Chapter 5: G-Block

Alex and Hunter watched as the man stepped forward and seemed to look from Hunter, to Alex, and then to Ganta before speaking.

"Well, well, well. Looks like the whole batch showed up for this one. What's wrong Woodpecker Don't think you can win in a one on one?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Alex spoke up walking in front of Ganta. Hunter also walked forward but stayed behind Alex knowing he was probably the best fighter in the group.

"I mean that's fine, I really don't mind taking all of you on at once it could be fun." A 'PFF' Came from Hunter before he asked.

"Hey Alex, do you think HE could take three guys at once?" Alex then looked over his shoulder and with a glare said.

"Very funny Hunter, you wanna actually help or should we just run at him like-" Before Alex could finish Ganta picked up a metal pipe and ran right at him. "dipshits." The man then shrugged and said.

"Not what I had in mind but ok, LETS GO." He then activated two rings on his thumbs popping out blades which he then used to cut along his forearms drawing blood and creating Curved blades on each arm. Then moving at incredible speeds cut the pipe Ganta had grabbed into several small pieces before turning his blades on Ganta cutting him in places all over his body in less than a second. Ganta stood still for about three seconds before falling to his knees and then started muttering to himself.

"Oh my god!" Hunter said wanting to help Ganta but unable to force himself to get in closer. This wasn't like the courtyard where he knew the girl in red wouldn't kill him no this was a whole different ball game. It was one Alex seemed ready to play however as he fired his fingers at the man who then cut apart each one. Alex then ran in making his blood cover as much of his arms as he could. The man cut at Alex who then slid under the attack slashing at the mans leg. The man then retaliated by swinging down at Alex but he had just enough time to bring his arms up and block the strike. The two men struggled with Alex clearly on the defensive as the larger man pushed him down to one knee.

"Well you're certainly a better fighter than Woodpecker, to bad you're not not good enough though!" Alex glanced past the man then smirked.

"At least I didn't turn my back to my enemy like a dumbass."The man's eyes widened as he turned his head to see Ganta standing up calling his blood to his hand.

"Your gonna pay! For what you did to my friends! YOU'LL PAY YOU BASTARD!" Ganta the fired a large blood bullet and the large man the kicked Alex in the chest sending him onto his back. He then turned raising his blades in defense but it did nothing as they were shattered and the bullet hit the man sending him sliding back but then defying all logic the man stopped and with a scream simply tanked the hit until it dissipated leaving him standing there with a large red mark where the shot hit him.

"hahaHaHA! Good work Woodpecker you hit me Dead Center!" Everyone in the room felt uneasy at his enthusiasm. "I mean Hawk was fine, and Falcon just stood around like a pansy but damn! I don't know what your friends have to do with this but keep it up im gonna feel that for a while!" Gantas eyes widened.

"Wait but aren't you The Red Man?"

"Okay time out, time right the fuck out!" Alex said standing up. "Ganta, did you forget what Hunter told you yesterday?" Ganta the turned to Hunter who smacked his forehead and slid his hand down his face.

"Ganta the person who attacked us was a woman." Gantas shook his head at that.

"Maybe so but we don't know that we were attacked by the same person! You said yourself there was someone else with her, there could be more than one of them!" Hunter had to admit that was a fair point that he hadn't thought about what if there was more than one? Surely the man in the hoodie could have put the armor on himself. And how many people where there that could control their blood anyway? If this big guy, him, Ganta, and Alex could all do it there had to be more right?

"Okay I don't know about this red person stuff but my name is Senji Kiyomasa or Crow if you wanna keep it at basics." Alex then spoke up.

"What's with you and birds dude?"

"Hey, not my idea the big wigs just assigned them to us." Alex rolled his eyes dismissively.

"Well that's retar- wait us?" Senji then started to laugh.

"Wow you poor saps really are really out of the loop aint ya?" Hunter and Ganta shared a look of confusion. "Alright let me make it easy for you. We ain't the only Deadmen running around there's a bunch of us down in G-Block." He then pointed his thumb at himself. "As I said im the Crow." He then shifted his hand to Alex. "You're Hawk." Then Hunter. "Falcon, but the only one im interested in right now." He then reactivated his blood blades and cut Alex across the thigh making him fall on one knee again before running at Ganta. "Is you Woodpecker!" He raised his blade as Hunter and Ganta both tried to run back but Ganta tripped over and fell helpless as Senji rushed at him. That was until Shiro jumped on him knocking him to the ground. He initially shook off the blow but froze up when he saw Shiro and her outfit. He then let out a scream backing away on his hands and knees. "Holy crap y-your a girl!" Shrio then leaned in and yelled.

"Leave them alone or Shiro's gonna-"

"Okay, okay just cover yourself up!" Senji interrupted pushing his coat at Shiro who just tilted her head in confusion.

"Huh, but why?"

"WHY? Just look at what you're wearing!" Still a bit confused but satisfied with his response Shiro started to back off the muscular man. That is until Alex called out.

"Shiro kick his ass!" She then immediately started swinging her arms trying to hit him as the rest of the group watched with amusement.

"Well Im not sure what we do now." Hunter said looking over to Ganta. "But I think we can cross him off our suspect list." Four loud bangs then rang out as all four deadmen felt something pierce their skin. Hunter then looked down at his left arm to see a dart sticking out of his arm. "Wait what...the... He-" He then went limp and crumpled into the ground followed soon by Ganta. Alex tried to stand back up but he felt far too heavy and face planted into the dirt.

Alex was now in a black void, he looked around trying to find anywhere to go to but there was nothing just endless empty space. He then turned around to see a giant bird cage around the size of a house with a small boy inside Alex recognized the boy as himself but around ten years younger and placed his hands on the bars keeping the younger him in.

"Right let me guess this is supposed to mean I feel helpless and trapped right?"

"I don't think it means anything. I think its just a thing that's happening and we can't explain it." The older Alex let out a laugh and said.

"You know that's how things typically are for me." The younger version then narrowed his eyes and said.

"Well maybe if you actually thought about your actions you'd be better off." Big Alex then started to make the same face.

"Oh yeah that's right I was a little shit growing up wasn't I?" He then knelt down to eye level and said. "Well let me curb that now brat. You make all the same mistakes I do. Every fuck up, every stupid decision, Every friend abandoned or killed. You do it all too so don't think you can ride that high horse for long because in about two years you're gonna start getting people killed and like I said it only gets worse." The boy didn't say anything at first only turning away and walking but after a few steps he stopped and said.

"Hades is going to kill you."

Alex woke up at that. Shifting in bed and covering his eyes with his arm... Wait bed?

"Shhhh, he's waking up." A unfamiliar and very feminine voice said in a hushed tone. Alex jolted up coming face to face with two girls the first and older one was a long haired blond woman wearing a lot of makeup, especially around her bright blue eyes, she looked to be in her late twenties and wore a very revealing outfit. She wore a black crop top that had roses on her rather flat chest, gloves that went down to her elbows in a harlequin style, under that she wore practically nothing but a black panties and stockings combo with the panties having a slight bulge. Which Alex thought in hindsight explained a bit. The younger girl who was somewhat hiding behind the older woman had dark brown hair which she had made into two pigtails, she had matching brown eyes and looked to be in her mid to late teens. Her outfit was comprised of a simple yellow dress, two cuffs on her wrists that were connected with a long chain, red shoes, and black knee high socks. The older woman seeing Alex staring leaned back and nudged the younger girl. "I think he likes what he sees." Alex blinked a few times before rubbing his eyes and asking.

"I'm sorry who are you and how did you get in here?" The woman laughed and held out her arms.

"Oh where are my manners I am Chaplin Sukegawa and this adorable little thing." she said moving to the side and pushing the younger girl forward. "Is Minatsuki, say hello dear!"

"H-hello, im sorry for barging in but Chaplin insisted." Alex sighed and said.

"It's fine... I guess just don't do it again." Minatsuki looked down and mumbled out another apology.

"Oh come now, if you had just locked your door we wouldn't have been able to waltz in like we did."

"Wait, I can lock my door? I have a door?" Alex looked around realizing he wasn't in a normal cell but was instead in a small room with two doors one adjacent from his bed and another facing the foot of the bed. "Where the hell am I?" Chaplin flashed him a bright smile and said.

"You're in G-Block silly!"

Hunter looked around in surprise this had been far from how he was expecting to wake up. Taking in his new surroundings he pushed himself off the bed and opened the door facing the foot of the bed to see a small bathroom complete with a shower and sink. Walking over to the other door and was about to open it when he heard a knock. Flinching back at this he waited a moment before gathering the courage to say.

"Who's there?" After he answered the door was thrown open startling him as a very tall but thin man stepped in. He was pale and very old looking well over sixty, he had white hair that he kept back with dreads along with a mustache and a beard. His outfit was made of a green leather band over his eyes as well was matching green and purple vest along with black pants being held up with a white studded belt. He looked at the boy and stated

"My daughter tells me your name is Hunter." Hunter looked confused but nodded and then realized that the man couldn't see and spoke up.

"Yes that's me but I didn't catch your name."

"My apologies, My name is Idaki Hitara, Chaplin sent me to find you and bring you to her lounge."

"Oh, well thanks I guess but I need to find my friends before I go anywhere." Idaki tilted his head before saying.

"My daughter tells me you will find them in good time, besides Chaplin and Minatsuki went to find Hawk and bring him to the lounge." Hunter decided that if Idaki new where Alex was he could at least follow him until he found his friend. "Though my daughter tells me leaving Masu in charge while they were gone was a bad decision."

"Wait, who's Masu?"

Chaplin let out a horrified shriek as she opened the door. There where large bite marks on just about everything in the room from the couch, to the counter, to even some glass wine bottles. The man Alex assumed was responsible for the mess at hand was currently about to sink his teeth into a TV before Chaplin ran up behind him grabbing him in a full nelson and dragging him away.

"You fat bastard! I trusted you! How could you betray me like this!?" The large round man was trying to break free and get back to his improvised meal.

"But I got so hungry and you took so looong."

"We weren't even ten minutes!" Alex's jaw hung open as the two continued to struggle. He kept a shocked expression on his face until he heard Minatsuki giggling next to him.

"Don't worry most people have the same reaction when the see his... Appetite for the first time." Alex looked at her in shock.

"Does he do shit like this often."

"I've honestly never seen him not be hungry." Behind the two Idaki entered rubbing the back of his head with Hunter just behind him.

"Hey Alex you're actually he-" Hunter walked in witnessing the situation. "What the hell happened?"

"Im honestly not entirely sure." Alex mumbled. After kicking Masu out and brief introductions everyone got situated. Hunter, Minatsuki, and Chaplin all found bite free spots on the couch, Alex managed to find a wooden chair that Masu hadn't gotten to in time, and Idaki simply stood.

"Right then!" Chaplin said getting everyone's attention. "As a welcoming party to our two new friends drinks are on me for today's Round of Carnival Corpses" Alex and Hunter shared a confused look then Alex spoke up.

"Question, what's a Carnival Corpse?" Chaplin then pulled out a remote and turned on the TV just in time to see two cages getting lowered. as they hit the floor a voice spoke from a speaker hanging above the arena which had a large tree in it.

"In the red corner, our first newcomer for the day, he may not look like much but we're expecting great things from him! Put your hands together for the Woodpecker!" Ganta then wandered out holding up his hand to block the blinding light. "In the other red corner, a fan favorite, you know him, you love him, come on out Crow!" Senji then walked out and the two started to talk.

"Wait what the hell is going on? Are they gonna fight?" Hunter said standing up.

"Sit down Falcon, there's nothing you can do." Chaplin said pouring beer into a large mug. Minatsuki then spoke up.

"You know Chaplin I like it better when you announce the fights, this guy doesn't bring enough flair into it."

"Oh thank you dear, but honestly Keigo does his best."

"My daughter says to turn up the volume, she can't hear." Alex and Hunter turned to each other again.

"these people are fucking nuts" Alex said in english.

"Totally, Why are they just sitting around like this is normal?"

"Maybe it is normal for them, Chaplin made it sound like theres gonna be more than one of these today." Hunters eyes widened as a thought came to his mind.

"Wait the announcer said Ganta was the first newcomer you dont think-" Hunter was then cut off by Minatsuki who looked at them confused.

"Umm, excuse me, what are you two talking about?" Everyone then turned to the two giving them both strange looks.

"Yeah, why can't we know what you're saying? Don't you like us?" Chaplin said with a pout. Alex thinking fast said.

"Ah, sorry about that, me and Hunter usually speak english when it's just us. I said I got fifty grand on Ganta." Chaplins face then lit up as she cheered.

"Oh, im in, eighty on Senji!"

"My daughter says gambling is could become a bad habit."

"Well im broke so." Hunter sighed and continued to watch the fight. Ganta was currently on the ground holding up his arms in defence as Senji slashed away.

.

Hades stared at the lineup for today. Gantas match was already underway so next up was Alex. He was set to fight the Ostrich a veteran fighter just like Crow. In fact all three where going up against experienced fighters with Hunters opponent being Robin. He pinched the bridge of his nose and growled out his frustrations. Tamaki was trying to piss him off. What were the chances of all three of them winning? Close to none but Tamaki had insisted that new Deadmen along with fan favorites would bring in a bigger crowd. But Hades didn't care about the money. He cared about results and if he didn't see any there would be hell to pay.

Alex smiled as Chaplin begrudgingly handed over her cast points pouting.

"And that is what happens when you bet against my boy Ganta!" Alex said shoving the card in his pocket. Just then the door opened up and an armed guard stepped in.

"Hawk, your match is in one hour, report for your pre-fight physical in thirty minutes."

Major story Changes: In the original Hunter was Being held by Tamaki (Once again just like Ganta .)

Alex: Alex did not originally have a dream in this chapter, He didn't like Minatsuki right off the bat, He was...well let's just say hostile to chaplin, And he was picked up on the way to get Ganta after his Carnival Corpse.

Hunter: Hunter was not involved at all with the little deadman group in the original.