Guilty Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being used in this fanfiction without permission. This fic is rated R for violence and sexual content, and it contains yaoi material.
There's only one more after this. Hard to believe that after four months the story is almost over… ;_;
Culmination
Chapter 25
Ky was only aware of a few drifting sensations, each familiar though only fleetingly tangible. He was in pain, that much was certain. It was spread so deep that he couldn't remember which part of him was supposed to hurt the most. But there was something in that agony that was…validating. Real, so much more so than the sensation of pain usually could be. His body wasn't ready to accept such rawness right now, and so he remained in the stark darkness, unconcerned with whatever might have been going on elsewhere.
Somewhere, a familiar voice was sounding….
*****
Sol clenched his jaw to suppress any sound of pain as he was thrown back, stumbling a bit over the jagged earth. He managed to plant his feet and remain upright despite the sudden attack. "If you touch me again, I'll break your face," he growled dangerously.
"You son of a bitch!" Testament snarled at him, fist tight as he advanced with the intention of another blow. "What the hell were you doing, fighting like that? You could have very well killed him, and for what! You goddamned—"
Sol shoved him hard in the shoulder before he could get any closer. "You stay the hell away from me, you pathetic fuck. How the hell was I supposed to know what was going on? He wanted this!"
"Testament! Sol!" Bridget tried to plead from the ground. "Stop it!"
Testament didn't indicate that he'd heard. Following the aftermath of the fight and dispersing of energy the group had moved away from the piles of scorched and melted robots, to a clear area of the courtyard where they could tend to their wounds. But Testament couldn't settle until he'd dealt with this, one way or the other. "You're a selfish, arrogant bastard," growled at the Gear, coming at him again. "You have no idea what he's been through—what you've done to him!"
"Mind your old goddamned business, puppet," Sol retorted in kind, Fireseal humming at his side.
Testament looked ready to hit him again, but it was then that his mystery assistant chose to step in. "Now, now, gentlemen," Slayer tried to calm them. Both were already so ragged from fighting that a hand against each of their chests was enough to push them apart. "There's no need for that. The boy's not quite dead yet."
"You miserable—"
"Testament, please!" Bridget shifted anxiously on his knees. "Ky needs help."
With a thin scowl Testament at last turned away. "I'll deal with you later," he muttered over his shoulder.
"Fuck you," Sol replied. He turned as well, stabbing Fireseal into the ground so when he sat down heavily, he had something to lean against.
Testament didn't grant him another glance as he knelt down next to Ky's head. The officer was gasping weakly against the ground. Blood was still flowing from his nose and mouth, making it difficult for him to breathe. Testament's eyes thinned, and hesitantly he reached forward to wipe some of it away and peel Thunderseal out of his still tense grip.
"Is he going to be all right?" Bridget asked anxiously, making a visible effort to keep his eyes from watering. He held Ky's hand—burned, again, by his own magic—gently in his own.
"His jaw is broken," Testament reported quietly. "And probably some of his cheek." A delicate hand entered his view, and he glanced up in surprise to see a woman kneeling next to him. She had long, dark hair, a blood red dress, and soft eyes that seemed somehow too deep for the youthfulness in her face. As he watched she bit down on her finger, drawing blood, and then reached as if intending to offer it to the fallen officer.
"Stop that!" Testament snatched her wrist and shoved her away. "He doesn't want your filthy vampire tricks," he muttered as he leaned over Ky protectively.
Slayer frowned at him severely as he moved to help the woman to her feet. "I should have known better than to expect a Gear with manners," he uttered as he brushed his fingers through her hair. "We came here to help you, you realize."
"He doesn't want your help."
Slayer raised a dubious eyebrow as he straightened his gray suit coat. "If you say so." He touched the woman's arm, indicating for her to assist Baiken, seated a few feet away with Anji and Chipp. She nodded and obediently did so. "But then, he must be in pain. Surely you don't intend to wait for the 'police' to get here…?"
"I can take care of him myself," Testament assured. Though, that being said, his confidence wasn't as great as he would have liked—he'd never tested his magic in this way before. Carefully he rolled Ky onto his back, settling the man's head against his knees. With a deep breath he took Ky's face in his hands and tried to call back everything Dizzy had taught him. He could feel the jagged seam of bone in Ky's left cheek where he had been struck—it was probably a miracle he hadn't sustained even greater injury. It…was painful, to see Ky suffering like this, his face drawn tight in a grimace that only made it worse. He'd hoped never to see Ky like that again.
Testament shook his own discomfort aside. "Shh," he soothed, closing his eyes as he concentrated on his magic. He was weary, but he knew he could do this. He needed only…imagine that it was working, will it to happen. His palms warmed as he channeled his energy into them. Gradually a few thin stalks of dull crimson began to slide away from his skin and over Ky's face, tracing the contours of his cheek and jaw, very slowly drawing them back into place. The officer shivered, and as Testament began to smooth over the seals with his thumbs Ky tilted his head back, his lips parting in a heavy breath. "Tes…ta…."
Testament's eyes flickered open, startled by the sudden voice. He sighed in relief—his spell seemed to be working, and it warmed him to imagine that even in such a state, Ky was able to recognize him by the feeling of his magic alone. Quickly he devoted himself with greater confidence to finishing his work, slowing the flow of blood and repairing torn tissue.
Ky flinched suddenly, his body shuddering as he made a gagging noise at the back of his throat. Testament rolled him onto his side, and just in time; Ky jerked as he weakly vomited up thick red fluid.
"Ky…?" Bridget, who had watched the scene with wide and hopeful eyes, went a little pale at the sight of him. "Is he all right?"
"He'll be fine," Testament assured as he continued to support the man. "He just swallowed a lot, that's all."
Baiken, too, was watching from nearby, not really paying attention to the woman who was using her scarf to bandage the wound in her chest. "I didn't know Gears could use magic to heal others," she remarked quietly.
"Dizzy taught it to me," Testament replied, and when it seemed Ky was finished he tugged him back against his lap. "It's…pretty tiring." Just as he'd said his strength was already waning, and he sighed quietly. At least Ky seemed to be doing all right. Trying to hide his fatigue, he glanced up at Slayer. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Oh, I'm sure that can wait for a bit longer," Slayer chuckled lightly, taking it upon himself to readjust the bandages on Chipp's wounded shoulder. "Everyone should probably get their strength back before hearing me out."
*****
Bridget glanced from Testament to Ky, frowning slightly when he noticed a few marks that had been burned into Ky's forehead. They looked vaguely familiar, and he started to reach for them. But Testament was drawn to the movement, and interrupted him by sliding his fingertips over Ky's brow. The marks gleamed red for a moment with the Gear's magic and then were cleared, leaving no indication that the scars had ever existed.
Bridget looked around their small camp. Testament was caring for Ky, the strangers for Baiken and Chipp, and Sol…was by himself, leaning against his sword with a slouched posture and eyes closed. He looked exhausted, and the broad wound carved in his chest made the boy wince. After a moment's hesitation he turned to Testament. "Look after him, 'kay? I'll be back." Quickly, so Testament wouldn't have time to get mad at him, he stood and trotted over to where the legendary mercenary was resting.
Sol didn't look up until Bridget reached for his thigh, undoing the leather belts. His eyes, having lost their brilliant shade from the battle, were dull with fatigue. "What are you doing?"
"Helping you," Bridget piped as he continued to work. "I'm going to connect these, and use them to hold this—" he tugged at the strip of fabric from Sol's belt "—over that hole in you. Okay?"
Sol grunted indifferently as he looked away. "Whatever."
Bridget smiled all the same; Sol didn't have to tell him he appreciated it for him to know. Though it was a little intimidating being this close to him after the scene he'd witnessed, he couldn't bring himself to fear the man who he'd listened to snoring hours away the night before. He was even maybe a little awed, and he couldn't keep his gaze from drifting to the emblem on his forehead. Once the belts and fabric were free he urged Sol to lean forward a little so he could slip the impromptu ties around behind him.
Sol settled once more, glancing briefly back to Ky. His voice lowered. "How is he?"
Bridget didn't look up from folding the fabric over in his hands. "Testament says he's going to be all right," he assured, taking the hint and keeping his voice quiet as well.
He pressed the red square over Sol's chest, and the Gear hissed at the pressure against the wound. He relaxed again a moment later. His eyes thinned as he watched the skilled movements of the boy's small hands. "What…happened to him?" he asked suddenly, though his tone was even softer than before. "You've known all along."
Bridget gulped. "It's a long story," he said lightly. "But…yeah. The Bureau never got him—we did. He's been hiding with us, the pirates, since Genoa."
Sol sighed heavily. "Bastard. Had me trekking across the damn country for nothing."
Bridget glanced up at his face and smiled. "Aren't you glad, though?" he asked as he tightened the belts. It was a crude bandage, but at least it would keep the wound covered. "He didn't turn up dead, right?"
"Yeah…I guess so." Sol grunted. "Just so you know, I wouldn't have killed him. And it's not my fault he's a stubborn ass bastard. It's his fault for trying to screw with me."
"Okay."
"Because he was, you know. Trying to trick me."
"Okay."
Both were quiet a moment, and when Bridget was satisfied with his work he at last sat back. He watched Sol's expression a moment; though his face was weary with exhaustion his eyes were attentive and sharp as he watched Testament caring for the young officer. "It was a good match," Sol said suddenly, his gaze at last dropping away. "You tell him that for me."
Bridget straightened, realizing that he had just been granted a task of considerable importance. "Okay," he assured, and with a smile he leaned in, giving Sol a peck on the cheek. "You're not such a bad guy, you know."
Sol groaned and rolled his eyes, shoving Bridget back. "Help me up," he grunted. "I've got a few questions for that old windbag."
*****
Slayer, having finished fixing Chipp's bandage, knelt next beside the yet unconscious Anji. Calmly he wiped the blood from the man's chest and forehead, smearing the patterns that had been drawn there. "It was a close call, wasn't it?" he remarked lightly.
Baiken watched him carefully, ignoring the water flask the woman at her side was offering her. "Can you help him?"
"We'll see, won't we?" Slayer rested his open palm against Anji's forehead, his eyes narrowing slightly in concentration. There was a thick, tense silence, and then all at once Anji's lips parted in a loud gasp that made Baiken jump. As Slayer leaned back the Japanese man sputtered weakly and, slowly, opened his eyes. "Baiken…?"
"Anji?" Baiken crawled forward as Slayer moved back, leaning over him to get a better look at his face. "Are you…?"
Anji squinted, gaining his sight back to him, and when he was finally able to make out the woman's face he smiled. "Hey." With a quiet groan he sat up unaided. "What happened?"
Baiken sighed heavily as she leaned into him, wrapping her arm tightly around his neck in a firm, thankful embrace. "You damn bastard. Trying to get me worked up." For a moment she seemed to wilt, just slightly, against his chest. "Are you all right?"
"I guess so." Blushing in embarrassment Anji returned the affection with a hand against her back. "Where are we?" He glanced around in surprise at all the different people surrounding them. His gaze lingered with uncertainty on Testament a moment, but when he realized that the Gear seemed to be helping Ky, he calmed. "Was this some kind of rescue mission?"
Realizing there were others watching, Baiken quickly pulled back and straightened her top. "Yeah, you could say that." Ignoring her own slight blush she glanced to Testament. "It's over, right? You killed him?"
Testament, who had been devoting his attention solely to Ky, glanced up at last. "Yes," he replied calmly. "The Ninth is dead."
"Ah, is he?" Slayer removed a pipe from the inside of his suit coat as he seated himself next to his female companion. "That's good news—it saves me some trouble."
Baiken shot him a glare. "You knew him?"
"My dear," Slayer replied around a smirk, "as a respectable vampire, I make it my business to know all self-proclaimed immortals."
If any of them were surprised by the declaration of his vampiric nature, only Anji showed it in his face. Baiken only frowned, and looked ready to question, but Sol beat her to it. "I think it's time," he said firmly as he and Bridget returned to the group, "for you to explain yourself, Nightwalker."
Slayer chuckled with dry humor; a snap of his fingers lit his pipe for him. "Such courtesy, after I saved several lives here tonight."
"Save it." Sol lowered himself with a smothered groan, planting Fireseal again to lean against. He shooed Bridget away; the boy quickly returned to Ky's side. "And out with it already. You knew all along that Ky wasn't 'missing', didn't you?"
"Actually, I assumed the Bureau had taken him," Slayer confessed with a shrug. "Arthur may never have been sensible, but I've never doubted his skill. It wasn't hard to believe he'd managed to capture Ky. Especially after I tipped him off."
Testament straightened, his eyes flashing with a threat. "You…what?"
"I'm afraid I'm something of a rat," Slayer chuckled, clearly enjoying the surprise and annoyance they were all fixing him with. "I knew Arthur had to be behind the robots—I happen to be familiar with most forbidden magics and rituals, and he especially kept my interest for a time. This kind of thing is very much his style. But I didn't know where to find the lad." He puffed lightly on his pipe. "It wasn't a bad plan, really. Leaking the information that Ky would be entering Italy—recruiting Sol Badguy to track down his abductors. I had Sol do the legwork for me, leaving me free to continue my own work."
Sol snorted irritably. "Fucker."
"So…you didn't plan for any of us, then?" Bridget asked curiously, curling his knees up to his chest. "Testament, the pirates, Chipp…?"
"I'd heard rumors that Chipp Zanuff went missing," Slayer replied. "But no, I had no idea Gears and pirates were getting involved." He smiled thinly at the boy. "A surprising and fortunate turn of events, wouldn't you say?"
Bridget grinned brightly, but Testament was quick to curb that enthusiasm. "What other work?" he questioned sharply. "And why are you here now?"
"I followed Sol here to see how everything went. And you all did very well, let me assure you. It was quite a show." He glanced to Ky, and his eyes seemed to gleam a little. "He's far more powerful than I thought."
Testament drew a hand over Ky's chest protectively. "And your other business?" he prompted again.
Slayer chuckled. "Ah, yes. I have it right here with me." He held out his hand, and the woman at his side obediently reached into a satchel at her shoulder, tugging free a large, thick envelope. "I was preparing this," the vampire declared, giving it a shake. "You can see for yourself."
Anji accepted it from him, and everyone looked inward as he slipped the papers out of their protective covering. Baiken leaned in to see as he skimmed them. "These are…some kind of reports?" Anji hazarded, flipping through the pages. "They're about the robots."
"That's right," Slayer confirmed, looking quite proud of himself. "Drawn from all over the world, and none more vocal than those of the indomitable Miss Kuradoberi herself. It seems these 'robotic Kys' have been causing problems in more than just Rome, and the documentation of them is all there. There's also reports from President Gabriel's search for the missing Ky Kiske."
"You're releasing them to the press?" Baiken asked incredulously.
Sol rolled his eyes. "You'll start riots."
"Precisely." Slayer's confident expression only deepened as Anji shared the different papers with Baiken and Bridget. "What do you think will happen when the world's citizens hear of a secret organization producing robots to conspire against the Global Police? Our Sir Kiske here is a valuable and well-liked figure. I can scarcely imagine the uproar it will cause, when everyone learns that someone was plotting to do our beloved Holy Knight harm." He blew a ring of smoke. "Even if there are other factories, the Bureau's hands will be tied. If it was their intention to employ these robots for common use, there's no way they can precede without the public's support. It would, indeed, become riotous."
"This is the Bureau you're talking about," Sol warned. "If you try to spread those reports they'll only be silenced, along with any news of what happened here."
Slayer only grinned. "That's why I already submitted them—hundreds of them, to reliable sources, while you were busy hunting down the culprit for me. By this time tomorrow, all the globe will be ravaged with a fresh round of anti-robot sentiment." He gestured to the unconscious officer. "And once Zepp's investigation provides the populace with an intact Ky Kiske, they will be saved from blame. How about that?"
"They…could always use the robots anyway," Anji murmured thoughtfully, frowning as he slipped the papers back into the envelope. "They're powerful enough. Even if people protest, they could still easily take over. It could cost so many lives…."
"Then it's a good thing that as a vampire I wouldn't be a part of that, isn't it?" Slayer lifted an eyebrow carelessly. "I'm willing to take the risk. Better that than your entire human race huddle in the dark like frightened sheep while us monsters handle everything. Isn't it about time the world started to learn who's really in control?"
Sol snorted and looked away. "You're a fool if you think it'll change anything."
"Maybe. But in the meantime, it's something of a solution, now isn't it?" Slayer leaned back, looking smug. "Which is more than what you would have had otherwise. Potemkin is already on his way here, with a team to 'discover and rescue' the missing officer. Sir Kiske will return to the Global Police. Then he can tell the whole world how he was captured and imprisoned by dastardly robots, whip the masses into a frenzy, and if another 'Robo Ky' shows its face again it'll have the whole world against it."
Baiken and Anji exchanged glances. "It doesn't have much to do with us," the former muttered. "We're going back to the Colony—maybe even take Chipp with us until this thing blows over. I don't want anything to do with it anymore."
"Understandable. Sharon and I came by carriage—there's a tunnel leading out of the mountains out the back of the factory. If you'd rather not get found out by Potemkin, you're welcome to travel with us."
"That's fine."
Slayer looked to Sol. "And you?"
"It doesn't matter to me," Sol muttered, shifting slightly. "But I don't need any publicity. I'll be leaving out the back, but don't wait for me."
"Very well. And Testament?"
Testament glanced up vaguely. He looked from Slayer, to Baiken, to Bridget, and only briefly to Sol before returning his attention to the man resting against his knees. "I'm going to stay a while longer."
"You shouldn't be here for when Potemkin shows up," Anji warned quietly. "You're the most wanted out of any of us here, you know." He scratched his head. "Not that I even know what you're doing here."
Testament sighed quietly. "Yes, I know. But I want to stay. Just…to make sure everything will be all right, until Potemkin arrives."
"I'll stay, too," Bridget offered, edging a little closer. "It won't matter if Potemkin finds me here, so I can look after Ky, too."
"Holy shit!"
Everyone turned, startled by the sudden exclamation. Anji's face lit in a broad grin. "Chipp!"
On the edge of the group, Chipp pushed himself into a sitting position, shaking his head and gripping his wounded shoulder. "Fucking Christ, that hurts!" he complained loudly as he poked at the wound, succeeding in making him wince even more. Blinking, he turned his gaze on the several pairs of eyes watching him. "Huh? The hell…?"
Baiken groaned in annoyance and pushed to her feet. "He doesn't remember."
"Huh? Remember what?" Chipp looked to each in confusion, his face contorting into an increasingly baffled expression when he took in the sight of Sol Badguy, Testament, and Ky Kiske all sitting peacefully together. He scratched the back of his neck. "Um…what's going on? Damnit, my head hurts."
Chuckling, Anji stood as well, tightening the sheet around his waist before offering his hand to Chipp. "It's a long story," he answered. "But don't worry, Baiken already paid you back. Come on—we'll tell you everything on the way out of here."
"Paid me back?" Chipp echoed as he allowed himself to be tugged to his feet. He blinked, turning on the woman suddenly. "Did you do this to me? Oh, you are so gonna—"
"Shut up," Baiken interrupted, giving him a shove. "We're leaving. That all right with you, old man?"
Slayer chuckled at their antics. "Yes, I believe we're finished here." He stood as well, helping Sharon delicately to her feet. "And thank you, Sol, for your help in this matter."
Sol calmly flicked him off. "Go to Hell, vampire."
"Vampire?" Chipp echoed, backing away from the man as he passed. "Ew—what's going on? Will somebody please—"
Anji hooked an arm around his as he started to lead them after Slayer and Sharon. "Don't worry, Chipp," he assured, his manner light in relief. "We'll fill you in on everything you missed."
"Well I should hope so…."
As they passed Baiken hesitated a moment, then crouched down next to Bridget, watching as Ky continued to slumber on. "You three gonna be all right out here?"
"Sure!" Bridget chirped. "Don't worry, Miss Baiken, we'll take good care of him."
She nodded absently. "Yeah. Listen, just…." She frowned awkwardly down at the ground. "Thanks. For…well, helping me get them back."
They nodded, Bridget with a grin. "I'll tell Ky, too," he added.
"Yeah." Shaking herself of her sentimentality once more Baiken stood, trotting off after the pair. "You both owe me!" she called, giving Chipp a slap on the back that made him yelp. "A drink—a good one."
"I don't owe you nothing, Cyclops."
"C'mon, Chipp, it's just your shoulder…."
Testament was only half listening to their passing banter as the group moved away. He was still watching Ky intently, trying to wipe some of the blood away from his face, to situate him as comfortable as possible. Despite everything, with the moonlight hitting his skin he looked just as he had that night at the House, slumbering peacefully among the children. The memory raised a dull pang in his chest. Soon, the police would be here—ready to take Ky back with them. He had known it would come to this, and so was surprised by how ill prepared he suddenly felt for the whole thing. Lost in thought, it wasn't until Sol grunted disdainfully a few feet away that he lifted his head. "What?"
"Nothing," Sol muttered, not looking at him. "Just thinking that I might have gone crazy."
Testament's eyes thinned. "Are you talking about me?"
"Well, look at you."
Testament frowned, fighting the urge to justify himself to the man. He lowered his gaze once more. "You wouldn't understand," he said quietly, "what we've been through."
"Good. I don't care, anyway."
Sol pushed to his feet just as Bridget came trotting back up to them—Testament hadn't even noticed he'd left. He was carrying in his arms a pile of torn blue and white fabric. "Are you leaving, Sol?"
"No point in sticking around, is there?" Sol rotated his shoulders with a thin groan and yanked Fireseal from the earth. "Just watch yourself, kid. Being a bounty hunter is serious business, you know."
"I know." Bridget smiled as he dropped again to Ky's side. "Take care."
Sol glanced down at the trio once more, his eyes thinning as they moved over Ky's prone figure. He was still a moment, and then the dust was swayed as he started in the direction the others had gone. Testament didn't watch him leave, but he listened to the fall of his footsteps, until he was certain that Sol was far enough away. Something about those few minutes of silence wore at him a little, reminding him that no matter what he and Ky had faced together, there was something still beyond his comprehension between those two. Something none of Ky's emotional outbursts would ever tell him.
"What's that for?" Testament asked curiously as Bridget began stretching out the things he'd gathered.
"I thought we should dress him up in his uniform," Bridget suggested, already reaching to begin removing Ky's vest. By now it was in such a state that it all but fell from his shoulders. "It'll be hard explaining this outfit to Potemkin."
Testament nodded thoughtfully, and together the pair managed to get Ky into most of the outfit without disturbing him. That finished both sat back, watching over their charge. When Bridget finally spoke, his voice was quiet. "What…do you think you'll do now?"
"I'm not sure," Testament admitted, his eyes downcast. "When Potemkin gets here I'll leave. But after that…." His shoulders sagged. "I don't know."
Testament drew the backs of his fingers across Ky's cheek. "What about you, Ky?" he asked vaguely. "What happens now? Where…do we go from here?" But Ky only shifted slightly in his sleep, his head falling to the side.
Bridget watched him silently, the depth behind the Gear's eyes as he gazed down at the slumbering officer. He edged closer, until he was leaning against Testament's shoulder. "This is just like before," he said softly, smiling as his hand wandered over to cover Testament's. "On the beach."
Testament's lips curled in his own tiny smile as he continued to move his hand faintly over Ky's face. "Yes," he whispered, shifting to allow Bridget closer. "Yes, it is."
They settled together, unspeaking in the dark as they waited for Potemkin and his men to arrive.
