Chapter 4: Rematch

Alex sat on a bench in the small park area set up for prisoners to get some fresh air. Alex certainly had to admit it was some genuinely nice scenery he had never seen anything close to this in American prisons. Lifting his hand to his face he brought the cigarette to his mouth and breathed in deeply. Savoring the taste for a moment he then breathed out watching the smoke spread out and then disappear.

"You don't think you're overreacting just a little?" He asked turning to Hunter who was on the other end of the bench staring at him like he hadn't showered in a week.

"You know those things will kill you right?" Alex laughed at that.

"Oh come on, a little bit of lung cancer never hurt anyone. Besides im on death row, im not going to last long enough to go out like that anyway." Hunter shook his head in a disapproving manner.

"That doesn't mean I want to be around your second hand smoke." Alex rolled his eyes and rubbed the lit end against the bench putting it out before he pocketed it. Hunter smiled and moved next to him. "Thank you."

"Yeah, Yeah. So what did you want to talk about again?"

"Ok well yesterday I was talking with Ganta and it turns out our situations aren't exactly the same." Alex's eyebrow popped up.

"How so?"

"Well first off he didn't know the person in the armor was a girl, apparently she never spoke to him."

"What about the guy in the hoodie?"

"Ganta never even saw him." Alex's face scrunched a little at that.

"So he probably doesn't have any information about Zeus then." Hunter blinked.

"Wait who's that." Alex rubbed the back of his head and looked away.

"Oh did I uhh, forget to mention that?" Hunter looked rather annoyed now.

"Alex, who is Zeus?" Alex held up his hands in a defensive position.

"Look I honestly don't know who he is, but after you got hit by the girl, Hoodie said something about how he needed us to destroy Zeus or something like that." Hunter sighed but nodded.

"So what we were chosen?"

"Seems like it."

"hey do you think..." Hunter hesitated before saying. "Do you think if we kill whoever Zeus is, we would be let out." Alex leaned back in thought. He supposed it was a possibility but what were the chances of freedom being that easy? No, no there had to be something more to it. Then another thought crossed his mind, maybe Tamaki knew something about Zeus.

"Honestly im not sure, that sounds like it would be too easy y'know?" Hunter looked a bit deflated at that but nodded in understanding. "Well either way im parched, grab me a soda?"

"Okay first of all it's called pop, and second of all why can't you go get it?" Alex smirked and replied.

"First, no it's not. And second I can save you from getting crushed by a building but you won't grab me a drink?" Hunter and Alex stared for a moment before Hunter gave in.

"What do you want?" Alex pulled out his card and gave it to Hunter before saying.

"Just a Coke, no ice." Hunter then walked over to a stand which sold anything someone could want on a hot day. There he bumped into Ganta and Yo and started a casual conversation. Back at the bench Alex pressed a button on his earpiece and the voice of Tamaki spoke.

"Ah Alexander, anything interesting to report?"

"Not really, Hunter's just talking with Ganta and Yo right now."

"Oh, he knows young Ganta then?"

"Yeah he's Hunters only real friend here beside me."

"Oh, well that could be interesting. Anything else to go over?" Alex hesitated before saying.

"Well, no but there's something I wanted to ask about."

"Well what is it?"

"Do you know anything about Zeus?"

"The Greek King of the gods? Why do you want to know abou-" Alex interrupted.

"No not him it's someone else I heard a rumor about, He's supposed to be pretty dangerous."

"Hmm very interesting I haven't heard anything but I'll ask my contacts if-"

"GAAHHHH"

"Shit, something's wrong, I gotta go!" In his office Tamaki leaned back in his chair and smiled to himself.

"How is it Alex has heard of Zeus when I've never even seen him in action?" He then started laughing. "Oh father won't be happy to hear about this." Only a second later he got a call from security. Back in the courtyard Alex ran over to Ganta who was on the ground screaming as Yo and Hunter tried to calm him down.

"What the hell is going on?" Yo was the one to answer as Hunter was doing his best to figure out what was wrong with Ganta.

"I-I don't know one second he's fine the next he's like this!" Ganta the jolted and looked up.

"ITS HIM!" Hunter looked around confused.

"What who?" Ganta then pointed straight at a figure that stood at the bottom of a large clock face that was about 5 stories tall.

"ITS THE RED MAN!" Hunter, Alex, and Yo all looked up and saw the figure each having a different reaction.

"No..." Hunter said backing away wide eyed.

"You gotta be shitting me!" Alex growled getting into a combat stance.

"How the hell did he get up there?" Yo pondered as the figure stepped off the ledge. Time seemed to slow down as she held out her arms and approached the ground. Right before she landed however shockwaves were sent out with one heading right for the group.

Ganta covered his head and made himself smaller, Yo and Alex both had the idea to block the attack raising their arms to cover their faces but were both blown away with Alex hitting a tree, Hunter jumped out of the way in the nic of time avoiding the blast all together. Hunter stood up and looked around, there was chaos everywhere as many people weren't as lucky with some losing limbs or flat out being torn apart. Hunter watched as she started walking in their direction and looking right at...Alex? Hunter realized this and ran over to the older teen and tried to lift him. His back had certainly been ripped open with a massive amount of blood oozing out and staining his jumpsuit.

"What the hell are you doing?" Alex snapped pushing Hunter away. She was getting closer.

"I'm trying to save you dumbass now get up" Hunter pulled again only for Alex to push him again standing on his own.

"No, get out of here before you get killed!" She was approaching Ganta who froze starring right at her.

"No! I'm not leaving you!" Hunter yelled getting in his face.

"And why the hell not?" She had passed Ganta.

"BECAUSE IM NOT LETTING HER HURT ANYONE ELSE I CARE ABOUT!" Alex was taken aback by this as Hunter turned around and yelled some more. "DO YOU HEAR ME? YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING HIM!" Looking around Hunter saw a large piece of broken glass from the stand Alex had sent him too and picked it up brandishing it like a knife and ran at her. She stopped in her tracks and tilted her head as he ran at her with his arm raised up. As he reached hitting distance he swung his arm down as hard as he could but it stopped before hitting her. Hunter looked up to see she had caught his wrist. She then lowered his hand and wrapped her hands around it. "No, please don't." Hunter begged knowing what she was planning.

"Ksh." and with that she closed her hands forcing him to shatter the glass in his own hand.

"AHHHH!" His whole arm shook violently as he fell to his knees unable to look away from her twisted smile. She then began to reach out slowly. "No, not again. STOP!"

"Haaah!" Both turned just in time to see Alex sprinting full speed at them with blood wrapped around his feet and not stopping until it was past his knees. He then jumped up and drop kicked her with enough force to jump off and with a flip landed, crouched down on his feet. She reacted fast though and lunged at him. Before she reached him he held his hands out and the blood moved from his legs and formed a blood barrier between him and her. It didn't do much however as she broke through it with a single punch sending pieces everywhere. The pieces stopped in mid air and came back to Alex's arm and starting at his elbow formed a three foot long, two feet wide, dual edged American tanto blade. Kicking off his back foot he jumped forward and brought the blade down where she stood. But he wasn't fast enough as she seemed to hop out of the blades path easily. Alex looked to where her eyes would be under her mask and glared. "Hunter!"

"Y-yes?" Hunter now looked up at attention now holding his injured hand.

"Grab the others and get them out of here, I can handle this." Alex bluffed to the best of his abilities, he knew he couldn't take her one on one but he had a feeling he could survive long enough for the guards to show up.

"Fine, but im coming back for you!" With that Alex rushed at her as Hunter ran back and helped Ganta to his feet.

"Why? Why is he here?" Ganta watched as Alex and The Red Man clashed, despite the blades size he could move it rather easily and quickly. However he wasn't fast enough as The Red Man dodged all of his attacks even getting in a few counter punches to Alex's side. "He wants to kill them again."

"What?" Hunter asked glancing between the fight and Ganta. "Kill who?" Ganta teared up at this.

"My friends, Shiro, Yo, You, and Alex." As he said this Alex prepared to try and once again bring his blade down on her but she responded by reaching her arm to her waist as though reaching for a sword before creating her own blade. It was the same overall size but looked more like a Japanese tanto. Swinging it upwards the two blades clashed and the two stood in a blade lock both pushing to disarm the other. The winner however was clear as Alex's blood once again shattered. This time however she instantly closed the distance and grabbed Alex by the throat before lifting him off his feet and into the air.

"Alex! NO!" Hunter called out running to try and assist Alex. As Hunter ran at them red electricity erupted from his bloodied hand and spread all the way up his arm. "Get off of him!" Hunter called out as She looked at him and tilted her head again. With adrenalin and hate fueling him he pulled his hand back mad a fist and punched her right in the jaw. She dropped Alex and Hunter rushed to his side. The two then looked up to see this had a helpful yet unintended side effect as the blood electricity was pushed onto her causing her to freeze up and violently twitch as it moved around her body at high speeds leaving burn marks wherever it passed. Both Alex and Hunter were caught off guard when they heard Ganta yell out.

"DIE!" A large bullet of blood then struck her sending her flying in the other direction. Both Americans turned to Ganta who had his hand outstretched, he was panting and was clearly struggling to stand.

"Did that do it?" Hunter said looking back to the fallen girl.

"No." Alex said forming his claws. And just as he thought she stood back up and cracked her neck. "Come on it's three on one! Im willing to play those odds if you are, Bitch!" She didn't respond to Alex's taunt instead saying.

"Hmm, no, not ready yet." As soon as those words left her mouth the started to levitate and then flew away. Ganta tried to give chase but collapsed soon after. The two then walked over to Ganta and helped pick him up up off the ground

"What the hell did she mean by that?" Hunter said lifting one of Gantas arms over his shoulder. Alex then chimed in.

"We were chosen remember?" Hunter nodded in response. "Well I think that was some kind of test. And we failed."

.

In his office Tamaki sat frustrated.

"This is the third time the system has gone offline this week, if I didn't know any better id say someone was disabling it intentionally." He then leaned back and rubbed his temples before looking up. "Wouldn't you agree Hades?" The man in the Hoodie walked out from the shadow his eyes had a dim glow to them that seemed to be gradually fading.

"You need to cut off communication with Alex."

"And why should I do that?" Tamaki laughed out his response. "Are you worried about what would happen to them if they found Zeus too early?"

"You don't have the clearance to know abou-"

"Or are you worried about what Zeus will do to you if they decide to turn him loose rather than do your dirty work?" Hades growled at this balling his fists and narrowing his eyes.

"The purpose they serve is none of your business all you need to know is that if they fail. All of us will die!" Hades said slamming his fist in to the desk cracking it. Tamaki Continued to laugh and spun around in his chair.

"Hades, you misunderstand! I don't want to stop them! In fact I think Alexander could be a very useful asset to us!"

"And what gives you that idea?" In response Tamaki turned on his computer and clicked on Alex's file showing it to Hades.

"The boy's a natural born killer! No, I haven't the least intention of hindering them." He then leaned in putting his arms under his chin. "In fact I think Alex would have a far easier time as an Undertaker rather than a upgraded Deadman." Hades stared Tamaki down before turning to leave. As he reached the door he stopped and said.

"Fine, but you're not to disclose any information about Zeus should you come across it." He then turned around as the glow in his eyes died. "If you do Zeus won't get the chance to kill you, I'll do it myself."

Hunter winced as the last of glass shards were pulled out of his hand. The doctor then wrapped it in gause before sending him off and attending to another patient. Alex had already had his stitches redone and sat around waiting for Hunter.

"So how's Ganta?" Hunter asked sitting next to Alex.

"He just had a few cuts, nothing major. But I got Shiro watching him just in case."

"She really seems to like you." Alex shrugged.

"Yeah I was actually gonna ask her about that but then someone started handing out pudding and after that nothing I said got through." Hunter laughed at that but then started to fidget. "Ok, out with it."

"Well I was just thinking, now that we know I have powers like you I was wondering if you could teach me how to use them." Alex sighed.

"You really want to go after this Zeus guy don-" Before Alex could finish Ganta came out of nowhere and said.

"Guys I know where the Red Man is!"

"Wait really!?" Hunter said standing up. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Not wasting any time the two ran off leaving Alex and Shiro confused.

"Hey wait for Shiro!" Shiro called out running after them.

"Oh for fu- slow down!" Alex said joining the line last. After a few minutes of running a female voice spoke over the intercoms.

"Warning: Security level red is now active, Please go to your cells and remain calm, also prisoners nine-six-six-four, five- five-eight-zero, and seven-three-one-five please report to security at once."

"Hey that's us right?" Alex called out from the back.

"Yeah," Ganta answered. "But why do they want us?" Then security doors started falling and the group was trapped. "Hey what the hell?" then a voice from behind said.

"Welcome to Deadman Wonderland on lockdown." They turned around to see Yo walking up to them."You know, you guys are getting called right? You need to report in or." He paused. "Well you saw what happened to me."

"We can't!" Hunter informed Ganta then added.

"We have to find The Red Man! In G-Block." Yo shook his head looking slightly annoyed.

"Look I get tha- wait G-Block?"

"You saw him Yo, he's the one who did what we were put away for the one who killed all my friends!" Yo then looked to each of them and asked.

"He put all of you in here?" Alex then nodded.

"Yeah, of all the shit they could have legitimately put me away for and they frame me! What kind of shit is that?" Everyone then looked at Alex with confused looks. "Ok at what point did I claim to be completely innocent?" Ignoring Alex, Yo then said.

"Look that doesn't matter because there is no G-Block."

"What?" Hunter asked stepping forward.

"Take a look for yourselves" Yo said pointing to a map. True to what he said there was no 'G' on the map just A through F Hunter and Ganta both looked defeated at this but Shiro seemed to be in thought as she said.

"G? Shiro thinks she knows where that is."

"Really Shiro!" Ganta asked.

"But im not telling!" She said turning around and pouting.

"What how come?" Hunter said getting a little mad at her display.

"Ganta's a butthead." Ganta just looked confused as Alex walked to where Shiro was facing and asked.

"Hey, what's got you all pissy? You were fine like ten seconds ago." Shiro just looked down glaring at her feet.

"Because Ganta..."

-CRASH- Alex turned around and asked.

"What the hell was that?" -CRASH- Hunter then looked behind him and stared at the security wall.

"It sounds like it's coming this way." With one last -CRASH- the security wall gave way to a large security robot. It started beeping and then a laser sight pointed right at Alex's head.

"SHIRO GET US OUT OF HERE!" Shiro puffed out her cheeks but groaned and said.

"Fine, but only cause I gotta!" In one motion she kicked the opening of a vent off. "It just takes a little push and you can go wherever you want." Hunter, Ganta, and Yo all stared in shock as Alex gave Shiro a pat on the head.

"Good job snowflake, now lets get out of here." Alex then jumped into the vent soon followed by everyone else. As they ran a loud bang rang out and the wall exploded. "OH COME ON!" Alex shouted.

"What the hell? Why are they trying to kill us?" Yo yelled. A loud clang could be heard as Shiro threw open a hatch in the floor.

"This way!" She said motioning for everyone to follow her. As he reached the hatch Alex looked back to see that Ganta had tripped over a wire and fell flat on his face. Jumping into action he rand over and lifted Ganta up saying.

"Fuck's sake now is not the time for this!" But the robot had reached them and was about to run them over but a blond blur moved past the robot and it stopped moving and made a few more beeps before shutting down.

"How did you do that?" Ganta asked as Yo walked past throwing away a mess of wires.

"Well lets just say im good with my hands." They then continued Down the path. After some turns and another hatch they reached a large door with the letter G on it.

"Holy hell it is real" Alex said stepping forward. As he did however another wall blew away and the robot rolled in front of them.

"Oh come on!" Hunter yelled out as the robot fired missiles destroying the area around them knocking everyone down. Alex grumbled as he felt his back wound re-open.

"Guys, im sorry! This had nothing to do with you! ITS ALL MY FAULT." Alex wanted to chew Ganta out for that one. Nothing to do with him? That bitch in red got both him and Hunter thrown away but this had nothing to do with them right?

"Ganta you are a complete"

"DUMBY!" Before Alex could utter another word Shiro jumped up kicking the robot into a nearby wall. Hunters jaw nearly hit the floor and Alex rubbed his eyes unable to believe what he had just witnessed. Shiro then began to chew Ganta out. "NOTHING TO DO WITH SHIRO? WHAT YOU THINK JUST BECAUSE I ATE YOUR SNACKS MEAN I CAN'T BE YOUR FRIEND? IM GONNA FIGHT WITH YOU WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT YOU BIG JERK!" Alex and Hunter then looked to one another and shared a laugh at the situation

"You know if she wasn't doing it, I would be." Alex said just happy they were done with the robot. Or that was what he thought before it reappeared and wrapped Shiro in wires "AHHHHH" Alex had nothing more to say his frustration finally boiled over and all he could do was yell forming claws on both of his hands before pulling them back and yelling out. "FUCK IT IM JUST GONNA RIP YOU APART MYSELF!" Throwing the blood fingers at the robot he screamed again before a shockwave blew everyone back down cutting the robot in half. As Hunter looked up he asked.

"Why didn't you do that when you fought the girl?" Alex stood back up and stared at the destruction before him.

"Because that wasn't me..." As Hunter looked back to the rubble he saw a tan, tall man with black spikey hair, wearing a black trench coat, cargo pants and combat boots. He walked out and looked at his handiwork with pride.

"Dead Center!"

Major story Changes: In the original Hunter first used his branch of sin in chapter 2. Alex found out the wretched eggs name after a vision. Hades did not make an appearance at all after the first chapter and was not going to be called Hades but Poseidon.

Alex: Alex was just as eager to find G-Block in the original, he was mad at Shiro when she refused to take them to G-block at first, He did not try and save Ganta from getting crushed, He was not as angry about the necro macro following them for so long.

Hunter: Hunter did not try to fight the wretched egg in the original, Hunter was actually the one to tell Ganta about G-Block and not the other way around.