p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"First Kill/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What's the mission?" Zane asks calmly, not noticing the gun that Drei had pointed at his back./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Tonight is Ein's final exam." Scythe replies, "Each of you has a separate job. Phantom, you will protect myself and Mr. McGuire."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei snorts but doesn't respond. Zane stares intently at her, confused by her actions, but redirects his attention to Scythe, "Ein, as this is your test, I expect you to give it your all. Your life depends on in."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She gulps as he speaks, but nods and continues listening./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Zane can see where this is leading, "Am I to provide support for Ein?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No." Scythe chuckles, "Your task is the most important of all."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Zane smirks at the praise, though it's wiped away as scythe turns to face him, "You are her target."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Ein and Zane both pale, though Ein looked far worse. She had to kill her teacher?/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Zane's hand shot to his waist, but before the gun could clear his holster, Drei cocked the gun to the back of his head./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Why not relax?" she smirks, lightly tapping his head with the muzzle of the gun, "Please continue, Scythe."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Thank you phantom." he smiles, "Zane, this is your final chance. Your identity was compromised, and to make matters worse, the only kill that was ever worthwhile was a failure. If you survive, you will have earned the right to continue as you have been. I shouldn't have to tell you what will happen if you fail./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Now then, the test will be quite simple. Zane, inside this building, you will find a well-stocked armory. Help/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Yourself to whatever you'd like to use. You have fifteen minutes." with a wave of his wand, a timer began counting down from fifteen minutes ad he continued talking, "Ein, You may choose from the weapons Phantom brought, and enter in pursuit after the allotted time"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei places her hand into her jacket pocket and withdrew a tiny footlocker. With a wave if her hand, it expanded and clicked open. "I figure something in here will do the trick." f/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei shrugs, gun still pointed at Zane's head, "Though I think you shouldn't be waiting around here. You've only got fifteen minutes before Ein comes after you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Remembering this, Zane Casts a glare at the young assassin and bolts into the warehouse. "Get over here and take one." Drei smirks, "Let's see what you're made of."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She nods nervously and walks up to the open trunk. Inside is a wide assortment of weapons, most familiar, but some were completely new./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""If you got any questions, ask 'em now. You've only got thirteen minutes, so hurry up." Drei warns as the timer Scythe had conjured ticked down./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She quickly looks through the weapons, selecting two sigs, a long blade knife, and a magnum revolver./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei hands her the ammo clips and silencer attachments for the sigs, as well as a speed reloader for the revolver, "These are enchanted to replenish the ammo by placing them back in this bag." she explains, handing her the pouch and a general equipment set. Just then, the timer reach zero and a gong sounded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Get to work, Ein." the elegant man says from beside the limo, "I expect good things from you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Thank you sir." she says before running into the building. As soon as she passes the door, it slams shut behind her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Wand out, she carefully studies the hallway, ears open to detect the faintest sounds. She whispers a spell Drei had thought her to reveal any hidden traps, and discovers two about ten feet ahead of her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Unwilling to risk set them off as she hadn't mastered the spell to detect the results; she decided to set them herself. She quickly screws on the silencer and fire a magazine into the trap. The first electrifies the floor, and it was only sheer luck that she was outside of its range. It also set off the second, blasting a hole in the wall in front of it./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Her hastily conjured shield, while successful in blocking most of the debris, shattered towards the end. She silently hissed in pain as a shard pierces her leg./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The explosion shook the building, 'well; now he knows where I am.' Ein thinks as she limps forward, applying pressure to her leg. Ripping off a Piece of bandage from her equipment, she wraps it as much as she dares, and once she was confident she could still move, continued down the hall./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Either he hadn't expected her to survive the first traps, or he was waiting to ambush her at the end of the hall. With that in mind, she used it to her advantage./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She slashed her wand towards the ceiling and cut a hole into the ventilation system. Levitating the piece of ceiling down, she attached a rope to the hole and quietly climbs into the shaft./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Slowly, she climbed through the ventilation system, trying to make as little noise as possible. Ahead, through the grate, she saw a large chamber with several large stacks of crates. In the back corner, she could just make out what appeared to be his shoulder hiding behind a wall of crates./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Carefully, she aimed the pistol in her hand towards the shape, but at the last second, decided not to pull the trigger yet. 'There is too thin a margin for error, and it could still be a trap.' she thought as she kept moving, 'Until I have a clear shot, I can't risk revealing my position.'/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"In front of the building, the inferno executives watch with interest as the scenes from inside the warehouse are displayed on the monitors inside the side building./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As Ein disarms the traps, Scythe looks over to Drei, "You didn't teach her more practical methods of dealing with traps?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I would have I thought that she was likely to deal with traps." she says, glaring at Scythe, "But her way has merit. My way would have been silent, but her way will make him believe they were activated successfully."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You believe that Zane will let down his guard?" McGuire asks, sipping a glass of wine./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Of course he will." she snorts, "He's an arrogant prick. He'll think that there is no way that she survived, or that she hurt so badly she'll bleed out. It would be unfathomable that she might have only received a scratch."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You seem to have quite the low opinion of him." Scythe smiles, watching Ein carefully breaking into the vent./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Don't get me wrong. He's a decent assassin. Second best after me, but even still he can't compare to people like Ein and Zwei, or even her. He believe similar better than me, so naturally my apprentice would be far beneath him." Drei smirks, "If he would give up that attitude, he might have a chance, but until he stops thinking he's already won, he's already lost."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They stand in silence as Ein crawls through the vents, only speaking again as Ein aims her pistol at Zane's shoulder./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It would appear this game has reached the end. Just as phantom predicted." McGuire sighs, "With this bullet, Zane will lose his dominant arm, and likely be forced into the open. After that, it's over."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It might be." Drei says calmly, "But it would be over for her, not him."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Both look at her, surprise etched in their faces, "The builds off, and that jacket isn't the same one he was wearing. It's a trap. He'll be unharmed and fully ready to respond. Her self-confidence would disappear if her first attempt failed. She'd be easy prey."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Turning her attention to the screen, she smiles as Ein lowers her weapon and continues moving, "Either she figured it out, or decided better of shooting without a guaranteed kill."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I would guess it is the latter." Scythe smiles widely as his newest actor made her debut, "If neither I nor Mr. McGuire noticed, I would doubt that she saw through it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You give her too little credit. Her observation is as sharp as mine." Drei laughs, "The only question is will she be able to outwit Zane before they meet face to face. She isn't good enough to face him head on."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Then we shall see." McGuire says as they continue watching the events of the exam./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Ein keeps crawling for almost ten minutes, before she finally found an exit she could use. Casting Homenum Revelio, she found that there wasn't anyone around, so she tied another rope and climbed down, severing the rope with a cutter after she'd made it safely./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Behind her, she saw a door that was wide open. Very carefully, she checks inside and sees a large stockpile of weapons. She enters the armory and peers around./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"There were seven spaces missing. One was an assault rifle; two were pistols, one knife, two traps, and a piece of equipment. Most of those didn't bother her. The guns were with him, so until she found him they would remain an idle threat, the knife even more so since it was a shorter range. The traps had already been dealt with. What worried her was the missing equipment. The equipment could vary, from an ordinary bulletproof vest to full enchanted battle armor./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"At the corner of the Room, there was a rack of cloaks, possible bulletproof. One of them, however, struck her as very familiar. It was silvery and smooth, almost see through. Instinctively, she grabbed it and threw it around herself./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"In the polished metal of the nearby guns, she looked at herself and grinned. She couldn't see anything. With the cloak covering her entire body, she crept through the halls without a sound, making her way back to the chamber./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As soon as she walked into the room, she felt a sudden chill. Moments later, a shrill laugh echoed in the room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I know where you are, Ein!" he roars, "The wards around this room won't allow you to leave until one of us is dead!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Ein draws both her pistols, waiting for some sign of his location, but sees nothing. 'Could he have an Invisibility cloak too? No I just saw him earlier...' she walked soundlessly through the room, creeping to the place she'd seen before./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"There, in the exact same spot as before, she saw the figure crouched down, hiding behind the wall of creates, breathing shallowly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She pulls the revolver and places it an inch from the back of his head. Then, in a span of less than a second, cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger. The shot echoes horribly as the body fall to the ground. She looks at the body, and is shock to see it wasn't human. It was some manner of monkey. Knowing it was a trap, she jump behind the nearest crate just as a flash of green light collides where she'd been less than two seconds before./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She jumps out and looks where the light had come Tom, but she couldn't see anything. 'He did have one!' she thought cursing herself, 'in that case...'/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Two voices said at the same time, "Homenum Revelio!" she quickly looked in the direction of the voice, only to not see a thing. She jumped aside as a bolt of light shot seemingly for out of nowhere./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What's wrong?" he taunts, "Can't you find me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She fired a barrage of bullets at the place where he'd been a moment before, but he'd moved away. Another flash from her right forced her to move./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You can at least try!" he laughs, "This is why stupid little girls like you should be in our world!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She sneers, dropping one of her pistols back in its holster as she drew her wand. Again she fired a hail of bullets toward the last spell, and again she moves aside to dodge the return fire curse. This time however, she points her wand as she runs, "Reducto!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The red light collides with the wall of crates behind him, and all of them crash to the ground, leveling the area where he'd been standing. On impact, she heard a sickening crack, accompanied by a scream of pain. She jumps for cover as he starts firing killing curse everywhere, never moving from his current location./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"When the curses finally stop, she quietly sneaks out from her hiding spot. An invisible shape was attempting pitifully to stand on what was obviously a broken leg. Regardless, he was chuckling./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That should teach those bastards not to underestimate me. Next ill kill scythe, and that bastard McGuire, then I'll rape that bitch phantom and slit her fucking neck!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She glares at the man in hatred and points her wand at him, and said in a clear voice, "Avada Kedavra."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She never saw the look of horror on his face as the green light hit his chest. His body crumpled to the floor, and there was no movement./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe watches the ongoing fight with interest. Ein was certainly showing the fruits of her training, but Zane was effortlessly fighting her off. It was already obvious that he had far more actual combat experience. No doubt a product of his time in the auror office./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"His choice of equipment was brilliant. A cloak which blocks Homenum Revelio combined with disillusionment charm was certainly terrifying./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You still stand by your assessment, Phantom?" McGuire says as he watches the overwhelming advantage Zane has./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""He'll make a mistake, and she'll capitalize." Drei smirks, "If anything does happen, I'll go in and end it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe nods, and is taken aback by the massive explosion he heard through the speakers. All three of them turn their attention to the screen. A wall of crates was collapsing and through the sound of the crates breaking, you could still hear a distinctive scream./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm impressed." McGuire says approvingly, "Is he dead than?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Probably not. If he were dead, he couldn't have screamed." Drei shrugs and sure enough moments later a monstrous barrage of killing curse slammed into everything. All around the room, crates burst into green fire as the spell hit./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"After nearly five minutes of non-stop casting, the curses ended, and the room was silent except for his deranged laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You'd best be ready Phantom." Scythe sighs heavily as he turns the monitor off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Yeah I know." she says, walking into the building./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She effortlessly passes the few enchantments that Zane had set in the hall. It was a good thing she hadn't gone this way; she hadn't taught her how to break enchantments yet./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Inside the inner chamber, it looked like a bomb had hit, which, wasn't entirely inaccurate given the strength of her curse. At the center, she heard faint crying. That told her all she needed to know. With a wave of her hand, the disillusionment charm was lifted. Lying in the rubble, eyes wide in shock and fear, Zane was motionless./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She reaches out towards the crying and felt something brush against her hand. Lightly, she removes the cloak and helps the crying girl to her feet./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You did good." she says kindly, placing a hand on her forehead, "Get some sleep." Ein's eyes slide out of focus and she fall into Drei's arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She carries the unconscious witch out of the warehouse. McGuire and Scythe are waiting by the limo./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""She performed admirably." McGuire says as she approaches, "A real shame."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Don't write her off yet." Cal says, walking past him, "She'd already killed him before I got there."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe's gasps at the news, and even McGuire couldn't keep his face emotionless. "Then what happened to her?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Placing her gently on the ground, she turns to her bosses, "She needed some rest, and I know from experience that she wouldn't have been able to get it on her own. A light sleep spell should do wonders for her."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Any idea how it happened?" Scythe asks excitedly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Most likely the killing curse. I didn't see any blood except from her leg and his knee." she answers, "For now, I think she should get to bed and I'll handle the body. I believe we should make an example out of him, don't you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Do what you wish." McGuire says as he gets in the back of his limo, "In this case, I don't believe that it would be proper to conceal it. Make it special, but try and draw attention away from us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Dorry!" Drei yells as the elf appears behind them, "Ein needs rest. Take her back to bed and keep an eye on her. I want to know the second that she wakes."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Yes mistress!" the elf exclaims, grabbing the witch and disappearing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe walks behind her, staring intently, "What will you do?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei smirks and walks back into the warehouse, calling back to him, "Enjoy the daily prophet tomorrow!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe chuckles and apparates back to his manor./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei levitated the body of the man once called Rufus Scrimgeour and began destroying any trace of the altercation. Every spot of blood, every splinter, and the holes in the walls and ceilings. The only evidence remaining was the chilling body floating beside her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"After it was clear to her satisfaction, she apparated the body to the middle of London, less than a mile from the ministry of magic. Drawing her wand from the holster at her wrist, she points it at the left arm. Slowly, remembering everything she'd learned from the man Igor Karkaroff, she began chanting, tracing a shape into the skin./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"A black line followed the tip of her wand, engraving the shape of a skull and a snake extruding from its mouth into the flesh. The mark began fading, but not so much as to be unrecognizable./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Satisfied, she stands, leaving the body on the ground. Pointing her wand to the sky, she shouts, "Morsmorde!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"A ball of green light shot into the sky, exploding outward, forming the same shape out of green stars. "That should do it." she smirks, apparating before the aurors could arrive./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe wakes early the next morning as the owl came, delivering a copy of the paper. Placing a Knut in the pouch, he accepts the paper and opens to the front page./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"He didn't need to look very hard for Phantoms message./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"strongem'The Dark Mark Rises! Scrimgeour Killed!'/em/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emLast night, horror filled the residences of London witches and wizards. Visible in the sky, for the first time in over a decade, the dark mark./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emAurors responded to the appearance within minutes, but found nothing, except a body. Former head of the Auror Office, Rufus Scrimgeour, who was wanted for the kidnapping of Astoria Greengrass from Hogsmeade Village two months ago, was found dead. Early reports indicate that he was murdered with the killing curse./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emThe dark mark, evidence that one has served You-Know-Who, was also rumored to have been inscribed on his arm. The Auror office has not released a statement at this time./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emSources within the ministry reveal that the prime suspect is Cyrus Greengrass. Lord Greengrass denied any involvement last night, but did say, "I'm glad he's dead. He deserved far worse, and he'd have gotten it if I'd found him."/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emDo these words prove his guilt? Perhaps not. Another theory of the crime revolves around the rumor that Scrimgeour was found with the dark mark. Could the remnants of the death eaters have killed one of their own to silence him?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emWe at the Daily Prophet will continue to update you as this story progresses./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe nearly laughed as he read the article. No matter which the masses believe, this will never come back on inferno. And as an added bonus, it could even silence that annoying diplomat./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Everything is going as planned." he smiles wildly, "Act one starts now."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What's the mission?" Zane asks calmly, not noticing the gun that Drei had pointed at his back./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Tonight is Ein's final exam." Scythe replies, "Each of you has a separate job. Phantom, you will protect myself and Mr. McGuire."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei snorts but doesn't respond. Zane stares intently at her, confused by her actions, but redirects his attention to Scythe, "Ein, as this is your test, I expect you to give it your all. Your life depends on in."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She gulps as he speaks, but nods and continues listening./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Zane can see where this is leading, "Am I to provide support for Ein?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No." Scythe chuckles, "Your task is the most important of all."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Zane smirks at the praise, though it's wiped away as scythe turns to face him, "You are her target."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Ein and Zane both pale, though Ein looked far worse. She had to kill her teacher?/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Zane's hand shot to his waist, but before the gun could clear his holster, Drei cocked the gun to the back of his head./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Why not relax?" she smirks, lightly tapping his head with the muzzle of the gun, "Please continue, Scythe."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Thank you phantom." he smiles, "Zane, this is your final chance. Your identity was compromised, and to make matters worse, the only kill that was ever worthwhile was a failure. If you survive, you will have earned the right to continue as you have been. I shouldn't have to tell you what will happen if you fail./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Now then, the test will be quite simple. Zane, inside this building, you will find a well-stocked armory. Help/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Yourself to whatever you'd like to use. You have fifteen minutes." with a wave of his wand, a timer began counting down from fifteen minutes ad he continued talking, "Ein, You may choose from the weapons Phantom brought, and enter in pursuit after the allotted time"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei places her hand into her jacket pocket and withdrew a tiny footlocker. With a wave if her hand, it expanded and clicked open. "I figure something in here will do the trick." f/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei shrugs, gun still pointed at Zane's head, "Though I think you shouldn't be waiting around here. You've only got fifteen minutes before Ein comes after you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Remembering this, Zane Casts a glare at the young assassin and bolts into the warehouse. "Get over here and take one." Drei smirks, "Let's see what you're made of."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She nods nervously and walks up to the open trunk. Inside is a wide assortment of weapons, most familiar, but some were completely new./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""If you got any questions, ask 'em now. You've only got thirteen minutes, so hurry up." Drei warns as the timer Scythe had conjured ticked down./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She quickly looks through the weapons, selecting two sigs, a long blade knife, and a magnum revolver./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei hands her the ammo clips and silencer attachments for the sigs, as well as a speed reloader for the revolver, "These are enchanted to replenish the ammo by placing them back in this bag." she explains, handing her the pouch and a general equipment set. Just then, the timer reach zero and a gong sounded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Get to work, Ein." the elegant man says from beside the limo, "I expect good things from you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Thank you sir." she says before running into the building. As soon as she passes the door, it slams shut behind her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Wand out, she carefully studies the hallway, ears open to detect the faintest sounds. She whispers a spell Drei had thought her to reveal any hidden traps, and discovers two about ten feet ahead of her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Unwilling to risk set them off as she hadn't mastered the spell to detect the results; she decided to set them herself. She quickly screws on the silencer and fire a magazine into the trap. The first electrifies the floor, and it was only sheer luck that she was outside of its range. It also set off the second, blasting a hole in the wall in front of it./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Her hastily conjured shield, while successful in blocking most of the debris, shattered towards the end. She silently hissed in pain as a shard pierces her leg./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The explosion shook the building, 'well; now he knows where I am.' Ein thinks as she limps forward, applying pressure to her leg. Ripping off a Piece of bandage from her equipment, she wraps it as much as she dares, and once she was confident she could still move, continued down the hall./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Either he hadn't expected her to survive the first traps, or he was waiting to ambush her at the end of the hall. With that in mind, she used it to her advantage./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She slashed her wand towards the ceiling and cut a hole into the ventilation system. Levitating the piece of ceiling down, she attached a rope to the hole and quietly climbs into the shaft./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Slowly, she climbed through the ventilation system, trying to make as little noise as possible. Ahead, through the grate, she saw a large chamber with several large stacks of crates. In the back corner, she could just make out what appeared to be his shoulder hiding behind a wall of crates./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Carefully, she aimed the pistol in her hand towards the shape, but at the last second, decided not to pull the trigger yet. 'There is too thin a margin for error, and it could still be a trap.' she thought as she kept moving, 'Until I have a clear shot, I can't risk revealing my position.'/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"In front of the building, the inferno executives watch with interest as the scenes from inside the warehouse are displayed on the monitors inside the side building./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As Ein disarms the traps, Scythe looks over to Drei, "You didn't teach her more practical methods of dealing with traps?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I would have I thought that she was likely to deal with traps." she says, glaring at Scythe, "But her way has merit. My way would have been silent, but her way will make him believe they were activated successfully."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You believe that Zane will let down his guard?" McGuire asks, sipping a glass of wine./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Of course he will." she snorts, "He's an arrogant prick. He'll think that there is no way that she survived, or that she hurt so badly she'll bleed out. It would be unfathomable that she might have only received a scratch."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You seem to have quite the low opinion of him." Scythe smiles, watching Ein carefully breaking into the vent./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Don't get me wrong. He's a decent assassin. Second best after me, but even still he can't compare to people like Ein and Zwei, or even her. He believe similar better than me, so naturally my apprentice would be far beneath him." Drei smirks, "If he would give up that attitude, he might have a chance, but until he stops thinking he's already won, he's already lost."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They stand in silence as Ein crawls through the vents, only speaking again as Ein aims her pistol at Zane's shoulder./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It would appear this game has reached the end. Just as phantom predicted." McGuire sighs, "With this bullet, Zane will lose his dominant arm, and likely be forced into the open. After that, it's over."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It might be." Drei says calmly, "But it would be over for her, not him."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Both look at her, surprise etched in their faces, "The builds off, and that jacket isn't the same one he was wearing. It's a trap. He'll be unharmed and fully ready to respond. Her self-confidence would disappear if her first attempt failed. She'd be easy prey."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Turning her attention to the screen, she smiles as Ein lowers her weapon and continues moving, "Either she figured it out, or decided better of shooting without a guaranteed kill."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I would guess it is the latter." Scythe smiles widely as his newest actor made her debut, "If neither I nor Mr. McGuire noticed, I would doubt that she saw through it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You give her too little credit. Her observation is as sharp as mine." Drei laughs, "The only question is will she be able to outwit Zane before they meet face to face. She isn't good enough to face him head on."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Then we shall see." McGuire says as they continue watching the events of the exam./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Ein keeps crawling for almost ten minutes, before she finally found an exit she could use. Casting Homenum Revelio, she found that there wasn't anyone around, so she tied another rope and climbed down, severing the rope with a cutter after she'd made it safely./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Behind her, she saw a door that was wide open. Very carefully, she checks inside and sees a large stockpile of weapons. She enters the armory and peers around./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"There were seven spaces missing. One was an assault rifle; two were pistols, one knife, two traps, and a piece of equipment. Most of those didn't bother her. The guns were with him, so until she found him they would remain an idle threat, the knife even more so since it was a shorter range. The traps had already been dealt with. What worried her was the missing equipment. The equipment could vary, from an ordinary bulletproof vest to full enchanted battle armor./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"At the corner of the Room, there was a rack of cloaks, possible bulletproof. One of them, however, struck her as very familiar. It was silvery and smooth, almost see through. Instinctively, she grabbed it and threw it around herself./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"In the polished metal of the nearby guns, she looked at herself and grinned. She couldn't see anything. With the cloak covering her entire body, she crept through the halls without a sound, making her way back to the chamber./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As soon as she walked into the room, she felt a sudden chill. Moments later, a shrill laugh echoed in the room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I know where you are, Ein!" he roars, "The wards around this room won't allow you to leave until one of us is dead!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Ein draws both her pistols, waiting for some sign of his location, but sees nothing. 'Could he have an Invisibility cloak too? No I just saw him earlier...' she walked soundlessly through the room, creeping to the place she'd seen before./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"There, in the exact same spot as before, she saw the figure crouched down, hiding behind the wall of creates, breathing shallowly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She pulls the revolver and places it an inch from the back of his head. Then, in a span of less than a second, cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger. The shot echoes horribly as the body fall to the ground. She looks at the body, and is shock to see it wasn't human. It was some manner of monkey. Knowing it was a trap, she jump behind the nearest crate just as a flash of green light collides where she'd been less than two seconds before./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She jumps out and looks where the light had come Tom, but she couldn't see anything. 'He did have one!' she thought cursing herself, 'in that case...'/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Two voices said at the same time, "Homenum Revelio!" she quickly looked in the direction of the voice, only to not see a thing. She jumped aside as a bolt of light shot seemingly for out of nowhere./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What's wrong?" he taunts, "Can't you find me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She fired a barrage of bullets at the place where he'd been a moment before, but he'd moved away. Another flash from her right forced her to move./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You can at least try!" he laughs, "This is why stupid little girls like you should be in our world!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She sneers, dropping one of her pistols back in its holster as she drew her wand. Again she fired a hail of bullets toward the last spell, and again she moves aside to dodge the return fire curse. This time however, she points her wand as she runs, "Reducto!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The red light collides with the wall of crates behind him, and all of them crash to the ground, leveling the area where he'd been standing. On impact, she heard a sickening crack, accompanied by a scream of pain. She jumps for cover as he starts firing killing curse everywhere, never moving from his current location./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"When the curses finally stop, she quietly sneaks out from her hiding spot. An invisible shape was attempting pitifully to stand on what was obviously a broken leg. Regardless, he was chuckling./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That should teach those bastards not to underestimate me. Next ill kill scythe, and that bastard McGuire, then I'll rape that bitch phantom and slit her fucking neck!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She glares at the man in hatred and points her wand at him, and said in a clear voice, "Avada Kedavra."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She never saw the look of horror on his face as the green light hit his chest. His body crumpled to the floor, and there was no movement./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe watches the ongoing fight with interest. Ein was certainly showing the fruits of her training, but Zane was effortlessly fighting her off. It was already obvious that he had far more actual combat experience. No doubt a product of his time in the auror office./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"His choice of equipment was brilliant. A cloak which blocks Homenum Revelio combined with disillusionment charm was certainly terrifying./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You still stand by your assessment, Phantom?" McGuire says as he watches the overwhelming advantage Zane has./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""He'll make a mistake, and she'll capitalize." Drei smirks, "If anything does happen, I'll go in and end it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe nods, and is taken aback by the massive explosion he heard through the speakers. All three of them turn their attention to the screen. A wall of crates was collapsing and through the sound of the crates breaking, you could still hear a distinctive scream./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm impressed." McGuire says approvingly, "Is he dead than?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Probably not. If he were dead, he couldn't have screamed." Drei shrugs and sure enough moments later a monstrous barrage of killing curse slammed into everything. All around the room, crates burst into green fire as the spell hit./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"After nearly five minutes of non-stop casting, the curses ended, and the room was silent except for his deranged laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You'd best be ready Phantom." Scythe sighs heavily as he turns the monitor off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Yeah I know." she says, walking into the building./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She effortlessly passes the few enchantments that Zane had set in the hall. It was a good thing she hadn't gone this way; she hadn't taught her how to break enchantments yet./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Inside the inner chamber, it looked like a bomb had hit, which, wasn't entirely inaccurate given the strength of her curse. At the center, she heard faint crying. That told her all she needed to know. With a wave of her hand, the disillusionment charm was lifted. Lying in the rubble, eyes wide in shock and fear, Zane was motionless./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She reaches out towards the crying and felt something brush against her hand. Lightly, she removes the cloak and helps the crying girl to her feet./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You did good." she says kindly, placing a hand on her forehead, "Get some sleep." Ein's eyes slide out of focus and she fall into Drei's arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"She carries the unconscious witch out of the warehouse. McGuire and Scythe are waiting by the limo./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""She performed admirably." McGuire says as she approaches, "A real shame."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Don't write her off yet." Cal says, walking past him, "She'd already killed him before I got there."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe's gasps at the news, and even McGuire couldn't keep his face emotionless. "Then what happened to her?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Placing her gently on the ground, she turns to her bosses, "She needed some rest, and I know from experience that she wouldn't have been able to get it on her own. A light sleep spell should do wonders for her."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Any idea how it happened?" Scythe asks excitedly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Most likely the killing curse. I didn't see any blood except from her leg and his knee." she answers, "For now, I think she should get to bed and I'll handle the body. I believe we should make an example out of him, don't you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Do what you wish." McGuire says as he gets in the back of his limo, "In this case, I don't believe that it would be proper to conceal it. Make it special, but try and draw attention away from us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Dorry!" Drei yells as the elf appears behind them, "Ein needs rest. Take her back to bed and keep an eye on her. I want to know the second that she wakes."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Yes mistress!" the elf exclaims, grabbing the witch and disappearing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe walks behind her, staring intently, "What will you do?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei smirks and walks back into the warehouse, calling back to him, "Enjoy the daily prophet tomorrow!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe chuckles and apparates back to his manor./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Drei levitated the body of the man once called Rufus Scrimgeour and began destroying any trace of the altercation. Every spot of blood, every splinter, and the holes in the walls and ceilings. The only evidence remaining was the chilling body floating beside her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"After it was clear to her satisfaction, she apparated the body to the middle of London, less than a mile from the ministry of magic. Drawing her wand from the holster at her wrist, she points it at the left arm. Slowly, remembering everything she'd learned from the man Igor Karkaroff, she began chanting, tracing a shape into the skin./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"A black line followed the tip of her wand, engraving the shape of a skull and a snake extruding from its mouth into the flesh. The mark began fading, but not so much as to be unrecognizable./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Satisfied, she stands, leaving the body on the ground. Pointing her wand to the sky, she shouts, "Morsmorde!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"A ball of green light shot into the sky, exploding outward, forming the same shape out of green stars. "That should do it." she smirks, apparating before the aurors could arrive./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe wakes early the next morning as the owl came, delivering a copy of the paper. Placing a Knut in the pouch, he accepts the paper and opens to the front page./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"He didn't need to look very hard for Phantoms message./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"strongem'The Dark Mark Rises! Scrimgeour Killed!'/em/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emLast night, horror filled the residences of London witches and wizards. Visible in the sky, for the first time in over a decade, the dark mark./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emAurors responded to the appearance within minutes, but found nothing, except a body. Former head of the Auror Office, Rufus Scrimgeour, who was wanted for the kidnapping of Astoria Greengrass from Hogsmeade Village two months ago, was found dead. Early reports indicate that he was murdered with the killing curse./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emThe dark mark, evidence that one has served You-Know-Who, was also rumored to have been inscribed on his arm. The Auror office has not released a statement at this time./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emSources within the ministry reveal that the prime suspect is Cyrus Greengrass. Lord Greengrass denied any involvement last night, but did say, "I'm glad he's dead. He deserved far worse, and he'd have gotten it if I'd found him."/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emDo these words prove his guilt? Perhaps not. Another theory of the crime revolves around the rumor that Scrimgeour was found with the dark mark. Could the remnants of the death eaters have killed one of their own to silence him?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"em /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"emWe at the Daily Prophet will continue to update you as this story progresses./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Scythe nearly laughed as he read the article. No matter which the masses believe, this will never come back on inferno. And as an added bonus, it could even silence that annoying diplomat./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Everything is going as planned." he smiles wildly, "Act one starts now."/p
