Disclaimer: There is no way that Guilty Gear or any copyrighted material would be owned by the author of this story, either fictitious or real life-based. All the original characters and concepts in this story are the property of the respective author/owner.
Chapter 20: Anger, Passion, Innocence
Kusanagi's action halted. He sensed someone watching at him with a murderous intent and immediately extinguished his Great Serpent Cutter CHRONO. "May I know who's watching me right now?" he demanded and turned around. What his eyes were seeing was out of his expectation: the owner of a pair of innocent sapphire eyes and a longbow stretched to its limit, together with the owner of somewhat insane-looking eyes. "Who… who are you two?!" he demanded again.
"Person, I think this is Kusanagi #102796 everyone is talking of," Mina spoke.
Person WMA just nodded and corrected the gloves he wore. "Right, I think he's the one," he spoke and stared at Sana. "Hey, you."
"What? Who are you calling 'you'?!" Sana roared. "I am Kusanagi #102796, the greatest warrior serving for the NESTS! My name spreads around the world like the roaring tidal wave which nobody can survive!"
"The roaring tidal wave, eh?" The three of them looked at a direction and saw two figures walking toward the mansion. The figures were none other than Yagami Iori and May; the latter was carrying her oversized ship anchor.
"Person, aren't those Yagami-san and May-san?" Mina asked.
"Yup, it's them," Person spoke and nodded. "Mina?"
"Haii?" curiously Mina asked.
"The way you're asking the question…" Person said, with glittering eyes, "It's so cute! Give me a hug."
"Person!" awfully Mina growled and pouted.
"Eww! You're so cute in that face! Give me a hug!"
"Oniisan, who is that?" May asked and pointed at Sana.
Iori stared at the NESTS warrior and suddenly snarled. "I know this scumbag…" he hissed and summoned the purple flame. "You're the NESTS warrior. What brings you here, and what's your intention again?"
Kusanagi #102796 merely grinned and clenched his fists. "Well, if it's isn't the feared Yagami Iori. From the data NESTS gathered, he's the strongest fire fighter after Kyo, and second to the American badass Sol Badguy. Pity I didn't get the chance to meet these three, otherwise I'd have the opportunity to test this power I have," sarcastically he spoke.
"What do you really want?" Iori demanded and lit the purple flame even bigger. He was pissed off by the name Sol Badguy, and the way Sana pronounced it made him even angrier.
"What do I want?" Sana spoke. "Oh, I get. I bet that any of you haven't heard the news of Lone Wolf SIX killed by me, am I right?"
"You say what?!" Along came Ky's pissed off voice, thundering the blue sky of Ukraine. "You killed Lone Wolf SIX!? That's very unacceptable!" he roared and pointed the Thunderseal at Sana's face.
"Ky's right!" Rock added on, as he and the rest of the DS-gumi stepped outside the mansion. "He's nasty; yes. He's maniac; yes. He's greedily overconfident to himself; yes. He's a fan of Hibiki; yes."
.
At Magnolia Village, Hibiki suddenly sneezed while preparing the usual evening tea. "Ettou… I think someone has just mentioned my name," curiously she asked and rubbed her nose.
"Nah, probably your imagination," Hikki added, trying to suppress his giggle.
"Hikki-san, are you laughing at me?" Hibiki asked and glanced at him.
"Ehehehe, sorry."
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"But Lone Wolf has never been so mean at people before," Rock added. "In fact, he's one strong supporter of our marriage."
"Hah, like I want to care," Sana spoke arrogantly. "And besides, he's in my top victim list. Now that he's finished, I'll be able to complete the list."
"Sukebe!" The intense air was broken by the dismay cry of Dizzy. The innocent Gear stared at Sana with like no other. "How… how could you do such thing to Lone Wolf? How could you?"
The NESTS warrior looked at the human/Gear hybrid and let out an acknowledged breath. "Aha, the innocent and the forbidden Gear… Dizzy. Seems that I'm in luck today."
"What do you want from Dizzy-chan, you monster!?" Hotaru demanded.
Sana answered the question by reigniting the Great Serpent Cutter. "I have been ordered to detain and retrieve this Gear to NESTS headquarters. My mission knows nobody, and everyone is treated as an enemy to me. However…"
"If that means to mess with Dizzy-chan," Hotaru spoke and opened her battle stance. "I will not allow anyone to lay a finger upon her!"
"Same goes with me," Ky continued and stepped forward, "I shall use all my power as the Holy Order to protect my wife."
Sana broke in laughter; a rather demonic type of laughter. "Foolish human, how can you all defeat me? I'm granted with absolute strength, and I-"
"Flying Ninja Kick!"
Sana was hit by Person's Flying Ninja Kick and was sent off the mansion area. He managed to air-recover and landed near the railway station. "Kisama! I shall kill all of you RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!" he declared and unleashed the Chrono-enhanced gale from his fist.
"Yosh! If you want to battle, then we're on!" Goku answered and summoned his battle staff.
"Sheesh…" Sanzo growled and began reloading his Magnum.
"Sanzo," Hakkai called him, "I feel a very demonic presence from that man. Do you feel it, too?"
Sanzo stared at Sana and breathed out. "A very devious feeling… not like other youkai we've encountered. We'd better be careful with him."
"Haii," Hakkai answered.
x-x-x-x-x
Star of Bethlehem, Star on high
Miracle of love of midnight sign
Let your luminous light from heaven
Enter our hearts…
Star of happiness, Star of wonder
You see everything from afar
Oh light oh holy light
Oh light divine…
Under the oak tree, he watched in awe, admiring Aurora's heavenly voice as she chanted the song. It was like watching an angel who descended to the earth, singing from the bottom of the heart.
"She's really talented in singing," he whispered. "Not only that, she looks so elegant and…" He noticed Aurora looking at him and smiled, much to his embarrassment. He quickly shrugged and breathed out.
Aurora approached him and looked down at him. "Chosen One, why don't you come here and sing with me as well?" generously she asked.
"Me? Singing with you?" he replied. "No, thanks, Aurora. I'll just sit here and-" Aurora merely giggled and seized his hand, and took him to where she stood.
"Don't be afraid, Chosen One," Aurora assured. "If you can't sing, then you just enjoy it."
"Err…" He was trying to decline the offer, until he saw the radiant smile from Aurora's face. He smiled at the woman in return. "You know, Aurora. You could become a songstress."
Aurora merely laughed as a response. "You think so, Chosen One?"
"I'm honest," he answered. Aurora giggled again and proceeded to sing a song, whilst he sat beside her and enjoyed every melody she sang. Then he frowned and sighed.
"Hang on, everyone. It won't take long; I promise."
x-x-x-x-x
"Stun Edge!"
"Reppuken!"
"Doushita!"
"Great Yamada Attack!"
"Hakki Shou!"
"Jikyuu Shin!"
"Flying Ninja Kick!"
All the attacks hit the NESTS warrior, yet Sana was protected by invisible gale wall. He counterattacked with torrents of Chrono-enhanced Dark Sweeper, and all but Iori got hit by the projectiles. Iori lunged forward and tried to land his Tsumagushi on Sana, only to be blocked by a Demon Scorcher.
"YOU DIE, SCUMBAG!" Sana shouted and followed the uppercut with a Turbulence Thrust, sending Iori high to the sky, and ended it with a knockdown kick.
"Oniisan!" May cried and rushed toward Kusanagi #102796. The NESTS warrior, however, saw her running toward him and 'greeted' her with Great Serpent Cutter CHRONO. May was startled but couldn't run away from the overdrive and was 'eaten' by the gigantic wave of fire. "IYAA! Oniisan, taskette!"
"May!" Iori screamed in anger and charged toward Sana. "You've hurt May! I SHALL KILL YOU AND SHRED YOUR FLESH!"
"Oh, really?" Sana stated and fired the same Great Serpent Cutter CHRONO. Iori, too, couldn't avoid the overdrive and got caught inside it. He, then, looked at Dizzy and approached her.
"Nobody's going to approach her!" Ky shouted and executed Ride The Lightning. Sana saw the oncoming attack and easily evaded with Ashura Senkuu. He, the, grappled Ky and tossed him at Rock. Both of them crashed on the building and were immobile.
"That's a bit rough, but you two can't stop me," Sana spoke and resumed walking toward Dizzy. The Gear was caught in fear and stepped away from him. "Well? Are you trying to run away from me? Heh, it's useless; nobody's going to save you, not even your precious."
"I won't let you threaten Dizzy-chan!" Hotaru announced and fired another Hakki Shou. The projectile hit Sana this time, enough to stop him. "Make another step again, and you'll be sorry!"
He turned around and glowered at the Futaba fighter, with enraged eyes. "How dare you…" he hissed and grabbed Hotaru. "I shall kill you first, you rotten insect. Then your friend follows next."
"Hotaru-chan! Yamete! Onegai!"
.
"Mezamete, Dizzy-chan. Awaken and claim what is truly yours."
.
"Mister Lone Wolf, you've come far from Shanghai just to tell me about this?"
"Well, yeah. This is my universe, and I have rights on everything in it. But… I sense upcoming disaster striking upon the people around you. I know it's not my habit, but I cannot allow you to be hurt by anyone for any reason."
"Everyone's going to be hurt? Sonna… you're telling me…?"
"Aw, you practically misunderstand what I'm saying. But, oh well. Yes, disaster will strike those who are close to you. But have no worry, Dizzy. I've come up with a solution. It will help you getting over the trouble."
"What it will be, Mister Lone Wolf?"
.
Dizzy was startled and was stunned. Subsequent to that, a faint golden yellow glow appeared and surrounded her body. The remaining fighters looked at Dizzy in amazement, as she was slowly transforming. Sana looked at him and immediately jumped toward Dizzy, trying to land his gale attack on her. However, he was bounced off.
"Impossible!" Sana exclaimed and fired torrents of crimson flames at Dizzy, yet she was protected by invisible barriers protecting her. "This cannot be! My attacks are supposed to hit her!"
"Whoa… Sanzo, the girl's transforming," Goku stated and pointed at Dizzy.
Hakkai approached Sanzo and whispered, "Sanzo, do you think…?"
Sanzo just nodded. "We'll have to see."
Effortlessly Kusanagi #102796 tried to break the barriers, yet the barriers fought back by emitting a very strong electric current. Dizzy, on the other hand, remained unaffected inside the orb, quietly chanting as the transformation reached its final phase.
.
"Awaken, Dizzy-chan. Awaken NOW."
.
The orb shattered and broke, pushing all the people away. Dizzy came out of the orb, startling everyone with her new outlook. Goku was the most curious and asked Sanzo of what she was wearing: body-hugging Holy Order uniform in white/yellow colour scheme, silver belt buckle with the word 'Innocence' engraved upon it, and of course, the twin yellow ribbon decorating her azure hair.
"That's not the outfit like I'm wearing," Sanzo stated.
"Then what's your thought, Sanzo?" Gojyo asked. "Hmm, though she looks pretty cute in that costume."
Dizzy lifted her head after a long period of idleness, and looked at Sana. "You're the demon who killed Lone Wolf SIX and abducted April from Mayship. I shall exterminate you." She declared.
Sana broke into a sarcastic laughter. "What? Don't make me laugh, okay? Who are you to-"
A sudden thunderbolt cut the air just an inch from the NESTS warrior's head. It missed, but it managed to leave a small tear on his cheek. Shocked, Sana looked at Dizzy who telepathically lifted Thunderseal and had it taken to her hand. The Gear hybrid, embraced Thunderseal close to her body and spoke in unknown language, before continued with a battle stance.
"Impossible! You cannot use that Thunderseal! You're not even its owner!" Sana insisted.
"Yes, I know," Dizzy spoke and channelled electric force into the blade, "but I am now granted to become its master. Now, NESTS warrior Kusanagi #102796, prepare yourself and battle with me. I, Holy Knight Dizzy Kiske, challenge you into a duel."
"YOU DARE MOCKING ME! I SHALL KILL YOU!"
Not far from the scene, as Person, Mina and Hotaru helped Rock and Ky, the Holy Knight looked at the new-looking Dizzy and couldn't help himself but to breathe out in acknowledgement. "The Will and the Word… it has shown its true power," he spoke.
"The Will and the Word?" curiously Hotaru asked and looked at the Frenchman. "But Ky-san, it's supposed to be…"
Ky just nodded and looked at Dizzy. He latter grinned. "Plot device, I guess."
"KISAMA! OMAE WO KOROSU!" Sana shouted and charged toward Dizzy. Dizzy calmly waited, and immediately dodged the replicated's modified Style 75, before counterattacked with Angelic Thrust uppercut knockdown attack. Sana crashed on the ground, but managed to recover. He madly fired endless streams of Dark Sweepers at Dizzy, in which the Holy Knight easily cancelled with Midair Necro Edges.
"Angel LIGHTNING!"
The Ride The Lightning-lookalike was formed around Dizzy, and she hurled toward Sana inside the overdrive. Sana tried to block the oncoming lightning orb, but the electric current generated was strong enough to knock out most of his defence mechanism.
.
"Whoa… Sanzo, that girl is strong, did you see that?" Goku remarked and pointed at Dizzy why gallantly attacked Sana.
Sanzo snarled in dismay. "Goku… don't you know her name?" he growled.
.
Sana was badly outwitted. His internal system was heavily damaged from sustaining all attacks Dizzy executed. The Crimson Amplifier, as well as the stolen Chrono magic, didn't give him much help as the powers were inferior to those of Thunderseal.
And it had left him to one final option.
"You all are forcing me…" Sana growled and executed IK duration. "I shall kill you for the sake of NESTS. Nobody is going to stop me, not even the Holy Knight…!"
Dizzy, unmoved by the threat, simply said, "you're the lowest of all lowlifes I've ever met. Still bragging arrogantly despite being in the brink of defeat, you're making me sick." Pointing Thunderseal at Sana's face, Dizzy continued her speech. "And besides, you're just a plain wannabe who wants to 'treat' girls as if they're toy to you."
Silence. Everybody stared at Dizzy in amazement and surprise. "Is it just me, or did Dizzy say something out of her character?" Rock spoke.
"Dizzy-chan…?" Hotaru spoke, cupping her flushed cheeks.
Sana, furiously humiliated and insulted by the statement, seized Thunderseal's blade and glowered murderously at Dizzy. "I can't forgive you…"
"I forgive you." Then, in lightning-fast speed, Dizzy sliced both the NESTS warrior's hands. Sana screamed in pain and held his bleeding arms, not noticing Dizzy who already lifted Thunderseal vertically in the air.
"The Will And The Word: Tenchu."
.
Silent.
All that remained was a crater the size of an oversized frying pan. Dizzy was standing next to it, holding the overcharged Thunderseal, breathing out calmly. All the people watched silently at Dizzy…
"Mister Ky…" she whispered the name and went limp. Hakkai immediately snatched her body before she crashed on the ground. The ex-demon looked at Dizzy and sighed in relief.
"Daijoobu. She's just exhausted," he remarked and carried Dizzy to Ky. "But I can't see any traces of the NESTS warrior around."
"Probably destroyed by the lightning column," Ky spoke as he took his precious wife, referring to the gigantic lightning bolt which struck Sana as Dizzy swung Thunderseal at him. He looked down at the gentle Gear, dozing peacefully in his arms and muttering his name. He merely smiled and softly kissed her.
"Aww, shucks," Gojyo disappointedly growled. "I thought I got the chance to catch her-" His words died the very time a click echoed in his ears.
"Shut up." Sanzo demanded, the Magnum pointed on his head.
x-x-x-x-x
Meanwhile, somewhere in the mountain forest…
"Damn it! Curse! Kuso!" Kusanagi #102796 murmured. He was lucky to escape the Will and the Word before it landed on him. Yet he was deeply humiliated for being outwitted by the Gear/human hybrid, and was even harassed by the speech Dizzy had spoken to him.
He stopped at a boulder and leaned against it. "I'll show that knight who's the lowlife!" Sana declared and groaned in pain. The damage he sustained was too much, and he was forced to rest. "I shall have my revenge… I'll have her killed first… and then, everyone in this universe… I swear…!" he declared, followed by the most demonic laugher one would ever hear.