Part Twenty-Four

'It's really almost over…'

Violet eyes close with a sense of peace that cannot quite fulfill itself for all the anxiety being felt in regards to the hours ahead. Shioshiro takes a breath, his eyes still closed as he grips his katana unconsciously tight.

'This is why I came…it…it'll be okay. It'll be better…'

Slowly he opens his eyes again, looking out at the others cramped in the back of the rented Van. With Youji driving, the rest of them decided to stay in the back and avoid as much suspicion as possible. Omi and Nagi are on Shioshiro's side a few feet closer to the back door. Ran and Ken sit across, directly in the young brunette's sight. Shioshiro's eyes do not stray to the pair beside him, but across…at the heart-aching picture of his parents…together.

Ran's eyes are closed, as Shioshiro's own had been, making the redhead appear to be in deep meditation. Ken, on the other hand, is eyes wide and is practically bouncing. He can't seem to sit still, despite any sighs or warning glares sent in his direction from Ran or one of the others. And as for Shioshiro as he looks on…he can't seem to stop staring now that his eyes have locked on Ken's form.

'This…could be the end…all over again…'

"Shioshiro."

Pulled roughly from his brooding, Shioshiro nearly gasps, holding it back only by sheer force of will. His gaze looks a little more to the left and he catches sight of familiar violet. Apparently, Ran was not quite as within himself Shioshiro had first thought.

Shifting only slightly, Ran offers his son a small nod and tries his best to smile. Even after all this time, he still finds the act a little difficult sometimes. "In circumstances like these—anticipating a mission—I think it would be best if you took after me instead of Ken." he says lightly, fully expecting the indignant response he gets from the now offended brunette beside him.

"Hey!"

"I say this…only because you look a little too tense. Remember, the most important thing is that we cannot know what will happen tonight. Which means…there is nothing to fear when nothing is certain. That goes for all of us."

While Omi and Nagi take these words as simple, good advice, and Ken blinks with some confusion before nodding heartily at what he too considers to only be advice from a leader-figure, Shioshiro alone understands the full weight of Ran's words.

If only Ran believed them as much as he is projecting.

Hoping that he has soothed his son as much as can be hoped for, Ran returns to his own thoughts, violet eyes closing once more. As he has many times since leaving their base, the redhead breathes deep, centering himself. He is strong. He is prepared. He is…scared out of his mind. Not for himself, not even for the collected members of the crew being sent into this battle. But for the possible loss…of a family…he hasn't really had the opportunity to have.

There is not black nothingness in Ran's mind as he meditates, try as he might to clear his thoughts. Again and again the same image keeps interrupting. The image of the sweetest family possible. An image he feels so blessed to have been able to see, regardless of the outcome tonight.

In that picture had been himself and his new lover, 15 years older than they are now, and there had been Shioshiro with them, only five at the time. He would never have believed such happiness could reside on his own face. After all they have been through, however, the image made him smile with an expression almost as bright as the one his picture-image held.

'Well, I'll be, Ran. You really can smile like this.' Ken had said, the largest smile on the brunette's features as well when he looked over to take in Ran's reaction. 'What do you say, sexy. You wanna make some babies someday?'

Ran had tried so hard not to laugh. But then… 'Babies…plural?'

Ran clearly remembers the deviousness that had entered Ken's expression. 'Why not? Hiro came to change the future for us. The least we can do is give him a little sister.'

Remembering this nearly brings forth a laugh from Ran as he sits in his spot in the van, just as he had laughed last night when Ken said that. The brunette had most likely been joking, something that seems all to prominent in Ken's behavior of late, but the prospect…doesn't really sound all that bad to Ran.

He has a son. He knows in his heart that if all goes well tonight nothing will keep him from creating that son again—well, from the beginning—with the man sitting beside him now. Nothing. Preserving that future family is the only thing that matters to him now.

"Destination reached, everybody." calls Youji's overly jubilant voice. The blonde may not be honestly as light-hearted as he sounds, but he can always be counted on to fake it. "Time to pay the piper, I guess." he adds with a grin, peering around his chair to look back at the crew behind him.

There is a collective nod, and soon, Youji has exited and moved to throw open the back door so they can take their positions. Those still inside the van move slowly as they get to their feet. No sense in hurrying the inevitable along, after all

'Schuldig…please…if you can hear me…please, help us. I love Omi too much to lose him now…just as you love Crawford.'

Suddenly, before anyone has managed to exit, Nagi pushes Omi back hard against the van wall and kisses him deeply, not caring a wit that everyone is looking on agape. A few rather adorable mewing noises emit from the currently being-ravaged blonde, and when the kiss has broken, though both boys are blushing, they are nothing but smiles for as long as they can hold it.

Ken glances at Ran devilishly.

"This is the mission to end all missions, right?" he says to no one in particular. He then turns and begins advancing on a certain redhead. "I think Nagi has the right idea." And déjà vu; Ken pulls Ran against him and pushes back against the opposing van wall at the same time, kissing heatedly until Youji's catcalls start to get on his nerves. Though Ken expects a reprimand, he is quite happy that he does not receive one when he pulls away.

"Anyone else before we continue on." the redhead asks bemusedly.

Shioshiro and Youji look awkwardly at one another, and Shioshiro suddenly holds up his hands in mock defense. "You stay away from me."

Happy for something to have lightened the mood, Youji decides to play along. He swivels his hips a little as he makes his way closer to the brunette, who had been the only one to make it outside the van thus far. "Come on, kiddo." he grins crookedly. "We may both be straight—a large minority in this group—but our sweethearts are miles and years away. How's a 'bout a smooch? For luck's sake."

There is a slight thud as Ken lands on the ground between the pair after having jumped from the van. He is grinning despite himself, but holds his arms between them and feigns narrowing his eyes defensively at Youji. "Like Hell I'm gonna allow that. Warping my son's impressionable mind. Honestly, Youji." he adds, shaking his head.

The gathered party laughs, and by some miracle they manage to maintain their mirth over the matter even after everyone has exited, after supplies and weapons are in hand, and after they are waiting for the night to truly and completely begin.

Once everyone is in place, Omi presses the button on his intercom. "Weiss here. Checking in. Crashers, are you in position?"

There is a moment of static. 'Copy that!" speaks a voice Omi imagines to be humorously like his own. "Crashers is ready to go, Weiss! Just say the word and we're off.'

Omi can't help smiling--an anomaly for the night, to be sure. "Copy. Weiss to Alpha Weiss. Everything up and running on your end, Rindou-san?"

'That's a big fat, let's-get-this-party-started-already yes.' the Kritiker leader answers. 'We're stationed on the opposite side from you guys, so we should hit the center mark together. Crashers has the school as soon as Birman and Manx's team take care of the security. Copy?'

"Loud and clear, Rindou. Manx, Birman, did you hear that? Are you ready with security?"

'On your mark, Bombay.' replies Manx's distinct voice.

Omi almost doesn't want to speak what he has to say next. "Manx…you…you sent transmitters to Farfarello and Sally, ne? They told us they received them last night. Has anyone…heard from them yet?"

There is a length of considerable silence. This time, Birman's voice comes over the line. "That is a negative, I am afraid. No word so far. When they are within range, they should be able to contact us through the comms we sent. We'll have to begin without them."

Beside Omi, Nagi visibly tenses, every part of him just itching to offer dissention and ask for them to wait just a bit more. But though he has no doubt that Farfarello and Sally will come when they can, he knows they cannot risk waiting any longer. When Omi looks to him for a response, Nagi merely nods. They must move forward.

And pray…that all the help they need…will come in time.

"Copy that, Birman. We begin on my mark."

Omi looks across the distance surrounding the area of the compound they are stationed. Tonight, with all they have learned and gained, perhaps they can finally atone, and put an end to an evil…even darker than the Takatori clan.

Omi cannot see his other comrades, all positioned in the shadows around them, but he can feel the weight of their eyes, their held breaths, as they wait for him to give the order. He had requested the honor after all, to end this with a Takatori's voice, just as it all began with one, at least for Kritiker and for Weiss. It is a burden, but not a burden he will be carrying alone.

"It's time." he speaks calmly into his headset. "Manx. Birman."

Everybody hold your breath now.

"Go."

-----

Brad looks up from the newspaper in his lap to stare at the outstretched hand of the man hovering over him. He eyes the coat in that hand—his coat—and then slowly, purposely slowly, moves his gaze up the long arm and further until reaching the impatient face of Schuldig.

With an annoyed sigh, Brad speaks. "Yes?"

"Take it."

Another sigh. "And why do you want me to take my jacket."

"So you can put it on, dipshit."

Brad's brow creases a little. "And why would I want to do that? I was enjoying this paper, if you hadn't noticed."

"You want to put this thing on, Brad, because you're going to get up off your ass and come with me."

Bronze eyes travel slowly back to the paper, disinterested. "And where, pray tell, are you planning to go?"

The jacket is thrown roughly onto Brad's lap, obscuring the paper from view. "Fuck you." Schuldig says, with a surprisingly little amount of anger but a hell of a lot of venom. "He asked for help. You heard him as plain as I did. We're going."

That ends it. Brad stands abruptly, the paper falling from his lap, but the jacket is tight in his fist…before he throws it angrily to the floor. "Since when do you care, Schuldig, about what happens to anyone other than yourself?"

Schuldig is not even close to backing down. Though only a few inches separate them, he leans a little further forward. "Since the number of people I can trust in this world went from three to one. And that one would sooner sell me to the devil than stop a golf club from giving me bruises."

"First of all, I am still fully under the impression that you are the devil, or at least a much better impersonation than the real thing could ever be. And…I did stop that golf club, you little worm. I have stopped bullets you didn't even know were coming."

A wicked grin overtakes Schuldig's grimace. "Yeah. And I am grateful. Now…I'm gonna go and pay a little back to the kid and psycho for all the times they did the same. Because they deserve it. Those lucky bastards got out. They've got someone important in their lives, for fuck's sake. The Weiss kitten, that witch…"

"The witch you would have fucked yourself if given the chance." Brad adds with a snarl.

This at last gets Schuldig to pull away, though only slightly. "Maybe. No. Probably. You're probably right, Brad. But here and now…I got the chance to do somethin'…good. Coz bad ain't working out to well for us, in case you weren't paying attention."

Brad opens his mouth to speak.

"Shove it. I don't even want to hear it, Brad. You can spout your homily on hate and how the world sucks and deserves our vengeance all ya want. But you know sure as I do that the reason we hate…is because of that place. Weiss, the others they got with 'em, they're there right now, trying to bring that damn place down. It was Rosenkreuz. Rosenkreuz made me what I am…and there's no way in hell I can forgive them for that. We got a chance, a real chance to bring Estet down instead of just hiding like fucking cowards 'til they send people after us again. So you can sit here and read your fucking paper all you want. I'm going."

It isn't until Schuldig has made it to the door and reached for the knob that Brad finally responds. "You are a fool, Schuldig. You will always be a fool." But even as Schuldig is turning to look over his shoulder and snarl…he sees that Brad already has his coat on. "But as you once said before…" the American continues, checking to be sure his handy gun is loaded and a few extra rounds are tucked away just in case. "If we're all fools together…"

Schuldig breaks into a grin. "…then I better put on my dancing shoes."

-----

'Security is down. Repeat. Security is down.' Manx speaks over the intercom. 'Crashers…you're up.'

An anticipating grin spreads the length of Yuushi's features as he turns to look at each of his fellows. "You heard her, boys. Let's go free ourselves a few hundred super-humans."

-----

Inside the compound, Weiss is faring well thus far, in occasional contact with their counterparts in Alpha Weiss who are currently on the direct opposite side as them.

The initial line of security—once the electronics had been shut down by the girl's team—may or may not have been made up of people with powers, because Weiss had them taken out before they had the chance to reveal things one way or the other. Since then, encounters have been small, which only makes them wonder what might be waiting to rear its head as they delve deeper.

On alert as they move further along, trying to keep out of sight as opponents are sure to continue appearing, Shioshiro takes a moment to realize he has walked these very same steps before. The group is now passing through the very area Ran, Ken, and their small son had been…could be again…when…

"Stop thinking about it." comes a sharp whisper that nearly has Shioshiro jumping out of his skin.

The brunette turns his head to see that his redheaded father has snuck up on him. Not a good sign when they are supposed to be alert. "I'm…not."

Ran raises a disbelieving eyebrow.

"Of course I am." Shioshiro concedes without further fight. "I'm sorry, I'm trying not to, but…I just keep seeing it, happening in my head. Happening all over again…"

"And far worse will happen if you continue to allow yourself to be distracted. They know we are here. Their security system is down. Guards have already been killed. They are surely on full alert and we are walking into the lion's den. You must be focused, Shioshiro."

Shioshiro nods, the grip on his katana tightening. He gathers himself as best he can. Yes. He must stay alert and focused. He must make sure…it does not happen again.

"Hey…what are you two whispering about?" comes yet another whisper. Ken has slipped his way back by the pair and is wearing a look of concern.

Ran notices the tension that grips his son and acts quickly to intercept the problem. "Just telling Shioshiro to calm down a bit. So far this is going well, and we can only take things as they come."

"I second that." Ken replies, slapping Shioshiro congenially on the back, and hence not needing to pry any further into what the boy and Ran had been talking about. "Besides, if this blows up in our faces, at least there'll be some excitement. I'm almost getting bored over here."

"Ken-kun, get down!"

There is a sudden eruption of gunfire, and Ken—an instant after Omi's warning—finds himself flat on his back with his son and lover on top of him. He doesn't have time to wonder how or why they were both so quick to protect him, but with the initial heat of fire ceased, all three are on their feet in a heartbeat, weapons raised as they dash for better cover.

"Youji! Left!" Ken calls across the large room, spotting a scattering of well-armed guards advancing on the blonde. Ken watches as Youji spins, releasing his wire to effectively disarm his would-be attackers.

Next to Ken, Shioshiro holds his sword at the ready.

"I gotta admit, I wasn't expecting a gunfight." Ken mentions to the young man beside him, wanting desperately to come out of hiding so he can do a little damage rather than remaining a sitting duck. Ran, also with them since the trio had dashed at the same time to go behind the same scattering of crates, looks anxious as well. "I mean, I expected superpowers, not…normal, pansy-ass guards."

A few more rounds quickly embed themselves in the area a little too near the trio's hiding place.

Ran looks at Ken and glares. "Please do not mock the 'pansy-ass guards' while they are still shooting at us."

"Heh. Sorry?"

'Alpha Weiss come in. Alpha Weiss.' sounds Omi's voice over their collective intercoms.

Omi and Nagi, the ones with projectile weapons—or powers as the case may be—have been taking out what guards they can, though they along with Youji have since found a convenient place to take cover as well. Nagi, for his part, continues to use his power to deflect bullets, remove guns from guards, and send a few guards flying, but there are still a significant amount of them.

'Repeat. Alpha Weiss.'

'Kind of busy at the moment, kid. Good amount of fire on our end.'

'Us too, Rindou-san. How far are you from the center?'

'Quite a ways yet. You hurting bad?'

'We could use some help.'

'Looks like you're gonna have to handle it yourself. We'll get there when we can.'

"Well, that doesn't sound too good." Ken speaks when the link quiets. "These guys are never-ending and we don't have any backup."

"Never-ending…" Shioshiro repeats, thinking aloud as he stares out at the continuously appearing guards, who…now that he looks closer…all appear to have the exact same face. "You wanted supernatural, Kento." the young brunette turns to his father. "I think we might just have it." He flips on his intercom. "Omiji, this is Shioshiro. Take a look at the guards. A close look. They're all copies of the same person."

A moment of silence. 'You're right, Shio-kun! What do you think this means?'

"I know Estet is capable of cloning…but not at this time. Not this effectively anyway. Maybe…it's someone who can copy himself, and the majority aren't even real."

Ken laughs humorlessly. "Those bullets seem real enough."

Shioshiro smiles. "I said they weren't real. I didn't say they weren't tangible."

"So what you are saying," Ran starts, "is that if we can discover which of them is the real one and dispose of him, the others should cease to exist."

Shioshiro takes another appraising look out at the battleground. "Considering the copies we've killed so far have disappeared…yes. The trick is…which one is the real one."

"Perhaps I can be of help with that."

Ran, Ken, and Shioshiro all press themselves back against their crate, more than a little shocked to suddenly find themselves face to face with Nagi.

Over his initial near-panic, Ken nearly reaches out to strangle the smaller boy. "Never, ever do that again! And…how the hell did you do it, anyway?"

Nagi's face is completely impassive as he tilts his head to regard Ken. "Teleportation." he says, as if it is the most common thing in the world. "I have been testing it a little, but so far I can only transcend short distances."

"Oh. That would have been nice to know."

"Uhhh…I kind of knew." Shioshiro speaks up, shrugging when his parents look to him on the verge of losing all patience and toleration. "I…wasn't sure if he'd be this adept at it yet. What?"

"May I please continue?" Nagi says, remarkably calm considering there is still significant gunfire around them and he is currently being ignored. Thankfully, the trio turns its collective attention back to him and he goes on. "If I get close enough I should be able to sense which of them is the real guard. I suggest having me teleport into the middle of them. I will need the rest of you to detract attention from me so that I have time to discover him, but once I have, we can all attack and end this."

Shioshiro leans forward, his recently sheepish face turning wholly serious. He shakes his head in opposition. "No way. That is way too dangerous and you know it. Even if we attract their attention onto us, blindly teleporting right in the middle of them…you could get hit with crossfire before you've even had time to think about which guy is real."

Still immovably calm, Nagi remains unwavering. "Soon, the small bit of resistance we are offering will not keep them from surrounding our places here. We cannot hide forever. If we do not attack, we will be defeated. This is are only chance. We cannot fail before we have even begun, Shioshiro-san."

Shioshiro and the others are quiet for some time. They know as well as he does that this may indeed be the only choice they have. Judging by the severity of danger Nagi will be put into, they also realize that he probably didn't tell Omi what he was going to do when he teleported over here.

With Nagi's power no longer aiding in keeping the bullets, guns, and guards from reaching them at the moment, a large amount of fire increasingly continues around them. There is not enough time to think of another option.

Shioshiro offers his agreement. "Do it. We'll cover you."

"Hiro! Nagi, you can't!" Ken cries, shaking his head wildly, even more so than Shioshiro had now that this is actually going to play out.

Ran reaches over and grabs hold of Ken's arm, stilling the brunette and capturing his attention. "He must." the redhead says simply. He then turns to Nagi. "Go. We will do what we can to back you up."

The small telekinetic waits until the others have readied their weapons, and then, just as suddenly as he arrived, Nagi is gone. Three pairs of eyes are instantly looking out at the guards, eyes trained on what appears to be the center of their ranks.

In an eerily surreal blink, Nagi is amongst them.

"Bombay, Balinese. Attract fire. Now." Ran commands over the intercom. He barely even glances at Ken and Shioshiro before he is dashing out of hiding to do just what he has asked of the others. His brunette companions follow quickly behind, all praying that their combined efforts will be enough without taking any casualties.

In the thick of everything now, making a point not to look at his teammates for fear of Omi's reaction to all this, Nagi uses his power as best he can to deflect any attacks sent his way. He reaches out…searching, sifting through the copies to find some hint of the truth. There is an aura of some form of supped-up astral projection surrounding every guard Nagi scrutinizes, until finally…after his power has begun to feel quite fatigued…he finds it.

The source.

Storm-cloud eyes spring wide and Nagi turns with full force to the man at the true center of it all, focusing a pulse of telekinetic energy in that direction. The second the others see where Nagi is focusing his attack, they too begin to move in on the central villain. If they can reach him, the other guards should fade into nothing.

"Him! The source is him!" Nagi shouts, knocking the man's gun from his hand with a mighty mental kick. Just then one of Youji's wires appears to wrap around the man's legs, unbalancing him as a few of Omi's darts strike him in the shoulder.

Nagi is so pleased at his successful plan, he does not notice the copies are fading, but fading slowly. Slowly enough, that a few choice bullets leave one of the guns before its owner has disappeared fully.

Omi looks back from where he had advanced on the main guard, but he has looked too late. Nagi is not paying enough attention and will not know to deflect the coming bullets. Shioshiro too stares on in horror. Everything is moving so slowly suddenly, and the brunette thinks with the most wrenching of realizations that if tonight ends in a trade…he will not feel validated. He will feel ashamed. To blame. All to blame.

"Try to be a bit more observant, will you…Naoe-kun."

Some form of strange energy surrounds Nagi like a shield, emitting from the hands of the woman who has just appeared to step in front of the young brunette, blocking the path of those unfortunate bullets.

Nagi turns, recognizing her instantly.

"Miss Sally!"

The blonde woman looks over her shoulder with a smile, her shield fading into her as the bullets fall harmlessly to the ground. She looks much better than she did last he saw her in person, and she is dressed in preparation for the mission, with a form-hugging body-suit, a shin-length jacket, and gloves. "So good to see you again. Sorry we're late."

Though the others in the group can already see a certain albino coming, Nagi's face brightens at the sound of that 'we'.

Farfarello appears from the shadows Sally had come from, his weapons at the ready and already somewhat bloody from whatever encounter they might have had on the way inside the compound. He nods to Weiss and Shioshiro before focusing on Nagi. "Our flight was delayed."

"Airlines, I swear." Sally adds with a warm smile.

"How did you do that?" The question has come from Ken, sounding as if he had been wanting to ask it since the moment Sally put up her shield, but had held back with great difficulty.

"I'm a witch." Sally replies simply, a shrug of her shoulders indicating that she has not only accepted this fact but has come to terms with it not being all that big of a deal after all. Just a part of life. "I never really tested out what I could do until after Jei and I got together. I've been working on a few things. We both have. So far I can make a pretty effective shield, send a little cosmic punch or two, and summon up a little elemental magic to boot. Don't get too excited though. I'm still learning."

Ken stares back at her in not-so-well-concealed awe.

"As much as we may wish to catch up…" Ran says with some mild impatience, his sword already wiped clean with his glove after having offered the killing blow to their attacker. "…we should and must continue on. Any more delay may hinder us later on." He nods to Farfarello, any past feelings of distrust put on hold. "You are welcome. We certainly will need your help. Both your help."

"Hehehehe…"

Ran's words are suddenly left cold at the sound of this laugh that seemingly has no source, at least not one they can see. The group closes in more tightly together, each person facing outward to observe the surroundings from every angle, prepared for whatever may come next.

"Oh? Are you frightened now? Don't come off so cowardly. Your first kill came with such finesse. You're doing so well. Don't disappoint me now. Hehe…"

"I don't take kindly to disembodied voices, pal!" Youji calls out to the high ceiling and surrounding shadows. "Show your face so we have something to hit!"

There is a reply of yet more laughter before a figure finally steps from out of a spot further into the building, where the group must eventually continue to. "If you are so eager."

Shioshiro gasps, attracting a scattering of looks from his companions. The man before them has long greenish-colored hair and a silver lip ring. He knows that description. The wicked smile on his face, the hair and piercing, his presence…Shioshiro knows this man if purely by his fathers' stories. This particular story had been a part of Weiss' last mission. It would not happen for quite some time according to Shioshiro's timeline, but Shioshiro doubts that being a year or two early means this man is any less dangerous.

Berger. A Rosenkreuz psychic with far more power than Brad Crawford could handle alone.

"Believe me, your other half across the building is being met with equal opposition, so don't worry about being the only ones having fun." Berger continues, taking slow purposeful steps towards the gathered group. "Estet, as I hope you know, does not take kindly to such boldness. We know every step you have made thus far, and every step you plan to make…until your end. And you will end here. Believe me. You will."

"Is it a good thing or a bad thing that I know what to expect from this guy?" Shioshiro asks in a hurried whisper to any of the surrounding men—and woman—that might be perked enough to hear.

Ken glances quickly at Shioshiro before returning his gaze to the approaching opponent. "Depends. Does what you know in any way help us in the defeating department?"

"Not really. I know what he can do, though."

"What powers does he have, Shioshiro-san?" Nagi asks

"Uhhh…some kind of psychic, mental powers. Kento once told me the story about when some of you faced him in my timeline. He could confuse your minds. You'd attack one of your friends, thinking it was him, and not be able to see your own folly. And…he has this…mental world inside his head he can pull you into. You told me about that part, Nagi-jisan."

Nagi starts. He had almost forgotten that even in the normal timeline Shioshiro has come from he had been apart of Weiss' team, in a way. Shioshiro has not shared very much with Nagi, since the time-traveler is doing his best to keep from messing with things he doesn't have to mess with, but Nagi takes a little comfort in knowing that regardless of the outcome of things, he still would have ended up near Omi.

Now if only he knew whether or not he will get to a happy outcome tonight.

"Shioshiro-san, did I fight this man?"

"…kind of."

"Kind of?"

"Well, the truth is…" Shioshiro begins, but trails off as his gaze catches sight of yet a few more additions about to be added to the fun. "The truth is…Crawford fought him first."

Speaking of…

"Forgive us for being so late…Weiss…Miss Schumars." Brad looks briefly at Farfarello and Nagi, somewhat acknowledging them, but not any more than he has to as he makes his way around the crate he has just appeared from being behind.

"This isn't very nice, you know." puts in a rather nasal-sounding voice. "You didn't even wait? Having a party without me can't be much fun, ja?"

After all, one can't have Brad without Schuldig.

"You came. You actually came…" Nagi speaks in a truly at-awe, whisper-like tone. The boy could very well be near tears at the very sight of these familiar, long-lost faces, though he would never allow it. Not in front of Brad, at least.

Schuldig saunters his way over, grinning a little wickedly at the members of Weiss who still instinctively back away from him. The German throws an arm over Nagi's demure shoulders while pulling in Farfarello with the other. He even takes a moment to offer Sally a not-as-sleazy-as-it-could-be wink. "Birds of a feather, kid. Even if we are one helluva fucked up parrot. Besides…you actually asked. Didn't know you had those kind 'a balls."

There is a rather annoyed sound, like someone very pointedly clearing their throat, and the gathered mass of people turn their attention back to the rather neglected Berger.

He looks pissed and pleased at the same time, if possible.

"So…the famous Brad Crawford, is it?" he speaks with a sneer.

Brad, still distancing himself from the group somewhat, barely even twitches. Though the American's eyebrow does raise in some attempt at acknowledging that he has been addressed.

Berger turns to look at Schuldig, who has since released Nagi and Farfarello, though he is looking rather comfortable forcing himself in amongst the group. "And you…" he nearly hisses. "…Emery Schuldaussen, isn't it?"

"No one has the right to use that name." Schuldig speaks up immediately, the slight giddiness gone from his bright blue eyes, leaving them without even a hint of light. "You…sure as hell don't have the right. I'm Schuldig. That's the name I want you to use when you're asking me to kill you. Which you will be…when we're through with you."

Nagi is still up somewhere on Cloud-9 over the fact that Brad and Schuldig are here at all, but he slowly begins to descend again when he realizes that Shioshiro looks just as spooked as he had at first, despite their increase in number. "Shioshiro-san, was it Brad who defeated this man?"

Pulled out of his thoughts, Shioshiro shakes himself back to life and turns to look at the smaller brunette. He looks quickly to Brad and Schuldig, but returns to Nagi, still a little unsure how he should respond. "Crawford started, but couldn't win, not till you helped him. I don't think any of us…non-power people can be of help here. Psychics for psychics. If that's all right with you." He says a little louder, so that Brad and Berger can hear him as well as Nagi, Schuldig and Farfarello just have.

There are no words spoken. The members of Schwartz line up in what once was a common formation for them, and soon they are ready to face off against Berger, who could not be more pleased by this development.

Others…are not so pleased.

"Jei…"

"Nagi-kun, we can't just leave you like this."

Schuldig nearly snickers at the worry from these 'love-interests'.

"Sally…I would ask that you continue on in the company of Weiss." Farfarello speaks calmly.

"But…I have powers here too! I can--!" Sally's words cut off as if she has been verbally rebuked, and despite the fact that Farfarello has not spoken aloud or turned to look back at her, she suddenly nods her head, as if they have reached some sort of understanding none of the other could even hope to grasp.

Omi…knows there is no reason to try any further. "We'll go on, Nagi-kun. Schuldig-san, Crawford-san…Jei-kun. Be careful."

And as Schwartz…or whatever they see themselves as tonight…stand together once more, Weiss, Shioshiro, and Sally hurry on past to continue the mission.

Berger allows them to go past, believing he will soon be catching up with them again. He smiles wickedly, his lip ring glinting in the meager light.

"So…Schwartz, yes? And now we have the Berserker and the Prodigy to add to the fun." He cracks his hands, one knuckle at a time. Crack. Crack. Crack. And steps closer to the foursome with each pop. "Shall we then? I would like to show you…my world…"

-----

'Hey, Rindou, this is Knight. We've made it to the controls and unlocked all security doors from here. There are a number of people in locked rooms. We're gonna hit them first. We figure…if Estet's gonna lock 'em up, those people can't be too sympathetic with their captors.'

'Sounds good, Knight. Get as many to join us as you can, but don't press your luck. If they refuse, let them. We can't afford to make any more supernatural enemies than we already have.'

'Copy. And how are things on your end…old man?'

'For pros, kid…not too shabby. Bodies at our feet, and more to be added, I'm sure. Don't worry about us. Just get that extra backup. Coz we're sure as hell gonna need it…'

-----

Schwartz had not even blinked before every last one of them found themselves caught in the whirlwind, stomachs churning now with the unexpected movement as if the ground has literally abandoned their feet. When they 'land' once again, they realize quickly that the world they are in is no longer reality.

Now…they are in Berger's reality.

"Do you like it? I reserve this pleasure only for worthy opponents, so you should feel privileged…Schwartz."

Farfarello takes a step forward, not caring that there is no true ground beneath his feet. "We are no longer Schwartz."

The statement would have wounded Nagi—and Brad and Schuldig for all their best denial—if not for the fact that the boy realizes…there is no sadness in the admission. They are no longer what they were. They are something else. And that really isn't so bad when one thinks of it as simply…change…and not an absolute.

"You know of us. Who are you?" Crawford asks, noting a sudden sharp pain at his temple that tells him their earth-bound bodies are not reacting well to having their minds pulled into this…illusionary world.

Berger releases yet another laugh. He is sitting amiably on a high curve of matter, wholly comfortable in his own creation. "Berger is enough. I am Rosenkruez' new favorite son with you all turned traitor and Farblos dead. Thanks for that by the way."

Leaning over Brad's shoulder, Schuldig smirks at the corner of his mouth, his narrow eyes positively sparkling again. "Our pleasure. The poor babies got pretty fucked up too. Which is the least I owed to dear Silvia. You really wanna go up against us, Berger-boy, after we toasted three of Estet's lap dogs last time? You're only one guy, after all." Schuldig too feels the pain this place is sending through his body, but he isn't about to let it show any more than Brad is.

He fleetingly wonders if Farfarello's pain tolerance is being of any help in this situation, but by the look on the albino's face, Schuldig doubt he would be able to tell either way.

'What are we supposed to do…?' Nagi wonders in a moment of panic he would never reveal outwardly, also feeling the pain the others are feeling. 'Shioshiro never told me how this man was defeated. He said Brad started…but I knew how to end it. So…somehow we must work together…and…'

While Nagi is working this over in his head, he realizes that their link should still work here, even if it is Berger's world. It must. And perhaps…

'We have to combine efforts and turn the tables so that Berger is in one of our minds instead of us in his.' Nagi speaks to the others, his eyes never leaving Berger's still relaxing form, should the man think anything is going on.

'And how the fuck do we do that?'

'Schuldig makes a point, Nagi.' Farfarello agrees. 'How do we accomplish this?'

When Brad feels an honest smile coming on, he does not try to hide it. 'We use our connection, of course. Berger would not know we are linked. Most teams do not go that far. With our powers…this will be easy. Follow my lead. Nagi…I will need your help most to succeed with this.'

Brad's directness and honesty gives Nagi reason to smile as well, and soon, Berger is not looking quite as pleased as he had been. "What…what are you doing?" he questions, suddenly feeling the same flip-flop feeling Schwartz had felt when brought into his world. "You…you can't do this! You don't have this kind of power!"

But suddenly, what had so recently been a reality made up of tinges of red…looks very nearly blue.

"What…what have you done?" Berger gasps, clutching his stomach from the churning he had felt, and realizing that he is standing now, and that Schwartz is no longer opposite him, but all around him, creating four very tight and deadly corners.

"Welcome to my world, Berger." Brad smiles, enjoying his mind's aura of blue. The pain is gone now, for all of them, and it is easy to smile when you know you have won. "Do you like it? This is quite the privilege, you know, being inside my mind."

Berger does not find this at all funny, though the irony, the sheer beauty of the situation has Schuldig in stitches. Even Farfarello has begun to laugh now. Shared laughter amongst them…is rare and precious. Nagi wishes he too could join in, but…it never really was his thing.

Looking to each of his fellows, Schuldig grins as he realizes how much this world…feels like home. "So…Berger…you still wanna play?"

-----

Shioshiro looks up suddenly as a rather horrific scream rips through the building, echoing over the high ceilings and concrete walls as the sound travels to them…from the direction they just came. He almost laughs aloud when he realizes he recognizes the voice, though the people around him look more than a little spooked.

"Don't worry." he says, hurrying on ahead with the other at his heels. He knows to give special attention to offering reassuring looks to Sally and Omi. "That was just Berger. Sounds like they figured out how to beat him."

Ken and Youji release echoing, relieved laughs, and soon, the whole of the current crew are continuing quickly on.

Estet is powerful, there is no doubt, and their main agents, their leaders, are known to reside at the heart of the compound. Having members living outside of it, such as the three Weiss encountered once before, is a rare occurrence for higher-ups. But knowing this is not soothing. It means that not far ahead now awaits the end-all villains, for Weiss or anyone else. Weaker soldiers or operative are nothing compared to what awaits them, even with the connecting Rosenkreuz freed.

And the truth is…they really don't know anything about the true villains behind the villains they have met, because there are always flunkies to carry things out.

"Weiss to Alpha-Weiss. Rindou, are you nearing the center yet?" This time it is Shioshiro who is taking point, speaking over the intercom.

'Almost, kid. Almost. Another turn or two and we'll be there. Please tell me we'll be seeing you about the same time.'

Shioshiro smiles. "That you will, Rindou."

And Shioshiro is not lying. Just ahead now he can see it. The final door that leads to the center of Estet's main headquarters. He looks behind him as he nears it. One father has his sword at the ready, the other his claws. Omi has his crossbow and Youji his wires. And Sally, easily joining their ranks for this fight, even while Schwartz is still behind them, holds her hands palm-up as they glow with something liken to what had made up her force field before.

"Well, everyone…I think it's time to--"

The door opens of its own power and a too bright light shines out at them, forcing many to shield their eyes. Shioshiro never finishes what he had been about to say. When the light has dimmed enough for them to look ahead, the first thing the group realizes is that they can see Rindou, Shion, Azami, and Ayame across the room inside, standing in a doorway much like theirs.

The groups enter together, eyes at first on each other as they debate whether or not it is safe enough to offer pleasantries, but as they gather inside, they decide to forgo any hellos.

The room is nothing but white walls, a white ceiling, a white floor even, and in the center rests a long, ornate table. Behind it sits a row of fifteen, maybe twenty people of varied ages, heights, and gender, not to mention varied looks in general. A woman seated in the very center of the others smiles almost kindly at them, and is the first to speak.

"Welcome…Himiya Shioshiro. We have been expecting you."

tbc...

A/N: Look at me go again! Got to have the next part up by friday at the latest to get this done, so it may be up as early as tomorrow night if I want to have the epilogue done by Saturday. Here's hoping.

Berger, for those who haven't seen Gluhen, is real. I did not include his partners here though, because I thought of them as younger agents who at this time would still be students. As for the councel of Estet Evil, I'm making it up as I go because we've never really been told what lies at the end of things for the organization.

NekoAnime: I put in the little flashback of Ran's reaction to the picture just for you. :-) And I ended up just loving it. Cute, I hope.

Sachiko: LUCK for next year! I just love that pic! Ken being all naughty, even if he is drunk. You should write a little ficlet about it. Have you? If not...maybe I could write one after this fic, to try my hand at a one-shot again. And I never thought of how perfect this being 25 chapters really is. Episodical. I just love your insights, my dear. And you know, I still get giddy everytime I look at the fanart you made for me. :-)

To everyone hoping for more of this...I honestly think I'm going to work on a Saiyuki fic next. But...I like the idea of taking this fic and using it for inspiration in a future original story. Would you guys read my book if I ever did that?

Anyhoo, the end really can come in a chapter, and I don't think any of you have guessed how it's going to happen. Which makes me kind of happy, coz then I know it will be a shock. Well, send me some encouraging reviews, because i'm working hard to get this done for you before I'm off to school. Love you, minna!

Crim