An hour after Esdeath's tournament. Inside the Imperial Palace.

Drake walked the decorative halls of the Capital's Palace for the very first time.

Though he used to be a member of the Imperial Army, the 31st Engineer Corps to be precise, he never even set foot in the Capital much less the palace. His unit usually was stationed on the frontier along the South boarder, so they would always been on edge for enemy attacks.

That was until after the war with the Southern Tribes ended, and they were reassigned to assist in 'keeping order within the Empire from rebel factions.'

Wasn't long after that when he and his unit realized what they were REALLY doing. He still hadn't forgiven himself for the atrocities he helped commit.

Walking along side him was the young teen Wave, the latter avoided eye contact as often as possible. No doubt still offended by the fact Drake tried to knock his lights out earlier.

Ahead of him was Esdeath, carrying an unconscious Tatsumi in her arms. The latter had been putting up quite a fight with the general and who could blame him? He was being kidnapped after all.

Walking a few steps to the left of her was another young man called Run.

He seemed like a nice boy, for what little he and Drake had conversed. That could all be a act though, a clever mask to hide his true nature.

"Run, gather the others." Esdeath suddenly spoke. "I would like to get the introductions out of the way at the earliest connivance."

"As you wish." Run replied with a nod. He whirled off at the next intersection, beginning his search for the other members of the Jaegers.

Moments passed as an awkward silence filled the air. Seeing as he get nowhere unless he took the initiative, Drake dared to break the lasting silence.

"So uh, what exactly do you have in mind for us?" Drake asked.

"Tatsumi and yourself are to become members of my army." Esdeath turned her head slightly to Drake. "I believe I told you that already."

"Yes, but in detail. If you don't mind."

Esdeath let out a sigh before turning her head back around. "My, my, so full of questions. I plan to share what I have in mind with the rest of the Jaegers. I rather not repeat myself, so you'll just have to wait patiently till then."

"Right..." Drake turned his head to Wave. Obviously he wasn't gonna get anywhere with Esdeath, so he might as well try patching things up with this kid.

"Hey," He nudged his elbow into Wave, grabbing his attention. "So what's you're story?"

Wave looked at him blankly for a few moments, frowning at the older man.

Drake let out a tisk. "OK, I'm sorry for almost punching you're lights out."

"Like you could old man."

"Hah?" Drake frowned. "You picking a fight boy?"

"Behave now." Esdeath cut in. "Or I'll have to discipline you two."

Both Wave and Drake felt a chill run down their spines. The two fell back into silence.

Drake cursed under his breath. His plan was to take advantage of Esdeath's offer and gain some intel on her Jaegers. They most likely will be an obstacle to Clockwork's overall objective, so gaining insight on their capabilities and weaknesses would be crucial at this stage.

That meant gaining their trust, and so far that wasn't working. This thing took time though, so he would have to bid his time an-

"I grew up in a fishing village along the ocean coast." Wave said, interrupting Drake's train of thought.

"I joined the Imperial Navy as soon as I came of age, fighting off pirates and Danger Beast. One day I got a summons to the Capital, next thing I knew I've been thrown in with a group of Imperial Arms users and here we are."

The teenager turned his gaze to Drake. "What about you? What were you doing up till now?"

Drake smiled, pleased that he was starting to make progress. "I grew up on the frontier, towards the West. One faithful day, my village was attacked by bandits and killed most of us."

"Oh...I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I got over it long ago." Drake continued. "With no place to call home, we headed inland. Some to the south or north, other towards the Capital."

Drake let out a shrug. "Me, I went South with a few guys. Right around that time the war with the Southern Tribes was blooming. So offered our services as mercenaries, few of us knew how to fight and all so we though that be a reasonable choice."

Drake paused before continuing his story filled with half truths.

"I was assigned with the Engineer corps, that's how I know a few things about engineering. We seen some shit though, nearly got wiped out at one point if it weren't for that one guy."

Memories flashed in Drake's eyes. Of his old friends, the war, and that night.

The night he almost died.

His mind wondered, reliving the hell of that time so long ago...


Years ago, along the Southern boarder...

It was night, the forest air was eerily still. The only noise offered that night were the clicking sounds of campfires and the low whispers of the Imperial soldiers gather around them.

Drake sat at one of those fires, holding conversation with his friends and comrades. They were talking about a fellow soldier who was becoming something of a legend in this war.

"No way man."

"No I'll serious! They say he's up to one-hundred kills already!"

"Bullshit man."

"There's no way some normal soldier could kill one hundred enemies in one campaign."

"Forty maybe, fifty tops, but not one hundred."

"That's the thing, he's not some ordinary soldier. They say he's got some Imperial Arms. The hell was the name of it? Incru...Incroso..."

"Incursio."

"Yeah, that's it."

"Are you daft? You need to be insanely strong to use that Imperial Arms."

"No goddamn way that rumor is legit."

"I'm tell you its the truth-"

"Corporal Drake." The booming voice of their platoon's officer cut in. Drake sat up, not as swiftly as one would expect but fast enough not to get an ear full.

"Sir?" The younger version of Drake replied.

"You are to relieve the current watch on the eastern side of the camp till O'3 hundred. Is that clear?"

"Sir, yessir."

"Then hop to it." The officer spun around, pacing to another part of the camp.

Drake stuck his tongue out before turning to the east.

"Suck for you eh Drake?" One of his friends said as he passed by.

"Shuttup." Drake replied in a sort of whine.


It took him ten minutes to reach the lookout position. Drake approached the guard currently on duty, stopping several feet from the man.

"Hey, I here to relieve you." He said, trying to get the guard's attention.

Silence. Odd.

Drake raised his eyebrow, then started to walk towards the soldier.

"Are you daft friend?"

Still, the guard remained silent. Even as Drake grew closer.

He grabbed the man's shoulder, pulling the latter back.

"Oy, you ok-"

That when Drake saw the blood. He neck had been cut, and judging from the warmth it happened recently.

He released his hand as the man fell back into the ground.

"What the fu-"

Drake heard a yell and spun around in time to see a masked tribesmen running at him, knife in hand.

Drake backed up, dodging the tribesman's opening attack.

He reached for his own knife as he kept backing up.

Suddenly, he was falling down. He cursed, realizing he tripped over the dead soldier.

The tribesmen was on him in seconds. Aiming his knife at Drake's chest.

The latter held back the knife with both hands, the tribesmen responded by grasping the knife with both hands. pushing down his body weight.

Drake grinned his teeth before taking a gamble. He let one of his hands loose, smashing it into the mix of fingers.

Luckily, the tribesmen was more focused on sinking the blade into his chest than holding onto his bloody knife as the blow sent the assailant's knife flying into the darkness.

Before he could follow it up, the tribesmen wrapped his hands around Drake's throat slowly choking him.

Drake grabbed at the mans arms trying to throw them off him. When that proved to go nowhere, he moved one hand to his side. He was trying to grab something. Anything to get this bastard off him.

After a few moments, he found something.

Whipping his arm with as much strength he had to offer, he smashed the rock he picked up into the side of the tribesman's head. It knocked the latter off and into the ground.

This time, Drake was upon him. He let out a roar before bringing down the rock on the man's face.

"Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!"

His nostrils flared, he smashed threw the barbarian's face mask but he didn't stop.

He the tribesmen again, and again, and again.

Blood squirting from his broken face, yet Drake kept hitting the man. Smashing his face over and over until it wasn't recognizable.

He fell back, breathing hard as he inched away for the dead assailant.

"Shit." Drake threw the rock aside. He looked at the corpse for a few moments.

He moved his hand down his face in an effort to calm himself, though doing so smeared the blood across his cheeks.

Drake took a deep breath and exhaled. Slowly, he sat up. Again, he looked at the man he just killed.

It wasn't the first time he killed someone, but that was the closest call he had in a long while. It always left an impression on someone, knowing they stared death in the face and survived.

Then he heard the screaming, coming from the camp. Of course this barbarian wasn't alone.

Drake grinned his teeth and cursed. "Never a dull moment."


He ran, ran as fast as he could.

By the time he arrived, the camp was ablaze.

Drake's eyes raced, trying to find someone still alive. All he seen around was bodies. theirs and ours. At least we were putting up a fight.

Drake took off, searching for someone still alive.

He felt something bump his leg, he looked down and saw a automatic machine gun.

Drake quickly scooped it up. He had whatever rounds were left in the magazine, and judging from the lack of shells he hoped it was a full one.

He kept running threw the camp, careful to avoid tripping over anymore bodies. He rounded a corner and found someone.

A lot of someones.

About ten tribesmen looked at the Imperial soldier, shifting their weapons towards him.

"This is what happens when I charge blindly around a battlefield." Drake smiled, aiming his gun at the small crowd. "Now who's first!?"

He opened fired, quickly taking down the three in the front. The four in the back pulled out their bows as the other two flanked Drake from both sides.

The soldier turned to his right and fired at that one. After he fell, Drake spun around, aiming at the second but that latter was too close.

The barbarian threw his spear froward. Drake tilted to one side, the spear grazing his side as he aimed with gun with one hand.

"Bye."

He pulled the trigger, the tribesman's face exploding from the near point black rounds. Drake turned towards the remaining four. Their bows armed and aimed at him.

Arrows flew past him, some even nicked his face, but he didn't flinch. He continued forward, mowing down the four archers.

When it was all over, Drake lowered he gun and sighed. "Where the hell is everyon-"

He heard another yell, he turned and ran towards the source.

After a few moments, Drake arrived in an open space: The center of the camp.

All around were tribesmen and Imperials fighting one another. And the tribesmen were winning.

A soldier let out a yell as a spear pieced through his chest. His killer tilted his head, looking directly at Drake.

The latter ginned his teeth, aiming his gun at the barbarian.

His finger pulled the trigger.

Click. Empty.

"Shit!" He cursed, throwing the weapon aside.

The tribesman slowly walked towards him, savoring the moment before his next kill.

Drake pulled out his combat knife and took up a fighting stance. He fought his way out of tougher situations, and he sure as hell wasn't gonna die here.

Before he realized it, the tribesman dashed at the soldier at an alarming speed.

By the time Drake seen him, the man was a few inches away.

Drake took a step back, watching the tribesman's spear inch closer and closer.

'Too fast!'

Cling!

The barbarian fell. Drake blinked a few times, trying to take in what just happened.

Out of nowhere, an armored, cape wearing man appeared in front of him. No doubt saved his life too.

The man tilted his head back.

"Sorry I'm late." He said behind his armored face. "I'll take care of things from here."

Drake vaguely heard someone calling his name, everything started to fade to white.

"Who are you?" Drake asked.

The man turned to face him, showing his armor in full detail.

"My name's Bulat. The Hundred Man Slayer."


"-Drake!"

Reality came back to the spiky haired man.

"Huh?...What?" He looked to his left, Wave was staring back at him.

"You drifted off there for a bit."

"Ah." Drake scratched the back of his head. "Sorry about that."

Wave tilted his head. "You sure you ok?"

"Yeah just...memories."

They were quiet for the rest of the walk.

"Here we are." Esdeath said before stopping in front of a door. She reached out with her free hand and pulled it open.

The three, well technically four of them, walked inside.

The room was of a simple design, seven chairs with a long table and a fireplace along the wall. Nothing special compared to some of the rooms within the palace.

Esdeath pulled out a chair and carried it to a spot a fair distance away from the table. She genitally place Tatsumi in it before tying him in place.

"That should keep him from running away." She said with a smile.

Esdeath took a few steps back, admiring Tatsumi for a few silent moments.

"I'll just take a set then." Drake said before pulling out a chair.

"That's fine." Esdeath replied, half paying attention.

Drake placed his elbow on the table, letting out a sigh.

This was gonna be a lot of work, he just knew it.


The rest of the Jaegers arrived in the room twenty minutes after, by that time Tatsumi regained consciousness.

At first, he responded as expected, flailing about while demanding why he was here. After a few minutes of that and realizing it would get him nowhere, Tatsumi piped down.

"Everyone, this is Tatsumi. He is my lover and will be joining the Jaegers starting today." Esdeath said to her subordinates. Each studied Tatsumi for a few moments before their gaze collectively shifted to Drake, of whom was sitting quietly at the table.

"Oh and that's Drake, a veteran of the Southern Tribe wars and a fairly intelligent man." Esdeath said like she forgotten his existence for a moment. "He'll be joining us too."

'Wait to make me feel like a third wheel.' Drake said mentally. He held up his hand. "Yo, nice to meet yeah."

The orange haired one, Seryu was the first to respond.

"Hello!" She walked up to Drake, grasping both of his hands. "It's so nice to meet a fellow ally of justice!"

"Uh...yeah of course." Drake looked to his right, noticing a fire in Tatsumi's eyes as the latter stared angrily at Seryu.

'So you know this one.' Drake made a mental note of that.

A small dog like being started hopping up and down beside Seryu and Drake.

The forward released her grip, holding the dog up for Drake to see.

"And this is my partner Coro. He's my Imperial Arms."

Drake blinked a few times as the dog made a bit of a ruckus. It seemed like it wanted to fight him or something.

"Ah, an organic type." Drake said with a smile. "Well aren't you lucky."

Run and Wave were the next one to approach him.

"We already meet once but haven't been properly introduced. The name's Run."

"And you know me as Wave."

Drake nodded with a smile. "Aye, I remember. Nice to work with you."

He felt a cold sweat pore down his spine. Playing house wasn't his thing, but he had to act for these fools. If he didn't hell they might kill him. Actually they would kill him should they expect anything, Esdeath was their leader after all.

Drake sat up and walked over to the remaining Jaeger members. He approached the only other girl in the group, asking for her name.

"Kurome" She replied bluntly.

From that response, and the fact that Drake knew she was a member of the Empire's child assassins, he assumed she wasn't much of a social type and left her alone.

He moved on to the next one: Dr. Stylish.

The doctor was a bit of a celebrity within the Imperial Army. A man of great intellect and skill, able to revive people on the blink of death while improving their bodies. By improve, it meant adding hidden weapons within that person's body.

And seeing as Seryu had metallic arms now, Drake could guess she was another one of his many patients.

Along with all this, the good doctor was famous for was his...well...feminist side.

"Dr. Stylish, I assume." Drake said with a smile. "You're a bit of a celebrity or so I've heard."

"Oh?" Dr. Stylish smirked. "I'm surprise someone like you would know of me, but then again it's only natural for someone of such masculine beauty would be known far and wide."

'And he's full of himself.'

Drake let out a small chuckle. "Uh right. Anyway nice to meet you." He held out his hand.

The doctor looked at for a silent moments before turning a full 180. "Sorry hon, you're not my type."

Drake felt his eye twitch as he did his best not to deck this homosexual.

"Yeah...sure ok."

Anger seeped out of his voice. Just what the hell does shaking a person's hand have anything to do with matchmaking?!

Drake raised his fist, retraining himself as he really, really, REALLY wanted to punch the doctor.

Before his control slipped any further, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Drake lowered his fist and turned his head back.

It was the big guy; Bols. Also the scariest looking one among them, though it didn't imitate the Clockwork agent one bit. He seen plenty of scarier things in war.

"Uh sorry..." Bols said. "It's just...you seemed like you well...and I wanted to stop you so...I'm sorry."

Drake let out a laugh. Who would've guessed this guy was timid type? "Na, you actually did me a favor."

He spun around and slapped the big guy on his back. "Nice to meet yeah, didn't catch your name."

"Oh sorry, it's Bols."

"Drake." He held out his hand. "Pleasure working with yeah."

Bols hesitated for a few moments, the awkwardly shook the man's hand. "I'm sure well get along fine...maybe...hopefully..." He placed his free hand on the back of his head. "I'm sorry. I just get nervous and I..."

"Don't sweat it mate." Drake said with a chuckle. "Everyone gets nervous around new people, well most of 'em."

"If you're done with the little meet and greet," Esdeath cut in. "Then we should get down to business."

'Or more like: "OK guys, you've paid enough attention to Drake for one day, time to focus on Tatsumi over here." Lousy bitch.' Drake mocked mentally. 'Why the hell did you invite me in the first place if you're gonna treat me like this?'

"Before that." Wave said as he raised his hand. "I have a question."

Esdeath nodded. "Speak."

The young man pointed at Tatsumi. "What's with the collar?"

Esdeath smiled like the man just asked a question with an obvious answer.

"Why, it's to show he's my lover of course."

"Well here's a suggestion." Run added. "If he's meant to be your lover and not as your pet, you might want to take that collar off. If you want people to tell the difference that is."

Esdeath opened her mouth for a moment, the covered it with her hand.

After a few minutes of mental debate, she had to agree with Run's logic and removed the collar from Tatsumi. While she was at it, she removed the restrains bounding him to the chair.

"So," Esdeath spoke as she sat upright. "Are any of you married or in a relationship?"

Everyone looked with interest or surprise as Bols was the only to raise his hand.

'Seriously?' Was the word that seemed to pop up in everyone's mind.

"I've been married to a beautiful wife for 6 years!" He said his cheeks turned red, which was really odd that they could tell given he was wearing a mask and all. "Honestly, she's too good for someone like me. I don't deserve such a woman."

"So, what must I do for Tatsumi to return my affection?" Esdeath asked bluntly.

"Well, above all else you must never give up!" Bols said with enthusiasm. "My wife turned me down twice before accepting my love. You just need to wait for the right time to strike, so keep in mind that it probably will take some time."

Esdeath nodded as she wrote Bols's advice down in a small journal. "That is very helpful."

At that moment, the door swung open. Everyone turned, surprised to see who was standing there.

Slowly pacing his way in was the Chairmen of the Senate Fuyu. His eyes focusing on Esdeath.

Everyone grew silent, feeling a mix of wonder, surprise and dread. This was a legend after all, right up there with Commander in Chief Budo and General Esdeath herself.

Drake gulped, wondering if Fuyu knew what he was up to.

As he past by, Fuyu briefly looked at Drake and gave him a wink. That was more than enough to calm the old soldier down.

He knew what Drake was planing and didn't have any objections with his plan. That was good, especially since he was making progress. Even if it was slow.

Fuyu stopped, staring face to face with General Esdeath. The latter crossed her arms as the two stared at each other in silence.

"So what's this I heard about you wanting to fall in love?" Fuyu asked after a number of minutes past.

"Oh?" Esdeath let out a smirk. "Where did you hear that?"

"Honest told me last night." Fuyu shifted his feet a bit. "Really took me by surprise, but then again everyone experiences these things sooner or later."

"Funny coming from the playboy."

Fuyu let out a laugh. "You know that all those women serving at my household were gifts from the Minister. I haven't done anything to them."

Esdeath shook her head with a smile "You are such a terrible liar."

Fuyu shrugged his shoulders with a smirk. Then looked at Tatsumi. "Who's this?"

Esdeath looked at the boy, blushing red. "This is Tatsumi, he's the one I'm romantically interested in."

Fuyu moved closer to Tatsumi. "Is that so?" Fuyu crouched down, looking the Night Raid member directly in his eyes.

The latter flinched for a moment, then returned the look with a fierce one of his own.

After a few long moments, Fuyu smiled at the boy. "Well he has potential, no doubt about that."

"Right? I knew it from the moment I first laid eyes on him."

Fuyu stood back up, then patted Tatsumi on the soldier. "He's a good fine. I'm sure he'll be a fine warrior someday."

Tatsumi's eyebrow raised at the familiarity of the statement. The last time someone praised him like that was a few days ago when he and Bro fought the Three Beasts.

He looked up at Fuyu, the latter simply nodded. This raise a number of questions in Tatsumi's head. Was that suppose to be some sort of sign? That he knew who Tatsumi was? Or was it a coincidence?

And his name...Fuyu. He heard it somewhere before, but he couldn't remember. He had to find out, but now wasn't the time.

Fuyu turned toward Esdeath. "You certainly know how to pick'em sis."

Everyone reacted with looks of shock at the word sis, everyone except Drake and Esdeath.

Why thank you." She looked off somewhere to her right, blushing. "It...means a lot coming from you."

"Of course." Fuyu took two steps towards Esdeath and embarrassed her in a hug. "What are brothers for?"

"Wait..." Wave cut in. "So you two...Are you really?"

Fuyu released Esdeath from his hug, holding her at arms length. "Yeah, we're brother and sister."

"WHAT?!" Most of the Jaegers, along with Tatsumi shouted.

True, they looked alike and had the same colored hair but still: ESDEATH HAS A BROTHER?!

Fuyu looked at Esdeath. "You didn't tell them about me did you."

"Oh, it sort of slipped my mind."

"Ehh?! How could you forget to mention such an important detail?"

"I just forgot, simple as that."

"Simple as that? Is that all I am to you?" Fuyu embarrassed Esdeath once more, rubbing his cheek against his own as a stream of tears flowed from his face. "Just another someone in the crowd? Oh what happened to us? To the litt'Esdeath that used to cling to me everyday?"

Esdeath closed her eyes, giving a smile that was a mix of embarrassment and humorous disbelief. "Come now, you're making a scene."

She started to push Fuyu away, but the latter only tightened his grip.

"This is embarrassing. Get off!" She said, pushing even harder.

As the two 'siblings' had their...moment. The members of the Jaegers talked amongst themselves.

(Note: I'm just gonna let you guys and girls have a little fun guessing which Jaeger is saying what. ;)

"So, is anyone else freaked out by this or is it just me?"

"Those two actually seem like a normal brother and sister."

"Well a clingy brother and a normal sister anyway."

"It's kind of funny seeing it on the other end."

"I'm amazed there's someone Esdeath's allows to act that way."

"It just shows how much they care for each other."

"...Yeah ok."

Drake chuckled as quietly as he could since he already knew all the details behind those two's relationship. It was little wonder why they put on the act, these reactions were too funny.

Tatsumi felt a cold chill rush threw his body. He finally remembered where he heard the name Fuyu.

Lubbock mentioned him before, this was the man who paired with Esdeath years ago.

Known as the "Tyrant Duo", they single-handedly destroyed entire armies. Lubbock never mentioned what happened to the man and here he was, alive and well.

Tatsumi grinned his teeth, there were two figures of immense strength right in front of him and one most likely knew who he really was.

Tatsumi cursed beneath his breath. This wasn't good. Not at all.

"Joking aside." Fuyu said as he released his dear sister, the man's tears suddenly dried up. He turned toward the Jaegars behind him. "For those of you who didn't know: My name is Fuyu, current Chairmen of the Senate."

He rested one hand on Esdeath's head, genitally patting her head. "And this is my beautiful as she is deadly sister Esdeath, but you already knew that."

Esdeath blushed in that way sister did when their older brother's did something embarrassing. "Haven't you harassed me enough for one day?"

Fuyu let out a laugh. "My bad, my bad." He retracted his hand. "I'll take my leave now."

Fuyu stated to move towards the door, Esdeath let out a sigh. "And you wonder why I didn't introduce you to them."

"Oh come now, don't be like that." Fuyu replied without slowing his pace.

He neared Drake, looking at the man. The latter meet his gaze. Fuyu nodded as he held his right hand up to his chest. He flashed a few hand signals at Drake, waiting for the latter give some sort of acknowledgement that understood.

As he past, Drake smiled. "Nice seeing you, bossman." He whispered the last part. Fuyu smiled in kind.

He reached to door, hand moving to the handle.

"Oh and one more thing." Fuyu said as he turned his head back, closing his eyes as he gave them an innocent smile. "If any of you cause my dear Esdeath any sort of trouble, I'll kill you. Is that understood?"

The bulk of the Jaegers gulped before nodding in unison.

"As long as that's clear." Fuyu opened the door. "Then there shouldn't be a problem, should there?"

He took a step out into the hall, waving his arm in goodbye.

Fuyu closed the door and began to walk down the hall.

"I'm surprised." Fuyu said in a low voice. "Who would have thought that Tatsumi would cause you to change so much?" He smiled.

"This may...complicates things. I might actually regret killing you, my dear Esdeath."


Later that night...

Drake, Tatsumi and Esdeath watched from a cliff overlooking a bandit held fortress. This was the Jaegers first target.

In a matter of minutes, the members of Esdeath's army decimated the bandits within. Even so much as sent the place ablaze.

It was an impressive sight, and showed each members fighting capabilities as well as most of their Imperial Arms.

Very valuable intel.

"Damn. That's some destructive power." Drake commented. "You sure have a powerful lot here."

But he was simply ignored. Esdeath was currently infatuated with Tatsumi.

Seeing as he was nothing but a third wheel, Drake decided to take a walk and see if Esdeath would even bother noticing he took off.

He walked into a nearby forest, and was a fair length into it when he heard a branch snap off to his left.

Drake looked, smiling at his partner.

"Yo." Pryo said, holding up one hand. "Having fun yet?"

Drake let out a sigh. "Loads."

"Well that's what happens when you act on your own." Pryo grinned his teeth in a smirk. "I here I though Raryu was the only one who'd do something like that."

Drake rolled his eyes. "Whatever, so what'ch you doing here?"

"Ah, checking on you mostly." Pryo replied with a shrug. "Found out anything yet?"

"I got the names of the members, and an idea of their fighting strength and most of their Imperial Arms." Drake scratched the back of his head. "As a group, they're like a force of nature. Individually I'd say they can't be much different than how strong we think Night Raid's members are."

"Uh huh." Pyro crossed his arms as he leaned against a nearby tree. "What kind of people are this Jaegers anyway?"

"Well they're a mix bunch." Drake held his arms behind his head. "There's Wave, just a kid and a lot like Tatsumi. So far he's the closest thing to a friend I have in the Jaegers. Next is Dr. Stylish, you know him from his affiliations within the Imperial Army. Then there's Seryu, a young girl obsessed with her own sense of justice. I swear she's got a few screws loose."

"There's Run, another younger guy. He acts nice but I think he's hiding something. Then there's Kurome."

"Kurome?" Pyro cut in.

"Uh, yeah." Drake remember his partner had a history with the two sisters. "She's doing fine, if that's what you're worried about."

"That's good, but..." Pryo clawed his fingers into his skin. "If she's in the Jaegers, there's a chance she'll fight Akame."

"Aye." Drake looked at the ground. "We'll do all we can to avoid that from happening."

Pryo closed his eyes and smiled. "I'd appreciate that."

"And lastly, there's a man named Bols." Drake continued.

Pryo's eyes widened. 'Bols...!'

"He's seems to be a timid guy, which is weird since he used to be apart of the Incineration Squad."

Pryo grinned his teeth. Fire swirled around his feet.

Drake lowered his arms as he took a step back. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Pryo pushed off the tree, lowering his arms as he took a step forward. The fire swirling around him started to grow, it spun faster and faster burning the ground beneath.

"Bols!-"

"-Jean!"

Pyro snapped out of his rage, he and Drake turned their heads towards the figure that called him by his real name. Standing a fair distance from the two was Joker, accompanied by one of Serpentine's ninja hosts.

Joker shook his head back and forth once. "Now is not the time." He paced over them. "You'll have your chance," Jast placed a hand on Pryo's shoulder. "I swear it."

Pryo reached up and grabbed the man's hand. "Sorry...I lost my cool there."

Joker nodded. "It's alright." He turned his head to Drake. "I came to see how you were holding up."

"Oy oy, aren't you thoughtful?" Drake ginned his teeth in a smile. "Now if only my new team would act the same way you guys did."

Joker chuckled. "If they were, then you would feel bad when you leave them."

"Ah, maybe."

Jast turned his head back to Pryo. "Lets go back."

Pryo nodded, following the latter's lead. The two took a few steps before Serpentine approached Drake.

"Seriously, the hell was that about?" The latter said.

"His entire village was incinerated for speaking out against Empire." Serpentine answered. "He watched as everyone he cared about burnt to death."

He paused long enough for Drake to turn his head. Serpentine continued, looking the latter in the eye.

"It was all carried out by the Incineration Squad. By Bols."

"Shit." He turned back to the fading figure of Pryo. "No wonder he reacted like that."

Serpentine nodded. "Who wouldn't?" He paused a moment before adding. "You should head back. The Jaegers have almost reach Esdeath. They would find it suspicious if you weren't there."

Drake let out a tisk. "I bet that bitch Esdeath didn't even look to see if I was there."

"You would be correct."

"Man." Drake scratched the top of his head. "Well at least I don't have to worry about my getaway."

"Perhaps, but seriously get going."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going." Drake traveled back the way he came, rejoining Tatsumi and Esdeath moments before the rest of the Jaegers arrived.

Together, they began the hourly trip back to the Capital.


Some time later, back at the Palace...

Drake walked the silent halls and towards his room. Each member of the Jaegers had a private room, and he was no exception.

He reached the door, opened it, and quickly walked inside. It had been a long day, and Drake couldn't wait to throw himself onto his-

"Hey." Pyro said with a wave. "What took you?"

Drake's eye twitched for a moment before letting out a sigh. He knew his partner could turn himself into freely turn himself into fire, but he had no idea how the hell he managed to sneak into places undetected like this.

"What you want?" Drake tilted his head back. "I'm tired, and you're sitting on my bed."

"Oh." Pyro sat up, moving out of his partner's way. "My bad."

Drake walked over to his bed, and promptly fell upon it. His face hitting the pillow, covering it completely.

"So what did you want?" He said, his voice muffled by the pillow.

Pyro hesitated at first. Figuring how best to word what he wanted to say.

"I wanted to, apologize for earlier." He started to say. "That wasn't something you needed to see."

Drake flipped himself over. "Whatever man. I would've done the same if I had the same fucked up history."

"So you know."

"Aye."

Pryo gave Drake a sad smile. "Whenever things get too hot for you, just know we got your back."

"Heh, thanks partner." Drake paused a few moments before adding. "What about the boy?"

"Tatsumi?" Pyro turned to his side. "Tatsumi's a resourceful kid. He'll figure something out." He shrugged his shoulders. "If not, oh well."

"Real optimistic mate."

Pryo let out a single laugh. "Optimism's something we can't afford these days."

"Eh, maybe." Drake smiled. "Still, don't count that kid out yet."

"Especially after he kicked your dumbass."

"A tie!" Drake quickly sat up. "I don't care what they say, it was a tie!"

"Sure sure." Pryo turned back around. "I think I've bothered you long enough. Night partner." And with that, he vanished into a swirl of fire. Leaving no trace that he was even there, aside from the charred markings on the stone floor.

Drake threw himself back against his bed, looking up at the ceiling

"Night, you scary bastard you."


The following morning...

Tatsumi felt like absolute crap.

He couldn't sleep at all. He spent the night in Esdeath's room, trying to convince the latter into joining the Revolutionary Army. Having failed at that, they slept in the same bed together as she treated him like a body pillow.

It wasn't a fun experience.

He walked the halls much like a zombie. Luckily no one usually traveled this part of the palace aside the Jaegers so he wouldn't cause a scene.

"Mornin' boy." A voice ahead of him called out. Tatsumi raised his head and saw the muscular figure of Drake waving at him.

"Don't you look like crap." He said with a smile.

"Eh, I feel like it." Tatsumi replied, taking a few more steps before stopping several steps from Drake. "I was so nervous I hardly slept, and when I woke up Esdeath was spooning me."

Drake slapped one of his hands on his face and roared in laughter. "Oh is that right?" He calmed down after a few minutes of laughing. "Tatsumi, you do know many people would kill for a chance to sleep in the same bed with someone as beautiful as Esdeath, much less spooning them."

"Yeah well maybe next time you can take my place."

Drake smiled. "Ah, if she wasn't as much of a bitch than I'd consider it."

That woke Tatsumi up. "Are you crazy?" He said in a low tone voice. "What if someone hears you?"

"Look around Tatsumi." Drake held his hands up to his soldiers. "No one's here to listen in."

Tatsumi blinked a few times before taking a look around. Drake was right, they were completely alone.

"Before someone comes looking for the two of us," Drake continued. "I wanna take you to see a friend of mine."

"A...Friend?"


A few minutes later...

Fuyu sat on his favorite chair upon a deck overlooking his garden.

Well, it wasn't really his garden rather the project of one of his many servants. Fuyu didn't mind, in fact in encouraged the idea as a hobby for the servant.

Over the years, the garden grew into a group hobby as a number of his staff put at least some form of effort into maintaining it.

He was rather impressed by the various planets and other vegetation growing in the backyard of his private mansions.

"Um...Ex-excuse me." A young voice called out to him.

Fuyu turned his head back and smiled. Behind him was one of his newest servants; a young pink haired girl name Air.

The latter was dressed in a light blue short skirted maid outfit. She was blushing, avoiding eye contact with her new master.

"Th...There's a visitor here for you."

Fuyu couldn't help but laugh at how adorable she was.

"Of course." He turned around and strolled towards Air.

Fuyu stopped a few inches off to her right. She starred at the ground, her cheeks still bright red.

The Partas survivor smiled. He leaned forward, grasping Air's chin with two fingers. He turned her face towards his own.

"Thank you Air." Fuyu said, before locking his lips against her own. He held that kiss for a few long moments before pulling his head back.

He leaned back without moving his gaze from the young girl. Air's face was bright red now, her eyes locked on him.

Fuyu smiled once more for her, moving a hand to the top of her head. He patted her, like an obedient pet.

"Keep up the good work." He said between the motions. Retracting his hand a few moments after.

Air smiled, her face still shinning red. "Ye-Yes!"

Fuyu let out a slight chuckle before he moved past the young girl.

It had only been a several weeks since he save this girl and her friends from a slaver and the group of scumbags called Enthusiasts. They were a group composed of wealth men that got their kicks at torturing young girls.

He was glad he eradicated that detestable group down to the last man. Filth like that had no place in his ideal world.

However, Air and her friends Luna and Fal had nowhere to go since their village sold them to help pay off the Empire's overwhelming taxes. Out of the kindness in his heart, Fuyu offered to send their village money in return for their services.

While Air was assigned to his staff here at his home, her friends were sent to assist in his various intelligence network. At first, Luna and Fal didn't agree to the particular roles they were assigned, but with time Fuyu was able to win them over.

After all, they were helping him change this Empire for the better so no one would have to deal with what they were experiencing any longer. Though they might be enjoying themselves right now.

Most of the people that worked in his massive network and his home staff were female, either a 'gift' from the Prime Minister himself or a fortunate case that Fuyu decided to save from an otherwise desperate situation.

Of course, that didn't mean Fuyu hadn't had any fun with them either.

But that's a story for another time.

It took Fuyu several long minutes to make his way down to the front door. By the time he started to descend the final set of steps between the 2nd floor and the ground floor, his guests were already shown inside waiting patiently with one of his various maids.

"Welcome to my home," Fuyu said as he descended, extending his arms to his sides in a sort of welcome. "I hope you'll fine it to your liking."

"Well...I never really been in a mansion this big before." Tatsumi was the first to respond. "I gotta say, it looks rather impressive."

Fuyu chuckled, having finally reached the ground floor, he continued towards his two guests. "Thank you, I designed it myself."

"Wait for real?"

"HA!" Drake crossed his arms. "Don't take all the credit you cheeky bastard."

Fuyu laughed. "OK, so maybe I didn't design all of it but certainly most."

Drake closed his eyes and nodded. "Better." He opened them once more and turned around. "Alright, you two have your fun. I'll make sure no one interrupts you guys till you're done."

"Thank you." Fuyu said with a nod.

Drake smirked at Tatsumi before heading out, the latter had little idea what the hell was going on.

"Now then," Fuyu said, drawing Tatsumi's attention. "We need to talk." The winter-blue haired man looked at his servant whom stayed quiet up till now. "Can you prepare us some tea?"

"Of course master." The maid headed off.

Fuyu nudged his head. "Follow me."

He lead Tatsumi to one of his conference rooms. This one aimed for more present conversation as well as a room to enjoy a small meal with a small number of people.

Fuyu pulled out a chair and motioned Tatsumi to sit. The latter did, staying awkwardly silent.

His host sat in a chair directly across from him, his elbows on the table as he balled his hands up.

The two held their silence, even after the maid from before returned and place a cup of tea before each of them.

Fuyu sighed, picking up the tea before him. He took a sip, savoring the flavor before placing it back on the table.

"You must have questions." He said before balling his fist up one more. "Feel free to ask anything on your mind. No one will hear what we have to say."

"You sure?" Tatsumi spoke for the first time since they arrived in that room.

Fuyu replied with a casual nod.

The young member of Night Raid looked at Fuyu. "OK then," He started. "So...Are you and Esdeath really related?"

Fuyu blinked a few times before letting out a laugh. He sat back in his chair, smiling at Tatsumi. "Of all the questions you could have ask, you choose to start with that one. You really are a funny guy, you know that?"

He paused before continuing. "We aren't biologically related, but we are the last of a Northern clan known as the Partas. So the two of us are the closest thing we have to a relative."

"What happened to everyone else?"

Fuyu turned his head slightly to his left. "Do you really want to know?" He paused. "We were attacked by a rival clan. They wiped us out, sparing no one."

Fuyu leaned forward, his gaze focusing on a single spot at the center of the table. "They killed all the men and children. Raping the women before sending them to join their loved ones in the next life. It was hell on Earth, considering I was 6 at the time."

He looked into Tatsumi's eyes. "I nearly died that day. It's only due to a miracle that I'm alive."

Tatsumi's jaw hung open. He never knew, never would have guessed these two had experience such a tragic event when they were kids.

"Wait..What about Esdeath?"

"She was the only one away during the time of the attack, she was lucky not to experience such a thing. Then again, maybe she wouldn't be as cold-hearted if she had."

The two fell back into silence before Tatsumi asked another question. "You know who I am? Who I really am?"

Fuyu closed his eyes and smiled. "Tatsumi, a young teen hoping to prevent everyone in his village from starving to death by making a fortune in the Capital." He opened his eyes. "Sounds about right so far?"

Tatsumi nodded.

"After your arrival, you came into contact with a group of assassins known as Night Raid and were folded into their ranks." The Chairmen continued. "You currently possess the Imperial Arms Incursio entrusted to you by your friend and mentor Bulat, another member of Night Raid and former commando of the Imperial Army."

"Now, after capturing the heart of my dear sister, you find yourself forced into her private army: The Jaegers and deep in hostile territory."

Fuyu smiled. "Right now, only five people within the palace know about you and your current situation."

Five?!

Tatsumi's heat skipped a beat.

"Don't worry." Fuyu held up one hand. "They all work for me, so you're safe for the time being."

Tatsumi sighed, the raised his eyebrow. "Why don't you turn me in? You know all about me after all."

Fuyu grinned his teeth in a smile. "Now, that wouldn't be any fun. Besides, I could use someone like you."

"Oh great," Tatsumi said sarcastically. "I'd love to help you out."

Fuyu chuckled. "Well before that, I should tell you about us."

"Us?"

Tatsumi saw a swirl of light in the corner of his eye and turned that way. Leaning against the wall in a far corner was a tall man dressed in dark blue pants and a open zippered jacket with fully feathers outlining the top.

"What's up?" He said with a smile.

Tatsumi shot up in his chair.

"How did yo-"

He heard the sound of a window opening, Tatsumi turned his head and saw a shinobi leaning cross legged along a wall not too far from an open window.

He was dressed like an average ninja, save the metal base plate tied around his forehead held by a dark red ribbon.

"It's been awhile." The ninja looked at the bewildered teen. "How have you been Tatsumi?"

Tatsumi spun around, about to say how he never meet the guy in his life when he notice the peculiar eyes this shinobi had.

Yellow snake eyes.

And then it clicked.

"You're...Serpentine?"

The ninja closed his eyes. "Indeed, though I am in different host than before."

"Wait. Host?"

Serpentine opened his eyes. "Yes, host. I'm a parasite Tatsumi." He crossed his arms. "Did you think a normal human being would have these eyes?"

"So, you're an Imperial Arms?" Tatsumi placed his hand on his chin. "Or are you a Danger Beast? And how do you even inhabit another person's body?"

He ruffled through his hair with both hands. "Man, I'm confused."

Serpentine chuckled. "The host you see before you is a shinobi known as Aku. The one you last meet was a papered rich boy named Steven who lives here in the Palace. He has a taste for foreign cloths, which is why I was wearing those strange dressings last time."

He extended one hand outward. A bulge appeared in his covered sleeve and worked it's way down. "And this, is what I use to place my essence in someone." He said, moments before the bulge reached the end of his sleeve.

Tatsumi heard a hissing, then made out a head popping out the ninja's sleeve.

It was a dark green snake, swaying its head from side to side.

Tatsumi stared at the reptile for a few long moments. "Place your essence?" He looked into Serpentine's eyes. "What like plan your eggs inside of people?"

"Something like that." Serpentine pulled his arm back as the snake retracted into his sleeve. "That serpent, along with a number of others, are a part of me. All they need to do is bite someone once for me to take control."

"That's scary. How many people can you take control of at once?"

"Good question." Serpentine closed his eyes. "The most I've controlled at one time was..." He paused a few moments. "Five hundred?"

"What?!" Tatsumi slammed his hands on the table before him, causing the tea cup by him to bounce. "How is that possible?"

"You could ask my creator, but he dead along time ago." Serpentine reopened his eyes. "All I know is that I was created...differently than other Imperial Arms."

"Differently how?"

"You're guess is as good as mine."

"Don't forget about me." Pyro cut in. He waited for Tatsumi to spin his head around before continuing. "The name's Pyro. It's nice to meet a friend of Akame."

"How do you know Akame?" He asked without thinking. It took Tatsumi a moment to remember what Akame and Lubbock reported the other day. "You're that Clockwork guy who showed up in front of Lubbock and Akame the other day!"

Pyro smiled, nodding at the young man. "As for the last question; I meet her and Kurome once before. Back when I traveled with my parents, looking for a place to settle down."

"Kurome?" Tatsumi's mind flashed with images of the young Jagear member. She did look and act a lot like Akame, but didn't have the chance to ask about it. "Are you telling me Akame and Kurome are related?"

Pyro blinked a few times before letting out a sign. "Yeah, those two are sisters."

Tatsumi felt his heart skip a beat. They were sisters AND on opposing sides of the brewing revolution. That was a cruel turn of fate.

"To think, those two were inseparable way back when." Pyro continued, placing a hand over his face. "As things stand, they're going to kill each other."

"There has to be a way to avoid that!" Tatsumi shouted. "Maybe we can turn Kurome from the Em-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there Tatsumi." Pyro looked the latter dead in the eye. "If there was such a way, don't you think Akame would have tried it when she left the Empire?"

Tatsumi's eyes widened. "No way..."

He looked at the ground. Pyro had a point plus he knew Akame. Knowing she was leaving the Capital, Akame would have done anything to get her sister to follow, but she didn't. Which begs the question: Why did Kurome stay?

"I don't know her reasons, but Kurome decided to stay." Pyro said with a sigh. "That girl's stubborn, so you can forget about changing her mind. All we can do now is keep those two away from each other as long as possible."

"Is that...The only way?"

"Afraid so." Pyro gave a sad smiled. "We'll just have to do whatever we can, eh Tatsumi?"

Tatsumi frowned, he nodded as a reply but didn't add any encouraging words. Something didn't quite add up. He turned back to Fuyu, whom had sat patiently sipping away at his tea.

"When you said,'about us'. You meant Clockwork, didn't you?"

Fuyu sipped the last of his tea and smiled, placing the cup down on the table. "That's correct." He leaned forward. "These two are my subordinates and members of an elite group known as Clockwork."

"I knew it." Tatsumi sat back down. So this man, Esdeath's brother, lead Clockwork or at the very least involved with them. "One more question, what exactly is Clockwork?"

Fuyu closed his eyes with a smile. He leaned back in his chair, opening his eyes. "Clockwork is my brainchild: A fighting force meant to conduct espionage and other covert operations all aimed towards our primary goal." Fuyu smiled. "Care to guess what that is?"

"To fight the Empire."

Fuyu let out a single laugh. "That's what I thought you'd say. No, it isn't entirely that black and white."

He stood up, and began to pace around the room. "My goal. Our goal, is the restoration of our Empire to its former glory." He walked passed Pyro, making his way around the table.

"There is a rotten cancer feeding of the beating heart of the Capital. We aim to destroy that cancer and set the Empire along the rightful path it has currently strayed from."

"So you're goal isn't that different from the Revolutionary Army's."

"Wrong." Fuyu stopped a few steps from Tatsumi. "The Revolutionary Army's goal is to overthrow the current standard of government and replace it with a system that will make the Capital and everyone in the Empire content with their lives."

He continued pacing around the table, eventually passing behind Tatsumi.

"Our goal is to set things back the way they once were before Prime Minister Honest came into power. Meaning we wish to keep the current government but throw out and execute all those abusing the system for their own personal gain."

Fuyu came full circle, he stopped by his chair. He turned a full 90 degrees, facing Tatsumi.

"While they are similar in wanting to make the Empire a better place, these are far different goals Tatsumi."

Tatsumi stayed silent for the next few minutes, absorbing all this information. When he finally escaped for here, he would have one hell of a report to tell his fellow Night Raid members.

"You're planing a coup then." He said, looking Fuyu right in his eyes. "To overthrow the Capital from within."

Fuyu smiled. "You catch on quick." He pulled his sit out, sitting back down.

"Now, as to why I'm telling you all this is because I have no idea how the Revolutionary Army would respond to all this. While it does benefit both of us to cooperate with one another, I do not know if the rebel leadership will take too kindly to my ideas or even trust me given my past."

"Well, I think its a good idea for us to help each other." Tatsumi replied bluntly.

"Ah, but that is your personal opinion. What of the hundreds of thousands of revolutionaries who know about the 'Tyrant Duo' and the horrors we committed on the battlefield? Of those that fear the survivors of the dreaded Partas clan? Of those that fear the name Fuyu, holding me in the same regard as General Esdeath?"

Tatsumi clenched his hands. "Even if you're the most feared person in the Capital, if you intend to help others they should listen and accept those feelings!"

Fuyu closed his eyes and smiled. "My, if only more people had such ideals." He opened them once more. "The problem Tatsumi, is that these people fear me. Fear is something that drives the hearts of men and women, causing they to act in ways they normally wouldn't for their own self-preservation."

"They will never accept a murder- no more like a genocidal monster as one of their own."

"You're wrong!" Tatsumi shot out of his chair, almost knocking it to the ground. "You never know unless you try, right?"

Fuyu stared at the boy, he retained his innocence despite becoming a murderer himself. The Partas survivor could help but feel a bit of envy at this young man.

"If only more within this world held the same views as you, then maybe we wouldn't be in such a grotesque world." Fuyu stood up. "Perhaps you are right, perhaps the leaders of the Revolutionary Army will allow us to join forces."

Fuyu smiled at the young man. "I look forward to that day."

"And I'll do everything I can to convince them!" Tatsumi said enthusiastically. "I promise I'll do my best to convey your wishes."

"My sister really does know how to pick her lovers." Fuyu turned to his side. "You better get going Tatsumi. Before Esdeath decides to tear this place apart looking for you. No telling what she'd do if she found out you where here."

"Uh right." Tatsumi let out a sigh. "Well, wish me luck."

He turned around, taking a few steps towards the door. "Oh yeah," He stopped, turning back around. "Thank you for answering all my questions."

"Thank you for trusting me, Tatsumi." Fuyu replied with a smile. "Now go on, before things spiral out of control."

Tatsumi nodded, turned around, and headed out the door.

A few moments pasted before Fuyu sat back in his chair.

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Serpentine asked. "He seems a bit naive to me."

"He's a kid, of course he's gonna be naive." Pyro replied. "Besides, you're the one that vouched for him in the first place."

"As a person a great potential, not someone we should trust with sensitive information."

"It's quite alright." Fuyu cut in. "What happens next all depends on how the Revolutionary Army responds to our existence, though I already know what they will say."

"Then why wait and give that boy such a daunting task?"

Fuyu smirked. "It's more fun this way. Besides, it'll be a good test to see if he's worthy."

Pryo raised his eyebrow. "Worthy? Of what?"

Fuyu grinned his teeth in a wide smile. "To be my successor, of course."


Later that evening...

Shi, or rather Serpentine, carefully tracked through a massive forest south of the Capital. Ever since Drake infiltrated the Jaegars' ranks he had one of his host keeping tabs on them at all times when they exited the Royal Palace.

Earlier today, Tatsumi managed to slip away from Esdeath and her subordinates, managing to reunite with his comrades. Esdeath had her Jaegars tasked with tracking him down of course, but they didn't have any luck in tracking Tatsumi down.

All except Dr. Stylish of course.

The doctor was accompanied by three members of his personal army. Each had a specifically enhanced sense of sight, smell or hearing thanks to 's Imperial Arms: The Perfecter.

Two out of three, Serpentine could easily avoid detection by. The third however was a problem.

With her outrageously large ears, this enhanced soldier could detect his ninja host body should he make the slightest error.

And that was something Serpentine had to avoid at all costs. At least until he found out where they would end up. His hosts all shared a hive mind, so once he identified the location his other hosts would instantly know.

The four continued threw the forest and eventually came to a clearing.

"Well well, what do we have here?" Dr. Stylish pointed a gloved finger forward.

Serpentine looked in the same direction, noticing a massive stone building carved into the mountain face. No doubt about it, this was Night Raid's hideout.

It was quite a far distance from the Capital, or even Mt. Faker where Dr. Stylish began his search, but that matter little thanks to Pyro and Steven's abilities.

Those two could appear pretty anywhere in the blink of an eye, though only one could bring others with'em.

"Peekaboo Night Raid, I see you~" The doctor smiled. "Now then, let me show you how utterly stylish my creations and I are compared to your beautiful but totally, utterly inferior strength and skills."

Serpentine remained still in the bush.

'I have to let the others know.' He though, before giving out commands to his other hosts. 'Night Raid is under attack.'


And here ends another entry to Clockwork!

I must say, a LOT of plot development and character detail in this one.

From stories of Drake's past and details on Pyro's backstory (As well as his real name.) to the unavailing of Clockword's true objective and 'introduction' to Tatsumi and so on.

Also largest entry to date, but with all these juicy bits who is honestly surprised?

And for those of you how caught it and those of you who didn't, the three girls known as Air, Luna and Fal are three characters who have a somewhat significant role in the Akame Ga Kill manga. (And they cameo-ed at the end of the anime, just saiyan.)

These three were sold to a man known a Bade due to their village's debt to the Empire(That happens a lot apparently.) What these three didn't know was the man was a slaver who's current employers were some of the most detestable beings in all of existence.

They hired Bade to provide them with young girls so they can 'Enjoy turning their faces of joy into utter despair.' They did this in a number of ways; from breaking limbs to cutting of fingers, nails, or even eyeballs to forcing them to have sex with animals.

Yeah they were realllllll scumbags. Don't worry though, they all get murdered by Night Raid or in here by Fuyu.

Fuyu don't take that shit from no one.

There's a limit to how much he'd allow people to get away with given how murder and prostitution is an everyday occurence in the Capital, and this group found out what happens when someone crosses that line.

What will happen next time as Dr. Stylish and his enhanced soldiers face the combined Night Raid AND Clockwork? Find out in the next installment of Akame Ga Kill: Clockwork!