The Final Hour (part 2)
AN: Three words: SCREW HIGH SCHOOL. Thank you so much for waiting and being patient with me! =_= I'm sorry that it took so long to get out…. Don't kill me! After much consideration, I have decided to add onto this. This is NOT the last chapter, I repeat, NOT the last chapter as there will be an epilogue to this. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody! Happy birthday to AtobeLover as well, for whom I wrote this story! And I'm glad to say that I passed my piano test! :D So happy~
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies.
Last chapter (part 2) start!
"…Ryoma…?"
He looked coldly upon his four former lovers standing dumbstruck on the elegant carpet. They looked inferior from a distance, compared to the other people standing regally upon the higher floor, looking down upon them.
"Yes. It's me."
Ryoma sneered. They all flinched, taken aback by the venom dripping down in his voice. Unconsciously, they backed up, creeping away slowly as what their minds perceived as dread. The past had creeped up on them, without them even noticing.
"Ryoma, why?"
Tezuka questioned softly.
"Why kill the people that you once valued so dearly?"
Ryoma scorned them, not even bothering to look at them.
"What valued people? I have no connection to them."
This surprised more than one person in the room.
"What do you mean?"
Fuji asked.
"I have absolutely no memories of these people that you said played tennis with me; I can't even say that I've even played tennis before."
The shock on the other four's faces were prominent. He scorned their faces, regarding them with a disgusted look on his face.
"Of course you wouldn't know."
With that, he turned his back on them and floated back to the rest of STYX. They readied themselves, turning towards Yukimura for future orders. Their faces were blank, ready for the order on which then they would unleash their weapons to bring the final end to their prey. Yukimura smirked down from his raised dais at the four. Gliding lithely, he sat himself gracefully into the gilded throne. He lifted a delicate hand, his finger tapping his forehead as he contemplated what to do. The four below him tensed and moved closer together, wondering what their fate would be. A slender eyebrow lifted.
"I hope you're not thinking of escaping. Otherwise, things might get a little bit nasty."
Kara's cold voice rang out from the room.
"Rather, I think they're thinking that if they die, at least they're going to die together."
Yukimura's cruel laugh sent shivers up their spines.
"How cheesy. Everything has changed about you."
Yukimura was going to take a while gloating over his final victory. To prevent their prey from escaping, STYX spread out to different corners on the balcony above them, spinning their dangerous weapons as if they were naught but childish toys. Sanada and Tezuka eyed them warily, while Fuji and Atobe were desperately racking their brains in an attempt to delay Yukimura even further.
"Why are you doing this to us, Yukimura?"
Fuji questioned, his tone soft. Sometime in the entire exchange, his eyes had opened. Cerulean blue irises stared at the one throned above him which would have made most people uncomfortable, but Yukimura was accustomed to such things. Hiring STYX was one such thing.
"Entertainment serves its purpose."
After hearing those words, everyone excluding STYX and the one who said it, recoiled in disgust and fear.
"Do you realize what you're saying? That you have-"
"That I have disregard for all life? Oh yes. Revenge plays its part in this theater too."
"Revenge?"
The disbelief on their faces made it apparent. A sinister chuckle slid out of Yukimura's lips before he replied.
"Yes revenge. You may wonder why that I, superior in everything that I do, would seek revenge. The reason is quite simple. It's because I was abandoned. By you, Sanada."
With that, he pointed a slim finger at the said person. Sanada was quite bewildered. What part did he play in this? Yukimura read his expression, his own face emotionless.
"Yes, you left Rikkaidai for your lovers. After you did that, everyone gradually drifted farther and farther away. They parted together to places that I couldn't reach, leaving me behind in the dust. No matter what I said or what I did, they all left. After all I did, they and you, Sanada abandoned me, leaving me to my own devices. But where did that leave me? Where would I go? I had nowhere to go besides Rikkaidai. It was my home. And you ruined it! Do you know how lonely it was waiting for you all to come back and pretend it was just a joke? Do you know how forlorn it was to stand in that sorrowful rain?"
Yukimura's face contorted in a grotesque sneer. With a slight cough, he readjusted his facial expression into a falsely amiable appearance.
"Pardon me, I seem to have lost my temper. That won't happen again. Remember this, old friends, as this is the last night you will see."
To STYX, he issued his last order.
"Kill them. But remember the promise we made; I want to see them suffer."
"Yes."
Their eyes glittered in fierce determination. Kurai and Kara grinned recklessly.
"Bloodshed we can finally enjoy, eh?"
"Damn straight."
They advanced slowly on their quarry, the killing aura thickening in the air. Kara twirled her three guns, nodding at Kurai who loosened the caution tape that she had bound around the 13 swords she carried. Kevin reached into his belt loops and pulled out a white bone whip, its segments rattling. In the meantime, Ryoma casually pulled his metal claws on, the action even more frightening by his relaxed manner. It was very rare that the four of them would fight together. Normally, they took solo jobs. But if they did fight together, their fights would progress like this: Ryoma and Kurai went in close range, Ryoma because they needed another close range fighter and Kurai because she loved to fight, and Kara and Kevin at long range, looking down at the fight and getting rid of potential threats to the close-rangers. But it was also Kara's job to analyze the fight, to direct the "troops" on where to hit. But she highly doubted that she would need it for this job. It was only for mafia extermination jobs that they needed that. Woe to the person who underestimated their abilities though. They were all-rounders, meaning that they could switch the ranges if they wished too. In fact, Kara's and Kurai's fighting styles mainly composed of switching their weapons around. They all locked on their individual targets.
"Oi, Atobe's mine. His attitude pisses me off."
"Fine PHOENIX. I lay claim on Fuji. It's going to be fun fighting him."
Kara smirked. For the sake of their work, they referred to each other by the codenames. No need to give their victims their names just in case, eh? Kevin and Ryoma settled their targets by a quick round of Janken. Kevin got Sanada and Ryoma's victim was Tezuka. Smiling grimly, they started their attack.
"Eeee hee hee hee hee hee~"
Kurai's creepy laughter filled the room. She ran across the walls, a crazy grin on her face.
"It's been a long time since I was allowed to go berserk!"
Raising an arm backwards, she slashed at Fuji. He jumped backwards, seemingly dodging the blade. A ghost of a smile flitted across his face, but quickly dispersed when Kurai smirked.
"Are you sure that you aren't hurt?"
She crooned. Her fingers flitted towards her cheek. He hesitated. What if she was just bluffing? But since her confident smirk didn't disappear as she cockily placed one hand on her hip, his fingers darted towards his cheek. A sticky substance coated his fingers and only then did he feel the stinging pain in his cheek.
"Hee hee, what did I tell you~"
A voice resounded behind him. Fuji spun around, to be met with the sight of Kurai sitting in front of him. Whipping his head back to the spot where she used to be, he was greeted with the empty space.
How did she get there so fast…?
His shock must have made itself evident on his face, for she sneered at him.
"Let's start with one!"
She grabbed one of her swords and started to slash relentlessly, a crazy grin on her face the entire time. Meanwhile, on the other hand, Kara just calmly shot at Atobe, Ivory in her right hand, the other hand toting Obsidian on her shoulder.
"Heh, going to dodge around like a little rat are we?"
A grin fixed itself on her face.
"In that case, I'm just going to have to get closer to you myself!"
With that, she leaped off of the balcony, and smacked Atobe with the butt of Ivory. He collapsed to the floor, temporarily immobile.
"Che. Finished already?"
With that, she called out a "Done here!" vaguely to the other residents of the room. Dusting her hands, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at the results.
What the hell? Whoever said that the Atobe's were great at martial arts was wrong. 'To defend themselves from becoming ransom' my ass!
Kevin flicked his wrist, purposely hitting the bony parts of Sanada's body. Grunting, Sanada hit the floor and ninja-rolled until he hit the wall, Kevin's attacks raining down relentlessly on his legs. A clatter was heard. Grunting, he raised himself up, only to see that bamboo poles had fallen from their vase onto the floor. There was something he could use as a weapon. Grabbing one of the bamboo poles, he assumed a defensive posture. Taken aback, Kevin stopped his attack for a few moments before regaining his smirk.
"Hooh, so you can actually defend yourself. This will make it most interesting for me!"
Ryoma, who was observing the fight from the corner of his eyes, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head.
The swish of the sword was heard as it cut through the bamboo dummy. The sword danced in the air, cleaving a silver pathway through all those who stood in its way. In this case, it was those bamboo dummies. Soft pants were heard in the tatami room as the owner of the sword settled down for a rest. Small claps could be heard in the room. The sitting person looked startled, but a soft smile crept upon his face when he saw who it was. Inviting the person to sit next to him, they shared a silent moment together in peace.
Clutching at his head, he doubled over and groaned. Moments crept by until the pain receded. Cursing at himself for wasting time, he headed over to Tezuka.
Restarting his attack, Kevin grinned recklessly. His attacks increased in speed and strength, showing how much he was holding back before. Sanada became more and more hard-pressed to block them, only being able to protect his vital points in the very end. Kevin advanced until Sanada's back pressed to the wall. Then he sat on the railing and continued to lash at Sanada with the bone whip until red welt marks could be clearly seen on Sanada's face.
Kevin complained, "This is getting boring, so I'll end it now."
And with that, he flicked his wrist and wrapped the bone whip around the bamboo pole. Sanada smirked, that was what he wanted. With a strength that was surprising for someone that was being beat down, he heaved the makeshift sword, pulling Kevin along with it. Kevin blinked, surprised. As he got closer though, a face-splitting evil leer was apparent on his face. Flipping in the air, he landed a kick square in Sanada's face. Recoiling, Sanada dropped his sword, clutching his head. Kevin snapped the makeshift sword in half, nonchalantly showing his general amusement at the outcome. He looked towards the fallen man, wrapping his bone whip around him.
" Hee hee, I would really like to thank you for the wonderful amusement you gave me tonight, but I really need to end it. But as compromise for the amusement, here you go."
As he spoke, the whip extended to reveal sharp points in the segments, piercing his skin. Kevin walked away from the howling man.
"Done here."
Ryoma was looking callously bored, as he ran closer and closer to the spot where Tezuka was standing. Tezuka tensed, shifting into a defensive position while his brain started calculating the best way to escape the predicament. Every escape possibility came down to less than one percent. That still wasn't very reassuring. But his conscience caught him. After hurting Ryoma so much, it would be a very bad idea to extend onto the damage that they had caused him before. While he was grappling with his conscience, Ryoma attacked, ferociously hacking at whatever he could reach. Tezuka tried to defend himself, but to no avail. Soon, he collapsed from exhaustion. Ryoma indifferently wiped his bloodied claws on his downed opponent's shirt.
"Done here."
Again, another clashing pain nearly split his head in half.
The clack of the chess pieces against the board reverberated throughout the room. A look of fierce concentration settled upon the shorter one, while his opponent always retained an air of stoicness. Their fierce battle was held on a checkered board; the air crackling with tension between them. If one knew the stoic brunette well, one could see the corners of lips lifting into what could be described as a smug smile. His victory was assured. The younger one scowled, his eyes rapidly running over the chessboard to find a move that would save his king from the ultimate demise. He would not accept defeat that easily. Suddenly, he found it. Moving his knight to a different position, he smirked. He was saved. The other frowned. Seems like this little battle would go on longer than expected.
Kara looked upon the finished fights with approval. That was faster than expected calculations. Behind her, a fist flashed and crashed into the wall facing it. Atobe blinked in surprise. Kara had tilted her head to one side, avoiding the blow. She glanced backwards, a sadistic smile on her face.
"Maa, maa, you woke the sleeping dragon in KIRIN, Atobe Keigo. Better watch out now."
Kara turned her head up to stare at the other members of STYX.
"Don't interfere."
"Don't worry 'bout it; we weren't going to."
Ryoma clutched his head. What were with these headaches? Why now of all times?
The pounding of fists and kicks were heard against the practice dummy. After some time, the fighter settled down and reached for an imaginary towel. Tch. He had forgotten that he didn't bring one. Suddenly, a towel along with a bottle of water appeared in his line of vision. He blinked. Accepting the gift, he downed half the water bottle and wiped his sweat from his brow. Emerald hair filled his vision. Golden eyes blinked at him. He smiled and accepted a training bout.
"Heh, you let your guard down."
With one swift motion, Kara turned on the spot and stopped Atobe's other fist with her hand. Bloodlust could be seen in her eyes. Finally using all three guns, she twirled them in the air.
"Red."
She spun Garnet around one hand and fired. Everytime, she would announce a color corresponding the gun's names and shoot with that specific gun. Though Kara never aimed at the vital points, she kept grazing other painful places, never really hitting him. The entire time, she had the sadistic grin unfurled on her face. Yukimura watched upon the entire scene from above, a little smile of amusement constant on his face.
"Saa, who would've knew that KIRIN was that kind of person?"
"Normally, she tends to disguise it, but she can't help but let it out sometimes. But those are in small amounts. This time, she really isn't keeping a rein on it."
Kurai observed from a distance. Yukimura smiled.
"Glad to know that she's finding enjoyment from it PHOENIX."
"Heh, we're only in most jobs because we deign that it would give us more amusement than others. Thanks to you, it's living up to its reputation. It's not often that we find a job that would give us this much fun."
"You're very welcome."
In a little bit, all the four victims were tied up by Kevin's bone whip. He flexed his wrist, tightening the bonds slightly, as if he were reminding the four how powerless they were to stop this. It was also to show what would happen if they tried to escape.
"Meh. Done already? That was quick."
Yukimura glanced down in contempt onto the others.
"I thought they would provide more entertainment than that. I guess not. Even all the other targets were more interesting than that."
"Yukimura! Release us!"
"You are in no position to talk, Sanada. You were the one who abandoned me. You have probably never felt how it felt to be abandoned. This time around though, I will be the one to show you true abandonment. You will not die alone; however, you will not die with your lovers together as well. You will watch as they die before you, one by one. Then at the end, you will join them."
To STYX, he issued the final order. "Kill them."
Who got the honor of dying first? Kurai chanted a childish rhyme to select, a huge grin never leaving her face.
"Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Mo. Catch a tiger by its toe~"
Lo and behold, the finger pointed to Tezuka. Kurai's sword glinted in the light, the deadly blade hissing through the air in a deadly arc towards his throat. At the exact moment, the pain in Ryoma's head became too much to bear. With a cry, he collapsed on the ground, clutching his head as it decided to try and cleave him into two. Within a flash, Kurai, Kara, and Kevin were by his side. Kurai had already sheathed her sword. Yukimura started.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Kara looked up from her position, eyes cold.
"STYX's first priorities are to look after their members, even if it does clash with the client. Our second priority is that to our job. And our third priority is the client. Please wait."
Yukimura half rose from his chair, but decided against it. He had waited for this all this time; it couldn't hurt to wait a bit more.
"Ryoma! Ryoma!"
The voices sounded so far away, as if he was hearing them from a daze. The pain was so gut-wrenching. What was wrong with him? This was the first time on a job that this much pain came. Before, they came as migraines in random intervals of time. He was slowly going unconscious, he was sure at that. Hearing voices was probably not a good thing right? Then, a flash of white and blue entered his mind.
Seigaku…?
Then all too suddenly, painful memories rushed into his already abused mind. Colorful flashes of still-frames with blurred edges ran through his mind. With a vivid clarity, he was reminded of every single thing that he did in the 21 years that he was alive. Tears streaked down his cheeks as he remembered the ones he had killed.
Did I really do all this…?
Kara saw his tears and it suddenly all clicked. Ryoma had regained his memories. Sighing, she softly relayed all the information she got to Kurai.
It looks like we won't be able to continue this job anymore… With Ryoma in this condition and with his memories back, he won't want to anymore…
How was she going to relay this to the client? Lifting off the ground, she sighed again. With a bow, she began.
"We are sorry to say, but we cannot finish this job."
"What?"
"It seems that one of us is incapable of continuing tonight. Farewell Yukimura Seichi."
"I thought you were professionals! Professionals don't leave their jobs unfinished at the very end!"
"Don't insult us."
Kara's voice suddenly took a 180 degree turn from before. Her eyes were like cold chips of ice. Sudden chills came; the temperature literally went down a few degrees.
"…fine. After coming this far, I'll do it myself."
With that, he raised his hand to summon a butler in the room, but paused when sirens could be heard in the distance. And they were getting closer. Yukimura whipped his head around. Atobe was looking very smug indeed.
"You! What did you do! I thought KIRIN shot down your phone!"
"Naïve, Yukimura, naïve. If I don't answer my phone after a certain amount of time, the police are automatically called to the point where the last phone call was made."
True to his word, the sirens were almost to the house. Yukimura slowly crumpled to his knees on the ground.
"Why?"
It was sad so softly, that Kevin, who had rushed over to him once he had fell onto the ground, had to lean closer to hear him.
"All I wanted was revenge. Why is it that all my plans are thwarted at the end?"
Kevin's eyes softened at that. He too, had once felt this way. Kurai, Kara, and even Ryoma had taught him better. Especially Kara. She was like the mother he never had.
"I don't think you mean revenge."
Yukimura looked up at him.
"What do you mean?"
"I just think you were lonely. Lonely because everyone you loved left you behind."
Though Yukimura was still on the ground, he was pondering about this deeply. Sure, being told about his own emotions peeved him a bit, but he never really considered it from that point.
"…you're right. I just wanted someone to love me."
He whispered the last sentence. Kevin dropped to his knees and hugged him. Just at that moment, the police came bursting in, with Shisido and Choutarou at its head.
"Freeze! The New York Police and FBI!"
With a flash, Kurai and Kara moved. With one mighty heave, Kurai pulled the tied-up four towards her and held her swords to their necks. With them, she held a small dagger behind Ryoma's back. Kara leaped with a mighty bound over to where Yukimura and Kevin were, and cocked two of her guns at the back of their heads. They also replaced their masks.
"Don't move."
That sentence was directed at the police who were surrounding them. Shishido froze.
"Dammit!"
He cursed under his breath. His first duty was to secure the civilian hostages and make sure they were all uninjured. Choutarou murmured into his ear.
"They have Atobe, Fuji, Tezuka, Sanada, Yukimura, Ryoma, and Kevin as well."
Dammit! Friends they knew were in danger!
Looks like STYX will live on immortal again…
Shishido gnashed his teeth. Meanwhile, while the police were temporarily distracted, Kurai and Kara took this opportunity to whisper to their "captives."
"Kevin, you are now free from STYX."
Kevin's eyes opened in shock. He opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by Kara.
"Shhhh… please Kevin, find your happiness. Yukimura, take care of him or you will have me to answer to."
On the other hand, Kurai whispered to her captives.
"You better look after Ryoma or I will personally hunt you down after this."
Their eyes opened in amazement. Fuji asked.
"Does that mean you will leave Ryoma with us?"
"Yes. Ryoma, as from now, you are free from STYX. Find your happiness."
With that said, KIRIN and PHOENIX addressed the police.
"Hear us, we are STYX. You will let us go free, less you want these civilians to come to harm. And please, do not underestimate us. We are accomplished professionals, not some new rookie who can't even handle their weapons. Every other scheme you come up with shall fail. You have our word that the hostages will be released."
After a few moments of frantic whispering between the superiors, they had no choice but to let STYX through. KIRIN and PHOENIX crept slowly towards the balcony. Suddenly, they pushed the hostages away and leaped onto the railings of the balcony and broke through the upper windows. The police were too stunned as they moved within a fraction of a second. They were also occupied with making sure the hostages were safe. STYX rose from the scattered glass, like ethereal wraiths. Shishido didn't hear them afterwards as he was busy tending to his friends. Later reports said that they had announced a speech to the wave of reporters outside and escaped through a limo that had accomplices inside. The limo was never found.
Paramedics surrounded Ryoma as they pushed him towards the ambulance. Faces swam out of his view as he lay there on the transport cot. He thought towards the last words that Kurai would probably ever utter to him for a long time to pass.
Find my own happiness eh?
His hand was clutched by Fuji and Atobe who were getting into the ambulance with him. They refused to leave his side, even to treat their injuries. His head turned to the other side. Tezuka's and Sanada's faces swam into view, uncharacteristic looks of worry on their faces. His fingers flitted towards their faces, touching them. They caught his hand and held it there. Even if it might be hard, he was willing to make up with them. It would be a way to atone for his sins; nonetheless he would never forget what he did to his friends. This must've been Kurai's and Kara's last gift to him. He never really understood when they talked about different kinds of love; he had always dismissed it as something trivial. His lips curled into a smile.
"Thank you, nee-san."
The End~
I hope you enjoyed that. It was exhausting to write in the middle of no inspiration. [sobs] There will be an epilogue to this! I hope it turns out better than this, as I think this was really bad writing. -.- Please tell me how this turned out; I'm too exhausted to think now.