creaking. She smirked. She knew exactly what was going on.
Rhyme decided she'd try and cut them off once she noticed Mitaka change directions to another hall.
Joshua continued the barrage of debri and pillars. Mitaka spent most of her time guarding from the onslaught, occasionally summoning an array of darts.
As Rhyme ran alongside the two in parallel, she pulled out a card that had what seeemed to be a large rock. What better time to try it right? She threw it, expecting it to change in some way, but instead it hovered in front of Rhymes hand. She focused on the card, which began to spin rapidly, and ultimately, launched a giant boulder, throwing Rhyme back from the sheer intensity.
Mitaka looked back at the ever closing in Joshua, before the boulder crashed into her, sending the gm through multiple walls. Joshua stopped in his tracks. He looked where the boulder came from to find Rhyme struggling to her feet. She gave him a thumbs up.
The building began to shake again from the destruction.
Joshua was about to turn around, but was met with a jab in the side, along with a hiss creeping next to his face.
Mitaka: You think you're so smart don't you?
Trying to keep the mental high ground with not much else left, he lets out a snort.
Joshua: You think I'm not? God- how blind are you.
The hiss grew in intensity. Whatever was stabbed into his side slowly started to sink in.
Joshua: D-don't you see? This battle has essentially destroyed this building.
Joshua struggled to turn hisbhead around, trying to see Mitaka face to face, his eyes still lit with pure white energy.
Joshua: And it's all because some bitch didn't learn her place.
Mitaka barred her very real, very long, fangs. Purple liquid flung around with saliva as the hiss had turned into a scream. She bit into Joshua's beck. He could feel a sort of poison enter his body. But he could feel his energy bruning it up.
Mitaka: Well? You little *SHIT* have you learned *YOUR* place yet?!
She slammed him into the wall. Where he immediately collapsed to the ground.
Mitaka: I've had *ENOUGH*!
The building had started to rumble continuously at this point.
Mitaka locked eyes with Rhyme and licked her fangs.
Mitaka: To hell with you all then.
The game master charged towards Rhyme. Who very quickly ran back around the corner from where she came from. She was exhausted. The entire scenario being something out of a horror novel.
Her mind ran through all the cards she had. Blade, bullet, slash, that rock card, the vortex, a spring-trap-sort-of-thing, and a big ass sword. They each had their uses. But in this situation? They were slow, and unruly. How could they be used?
Then it clicked. Possibly the worst idea she had yet. But truthfully, she was out of options. Rhyme grabbed the spring trap and vortex cards. She focused on them as she tossed them behind her. She heard the *snap* and sudden gust of wind that hopefully carried the trap farther. Reaching into her pockets again, she peeked over he shoulder to see the hall empty.
Expecting literally anything from either side, she pulled out the rock card again, and tossed it below her.
Mitaka lunged from the right, but was met with a face full of boulder threw Rhyme into the ceiling of the already falling apart building. It was so weak, in fact, that Rhyme broke straight through what was left of the ceiling at that position in the corridors.
Rhyme was about ten feet above the roof ofnthe building before she began her descent. She pulled out another card, anticipating another attack. Sure enough, Mitaka lunged from the top of the boudler, where Rhyme let lose the lighting card that struck the game master, who whailed in pain from the shock. Rhyme readied one more card, she spun as a giant blade materialized, and connected with the already stunned Mitaka, sending back down through the boulder through the floor.
Psychs were a bitch.
Rhyme began to decend again, losing consciousness as the building around her collapsed to rubble.
Day 6: The End.