A/N: Merry Christmas, guys.
XXXXXX
Father of the Year
Sprawled out spread eagle in the very center of the chamber was the last feather Minato had winged; #06 Homura. Aside from a pair of boxing shorts, he was completely naked, with his arms, legs, torso, and throat secured to the floor by iron shackles. Coughing along the way, the group neared the single number's body to investigate.
His eyes were closed as if asleep.
And upon each shackle was a divot of sorts, likely keyholes. Each of the six was shaped differently. One keyhole was shaped like a moon, the sun, a starfish, a square, a triangle, and finally, an X.
Aligned on the wall towards Homura's right were six locked chambers. As there were no doors they were likely the only way out. Their locks also had the same shapes Homura's shackles did.
Minato came to a knee and put his hands on the Sekirei's shoulders and began to shake him.
"Homura? Come on, wake up!" Minato said with urgent sternness, shaking him harder.
Homura began groaning and moments later his eyelids flickered open. His pupils roll to meet his Ashikabi's. "Minato? What? Where am I?" He asked weakly, trying to move. He growled in frustration as he realized the predicament he was in.
"Homura I have to ask you to not move around too much. You might activate whatever this thing you're in is." Minato said, and took a breath.
"Trap?! Don't tell me-!"
"We were all kidnapped by Jigsaw." Minato frowned, as he delivered the bad news.
"God dammit, I should have killed that bastard while I had the chance! I can't believe he actually went through with this!" Homura's body began to flare up as his anger reached it's peak. The collar began to beep like it did in Kazehana's game.
"Don't try using your abilities to escape!" Minato gasped in his panic. "This collar around my neck will detonate if you do."
The Sekirei phoenix began to cool off. "I see, so that's how that maniac is playing it."
The smoke from the lower floor began to darken in color as it started flowing into the chamber from the shaft.
"We need to shut the elevator door or else we won't be able to see and might suffocate," Benitsubasa said, walking over to it.
"Doing that might start the game though. Look." Minato pointed. "The timer above that elevator is connected to the door."
"Not only that," Matsu said pointing to a corner of the room and aiming at a jar filled with nails. "It's connected to those jars as well." There were four of them, one in each corner. "They're more than likely nail bombs. Probably C4."
"We have no other choice!" Benitsubasa argued.
"Yeah, no thanks to you." Haihane bemoaned.
Benitsubasa grit her teeth and clenched a gloved fist. "Oh, will you just fucking can it about that! I know I fucked up!"
"And he got the discipline squad involved in these games too?" Homura questioned as more black smoke funneled inside.
"I'm shutting the door now." Benitsubasa declared, clawing the handle. "Prepare for anything." Steadily, she dragged it shut.
A tv hissed to life and Billy's creepy face mugged the camera once more. The group turned toward the sound and fell silent as they waited for it to speak. "Hello, and welcome to the next lesson." the puppet said in its trademark baritone voice. "These walls hold six chambers. These chambers are for safety as well as your only means of escaping this room. However, in order to access them as well as free your next Sekirei, a unique key is needed. These keys are hidden in the glass jars hanging from the ceiling. But only five of the keys will fit the locks."
"Wait, does that mean someone here has to die?" Kazehana wondered aloud.
The group hushed her.
"Move quickly though, for when the clock ticks down, the explosives in the corners of the room will detonate. With only five points of safety, which of you will be the odd one out? Make your choice."
The monitor hissed and went dark. The timer above the elevator door then began its countdown, bleeping loudly as it ticked down every second. They had five minutes.
5:00...4:59...4:58…
"Five minutes?! Are you fucking serious?!" Benitsubasa barked. "The last test gave us an hour! What the fuck?!"
"So much for planning ahead." Minato swallowed then glanced at the others. "Quickly, look for anything we can use to break those jars open! Hurry!"
The group gave him a collective nod. "Right!"
Everyone began to scan the room for anything useful. They spotted three metal rods leaning up against the stone wall almost immediately. Benitsubasa hurried over and grabbed one for herself before handing one to Minato and Kazehana.
"Blue; Boob-brain, make yourselves useful while we break the jars! Look for the keys!" Benitsubasa ordered. She took a swing at the jars hanging above them, taking out three at once. They shattered easily enough. When they shattered into a million pieces, the contents inside rained down on her and the others. They weren't just filled with jagged glass shards, but also a liquid that stung like hell when it splashed onto her skull's crown and flowed into her eyes. It smelled of gasoline.
"Agh! My eyes! Fuck!" the Red Sekirei shrieked, dropping her staff as her hands went for her orbital bones.
"Here, let me help you!" Minato took off his shirt and tossed it to Benitsu as Kazehana took a swing herself. He would have done more, but there was no time. He jabbed his pole at the jar above him, ensuring he was far enough from it to avoid the debris and flammable liquid. She dabbed it on her eyes briefly before getting back to swinging with the others.
Matsu went for a key that fell to the ground and picked it up and turned it over to see what shape it contained. The underside of it was completely flat. "Fuck, it's blank! We need a shape!"
Pieces flew everywhere and rained onto the ground below. Some landed near where Homura lay bound helpless beneath the chains. A few clattered close to his head while some of the gas splashed into his mouth. He gagged and spat as he coughed it out.
"Homura!" Minato yelled. "Are you alright?!"
"Don't worry about him now!" Benitsubasa shouted. "Less talking," she collected the staff from the ground and took another swing. "MORE SMASHING!"
XXXXXX
Three days prior to Minato's trials…
Minaka sat at his desk with a soured expression. He had just gotten off the phone with Saito. The bloated investigator had just informed him of the circumstances revolving around the death of Izumi Higa.
He could feel the rage bubbling deep inside. It proved to be too much for the normally happy-go-lucky CEO as he yelled out and shoved everything off the surface of his desk, making a mess on the carpeted floor.
Within the last two weeks, the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Ashikabis had either turned up dead or gone missing.
He knew what this meant.
The Jigsaw Killer was taunting him. Showing off how the highest of the Ashikabi had been plucked from their castles and sent off to suffer wherever. He was in fact the real target in all of this, and the net was tightening.
It was as if he and the Yankee were playing a game of chess, but the room was pitch black and Jigsaw was wearing night vision goggles.
Nothing seemed to be going his way this month. MBI's inexhaustible funds for surveillance had found nothing. Nothing! The police were all but useless, not having a single clue as to where Jigsaw was hiding. The serial killer was, for all intents and purposes, a ghost.
This odd feeling… the sensation of not being in absolute control… it was downright alien…
Minaka was pulled from his existential thoughts when he felt the vibration of his smartphone in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw that it was Takami. With a relieved smile, he swiped the green phone symbol and put it to his ear.
"Takami, are you safe?"
It had been a few days since he had last seen or heard from her.
"I'm fine. Look, with all that's been happening with the Sekirei Plan falling apart at the seams and whathaveyou, I think it's high time we went into hiding and lay low for a bit." She was even more formal than usual. "I'll be swinging by with our daughter to pick you up shortly. We already have a place picked out."
"You mean Yukari is safe? You found her?"
There was a pause on the other end before she spoke again. "Yes."
"And what of Minato? Have you found him yet?" He knew his first-born had to still be alive since his Sekirei were not marked as terminated in the database.
"He's here, too."
"He is?! P-Put him on the phone!"
"He's sleeping right now, but I can put Yukari on if you want."
"Sure!"
A moment of silence passes and then Yukari's voice was heard. "Hello dad?"
Finally, he could smile again. "Yukari! I'm so happy to hear from you after all these years! I know I haven't been a good father by any means, but I promise I'll make up everything to you! Just wait and see!" He could picture it. The four of them, living peacefully, enjoying each other's company, the Discipline Squad slaughtering anyone who even thought about doing them harm.
"Okay, pops. I need to go get ready for… whatever mom's got planned, so hate to cut this short but I gotta go."
"Alright, just let me know when you get here. I don't want to lose anything else."
"Just be ready."
The phone went silent. Minaka pocketed it and sighed. All they had to do was get to their sanctuary and all would be well…
XXXXXX
Minaka tapped his foot as he waited in MBI Tower's underground parking garage for the limousine. If he wore a wrist watch, he would have periodically checked it to make sure time was still passing. Within ten minutes it rolled in and he hustled to the back door. The window rolled down and Takami puffed some smoke out into his face.
"Get in." She unlocked the door and scooted over toward their daughter.
Minaka practically divebombed his posterior in and slammed the door shut.
"So where are we off to?" Minaka questioned, looking back to the spot he had been standing on a moment ago, a sliver of nervousness crawling up his back. He pressed down hard on the button that made the window rise again. He knew the stories about how Jigsaw relied on the element of surprise.
"You'll see," Takami commented flatly, taking another drag off her cigarette.
A click indicating all the limousine doors were locked was heard, and the driver's communication window slowly rolled down. Said driver turned their head to look at Minaka, "Buckle up, Minaka."
It was Jigsaw.
A grin crept over the game master's lips, a grin which carried a modicum of cockiness. "So, is this the part where I get kidnapped?" Minaka asked-err, wait, what?
Takami's eyes flashed in her former husband's direction then immediately back to Yukari. "Yukari!" she yelled. "Do it now!"
Yukari withdrew a needle from the confines of her bag and jabbed it straight into the side of Minaka's throat. The contents emptied into his carotid, flowing into his brain. Strangely, it seemed to have no effect. "Hey, what gives?" Yukari muttered, dumbfounded the sedative hadn't taken hold. According to John, it should have knocked him cold the moment he was exposed to it.
"As I figured." Minaka scoffed. Now they were in trouble. John maintained focus on the road ahead as he felt a rare coat of sweat run down his neck. He was not expecting this. "In case you all are wondering why that sedative isn't working, MBI developed a countermeasure for it. I made sure to take it right before you arrived. I suggest you do as I say, Johnny-boy. Or else things will get rather complicated for you."
John tapped a button underneath the dash. The seat Minaka was buckled into began to give off sparks as if electrocuting him. It also had no effect.
"Nice try, but the uniform I'm wearing doesn't conduct electricity. I assume you have a third trick up your sleeve?"
John kept his mouth shut, grinding his teeth. This looked to be the end of the road for his operation. "What do you want?"
"I simply want you to keep driving. To wherever you're going. I'd like to have a chat." he explained. They were now speeding down a highway. "Now, roll down my window."
"What for exactly?" John asked.
"Just do it."
John grumbled and obeyed. Once it was all the way down, Minaka undid his lab coat and pulled off something from his chest. A tracking device. He hoarked it out the window. "Now that the pesky police are taken care of, kindly continue doing what you're doing. I wish to see how this kidnapping plot unfolds."
Was he fucking serious? He was just letting himself get kidnapped? Minaka truly was insane.
The game master turned to his daughter. "Now would you please remove that needle from my neck, Yukari dear? It's rather uncomfortable."
She snarled and yanked it out. Minaka rubbed the wound with the tips of his fingers before folding his hands in his lap. They were now approaching a long tunnel. Ahead of them in the distance was an 18 wheeler going well below the speed limit. The loading bay in the back of the truck was also open and ready to be used as an impromptu ramp.
"I'm guessing we're going inside that thing then? This reminds me of that one scene in that old cop-killing game!"
John began to slow the vehicle as it neared the hatch and soon enough they were inside. The doors shut on their own and all they could see was blackness.
"You do know that these tunnels have surveillance cameras, right?"
"Oh I'm well aware, which is why I had Matsu disable them a few days ago. Also, the truck is outfitted with a material that prevents electric signals from working."
"I see, so that's why we weren't able to find you. You're quite clever."
"Indeed, now it's time for you to take a little nap." John rolled the communication window and hit another button. The AC unit in the back of the limo began to hiss out noxious green fumes.
The occupants were overcome with a hacking fit and in moments they were all out cold.
XXXXXX
A few hours later...
Slow blinks followed by a grunt eventually lead to Minaka regaining consciousness in the pungently moldy-smelling room. He sits straight in his chair, finding his limbs secured by ropes as well as wires attached to his body...and the Jigsaw Killer sitting right across from him.
The aging American regarded him with clinical coldness, not saying anything.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Minaka asked. The thought of a serial killer patiently waiting for their victim to return to the land of the living was oddly amusing.
"Do you know why you're here?" John asked with sternness. Both knew the answer. But that was not the same as having the guilty party admit it out loud.
Minaka shrugged as best he could, given the bindings "Ha! To play a 'little game' as you're so fond of calling them?" The shock of the anticipated confirmation of his family betraying him had died down. Now was the time to focus on the problem literally staring him in the face.
"That, among other things."
John felt a tinge of relief, knowing Minaka was not entirely delusional. Testing the mentally ill… gave him pause. It was that reason he had left Lance Tivoli alone.
"We should play shuffleboard! Or perhaps scrabble is more up your alley?"
Nope, scratch that. He was still a wackjob.
"You're a sick, twisted man, Hiroto Minaka. Your sadistic desire for entertainment has torn apart the lives of so many. Not to mention all the property damage. And you're here to answer for the games you play with others by playing one of mine."
"That's laughable, coming from you of all people." Jigsaw had the gall to judge him? After all he had done to others as well? Intriguing. "You can't possibly tell me you don't get any sense of morbid satisfaction out of watching those you kill suffer, can you?"
"My games are not for my amusement. They are meant to dispense justice as well as rehabilitate."
"What's the success rate of them then? One out of a fifty? It's hardly even worth considering. You want to watch the world burn much the way I do. I just have more money."
John's eyes narrowed for a moment, as if being triggered like a Karen. "You're a perplexing individual. You could have avoided all this but instead chose to willingly be abducted. What's your reasoning?"
"Why, to meet the man himself of course! I've been dying to have a chat with the person who thinks he can outplay the game master! The police would have ruined that for me."
"I see, well, you're here now and no one is coming to your rescue."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. For you see, you can't kill me."
"And why is that?"
"The Jinki won't be able to be used without my know-how. Kill me and not only will the Sekirei Plan end but the terminated birds will never flap their wings again."
"Perhaps it would be best to show you the perspective of the Ashikabi and Sekirei you've involved in your little project of The Hunger Games Meets Highlander."
"What do you mean?"
"Many of the people the plan wronged want a chance to speak their peace and express themselves to you, Minaka. Each of my subordinates will have ninety seconds to do just that."
"You mean Takami and Yukari…"
"Among others…" he gets up from his seat and goes to exit the room. "Excuse me for a moment, as they've been itching to speak to you."
"Hey, where are you going!? Dammit, don't just leave! We were having such an interesting discussion! And where is my son, by the way?" It seemed Minato's MIA status had slipped his mind.
A few moments pass and the door opens again. First up was Chiho.
"Ah, Miss Hidaka. I remember you! I never would have guessed you being one of Jigsaw's subordinates! Why would such an innocent girl like yourself want to see me tortured like this? I mean, it was MBI that cured your illness after all."
Adjusting her hat and stepping forward, she slaps the game master across the cheek, knocking his glasses askew as well as leaving a glowing hand print.
"Ohh, you pack quite a wallop for someone who was bedridden a few months ago! Though why may I ask did you do that?"
Chiho stomped her foot. "Don't sit there acting all innocent."
"I saved you! I think a thank you is in order if anything else!"
"Sure, it was your company's medicine that helped save me, but you didn't actually care if I lived or died. You could have easily delivered the antidote to me, but instead, you forced my good friends to fight for it while I was on the brink of death. My life was nothing more to you than another opportunity for amusement! Tell me, was it fun? WAS IT?!"
Minaka frowned. "It… it wasn't like that, I swear!"
"Lie to yourself but don't lie to me! If you're being truthful about this, end this stupid Sekirei plan now and return my Uzume to me! As well as all the other Sekirei to their chosen ones!"
A buzzer goes off. Chiho's time was up.
Flicking her hair back and adjusting her hat's brim again, she leaves the room without a word and a short while later Yukari and Shiina enter.
"Well if it isn't my beloved daughter and the reaper Sekirei Shiina. How could you deceive your own father?"
Yukari snorts. "The same way Takami did to Minato and me all these years. She was a good teacher."
"But why?!"
"It should be obvious! You put this stupid plan of yours over the responsibility of raising your own children! You tore apart this entire family to flaunt your ego! We nearly died after being roped into this Sekirei plan on more than one occasion and Minato is in a coma now because of it, but did that stop you? Hell no!"
"Minato is in a coma?!"
Yukari points to the corner of the room. "Take a look."
Minaka glances over and spots Minato on a cot beneath a layer of white sheets, motionless.
"I see, blackmai-AGH!"
His train of thought was halted by Yukari planting her boot in her father's crotch. She stomps on his sack several times before spitting in his face and turning to leave, saying "That was for Kuu, you son of a bitch. I hope you die."
The door slams shut immediately upon her exit. A few minutes later, Dr. Gordon enters.
"Dr. Gordon, great to see you again. I wish it were on better terms, though."
"Likewise, Mister Minaka. John sent me in to give you a little bit of a break of sorts considering what Yukari just did."
"What is it you want to confront me about? Have I been stiffing your paychecks?"
"I just wanted to thank you for finding the cure for John's cancer. How ironic is it that MBI's greatest attribution to society ended up leading to your downfall."
Minaka laughed. "Heh, I agree. Is that all?"
"The philosophy John preaches is that everyone deserves a second chance. Even you. And while I agree, others here don't. At least when it comes to you. I worry for you, Minaka. You've made a lot of enemies. And you are no longer untouchable in that Tower of yours." The healer stood up. "I sincerely wish you luck, Hiroto."
He too walked out. But nobody came to replace him.
"Is that it? Just three? Given the build-up, I expected this to go for…" He trailed off, his ears picking up breathing. Heavy breathing from behind him.
He was yanked back suddenly by his white hair. His skull's crown sent a concussive blast through his head as it smacked the concrete like a basketball. His whined shut as the pain forced him to groan. Upon opening his eyes, he found himself being leered down at by Homura.
"I've been waiting so long for a moment like this." He kicked the side of Minaka's face, sending spittles of blood and teeth flying. "Too long! Sadly outright killing you is off the table. Minato will die if I go that far."
John reentered the room and took his seat once again. "I want to play a game."
"Of course you do,," Minaka said, spitting out more bloody teeth. "Let's hear the rules, Johnny-boy!"
"The chair you are strapped to is equipped with a lie detector. State of the art and provided to me by your former wife."
"Why am I not surprised?" he snickered. "So, where is she? I'm surprised I haven't seen her at all since being nabbed."
"She's in another room on standby. She will be letting me know whether or not what you're saying is truthful or not." He tapped his ear. "My earpiece gives me a direct link to her."
"Fair enough I suppose, though I must ask what makes you so confident she'll be honest about the readings? She's not known for that, even with her family."
John kept silent and simply pointed over toward his son.
"Oh right, that."
"I have many questions to ask. Failure to answer truthfully will result in my assistant having the go-ahead to do...well, demonstrate, Homura."
"With pleasure." Cracking his knuckles, the Sekirei meanders off into the shadows. Moments later he returns with a rag and a gas can.
"Waterboarding with gasoline? My how twisted!"
He slaps the cloth over Minaka's face as he takes a breath and holds it in his puffed cheeks, then unscrews the gas can lid, steadily pouring the contents over his covered face. He ensured to make the process slow, only tilting the can ever so slightly to ensure long enough would pass for the game master to finally gasp. And gasp he did. He began to thrash about as he gurgled helplessly.
A good twenty seconds had gone by before John finally held his hand up, indicating Homura to stop. He did so and slid the rag off his face.
"Get the point, Minaka?" Homura mocked him.
"I hate to disappoint you, Homura, but that little demonstration will be the only time you get to have fun." Minaka coughed, looking back at John. "I have no reason to lie about anything, so ask away, Johnny-boy! Lay 'em on me!"
"Very well. Firstly, how do we treat Akitsu's condition?"
"Huh?" The game master paused. He wasn't expecting John to look out for anything but his own agenda. "The discarded one? She's not even a participant."
Homura stomped on his ribs, knocking the wind from his lungs. "Answer the question."
Minaka groaned. "Akitsu's tuning went awry before the Sekirei Plan even began. If I knew of a way to help her I would have done it by now."
"If only to serve for your sick game I bet, just like you used Chiho and everyone else." Homura spat.
"I assume she's another of your subordinates then?"
"I am." Akitsu's monotone voice answered as she wandered into view from the darkness. "Master John has promised to find me purpose. To help others the same way he helped me."
"I see. You always were an impressionable one."
"Can my wings be set free?"
"Answering that is tricky. Truth of the matter is I'm unsure. The Jinki may have the power to do it if all are gathered, but outside of that it may take extensive genetic augmentation which would more than likely make things worse or just outright kill you."
John put a hand to his ear, "Takami?"
"He's not lying yet. Readings are normal."
"That leads to my second question," John said, presenting his hand to Akitsu. "Hand it over."
She bowed her head and reached into the chains holding her cleavage aloft. "Yes, master." she withdrew the cracked Jinki from it and gave it to John.
"What can we do about this?" he said, showing it to him.
"You...BROKE a Jinki?! How is that even possible? Those crystals are supposed to be indestructible!"
"When Mikogami died, Akitsu ran it through her arm in an attempted suicide. Her extremely low body temperature is likely why it broke."
"Hmm, let me get a closer look at it. Would you be so kind as to sit me right-side up again? And fix my specs? It's rather difficult to see anything at this angle."
John glanced at Homura and nodded. The firebird grabbed Minaka by the collar and dragged him up from the dirty concrete. John presented the crystal so he could better inspect the damage.
After some mumblings, Minaka finally spoke. "Well...this is embarrassing. Forget everything I said. Sekirei Plan's over. You win, Jigsaw."
"What makes you say that?"
"A simple crack can be fixed with some careful prodding, like what happened when Takehito was killed by them. But the discarded one's blood is in the core. It's corrupted. Completely unusable. There's no way to fix that, I'm afraid."
John put a finger to his ear again, "Takami?"
"He's still not bullshitting. The readings are clear."
"What would happen if we fire the Jinki to revive the terminated ones in spite of it?"
"Calamity. The whole capital will be completely leveled and then some. And no one would make it out alive. The terminated ones are as good as dead."
"Takami?"
"Still good."
"Told you so."
Homura's fist sailed across his face. "Don't get cocky, you bastard!"
"Homura! Enough! Another outburst and Minato's life is forfeit!"
"Yeah yeah."
"Well, you got the answers you wanted from me, Jigsaw. Are we finished? The Sekirei Plan is over no thanks to your meddling and everyone involved is worse off for it than they ever were before. Happy?"
"This is quite an unexpected turn of events..."
"Indeed. Though that's not all I'm puzzled by. Mind if I ask some questions of my own? I've been honest this whole time, I think I deserve some answers myself."
"What do you wish to know?"
"For starters, how did you manage to not only maim but nearly kill #01? She's in a league of her own. I often like to think of Sekirei as chess pieces. However, Miya isn't one of them. She's beyond the King. She's the great meteor that falls from space and grinds all the chess pieces to dust. I know you were able to get your hands on the alloy the ship was made of when the crime scene was thoroughly inspected, but how? Not even Takami had clearance to get it."
"It was rather simple, really. We may not have had access to the ship, but Sekirei weaponry is made from the same ilk. All we needed to do was retrieve her sword and melt it down to make the garrote and finger blades after we captured her."
"I see, that does make more sense all things considered. What better way to subdue a goddess than with her own weapon? It's poetic in a way."
"This is going nowhere, John." Homura sighed. "Can I just kill him now and be done with it? I'd like to go on with my life with my Ashikabi, friends, and family."
"Absolutely not. That would be murder."
"It's no less than what the bastard deserves!"
As the two of them bickered, Minaka glanced back once again at his son. A lightbulb blinked above his head as a sinister idea suddenly took form in his mind.
He interrupted the dispute. "Hold on." he said.
"Yes, what is it, Hiroto?"
"I think I may have found a solution to our dilemma. One in which everyone gets what they want. It's a long shot, and I'm not entirely sure it will work, but I think it's still worth hearing me out."
"I'm listening."
XXXXXX
2:30...2:29...2:28…
"Shit, we're running out of time!" Matsu shouted glancing at the clock.
Thanks to the efforts of the group, three of the five keys were recovered and used to undo some of Homura's restraints as well as the doors that tunneled their way to safety.
"No shit, sherlock!" Benitsu barked, swinging at more jars above. Although they were slipping and sliding all over the place thanks to the liquid that splashed on the ground at their feet, making the endeavor increasingly more difficult more than half the jars had been cracked open. They were making good on time.
XXXXXX
"The boy over there. My son. He's the key."
"How so?"
"You always preach about your games helping others appreciate their lives more, correct? What if we were to put him in a game? A game where the lives of all his Sekirei are at stake?"
"What are you getting at, you madman?!" Homura yelled.
John held his hand up. "Homura! Let him continue!" he gestured the game master to go on. "The lives of many hang in the balance, Hiroto. Elaborate."
"Sure, there is an overwhelming chance that Minato would fail, but what if he doesn't? What if he tackles the challenge head-on, rescues all his lovelies, and comes out of the whole ordeal alive while at the same time rescuing everyone? What do you think that would do to the bond they share with him? How much stronger of an Ashikabi do you think he'd become if, and it's a BIG 'if', he succeeds? Perhaps it would make him strong enough for Akitsu to start reacting to him. If that happens, we may be able to reverse the Jinki's corruption and give everyone a happy ending to this nightmare."
…
"God dammit, I should have killed that bastard while I had the chance! I can't believe he actually went through with this!"
…
"So you're requesting me to expose your own son to a deadly game of life or death simply based on a hunch?"
"Are you forgetting who you're dealing with here, Johnny-boy? I may know next to nothing about the boy aside from reports his mother archived, but I do love him. He's got a good heart, and I have faith he will succeed."
XXXXXX
2:00...1:59...1:58…
"Come on guys, get a move on!" Matsu cried. as another series of jars were busted open by Kazehana. He swings were becoming noticeably weaker. Likely due to the poison in her system. As she went to swing again, she doubled over and vomited blood.
"Kazehana!" Minato dropped what he was doing and ran to her side. "Are you alright?!"
"I'm fine, hun."
*SMASH!*
"No, you're not." Matsu said nervously. She took her pole. "Let me take a few swings. You need a break. We can't have you overexerting yourself anymore."
*SMASH!*
"The wind Sekirei coughed and nodded. "Okay. I'll look for the keys. Just try not to slip and fall."
XXXXXX
"You have an awfully bizarre way of showing love then."
"Great minds think alike," Minaka said. "You're not the only one who's willing to suffer for their work."
"You know nothing of suffering." John snorted. "And since when has putting children in harm's way been an issue for you?"
"I see, so that's why I'm here. The green girl fiasco."
John nodded and turned his head to address Akitsu. "How would you feel about making Minato your Ashikabi, Akitsu? Would you be open to the idea?"
She shrugged, "It's odd. Every time I'm near him I do sense something, but it's not a reaction. At least not yet. If it means saving the terminated ones I'll be more than willing. Yukari has told me a great deal about him in our casual conversations. He seems to be a good man."
"If that's what you want try kissing him now. Perhaps we can avoid needing to test the boy."
She bowed her head. "Yes, Master John."
"Please stop calling me master. We're all our own masters. I do not own you."
"Very well, John." she replied, mosying over to the youth. She bends over and kisses him on the lips. Alas, no wings.
"That's a shame. I guess we have no other option then. However, the scale of what Minaka is requesting is simply out of my reach. Even with the assistance of all my subordinates I simply don't have the means to do as you ask."
"I'll provide all the assets you need."
"Really now? But Sekirei are strong. What would prevent them from escaping their predicaments?"
"I'll make sure they won't be able to use their abilities. I possess tech that can ensure they won't cheat."
…
This collar is ditzy, Minato: it is loaded with shotgun shells, which will fire into your head if any of you or your Sekirei attempt to cheat by using their powers to escape their predicaments. I'd warn them if I were you, I'd hate to see your struggle be for naught.
...
"Don't worry, Mr. Sahashi," the doll reassured him."There are no hostile life forms waiting for you inside, and the collar you are wearing is waterproof. I assure you it will not trigger unless you purposely try to remove it. The catch, though, is that once the lever is lifted, it must not be released for the remainder of the test. Doing so will result in the tank sealing shut permanently, leaving the occupant inside trapped and doomed to drown. Holding up the lever will be easier said than done, however, as for every ten seconds that pass, fifteen pounds will be added to its current weight indefinitely. Given that this is a game, Benitsubasa is prohibited from using her powers to assist in the matter, and must make due with her human-tier stamina…"
…
"I don't want to leave anyone behind, but again, given the message, it'll likely be considered cheating if we don't do as it instructs. Kazehana should keep out of harm's way as much as possible until we get her that antidote. Speaking of which, I'm actually feeling a lot better since taking it. That stuff works fast it seems."
"Yeah," Benitsu added. "I feel more chipper myself too come to think of it. The cure was probably developed by MBI if it's this potent."
...
He glared back at the boy. "How long till he wakes up?"
"Three days."
"That will be more than enough time to put things in motion. I'll have my personal army assist in the matter."
...
Benitsubasa gave him a concerned glance. "We ran into trouble. A bunch of thugs we came across chased us until we fell down this trap door."
"Were there too many to handle?" Haihane questioned.
"If they were normal no. Remember what wind bags said about them being thugs with no discipline? Turns out they were the opposite." Benitsubasa explained. "If I'm not mistaken, these guys down here that have it out for us are all MBI soldiers."
…
"And they'll do so, no questions asked?"
"I'm running a death tournament and have the whole city on lockdown for it. They knew what they signed up for. I'll just tell them I want to film an independent horror flick that stars the Sekirei. They'll eat it up no problem as the commoners did with the terrorism story I made up to explain the damages from their battles. How else do you think we'd get away with live streaming the thing?"
"Wait, live stream? Aren't the Sekirei supposed to be a secret though?"
"Yeah the whole thing about secrecy kinda blew up in my face once videos taken of the aliens leaping across skyscrapers were leaked. Everyone knows about it now sadly."
"You say that as if it's a surprise." Homura grumbled.
"We won't get far if one of the soldiers decides to go rogue. What if there's a whistleblower among them?"
"They won't have a chance to. We can involve them in the game as well."
"Absolutely not," John stated boldly. "I do not test the innocent."
"Did you forget who you're speaking to again, Johnny-boy? No one working with me is innocent. In fact, most of the individuals I'm talking about were present when the green girl was killed and did nothing to try and stop it. In fact, they enabled it."
"Takami?"
"He's...he's not lying."
Minaka smirked confidently.
XXXXXX
1:00...0:59...0:58…
Almost all the jars were busted open now. Kazehana crawled over to a key, noticing it had a moon shape at the base. "I got one!"
"Good, just two more to go!" Minato yelped as he swung for the fences. All that were left were the jars above Homura.
*SMASH!*
"I can get the rest of these just fine, pipsqueak! Take a key and get your ass inside one of those tunnels now! You die, we're all done for!"
"Are you sure?!"
*SMASH!*
"Just do it! Get your ass in there!"
"Right," Minato nodded. He hustled over to the left-most tunnel, key in hand. He inserted the shape into the lock and gave it a twist. Opening the gate, he crawled inside as far as he could until he reached a series of steel bars at the opposite end. He grabbed hold of them and looked back out at the opening he wandered in through. Something felt odd about it, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it…
XXXXXX
"John..." Homura paused. "You can't actually be considering this?!"
"What might I ask were your plans for the boy beforehand might I ask? Before the Jinki was damaged and the city went to hell in a handbasket?"
"I simply wanted to use him as leverage for the most part. After getting most of his Sekirei subdued and out of the way I would have had his life hang in the balance so Karasuba could meet with Yume again with no distractions. It was part of a deal I struck with her to ensure her cooperation."
"I see, yes, Yume would no doubt have emerged from Musubi if the life of her Ashikabi were at stake. Just like how events unfolded on the bridge."
"Jigsaw, don't. Please don't placate this idiot. He's ruined the lives of everyone he's come into contact with. Let me end him now so we can get on with our miserable lives!"
"Are you afraid he'll fail, Homura?" Minaka asked. "You need to have more faith in your destined one. Think about it, how else will we be able to revive the green girl?"
XXXXXX
0:30...0:29...0:28…
*SMASH*
XXXXXX
"Kusano can't be brought back! She was killed because of you!" Homura barked.
"True, a normal Ashikabi would never be able to bring her back after the wounds she sustained, but a God amongst Ashikabi is a whole other story."
"You said this was just a hunch. How can you be so sure of yourself now?" Akitsu asked. "Furthermore, why does it have to be your son that goes through the tests? From what his family has told me Minato is a good man that simply has issues with confidence and self-worth."
"I agree. What has Minato done to deserve going through a single test, let alone a series of them?" John questioned.
"Oh please, as if you haven't targeted people for pettier reasons." Minaka countered. "If I remember correctly, didn't you once test someone simply because they called off work all the time pretending to be sick?"
John let out an annoyed grumble. "I still say we should test someone else."
XXXXXX
0:20...0:19...:0:18…
*SMASH!*
"Come on, don't dilly dally!" Benitsubasa barked. "SMASH THAT SHIT!"
XXXXXX
"Okay, who then? Who else has enough Sekirei winged to them for something like this to work? Perhaps Mikogami and Higa would make better candidates. Oh, wait, that's right, they're all dead now aren't they?" Minaka guffawed. "And not only that but even if they were alive none of them would choose to run the gauntlet. They simply don't care about their flocks as much as Minato does."
"Choose? You want to give him an option?"
"In order for this to work in the best way possible, we need Minato to go through the trials to save his girls willingly. Giving him an out at the very beginning would serve to further strengthen the connection he has to his flock. With each bird he sets free, his strength as an Ashikabi will increase exponentially. He needs to have the choice, and if he agrees, it'll demonstrate his love for his Sekirei even more, thus making their bond stronger. Show, don't tell, am I right?"
"I can see the reasoning in that."
"And to further add to the drama, I think we should involve the Discipline Squad in some capacity as well."
"How come?"
"The Squad has wronged him on several occasions. Some of the stuff they did to him was outright evil. Giving him the opportunity to spare them or let them perish may also weigh in on the connection he has with his flock. Who knows? Saving them may even cause them to react to him."
"But they're already winged though. Shouldn't that be impossible? Once an Ashikabi is chosen it's a life-long commitment."
"It should also be impossible to wing the discarded one. But you also have to remember that the connection all of them share with Natsuo is quite weak. If he spares them and rescues his girls he'd likely be able to do the impossible. If it would be enough to get Akitsu to react, perhaps he could give them a second chance at happiness. Provided they all make it out that is."
"Adding in Haihane and Benitsubasa might work, but I doubt he'd choose to spare Karasuba if it came down to that considering what she did to the green girl. Good heart or no."
"Then we simply won't involve Karasuba in the same capacity."
"What would her role be then?"
XXXXXX
0:20...0:19...0:18…
"I got it!" Haihane shouted. "The last key we need!"
Benitsubasa, Kazehana, and Matsu had piled into their tunnels once the last jar was shattered. Haihane sped over to Homura, absentmindedly slipping and falling over on her leg. The key slid from her grasp and into Homura's hand. He grabbed it himself and undid the last latch around his abdomen. He did his best to ignore the several wounds inflicted on his body thanks to the falling glass shards and gasoline splattered over his body and sprinted over to the last gate that needed to be unlocked. He cast a glance back at Haihane, who was howling in agony from her fall. She messed up her knee badly it seemed.
"I'm sorry." He unlocked the tunnel and crawled wished he could do something to help her, but all the other tunnels were full and he wouldn't just simply sacrifice for someone who previously wanted Minato dead.
"Wait, please, don't leave me behind!" Haihane wailed.
XXXXXX
"She can be the final test."
"He still won't save her."
"Who said anything about saving her? I mean she'll be the death trap itself."
"...oh."
"How's that supposed to work? Do you want Minato and the other survivors to fight her or something?" Akitsu questioned, scratching her cheek.
"No, the fight would be Yume's job once she emerges from within Musubi."
"So what you're saying is that we should involve Karasuba in Musubi's game in some fashion then?"
"Yes. We'll save Musubi for last since she'll be fresh to face off against the black Sekirei. That way Karasuba will get the one-on-one battle you promised her."
"If he makes it that far, that is."
"Exactly."
"You seem awfully eager about this."
"If the Sekirei plan has to end, I at least want it to be on my terms. My idea. Even if the tournament is now a crap shoot, I can still squeeze a love story for the ages out of this alternative arrangement."
"You really are mad."
"Takes one to know one."
"I'm not insane."
"That's just the thing though. It's the one thing almost all insane people are guilty of; they don't believe themselves to be crazy. They don't even consider the possibility. No, crazy people think they're completely sane and that everyone else is crazy and out to get them. As for myself, that's where I differ. I'm fully aware of how crazy I am. But instead of hiding it, I embrace it! I own that shit!" the maniacal scientist laughed. "So what do you say Johnny-boy? Want to be partners?"
XXXXXX
0:14...0:13...0:12…
As Haihane cried her eyes out waiting for her explosive demise, Minato kicked the gate of his tunnel open and ran to her rescue. "Minato?"
He lifted her into his arms bridal style. "No time! Come on!"
"What the hell are you doing, pipsqueak?!" Benitsubasa called out from the confines of her own tunnel. "Do you want to die with her?!"
"No one has to die! I found out the riddle!" he shouted as the final few seconds ticked down.
XXXXXX
John dipped his chin and shook his head with a palm on his forehead. "In any other situation I would decline, but considering what we're dealing with is bigger than both of us, I accept with great reluctance. Just this one time."
Homura couldn't contain his anger anymore. "I am not letting any of you get away with this madness! Time for you to meet your maker, Minaka!" A fireball spawned in Homura's hand. As he went to throw it at the game master, a dark figure leaped down from the joists in the ceiling and cut him down with a swift slice to his back. He screamed and collapsed in an instant as the figure unfurled the robe's hood. It was Karasuba.
"I told you not to kill him!" John shouted uncharacteristically. Akitsu jumped in shock at the sudden shout. She never heard him yell.
"Relax, he's not dead. Just unconscious." she whisked the blood off her nodachi, some of the droplets splattering against Minato as he lay sleeping.
"Now that Homura is down for the count, we best make haste with the boy's game. Release me and I'll start making the arrangements. I know of an abandoned university that's on the outskirts of the city. We can construct the trials there. My subordinates should be able to have it up and running with some extensive modifications to the building in no time. By the time they're done the layout would be so confusing and disorientating that it'll hardly resemble one. I'll even deliver the pods containing all the terminated Sekirei to the building. That way Minato can fire the jinki immediately once he succeeds."
…
They are all here, in this building, all in danger, and only you can save them.
…
"You mean 'if'." John sniffed, wiping the tip of his nose. "Very well. Is there anything else?"
"Since this was all my idea, I'd like to have some creative control over the games. Not necessarily putting them together, but I do have some ideas."
"And they are?"
"A booby-trapped maze crossed over with a house of mirrors fight club among other things. You'll see."
"A house of mirrors fight club? That's so...bizarre. That doesn't seem to fit any particular theme."
"I want my funhouse of mirrors fight club, dammit!"
"Ugh, fine." John grumbled. It was situations like this that made John gravitate toward working in isolation.
XXXXXX
0:05...0:04...0:03…
Minato threw caution to the wind and dived into his tunnel with Haihane in his arms. He cleared the gap cleanly just as the final two seconds counted down and a fiery explosion engulfed the chamber they were in. The blast was damn near deafening and the heat damn near scorched his feet.
After taking some heavy breaths, he looked down at Haihane, tears still fresh in her eyes.
"You...saved me...again." she blinked.
He nodded. "I just realized these tunnels could fit more than one person inside." He explained, patting her back to calm her nerves. "That was the game's riddle. Everyone could have piled inside one tunnel since they're quite long."
Haihane threw her arms around Minato, weeping uncontrollably. "Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you so much!"
He returned the gesture with a gentle hug of his own. "It's what I do. I promised everyone I'll get them out alive. No one gets left behind as far as I'm concerned. I'm so happy you're still alive."
"As am I, Minato." she then felt her heart skip a beat as he hugged her tighter. Her breaths became bated and she clenched her chest.
"Haihane? Is there something wrong?" he asked, looking down at her concerned. Her entire face was flushed red.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help it!"
Without warning, she grabbed the back of his head and pulled him in for a big kiss. The unthinkable then happened.
Her wings burst from her back and their light illuminated the tunnel with a light not even the raging inferno that nearly killed them all could match. As her wings faded, the wounds on her hands healed, her knee didn't hurt anymore, and yet another light on Minato's collar dimmed to black.
XXXXXX
A/N: *Mic drop