Author's Note: Since chapter 3, it took me roughly a month to work on and release a chapter, I can safely say that this one took me less than two weeks to finish.

Black Rock Shooter and co. belongs to Huke.

"Sick" - Nothing's Carved In Stone

Dragon Slayer sighed as she entered the desolate break room, "Well, it could have been worse, but we all survived, for now..."

Having Icicle appearing twice within moments of each other didn't help relive them of their suspicion since B RS didn't know what was leaving her a hollow feeling, but that didn't mean the implications were far off from what they already know about her. Either way, that was secondary to what they were feeling now, and trying to force their hunger back wasn't helping as Geshumaru started shifting through the bags, pulling out a bag of chips while Mato was looking for something for her to eat. Sitting down on a chair, Dragon Slayer raked through her hair as she thought back to what Icicle tried to carry out with Kanna, and what she did to prevent it from coming to light; it didn't sit right with her that she appeared soaked in blood. She could hear the screams replaying in her head as she thought about the past, but she pushed those thoughts aside before they reached the forefront of her mind. There were certain things she was willing to share with all of them, but anything about her before she ever met any of them was off-limits.

[Dragon Slayer, what are you thinking about..?]

Dragon Slayer frowned slightly at Kanna's question, "Nothing, except that Icicle appearing and doing something to B RS is unsettling..."

[Gee, thanks for worrying about me.. bitch...]

"Cut the sarcasm, Icicle almost got you, which also meant she almost got me," Dragon Slayer stated to Kanna, "If she did, it would become the worse ending for all of us to witness..."

Dragon Slayer could hear Kanna groaning in irritation, but she knew the woman meant well, it was just that she already escaped from Icicle's control thanks to Geshumaru, and wounding up back in it is a fate she wants to avoid. Sighing, Dragon Slayer felt like passing out now after going through that battle that littered itself with surprises, so she switched places with Kanna, the dyed fringe crossing her line of sight as she blink in surprise, noticing Mato and Geshumaru staring at her in surprise. The moment her mind started making sense of what just happened, Kanna got up from her seat and started grumbling to herself, insulting Dragon Slayer with a few choice words before sighing as sitting back down, reaching out for a bag full of items they wound up stealing from a convenience store. Pulling out a bag of chips for herself, Kanna thought about what she should do now as her eyes surveyed the other two, who went back to talking and eating, appearing as though everything that's happening isn't real and that they were normal school girls chatting away. The only thing about that is that they are dealing with a possible 'before the apocalypse occurs' situation, and what they're doing is trying to keep some semblance of their life before everything went to hell.

"You know, I really envy you two..." Kanna said as she opened her bag of chips, catching Mato and Geshumaru's attention as they looked at her.

Mato arched an eyebrow, confused, "What do you mean?"

"Look at you two, your both friends dealing with this situation, and you're still able to talk to each other like everything that's happening outside these walls isn't real," Kanna told them, appearing somber as she pulled out a chip from the bag, "I wish I could talk with my friends, even meet up with them, but they're either in Kyoto or Chiba dealing with university, unaware of all of this"

"I'm sorry Kanna, but we'll end this," Geshumaru told her, trying to reassure her, "Count on it, besides, with Dragon Slayer helping us, everything might seem easy..."

"If she doesn't wound up backstabbing us.. or just me..." Mato said as she looked at Geshumaru pointedly, whispering the last part to herself.

Kanna sighed before laughing a bit causing the other two to raise their eyebrows as she waved at them reassuringly, "No, it's just that I could hear a slight snore coming from Dragon Slayer"

"Figures, she always knows how to disturb everything for her own gain," Geshumaru said as she munched on some pocky, "So, what should we do now, we already did what we needed for the day..?"

Kanna already knew what she got planned, but it isn't something that she should associate with them since it isn't worth their time, despite placing her life on the line during the night will have them wondering what she was thinking. Shelving her thoughts, Kanna started thinking about the fight she was in and how it all played out, never experiencing such unnatural movements from her body, but that only showed the degree of skill that Dragon Slayer has. In a way, it was surreal, but amazing as she wasn't sure what the amber-eyed Anomaly could do aside from jumping between large distances, since that was the first display of her abilities that Kanna managed to witness. On the other side of things, it was scary to see her fight against someone who managed to knock her around, but the fact that Dragon Slayer was the one controlling just her body, it negated the fear a bit, but not enough for it to lose its impact. For Kanna, she was sure that she hasn't seen everything just yet, but the way things are going, she knows that as long as her fear surrounding the situation grows, so does her interest about how other selves work and what makes them tick.

It's convoluted to an insane degree, but Kanna couldn't help but think that she was falling into a world that really captured her eyes.

"Uh, Kanna, please come back down to Earth," Geshumaru said, snapping Kanna away from her thoughts, "What do you think we should do..?"

Kanna blinked before raking through her hair, "Let's finish eating before going to sleep, we'll need all the energy we can get"

"No kidding, even with the bath, I feel beat," Mato said, sighing before she wound up glaring at Geshumaru, who was chuckling at her.

"Sorry, but Shooter did more work than you, and you feel exhausted..?" Geshumaru rhetorically asked before entering into another bout of laughter.

As Mato started ranting about how it was the stress that came with everything that happened today, which did nothing to stop Geshumaru from laughing, Kanna went back to her own thoughts, making sure that Dragon Slayer was really asleep before losing herself to her idea. They needed maps to pinpoint the locations that Icicle might be building the weapon at, just to give them a general idea of what they could do if the situation calls for them to ruin the malevolent other self's plans, and the thought of seeing Icicle's expression when her plans falls apart in front of her sent chills down Kanna's spine. The only problem that remained was trying to wake up in the middle of the night when there's two others that will be sleeping with her, and she isn't willing to bet that either one of them is a heavy sleeper. Either way, they have this momentary break from everything, and it's better to capitalize on it before the next thing comes up that puts them in a troubling situation, and Kanna knows that what she's planning is bound to cause some trouble. In the end, it's just a matter of burning that bridge when she gets there, how she'll do it is still eluding her, but she prefer it doesn't involve her getting into a fight, having Dragon Slayer waking up, or getting Geshumaru and Mato, or B RS for that matter, to save her skin.

"It's scary how my thoughts just loves to screw with my hopes," Kanna thought to herself, "I guess I'm just a natural-born pessimistic..."

"Ugh, that was some beating," Kagari groaned as she leaned back, collapsing on top of Yomi's bed, "I can still feel my bones aching from Chariot getting blasted away..."

Yomi sighed, "Don't remind me, besides, I'm more worried about Icicle when she returned, she didn't look pleased"

Kagari shivered as she remembered when they were patching themselves up from their other selves' fight against B RS, Geshumaru, and Dragon Slayer, Icicle returned before tossing someone to the other side of the classroom, her eyes burning with anger. Both she and Yomi didn't stick around for long as whatever was going to happen didn't concern them, but Saya stayed back to make sure Icicle didn't blow something sky-high, and Yuu obviously stayed back like a dog waiting for its owner to finish up with whatever was keeping them preoccupied. That didn't stop them from feeling the massive, suffocating aura that the malevolent other self let out before they heard something break as they were making their way out, which meant that Icicle stopped resorting to her power and did something physically. Technically, attacking in complete silence is usually how Icicle operates, if their other selves' fights against her before they wound up serving Icicle were any indication, and if she decided to break something, that meant that things just got a lot worse than they expected. Either way, they don't know what else happened, but that was a minor detail that they can ignore for now, there were other things that they need to focus on.

"So, you're taking the night shift..?" Kagari asked, arching an eyebrow as she watched Yomi change clothes.

"Of course, Saya can't do it continuously as it would become too taxing on both her and Gold Saw," Yomi stated as she buttoned up her nightgown, "Beside, we all have to watch over the area during the night, but only when it's our turn"

Kagari frowned a bit, "You know, it only so we can capture those bitches if they show up"

"Yes, but that doesn't stop us from patrolling, we have to prepare for any sort of outcome," Yomi said, looking back at Kagari, "Besides, I rather patrol for a good before coming back to sleep, and even then, dead Master will take control of my body until it's time for me to wake up"

Kagari thought about what Yomi said for a moment before shifting to something slightly different, but still related to the conversation, "You're doing this because you hope Mato will show up, right..?"

"While I would like to make Mato my own personal toy, I rather stay on Icicle's good graces," Yomi said as she opened her room door and exited, staring at Kagari, "We all want to stay on her good graces, who knows what she'll do if that fails..."

"I rather not think about that," Kagari said, looking a bit worried.

"Good, now go to sleep, but not in my room," Yomi told her before heading towards the stairs.

As she made her way towards the stairs, Yomi could see transparent green shards floating around her as she felt her body get enveloped in unnatural energy, all before her appearance got replaced with that of Dead Master, her heels clacking on every step she took as she made her way down. She could hear her bedroom door close before another one opened before it got closed silently, indicating that Kagari exited her room and went back to hers, but that didn't matter to Yomi as she reached the front door, grabbing the doorknob. For a moment, Yomi hesitated as she looked behind her, noticing how the house basked in the darkness and the emptiness that's been developing inside it ever since Icicle took control of everything, but stopped herself before she opened the door and left the house, closing it behind her. Looking up, Yomi didn't waste time thinking about anything and launched herself to the air, landing on top of a street light before jumping to the next one, her eyes surveying the streets below. This was the third time the thrill of having Dead Master's powers ran through her, and she wasn't going to look at it with caution, that side of her has passed long ago and she won't let it come back, regardless of anything.

The girl wander down the hallway, mindful of how close she was getting to the stone wall as the light ahead of her cleared up, revealing a vast library that contained various tomes, but she didn't know about either one of them. She could remember when the observer came down the stairs after she destroyed whatever was hunting them down, looking no different from the moment the entrance way for the sanctuary sealed up. Blinking her eyes, she walked towards the stairway that lead to the bottom floor of the library, taking each step carefully as she noticed the observer making her way to a table, laying out a tome on top of it. Now that the sun wasn't obscuring her vision, she could now see the observer clearly, but for some reason, she couldn't make out her facial features, as if this was something that she couldn't see for some unknown reason. Pushing those thoughts aside, she decided to walk up to the observer, since there was something about this particular other self that caught her interest, despite being an adolescent other self with an unnatural sense of curiosity.

The observer froze for a moment before looking back, noticing the girl looking up at her, "Well, what brings you here little one..?"

[What are you..?]

"That's not something you would normally ask someone you don't know," The observer told her, a little off put by the question.

[But I do know you, you're the one who saved me...]

"But that's as far as it goes, you don't know me on the personal level," The observer stated as she got up and walked around the table, "Besides, you wouldn't want to know me, I'm what you other selves would call an.. abomination"

[A what..?]

"A freak, a monster," The observer clarified, looking back at the girl, "But it doesn't matter, you should really go back"

The observer was about to head off deeper into the vast library when she noticed someone nearing her, "Hm, what is it Devil Girl?"

The girl couldn't understand what they were saying, probably because she was too young to know the complicated words, but whatever they were talking about, it certainly made the observer uncomfortable. What happened next surprised her as the library's image seemed to flicker between something else, catching her off-guard, but also reminding her of something that she couldn't place her finger upon. Before she could think any further, a rumble snapped the girl from her thoughts and it caught the two other selves - who were deep in their conversation - attention, the one that the observer called Devil Girl pulling out an unusual sword. The rumble continued for several minutes before it ceased, allowing the observer and Devil Girl to relax for the moment, brushing off what just happened as a mere earthquake caused by disturbances throughout the real world, with the Otherworld reacting accordingly to it. The observer walked away from the row of shelves and neared the table, where her hat rested, something that the girl didn't know about until she noticed the observer picking it up and placing it on her head, sliding her finger along the brim before flicking it away.

"It seems that this is where we part ways, little one," The observer told her, bending down to eye-level, "You have to go back there now, so stay safe"

[But I can't...]

"Yes, you can," The observer told her before getting up and looking towards Devil Girl, "We need to move, quickly..!"

They took several steps forward in the other direction, but the observer stopped when she heard a soft padding coming towards them, prompting her to look behind at the girl, "No, you have to go back"

[But I can't...]

"And why not?" The observer inquired, slightly irritated.

[Because it reeks of death up above...]

The girl couldn't tell, but she could practically feel the shock and worry that emanated from the observer's aura, the older being turning as another rumble coursed throughout the room. Cracks coursed through the ceiling of the room before it reached the entrance way, the frame cracking as they heard a bone-chilling shriek emanating from a creature entering the room, its form covered by the black smog that surround it. The observer moved in front of the girl and Devil Girl and narrowed her eyes, snapping her fingers in front of her as something appeared, her right hand grabbing a hold of it as the creature snapped its head towards them, six eyes glowing with blood-thirsty anger and hunger. She was about to make a move as she watched the creature narrow its blood-shot eyes, but stopped as she watched the creature look to her right, and she froze when she followed its line of vision and noticed the girl on the upper platform. Cursing to herself, the observer and Devil Girl hurried and jumped to the upper platform, forcing their power to course through them to catch the beast's attention, which worked for a moment before it refocused on the young other self.

[Hello, are you behind that sensation..?]

The beast snarled as it inched closer, prompting the observer to respond to the girl, "Don't bait it..!"

The observer's words acted as a trigger as the beast launched itself towards the girl, but between the distance that separated the two, it was unaware of the malicious aura that surrounded the room. For a moment, it appeared that time slowed down for them all as what followed next caught them all by surprise, especially since the aura in the room started thinning out before condensing itself. In the next second, the black smog that surrounded the beast got blasted away by an unnatural force, revealing its lithe, but primal form as its six red eyes locked on the girl, nearing her with each passing second. However, it would never reach her as the beast froze in midair before it started howling in pain, the creature's body contorting and twisting in a way that's unsuited for any body, the bones breaking as blood started leaking from the beast mouth, straight to the floor. Before the observer and Devil Girl could even blink, they watched the beast get annihilated from existence, everything disappearing as the crumpled form got compressed until it was nothing but a mere speck of matter, with the blood that rested on the platform's floor being the only evidence of its brief existence.

[If so, then stay dead...]

The observer could only stare at the young other self in shock before looking back towards Devil Girl, "Head on up, check on the rest"

After watching Devil Girl make her way up, the observer looked back at the girl, "Just... what was that..?"

[I could always do that...]

That comment alone got the observer thinking as she walked to the girl, cautious of whatever could happen if she wound up making a bad move, unwilling to really put her life on the line in a non-violent situation since the source of their troubles was already dead. Kneeling on the floor, the observer channeled some energy throughout her body as she stared deep into the young other self's eyes, which surprised the girl a bit as she didn't know what the observer was doing exactly, but she chose not to question it. As the observer stared into the girl's eyes, she could feel herself getting pulled into something that threatened to rip her apart, a nature that seems normal to that of an other self fighting for her life, but the sensation that accompanied it wasn't the same, as it seemed more malicious and conniving in a way that could send chills down her spine. Even so, there was a power that the observer was all too familiar with, and that allowed her to come up with a result that even surprised her more than what the girl did to the beast that made its way to the library. Hearing muffled footsteps nearing them from her subconscious, the observer canceled out her power and got back up, turning around as she could see Devil Girl turn up, a grim expression on her face.

"Well..?" The observer asked Devil Girl, curious about whatever is going on up above.

[... It's turning into a massacre...]

"So the creatures appearing caused panic and fear to settle in, forcing them to lash out at the beasts, and themselves," The observer mused, the answer she received from Devil Girl leaving an unsettling feeling inside of her, "There's nothing we can do, we would only escalate the problem, so it's best if we make our leave..."

[And the girl..?]

The observer expected Devil Girl to ask her that question, with her response being to look at the young other self and say, "She's coming with us, as she's adapting at a rate unlike any other selves we've come across"

[I'm coming with you..?]

"Yes, and we'll train you as well," The observer told the girl, bending down to one knee as she stared at the young other self, "There's something about you that's different, that separates you from the rest, but keeps you in line with what I am"

The observer got back up and offered her hand to the girl, "We will help you develop your powers, to the point where your developing existence from an other self to an Anomaly will flourish..!"

The girl stared at the hand as if she didn't understand the gesture before reaching out and grabbing it, watching the observer close her hand around the little one as they made their way to the lower floor, intent on leaving the sanctuary that the creatures have managed to make their way into. Taking a look at the hand that held hers, the girl noted the black skeletal form the observer had for hands, finding it interesting as she hasn't met other selves that had something like that, but her thought process got interrupted by the sound of the wall before them opening up to reveal a hallway. The three of them walked through the open passageway, the wall restructuring itself as it sealed away the open route, and despite being young and not all that knowledgeable about everything, the girl knew that the hallway was specifically designed for getaways that requires no evidence of where they are. The girl could see a light at the end of the hallway, the three of them passing through it as they found themselves outside, the area desolate as night was starting to take its place in the checkerboard sky above. The observer let go of the young other self's hand before snapping her fingers, creating a ball full of energy as it shined some light for the three of them, her eyes looking around as she noted how there's no signs of life anywhere.

"We will camp out here for the time being, but we'll have to move on several hours from now," The observer told them before looking at the girl, "And since you're traveling with us, best to get introductions done"

[Intro.. ductions..?]

"Yes, and I know you heard me call Devil Girl by her name, or rather, title," The observer told the girl, gesturing to Devil Girl, who was examining her katana, "As for me, I have no true name, but you may call me..."

By then, everything was starting to drown out as the girl could feel herself getting pulled away by something, but it looked like the other two wasn't reacting to what was happening to her, so she wondered what was happening as she lost consciousness.

"Hmm..?" Kanna hummed quietly as she woke up, the faint moonlight entering the room as she raised her head from the table.

Looking around the room for a moment, she could feel her consciousness shaking off whatever remained from her sleep as her eyes locked on the two forms that laid on the floor, blankets covering them as their heads rested on top of their own bags. Feeling something covering her shoulders, Kanna grabbed the fabric and got up from the chair, walking over to the other two before she placed her blanket over them, her eyes trying to convey different emotions, but are unable to settle on one. Deciding that it was best to put her plan into actions, Kanna started moving out of the room when she accidentally stepped on a piece of glass, forcing her to stop as she looked behind her, only for a sense of relief to wash over her as the two still remained asleep. Even so, her eyes darted towards the mirror, worry evident on her face as she thought that Dragon Slayer probably woke up from what just happened, but her worry disappeared in an instant as she could only see her own reflection, instead of Dragon Slayer taking its place. Not willing to waste any time in the room, Kanna made her way out, cautious of the broken material that still remained on the floor as she rushed towards the machinery.

Moving as quickly as she could without making much sound, Kanna grabbed the railing and promptly slid down to the lower level before moving around the machinery, heading towards the hallway. She knew that she was in the clear when she managed to weave through the labyrinth of a building and get outside, but that was only the beginning for her as she started running through the field, heading towards the trees. The night air was quite cool, but Kanna was hoping the adrenaline would help warm her up and keep her mind away from the cold as she jumped over the fence, rushing through the field full of trees. If it wasn't for the moonlight, Kanna was sure that she would get whacked in the face by the branches that's sticking out, but she didn't have to dwell on that thought for long as she exited from the trees and wound up on a road, with a car conveniently parked on the side about several feet from where she was standing. Hurrying towards the car, Kanna moved towards the driver's seat and checked the door, watching it open before she entered and closed the door, her eyes fixated on the wheel and ignition.

"If there's a god, then he's helping me..." Kanna thought to herself as she turned the key in the ignition, "Alright, time to head home"

Kanna's elation ended when she heard the engine sputter before dying, "What the..?"

She tried turning the key again, but nothing worked, forcing Kanna to get out of the car and walked over to the hood, her eyes widening slightly at the thin-slit hole that looked like it went through the entire engine. The only person who Kanna thought was responsible for something like this was the one residing within her, and she let out a groan before she kicked the front of the car, letting out her frustration before walking by it, unwilling to burn away the time she has now till sunrise. Trying to remember which direction Dragon Slayer took when they were heading back to the city, Kanna walked down the road until she reached an intersection, and feeling her luck getting tested slightly, Kanna turned right and started running, making sure to stop and catch her breath before she wounds up tripping over her own feet and hit the ground hard. Checking to see if she has her cell phone on her, the grown young woman groaned in frustration over not having her cell phone before deciding to keep on running, her eyes glancing up at the sky occasionally to see the moon's position up above.

"Hopefully an hour won't pass once I reach the bridge," Kanna thought to herself as she looked ahead, "Count on the one with the most knowledge to screw up something that could have been useful now..."

Kanna was sure minutes passed her by as she kept on running before stopping for a moment, huffing from exhaustion as she looked up, catching the sight of the city's silhouette that was still a couple of miles away. Feeling a smile creeping up her face, Kanna straightened herself out and started running again, her heart thumping against her ribcage, but that was all secondary for her as the trees passed by her vision, her pace picking up as she could feel her feet burning up from all the running she was doing. Kanna wasn't sure how many minutes passed, but she was sure her internal clock was screaming at her that roughly an hour or two has already passed, but the feeling of annoyance that was coming got washed away when she figured that getting her cell phone will resolve the time issue, along with getting her laptop, maps, and some writing utensils for all the mapping they have to get done. Kanna could barely laugh at the situation, because if she manages to survive getting her stuff without trouble, she would still have to work and tax out her brain, something that she want to rest a lot before any of them work on mapping out the places where Icicle is probably building the weapon.

"Ah fuck it, it's not like we got nothing left to lose, aside from our lives..." Kanna thought as she reached the bridge, her legs and feet sore from running.

Bending down, Kanna huffed as her hands rested on her kneecaps, "Ah, I'm not doing that again, not even if the world is ending..!"

Taking several minutes for herself so she could catch her breath and rest her legs and feet for a moment, Kanna looked up at the moon, noticing how it shimmered in the checkerboard layered sky, the stars twinkling with life that was probably dead for thousands of years. If it wasn't for the checkerboard sky replacing the vast darkness of the sky and the grim situation the world was facing, Kanna would say that tonight was a good night to watch the moon and the stars, but as things are now, there was other things to get through. Sighing, Kanna started walking along the bridge, mindful to keep her eyes up above her so she could spot whoever is acting as the guard dog during the night, as she has a feeling that Icicle wouldn't just let them in and out easily if she wanted it, especially if they managed to stumble into one of her hideouts or something. Looking around, Kanna focused on unspecific things that managed to capture her eyes, but behind her eyes wandering around, there were ideas forming that she was shelving for later, if Dragon Slayer manages to find an interest in them considering how she has no idea how it will play out. Kanna frowned when her thoughts went back to the amber-eyed Anomaly and how she would get a scolding of her lifetime if she pulls through this, but only if Dragon Slayer wound up waking up sometime during her raid in her own house.

As Kanna walked through the streets, grateful that she was in the residential area, she felt a chill go down her spine, "Oh shit..!"

Kanna looked around before rushing to an alleyway and leaning up against the wall, looking up as she watched a black and green blur disappear to the next rooftop, her heart beating heavily with fear coursing through her body. While the black was commonplace in regards to other selves' clothing, the green made it distinct as Kanna thought back to the fight earlier, how there was a green-eyed other self wielding a scythe with a grin that only defined her blood-lust. Encountering Dead Master was the last thing that Kanna wants happening now since the green-eyed other self managed to break B RS's Rock Cannon in half, but somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew that there was more to what she just saw. Pushing the thought away, Kanna pulled herself away from the wall and started walking quickly, making sure to avoid any street that still had some sign of life going on as she headed straight back to her home. She had the right idea of keeping an eye on what's going on above her, but as she neared the house, that sense that she was in danger faded as Kanna rushed towards the front door, ignoring the gate and deciding to jump over it.

Once she landed, Kanna hissed in pain, "Gah, bad idea.. note to self, don't strain the legs..!"

Rubbing her legs, Kanna got up slowly and made her way to the front door, testing the doorknob to see if it's locked, only to wound up slightly surprised when the knob didn't stop at a certain point and turned completely. Reserving her concerns behind the unlocked door, Kanna pushed the door into the house and stepped inside, her vision adjusting slowly as she felt her body shivering from the atmosphere that surrounded the house, which made her wonder how long it's been this way since Icicle showed up and made her life hell. Closing the door behind her, Kanna ignored common household rules and hurried towards the stairs, taking one cautious step at a time so she doesn't get herself caught, as if it even really matter now. She moved as silently as she could managed before reaching the door to her room, a sense of relief crossing her face as she grabbed the handle and turned it, pushing her door in so she can enter her bedroom. Her room was practically bare aside from a bed, a desk with her laptop resting on top of it, and several college text books from when she was furthering her education.

"No time to get sentimental, I gotta find those maps..!" Kanna thought as she got inside her room and started searching around.

Heading to her desk, she started pulling out some drawers and checked through them quickly, trying to spot some maps that she had for the city, since staying in Chiba while attending college made her forget a bit about the city she lived in for most of her life. Even so, that isn't helping her case as Kanna started berating herself for forgetting where she placed the maps, trying to think about where they're placed specifically when she came back home after graduation. Searching through her memories, she remembered when she came back, which was roughly around the same time as Naomi's fatal car accident, and that reminded her of how much the family was worrying and how she didn't have time to unpack everything. Groaning silently to herself, Kanna looked up and pulled down the books that are on her shelf, sorting them out until she found the slips of folded paper. She was sure that if Dragon Slayer was awake now, that she would laugh at her and probably toss in a sarcastic remark, but that's what Kanna thinks she would do based on how much she knows about the amber-eyed Anomaly.

[You idiot, you should keep your thoughts to a lower volume if you don't want me waking up..!]

Kanna jumped a bit, startled by Dragon Slayer speaking up, "Shit..!"

[The hell, what were you thinking, coming back here to the scene of the crime for such trivial things..!]

"I was thinking that we could map out the places that we were at and try to deduce if they're important for Icicle," Kanna told Dragon Slayer; she could feel herself starting to sweat, "Getting maps, some pens, and my laptop would help us, all things considered..."

[Tch, I would prefer if you had informed me of something this risky, I could have come up with a plan to bypass all the dangers that accompanied it...]

"Sorry, but I'll owe you once I got everything all together..." Kanna told her as she took out her laptop's case.

[Now what are you doing..?]

"I'm unplugging my laptop, that's all," Kanna told Dragon Slayer as she unhooked the computer from its charger, "I can't take it as is, besides, the case has compartments for this kind of thing..."

[Well, can you hurry, we don't have time for this sort of thing..?]

Getting rushed by Dragon Slayer seemed like a surreal moment for Kanna, but she didn't question it as she started putting everything away into the laptop's case, remembering to pulled out another drawer so she could take some pens with her, along with her cell phone that rested on top of the desk. Kanna shoved the pens inside the case before slinging it around her shoulder and leaving her room, closing the door behind her as she started to head towards the stairs, but she stopped mid-step before turning around and walking towards another door. Dragon Slayer wasn't sure what Kanna was thinking now, a bit grateful that she was taking her advice, but her thoughts got shifted when Kanna opened another room and stepped into the room, her vision focused on a sleeping little boy. Kanna made her way to the bed and sat down on the edge, reaching over and stroking the boy's head as she watched with a muted sadness,and Dragon Slayer knew that she would be lying if she said she didn't feel what Kanna was feeling. This wasn't something that she enjoyed feeling and experiencing, but Dragon Slayer didn't say anything and allowed Kanna to have her moment, despite the both of them being well aware that they can't stay for too long.

"Dragon Slayer, do you have people you care about..?" Kanna asked the amber-eyed Anomaly, catching her off guard.

[What sort of question is that..?]

"I'm just wondering since..." Kanna said before trailing off, figuring Dragon Slayer would understand what she is trying to say.

[I do, but not like the people from my past...]

Kanna looked away from her little brother, her eyebrows raising, "What do you mean by that..?"

[Look, we need to get going, the sooner we leave, the better our chances at avoiding an unwanted fight increases...]

Kanna frowned at Dragon Slayer sudden change of conversation, but didn't question it as she got up from the bed and pushed the sheets closer to her brother, moving away silently as she exited the room and closed the door behind her. Kanna looked at the door for a moment before shaking her head and walked away, but she stopped walking as she heard someone coming up the stairs, prompting her to enter her bedroom and lock the door, her body leaning up against it as she placed her left ear to the door. A sense of panic started enveloping Kanna as she wasn't sure who it was that was heading up the stairs, but that didn't mean she couldn't hazard a few choice guesses at who it could be. She could hear the footsteps getting closer to the door before they stopped suddenly, but Kanna knew that it was just a false sense of security, and she knew she was right as a blade protruded from her door, roughly two inches away from the tip of her nose. Her eyes widened slightly as she pushed away from the door, using all of her mental resolve to hold herself back from screaming as she looked around, her eyes locking on the window before she rushed towards it.

"Kanna, don't do anything that you will come to regret later on," Kanna heard coming from behind the door, the voice sounding like her mother.

"Hey mom, tell Icicle this," Kanna said as she unlocked the window and pushed it up, ignoring Dragon Slayer's complaints, "Fuck you..!"

Climbing up the windowsill, Kanna pushed the screen up before jumping out of her room from the window, turning her body midair as she hit the ground hard, but having her body shaking in pain was a safe price than breaking her laptop from the jump, considering that she doesn't want anything to happen to it. Hearing Dragon Slayer yelling at her from within her mind, Kanna got up and started running, ignoring the nagging pain her back was dealing with as she jumped over the gate and started running down the street, her thoughts focused on getting as far away from the house as she can get, unaware that she's being stalked. Making a left turn, Kanna noticed how the street lights were turning on for some reason, despite it being in the middle of the night, the streets completely devoid of life as everyone was asleep, even through they are under Icicle's control. Kanna hurried down the street, trying to remember where the bridge is until a flash of green light caught her attention, all before she had to stop herself when a small section of the street got blown away. Looking up, Kanna could make out the glowing green eyes as the moon illuminated the person standing on top of a street light, but the only thing that Kanna was wrong about is that it wasn't necessarily Dead Master who was the guard dog.

"Great, just great..!" Kanna thought in frustration, watching Yomi jump down to the street, hoisting Dead Scythe on her shoulder.

"Well, It seems like a little rodent is trying to escape," Yomi said, smirking as she walked towards Kanna, "Can't have that happening now, can I?"

"Uh, Dragon Slayer, got any bright ideas..?" Kanna asked out-loud, mostly to herself.

At first, nothing happened until transparent amber shards appeared and encircled Kanna, her appearance changing into that of Dragon Slayer as the amber-eyed Anomaly took control of the body while Kanna stays active mentally and vocally, just like in the last fight. Yomi frowned, well aware of what Dragon Slayer is capable of doing if she wants to lay it all on the line, and despite having someone as inexperienced as Kanna as a real self, it still feels like treading thin ice that's about to give in at any time. Kanna watched as Dragon Slayer dropped the laptop case to the ground before a chain link appeared, wrapping around the case before disappearing with it, but Kanna didn't question it as Dragon Slayer drew out her broadsword. There was an air of anticipation surrounding them, and Kanna felt as if it could suffocate the life right out of her, but she didn't let it show as Yomi made the first moves and dashed towards them. Kanna couldn't blink for one second as that would cost them their lives, so she watched at Dragon Slayer raised her broadsword to block the incoming slash Yomi launched at them, the expression on her face showing mere indifference.

[Don't hesitate and beat the living crap out of her..!]

Kanna could only sigh, "Gee, that's helpful..."

Geshumaru groaned as she got up, unable to sleep as easily due to the conditions she was sleeping in, "I never thought I would miss a bed, guess I'm wrong..."

Looking down, she could see through her bleary eyes that Mato was still sleeping, though the drool that was leaking from her mouth was indicating something. Sighing, Geshumaru got up and was about to walk around when she noticed something about the room, or rather, what was missing from it as she could have sworn Kanna was sleeping at the table before she and Mato wound up sleeping. At first, Geshumaru thought that Kanna was having a tough time sleeping and was probably somewhere in the building trying to keep her mind occupied for a while before she felt tired, but her thought process changed when she noticed the extra blanket that's now covering only Mato instead of them both. Feeling her paranoia taking over along with some adrenaline waking her up, Geshumaru rushed back to Mato and started shaking her wildly, trying to wake up the poor girl who was trying to get one decent night filled with sleep, but seeing Geshumaru's concern showing upon her face, something told her she wasn't getting any sleep tonight. Mato sat up and looked around, trying to understand what was going on and where Kanna was since she wasn't sleeping at the table, and that's when the line of dots started connecting for her.

"We have to go find her..!" Geshumaru told Mato, who was getting up slowly due to her stiff back.

"She has Dragon Slayer with her, so I highly doubt that we have to save her," Mato said as she stretched out her back, "Besides, if Dragon Slayer is so high and mighty, then why doesn't she save her..?"

Geshumaru glared at Mato, "Because Dragon Slayer isn't just enough, remember what happened during that fight?!"

"And nothing bad happened," Mato shot back, "Look, they'll be fine, I mean, Kanna's inexperienced, but it isn't like Dragon Slayer will have her killed"

"That's not the point..!" Geshumaru growled out, causing Mato to arch an eyebrow.

"Then what is?"

"Kanna is important to me, she's the only one that I can rely on helping me," Geshumaru told Mato, grabbing both of her shoulders, "And I'll be damned if I let anything happen to my nee-san..!"

There was a brief, but tension-filling silence as the words sunk themselves into both Mato and Geshumaru, with the former starting to understand what Geshumnaru was getting to, while the latter looked like she was about to crack from what she just said. While they are sisters from the biological standpoint, the whole technicality behind it threw biology away as Geshumaru wasn't born under the family name, much less being born in the real world, so blurting out that Kanna is her sister just sounds unusual and asinine to her. Mato grabbed Geshumaru's hands and moved them away from her shoulders before giving Geshumaru a brief hug, something that surprised the blue-eyed Anomaly as she couldn't understand what Mato was doing. Mato pulled away and looked at Geshumaru who was staring at her like she just did something unusual and right out of the blue, and she could understand why the blue-eyed Anomaly would react that way, but there's no way she's explaining the reason behind the hug. Feeling B RS stirring away at the back of her mind, Mato shook her head and gave one of her more confident smiles, despite the animosity between her and Dragon Slayer, they're still a team that have to help each other out.

"I get it, so let's go help them," Mato told Geshumaru, causing the blue-eyed Anomaly to sigh in relief.

They dashed out of the room and let the adrenaline run through the bodies, though, the intense moment got ruined instantly with what Mato said next, "So, should I tell Kanna that you called her your nee-san..?"

"Mato you do that, and I'll kill you right where you stand..!" Geshumaru roared, her face flushing from embarrassment.

Mato laughed for a moment as she ran side by side with Geshumaru before calming down, feeling her consciousness get sucked inside her mind as B RS took her place in the real world, her eyes narrowing as she tried to figure out how everything developed to this point. Kanna couldn't have gotten kidnapped, it was impossible since they knew Icicle's control hasn't extended this far, so she had to leave the building by her own accord, but that brings up the question: why did she leave? Noticing B RS's contemplative expression on her face, Geshumaru knew that her companion is trying to understand the situation and its developments, despite being asleep while Kanna left. Jumping over the railing before landing on the lower floor, they took off without a second thought and made their way out of the building, feeling the faint sensation of a fight going on miles away from them, and that forced them to launch to the treetops and hurry to the city through the treetops. It would take a while before they can accurately sense the power that's getting unleashed now, but that didn't deter them from taking out their weapons, ready to take on anything if they wound up getting dragged into whatever fight Kanna managed to get wrapped up in.

"Hang on for just a while longer..!" Geshumaru thought as she and B RS picked up their pace.

Kanna grunted as she could feel her body getting pushed back by Yomi, despite Dragon Slayer controlling it, and that fact is causing the amber-eyed Anomaly to wonder how far Icicle took her control over the others as it seems their strength is developing at a rapid pace. Dragon Slayer wondered if there was any sense of paranoia surrounding her, since if there was, then she was masking it well as she watched Yomi jump back, her eyes locked on her as she tightened her grip on Dead Scythe. Even with her being in sync with Dead Master, she wasn't doing much against the duo of Kanna and Dragon Slayer, but that was just one side to the story since she knows that only the amber-eyed Anomaly has experience. While that shifts her thoughts on how Kanna and Dragon Slayer were able to hold their own against Gold Saw, it seems like Dragon Slayer was only doing the work, but with her heart not put into it, which was making it a lackluster fight. Gritting her teeth, Yomi started thinking about how to screw around with their combination, since she wants to finish the fight before the sun comes up, and she knows that once the sun is up, everyone else will join in and take away her chance at beating Dragon Slayer.

"There's nothing I could use on Dragon Slayer, but maybe..?" Yomi thought as her eyes took a slight distant look to them.

"Great, why is she taking her time..?" Kanna mumbled as she felt her body moving back a bit.

[Kanna, she's probably planning something against us, so be ready...]

"Thanks for the warning, I'll keep that in mind..." Kanna sarcastically remarked, rolling her eyes.

[I'm being serious, that girl, whether it's Yomi or Dead Master, will think of a plan to counter us; while I have nothing that she could use, you're more open because Icicle tried to get you under her control, and who do you think she told about you specifically..?]

Kanna didn't have time to answer as she felt her arms raising the broadsword to block the strike Yomi unleashed, taking advantage of her momentary pause as she tried to find an opening and capitalize on it, her green eyes not straying from the amber orbs that are signature to only Dragon Slayer. Dragon Slayer narrowed her eyes from the current she was in, willing Kanna's body back as Yomi bent down and slashed at her legs, managing to nick them a bit, but the cut wasn't deep enough to elicit blood. Hissing a bit in pain, Dragon Slayer leaped back before dashing towards Yomi, trying to stab at her before swinging her broadsword counter-clockwise, the blade cutting through the air as a slight whistle emanated from the swing. Yomi only had a couple of seconds to spot the attack from the corner of her eye before trying to block it with her scythe, and even though she managed to prevent the attack from slicing her in half, the strength that accompanied it did push her back a bit, forcing her to dig her heels into the road. Kanna couldn't help but think that what Dragon Slayer did was amazing as she had to pivot on the balls of her feet to shift the stab to a swing, and since the thought was just open for Dragon Slayer to hear, she could feel her ego flourishing a bit as she smiled a bit, until her focused got shifted back to Yomi, who was merely laughing.

[Unusual...]

"Tell me about it," Kanna told Dragon Slayer before speaking up, "Hey, what's so damn funny..?"

"Nothing, I just find you and Dragon Slayer an unusual combination," Yomi remarked, smirking slightly.

Kanna blinked, not sure of how to take the remark, "Uh, yeah.. thanks, I guess..?"

"Though, I wonder why a high-class other self, no.. and Anomaly would choose someone who couldn't do anything right for her life," Yomi said, her smirk growing slightly, "I mean, you're quite helpless in protecting your own family..."

Yomi had to block the vertical slash that Kanna launched, which surprised Dragon Slayer as she was sure that she still had full control over Kanna's body, but her thoughts trailed off as she could feel a deep anger starting to boil deep within her partner. Yomi pushed the broadsword away and jumped back, twirling a bit as she looked at Kanna, who was glaring at her, the broadsword hoisted on her shoulder as she gritted her teeth, trying to calm herself down. What Yomi just said was like getting stabbed with the knife and twisting it inside her a bit, and what scared her a bit was that it was true to a degree, since she was helpless in trying to resist Icicle, and she didn't know her mother and little brother got caught up in this situation. Managing to cool down a bit, Kanna could feel whatever control she had over her body returning to Dragon Slayer, leaving her with a numbing sensation as Dragon Slayer assumed her stance and kept her broadsword leveled. Kanna kept her glare focused on Yomi, and that made everything that both she and the amber-eyed Anomaly have done all the more fitting as it appeared Dragon Slayer is ready to end her trivial fight with Dead Master's real self.

"Try again," Kanna said, tossing in a smirk of her own.

"Well, it's pointless if you're trying to compete with me," Yomi said before she disappeared for a moment, reappearing behind Kanna, "But you want to know what's also pointless, you trying to wish that life would go back to the way it was, before your poor, little sister died and got replaced..!"

Kanna tried to ignored to words as she whirled around, but what came next was as devastating as the kick that forced her back a few meters, "You really think that you can have a normal life again, but nope, and you're still in denial.. how sad!"

Kanna got up from the ground, her control over her body subverting Dragon Slayer's control, "That bitch..!"

[Kanna, she's toying with you, don't listen to her..!]

Kanna ignored Dragon Slayer as she whirled around and dashed towards Yomi, slashing at her, "Come on, I dare you..!"

"Oh, you're daring me, well," Yomi said as she avoided the assault, her eyes glinting with mischief and sadism, "A mere college student who graduated with some mediocre grades and honors, not even able to get herself a better job aside from working at a convenience store, is trying her best to act like someone she's not towards someone who doesn't belong in this world..!"

[Kanna, your anger is rising, you have to stay calm..!]

"You really need to learn to shut that damn mouth of yours," Kanna growled out as she narrowed her eyes, her attacks becoming swift, its accuracy increasing.

"Oh, and this is coming from someone who doesn't want to lie to her own family about the horrible truth," Yomi mocked as she thought to herself, "What's happening, something isn't right..?"

"Shut up..!" Kanna said as she grounded her feet and swung, the attack blowing Yomi away several feet from her.

[Kanna, knock it off.. you don't know what you're doing..!]

Yomi landed on her feet, but noticed the damage the attack caused to her dress, "Hm, maybe it's not just about Geshumaru, maybe your angry at yourself for not being stronger, or maybe your angry at your mom for being as pathetic as yourself..."

"You..." Kanna growled as she walked towards Yomi, every step she was taking making cracks along the road.

[Kanna, your movements, are you becoming..?]

"I have to say, she did put up a fight at first, but me and Icicle really took care of her after she stopped struggling," Yomi said, causing Kanna's eyes to widen at what she just heard.

"What..?!" Kanna let out, her body frozen stiff as the words started sinking in, causing Dragon Slayer to gasp.

[No.. Kanna, stop listening to her, listen to me, please..!]

"It was during the afternoon when you were still at work, and believe me, I had to pin her up against the wall as Icicle violated her existence, just like she did to you, I remember how she screams with tears streaming down her eyes," Yomi told Kanna, a finger touching her chin as she took a contemplative expression, "I wonder if I should tell you how little Takeshi reacted when we screwed with his poor, innocent mind as well..?"

Dragon Slayer couldn't hear anything coming from Kanna's thoughts, but she knew that she lost control over Kanna's body the moment her anger started getting the best of her, and that was the least of her worries as she wasn't sure how Kanna would react. Several seconds passed and Dragon Slayer was about to try regaining control over Kanna's body when she froze in the current, her body twitching before electricity struck her body, a scream escaping from her mouth as she could feel something trying to rip her existence apart. Trying to look through Kanna's eyes, the amber-eyed Anomaly couldn't stop herself from letting out a gasp as she watched Kanna grab Yomi by her head and smashed her to the ground. Kanna couldn't understand why she was reacting this way, nor did she care as she picked up Yomi by her ankles and tossed her far, the amber eyes that Kanna was seeing things through holding nothing within them, like the light got sucked out from them. Yomi grunted as she got up, the metabolism of the body she's using healing up whatever damage Kanna caused, but that didn't stop her from wondering where that monstrous strength came from.

"Hm, seems like I touched a nerve," Yomi remarked, looked back at Kanna, "What's wrong, did me talking about your family piss you off..?"

The next words that came out of Kanna's lips chilled both Yomi and Dragon Slayer to the bone, "I have no family..."

Yomi froze, shocked at what Kanna just said as the woman continued, "I don't care who you are, but the mere sight of you annoys me, you deserve to die..."

"What-" Yomi was able to let out before Kanna went on the offensive, appearing before her with a second before kneeing the teenager in the gut.

[No.. Gah... Kanna, stop..!]

Yomi wasn't aware of what she just caused, but Dragon Slayer was, and she knew more about it than she will ever let on about, as it's a secret she will drag down to her own grave.

Geshumaru noticed the bright amber-colored sparks originating from somewhere in the residential district, "Shooter, do you see that..?"

"Yeah, but that's not what got my attention," B RS told Geshumaru as she shivered slightly, "This aura, the pressure, it's not normal.. it's like it wants to crush everything until there's nothing remaining from it..."

Geshumaru arched an eyebrow, wondering what B RS was talking about until she could feel what B RS was feeling, and she couldn't deny how the pressure emanating from the aura was trying to force her down to the ground, which was difficult from where they're perched on the bridge, their eyes zeroing in on where the source is coming from. Deciding to push through the heavy aura that's trying to damn them, B RS and Geshumaru hopped from the bridge towards the source of the aura, unaware of what they are getting themselves into as they could hear the sounds of two people fighting against each other. As they reached the area, their eyes widened as they watched what looks like Dead Master is trying to defend herself against Dragon Slayer, and while they knew the former is heavily debatable since it could also be Yomi, they didn't doubt the latter. That all changed as they watched "Dragon Slayer" beat Yomi severely, managing to draw out blood from the teenager, which caught the two watching off guard as they knew Dragon Slayer is capable of many things, but it seems as if she isn't giving a damn about the fight. "Dragon Slayer" grabbed Yomi by her skull, tightening her grip as the teenager started screaming in pain, but that stopped as B RS and Geshumaru watched "Dragon Slayer" look towards them, her eyes harboring nothing but a vast emptiness that chilled them more than Icicle when she chooses to show up and make things complicated.

"Oh crap, Shooter, we gotta..!" Geshumaru said before a chain-link wrapped around her ankles, her body getting pulled from where she was standing.

Feeling her body hitting the ground, Geshumaru opened one eye as "Dragon Slayer" walked up to her, "What..?"

"How did an Anomaly come to existence..?" She mused before raising her broadsword over her head, "No matter, all things end without leaving any lasting marks"

Geshumaru's eyes widened at what she was seeing before her until she tried to look at Yomi, but the teenager disappeared, probably taking advantage of "Dragon Slayer" attention being focused on them so she can get away and heal up, unwilling to continue the fight. Geshumaru watched the broadsword come down towards her until it got stopped by B RS intervening, her Black Blade holding back the massive sword, but Geshumaru could see the faint cracks forming along B RS's sword. B RS grunted as she pushed away "Dragon Slayer", but that didn't stop her from getting her hand yanked at as a fist collided into her face, sending her back a bit as Geshumaru made use of the time and got up. Ready and with her guard up, Geshumaru watched "Dragon Slayer" make her way towards her, her movements inconsistent as she suddenly dashed towards the blue-eyed Anomaly, slashing at her as raw amber-colored energy circulated around the broadsword. Geshumaru brought up her katana and blocked the attack, but she could feel her heels digging into the ground from the force of the attack, which allowed her to think about how "Dragon Slayer" was acting as everything was showing what the amber-eyed Anomaly isn't.

And the brutality that she displayed isn't like her, which centralized the point, and made Geshumaru's stomach sink lower than she thought was possible, "Kanna..?"

Kanna narrowed her eyes as she kicked Geshumaru in the gut before blocking the attack B RS launched behind her, "Your actions are futile, accept your death as a mere courtesy..!"

"Shooter, I don't get what's happening, but that's Kanna," Geshuaru told B RS as she got up, rubbing her gut, "Something's wrong, but I don't know what it is..!"

"Either way, we can't let up, if we do, she'll kill us," B RS said as she jumped back before swapping weapons, firing at Kanna with her Rock Cannon, "There's no two ways about it, we're forced to defend ourselves, and that's final!"

As B RS and Geshumaru continued their fight against the manic Kanna, the real Dragon Slayer was hugging herself as she watched parts of her skin get burned away, blood seeping into the current as she tried to restrain the pain that's coursing through her, the intensity leaving its marking upon her. She could hear B RS and Geshumaru talking, but the way that Kanna is at the moment, it sounds muffled and as far as their connection goes, Kanna's anger took too much control over her, which forced them into the situation that they're in. She could understand the pain that Kanna is going through, as everything that Icicle corrupted has destroyed things that they cherished, and to have that used against them to make them susceptible to attacks that's easily avoidable if they're in their right state of mind. Feeling another electrical shock course through her body, which caused some minor limbs to separate from her body, Dragon Slayer could feel her own anger rising from feeling helpless that she can't do anything to correct the damage caused by Yomi. Uncurling herself, Dragon Slayer tried guiding her body towards the edge of the current, feeling her body breaking apart from the amount of force she had to apply, as well as not focusing on trying to keep her body intact, but that was secondary to her trying to put an end to the madness as she tried forcing her fingers through the current's edge.

[I am no fool.. I will not have my life... destroyed by someone's mere anger, I'm.. the one who's in control, not her..!]

As Dragon Slayer tried to force her fingers through the current, B RS and Geshumaru avoided a horizontal slash that Kanna directed at them, a amber-colored wave passing by until it reached the buildings, shredding through them before evaporating into the air like smoke. Geshumaru looked back at the buildings, taking notice of the clean-cut before her mind started comprehending what Kanna was doing, but all that was eluding her at the time was how she was doing everything that Dragon Slayer is capable of, and then some since her display of brutality isn't matching up with the amber-eyed Anomaly's version. Her mind went back to Kanna as she noticed her rushing up, her broadsword ready to pierce through her, but Geshumaru raised her Kanna to block the attack before pushing it weapon away with her strength. The few seconds that Kanna took to recover allowed B RS to take action and fire away at her with her Rock Cannon, the blasts striking Kanna as her body lurched forward from the attack, but that's the only reaction that B RS could draw from her. B RS kept her Rock Cannon locked at Kanna as Geshumaru raised her katana to eye-level, their eyes never straying from their target, but the uneasiness of who they're fighting wasn't making things simple, if anything, they felt that Kanna could probably outlast them considering who is acting as her other self.

"Hn, this is growing rather tiresome, disappear from my sights..!" Kanna said in an eerie tone, bearing resemblance to Dragon Slayer's voice, but having different elements to it.

Dragon Slayer could feel her fingers grabbing the current, her arms pushing out as she could hear the joint screams of B RS and Geshumaru, who got sent back by a devastating attack that Kanna unleashed, the blast annihilating a good part of the street. Dragon Slayer could see the two younger Anomalies struggling to regain their bearing from the attack as Kanna's eyes centered on Geshumaru, forcing Dragon Slayer to work harder to rip the current in half. On the outside, Kanna was making her way towards Geshumaru, the broadsword cutting through the street as she got closer, but that ended when B RS fired at her with her Rock Cannon, the weapon falling apart from the extensive damage the attack placed on it. B RS looked up at Kanna, who stood there for a moment before she turned around and made her way towards B RS, her eyes unwavering as they retained the hollowness that chilled both B RS and Geshumaru. B RS tried raising her arms to bring out both her Black Blade and her ax, but the pressure from Kanna's attack, firing off one last shot from the Rock Cannon, and which side of realities they're in forced her to drop both limbs to the ground, panting as exhaustion started settling in.

"I can feel it, that pitiful excuse of a real self within you," Kanna said as she got closer, raising the broadsword, "Putting up a front of a happy child and trying so desperately to believe in a farce, as everything around her crumbles to dust because she's afraid of becoming the very thing that you are, how shameful..."

Geshumaru grunted as she tried to get up from the ground, stumbling a bit as she heard Kanna utter those last damning words, "Time to end this folly!"

"No..!" Geshumaru shouted, though the pain came back to shut her mouth as she watched on pitifully.

As Kanna brought the broadsword down upon B RS, she was unaware of Dragon Slayer roaring in rage as electricity blasted at her body, only for it to end as she ripped through the current and exited it as swiftly as she could managed, putting everything to a standstill. B RS waited for the broadsword to slash her in half, but it never happened as the weapon slipped from Kanna's grip, clattering on the ground before braking apart into multiple amber-colored shards, which promptly faded up to the air. Kanna's eyes widened for a moment before closing, dropping to her knees as her body fell to the ground, Dragon Slayer's features disappearing as the young woman's own clothes and appearance took over, her hair fraying to different sides as she rested, unconscious. Figuring that everything was over, Geshumaru started moving again, taking a cautious step at a time as her body slowly healed from the damage she sustained, her eyes never moving from Kanna until she saw something appear on a mirror, floating like a specter that's observing some family in a horror movie. Kanna frowned at Dragon Slayer, wondering what hand the amber-eyed Anomaly had in Kanna going berserk, until she noticed how Dragon Slayer looked broken, the older Anomaly appearing as if she strayed into a gun fight and barely managed to survive, despite getting several bullets cutting through her body.

"What happened.. to you..?" Geshumaru managed to let out, hugging her ribs lightly.

[The joint efforts of Dead Master, or rather, Yomi.. and Kanna going berserk... but I'll explain later, let's get her.. away from the city first...]

"Yeah, that's.. a good idea," Geshumaru said before looking at B RS, "Hey Shooter, are you alright..?"

B RS's eyes were a bit wide, and she didn't look better than her or Dragon Slayer, but it's her voice that allowed Geshumaru to know that's she's fine, "Yeah, I'm alright, beaten like hell, but I'm alright"

"Good, let's get.. Kanna out of here," Geshumaru said as she made her way towards them.

It took a moment for both B RS and Geshumaru to get their sense of balance, but when they did, they hoisted up Kanna and started making their way out of the city, taking it easy as the night continued on slowly.

Yomi leaned up against the door, her eyes looking around the house as she tried to rest from the beating she received from Kanna, understanding that she was at fault for goading her, and the punishment she got was rightly deserved because she could have died if it wasn't for B RS and Geshumaru intervening when they did. The teenager grunted as Dead Master's form disappeared, turning back to the human teenager that's dressed to sleep, but all thoughts of sleep disappeared when she noticed the light emanating from the living room, prompting her to walk towards the room. As she made her way to the living room, limping slightly, she noticed a figure was sitting down on the couch, and the form of that person caused alarms to ring in her head. Hurrying into the living room, Yomi turned and stared at what appears as B RS, but that doesn't make any sense to her since she last saw B RS taking on Kanna. Even the clothes she was wearing was the same, but Yomi berated herself for even thinking that before she head "B RS" chuckle, which prompted another question to form in her head.

"How did you get here..?" Yomi inquired, trying to put up a strong front.

"I'm surprised that you recognize the form and still mistaken me, though, considering what has happened, I wouldn't blame you for thinking that Shooter trailed after you," "B RS" said as she opened her eyes, a deep violet that flashed red-orange for a moment, causing Yomi to recoil in surprise, "So there's noting to worry about now, am I right..?"

"Yes.. Icicle," Yomi said as she calmed down, question forming within her head, "So, how is it that you're appearing as B RS's insane self?"

"In the scheme of things, it's insignificant to you, but since I decided to appear before you in your house without notice, I suppose that answering your questions should act as a.. payment of sorts," Icicle said as she got up from the couch, the lights flickering as she moved around the room, "To put it simply, I took I.B RS's body as my own, and I must say, I'm understanding many things about Shooter and her real self that I didn't know before"

"Oh, care to tell me..?" Yomi said, smirking a bit as she tried to keep her eyes trailed on Icicle.

"No, you would abuse that information, but I suppose that I will become a hypocrite in the future," Icicle said as she stopped behind Yomi, her hands resting on the teenager's shoulders.

Yomi arched an eyebrow, "Then why are you here..?"

"To merely tell you that I will require your presence sometime in the morning, when the sun is fully out in the sky, provided everything comes together for me," Icicle told Yomi, "But you need to rest, and before that, you need to heal..."

Before Yomi could react, Icicle guided her hands down Yomi's shoulder as her pals trailed down the teenager's arms, the bruising that Yomi got from fighting Kanna disappearing, the skin showing no blemishes that her clothing would hide. Even with the cosmetics dealt with, Yomi could feel the tension and pain fading from her body as Icicle's hands trailed away from her body, the malevolent other self stepping away from Yomi as the green-eyed teenager sighed in relief from the damage receding to nothingness. Yomi looked at Icicle and bowed before heading out of the living room, fully healed without anything to keep her incapacitated from the war against B RS, Geshumaru, and Dragon Slayer. Icicle watched Yomi heading up the stairs before looking around the living room, the lights flickering wildly as her clothing turned into the signature armor that belongs to the body that formerly housed I.B RS's existence, purple eyes glowing as a flame threatened to ignite around Icicle's left eye. Moving a stray bang to the back of her left ear, the urge faded away as the lights faded into nothing, but that didn't matter as an ominous violet glow that emanated for Icicle's eyes lit the room.

"This act is coming to a close, so it's time for the remaining cast to take action before I make my next move," Icicle said before the glow disappeared, the malevolent other self disappearing as darkness settled in the living room.

Kanna groaned as she opened her eyes, wondering what happened that caused her to have a massive migraine until she noticed the sunset-like sky and the various mirrors that floated around, having no set path as they move on aimlessly. Arching an eyebrow as she gripped the right side on her head, Kanna got up from the ground and started walking around, trying to understand how she got here until she heard footsteps nearing her, which forced her to stop walking as she looked to her left. She felt her stomach sinking a bit as she watched Dragon Slayer making her way towards her, looking like she was ready to rip her apart, which sort of reflected in her appearance as her clothes looked like they got torn in the midst of a fight. The moment she thought of Dragon Slayer being in a fight, she remembered the one they just had with Dead Master, or rather, who appeared as Dead Master, remembering how Dragon Slayer controlled her body as they traded blows, tried to chew each other out with their words, and how Yomi managed to get to her with comments about her and her family. What came next nearly forced Kanna to throw up, as she started remembering how she started attacking Yomi with no self-control, before she went after both B RS and Geshumaru, pushing all three girls to their limits before she tried to break them.

"My god..." Kanna gasped as her eyes widened.

"You should have listened to me, but instead, you let her get to you, and that's the result," Dragon Slayer stated, not holding back with her words, "Not only did you almost killed them, but you almost killed us as well"

"What?" Kanna let out, caught off guard by what Dragon Slayer just said.

"By letting your anger consume you, you were drawing too much power from me while I had control over you, resulting in a feedback that went chaotic," Dragon Slayer explained, walking towards her as her clothes starting returning to their former glory, "No real self can ever own such power, nor rip them away from any other self or Anomaly as that would destroy both existences, and something will have to fill in the void that's made by that damaged result"

"So.. I almost killed the both of us..?" Kanna wondered, trying to comprehend everything.

"Yes, but I put an end to it when I ripped up our connection and exited out of your body," Dragon Slayer said, raking through her hair, "If I hadn't done that, you would have killed both Shooter and Geshumaru, and I don't want that to fall under your hands..."

Kanna thought she was going to fall down to the ground, "I can't believe that, but why didn't I recognized them, I know I would have remembered Geshumaru, regardless if I was going nuts..!?"

"There's a beast within me that no one should know about, and that's where we'll leave this at," Dragon Slayer said as she snapped her fingers, "There are things about me no one should know about or awaken, and you were dangerously close to doing the latter"

Before Kanna could stop Dragon Slayer from doing anything else, she felt her mind getting sent back to reality as she looked up at the ceiling of the dilapidated building she was residing in with Mato and Geshumaru, her mind replaying the scolding she got from the amber-eyed Anomaly, the implications not lost to her. Looking around she noticed Geshumaru trying to stretch back, wincing a bit as she watch the blue-eyed Anomaly's body twitch from what she's guessing is the pain from the beating she didn't deserve, but her worry and guilt shifted to relief when she watched Geshumaru relaxing a bit before turning around. The moment their eyes locked, Kanna prepared herself for any scolding that she deserves, but all she got was a hug after Geshumaru made her way to her, her grip tightening a bit as the blue-eyed Anomaly thought back to what happened before. However, once Geshumaru pulled back, Kanna felt her head snap to the right from the slap that Geshumaru launched at her before the blue-eyed Anomaly started berating her for doing what she did, which only meant that Dragon Slayer managed to explain what happened during that fight. It felt nice to come back to reality, even with the verbal lashing she was getting, but that left Kanna with guilt that wasn't going away anything soon, guilt that was motivating her towards a new path she never thought was possible.

"... So don't ever scare me or do something that reckless again..!" Geshumaru roared, before her angry expression turned in confusion from Kanna laughing.

The laughter lasted for a moment, but that's all that Kanna needed, "I get it, but believe me, I wasn't laughing about what happened"

"Oh, then what was it about?" Geshumaru asked, her anger fading slowly.

Kanna grinned a bit before getting Geshumaru into a headlock with her right arm, ruffling the Anomaly's hair with her left hand, "Just my future opening up a bit..!"

"Knock.. Knock it off... nee-san..!" Geshumaru cried, not expecting the assault coming from the older woman.

Kanna blinked before looking at Geshumaru, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Oh, so it's 'nee-san' now, hm..?"

Geshumaru let out a few choice words, but that didn't matter to Kanna as her thoughts focused on the person she was messing around with, but focusing on her family and the situation now, pushing away the sickening images that her own actions have brought about. Those thoughts got pushed to the side though as she heard footsteps nearing them, causing Kanna and Geshumaru to look up at Mato, whose eyes appeared bloodshot, but whether from crying or anger, that fact eluded the older woman as she wasn't sure what else could have caused this, aside from her actions. Before Kanna could say anything, Mato tackled the older woman, separating her from Geshumaru as she visibly winced from the force that Mato was putting into her assault, which ended as Geshumaru regained her sense and pulled Mato away. For a moment, Mato looked unsure and angry at what Geshumaru just did before she turned around and rushed out of the room, leaving both Kanna and Geshumaru to stare at the entrance way, slightly confused at what happened just a moment ago. Geshumaru sighed and walked towards a chair, sitting down as she raked through her hair, the slight adrenaline rush passing by as Kanna got off the floor and brushed herself off.

"God, so she's still not over it..." Geshumaru said to herself, but she knew that Kanna heard her.

"The hell happened, I know I went crazy and all, but I'm not getting this..?" Kanna asked, sitting down on a chair next to Geshumaru's.

"I don't know, when we got back and B RS switched with Mato, she just seemed... reclusive," Geshumaru said, looking down at the floor, "I hope she doesn't do something reckless"

Kanna blinked, unaware of what was coming out of her mouth "Geshumaru, there are possibilities that we don't know will happen, so hoping that one doesn't happen is just like a Russian Roulette, it's asinine to think that way..."

Geshumaru couldn't respond to that as she tried to comprehend what she just heard, as well as trying to connect the dots between what happened when Kanna went nuts, and what the older woman just said.

Mato wasn't focusing on where she was walking through the fields, all she knew is that she wanted to get away from the building where Kanna was, her mind replaying what B RS heard during the debacle and everything before it. She tuned out B RS, who was trying to tell her what she was doing was wrong when she was heading towards the sound of jubilus laughter, and everything that happened during that fight came rushing at her like a bullet train ready to run her over. Moving through the forest, Mato didn't care that it was at the dead of the night or if animals will rush towards her and maul her to her death, she needed the fresh air to calm her down as being in the building was starting to suffocate her. Feeling something tap at the back of her mind, she sighed and reopened the connection she has with B RS, but it's pretty obvious that she punctuated what she wanted, and that was her own space. For a while, Mato appreciated the silence, but she knew that wasn't going to last for long as there are things she needs to answer for, and she knows that she'll have to return if she wants a place to stay and hide out from Icicle.

[Mato...]

"Save it Rock, I already know where you're going with this..." Mato told her, frowning a bit.

[Look, Kanna wasn't in control of herself, Dragon Slayer said as much, and you have to understand that anything that she said could be something that's overblown...]

"Oh, then why was it directed at me," Mato shot back, inquiring B RS, "Why is it that anything negative about me seems to stem from Dragon Slayer..?"

[I can't answer that...]

Mato stopped walking and narrowed her eyes, her hands balling into fists, "It's because you agree with her..."

[Mato...]

Mato closed her eyes, her eyebrows furrowing, "You trust and listen to her a lot more than me, because you can agree with her thoughts..!"

[Mato...]

"She's the one that caused problems for us, for what..?!" Mato roared, going on her tirade while remaining unaware of what's going on around her, "She made you go insane, all so she can do whatever she wanted..!"

[Mato..!]

"She always acts like she knows everything, but I bet that she's nothing more than a convincing liar, if other selves are even capable of lying..!" Mato continued, grabbing her hair and yanking at it.

[Mato..!]

"What..?!" Mato yelled before she noticed she wasn't in a canopy of trees, but she was back in the city.

At the same place where Kanna trashed both B RS and Geshumaru, but with all the damaged done been repaired.

Mato walked around the street, wondering how she got back and how the damaged got repaired, her eyes wandering around until she noticed something in the distance, a silhouette that looked familiar but something was off about it, so the teenager focused on the buildings. After staring at them in curiosity for a moment, her eyes glanced back at where the figure is, only for her to turn around fully with her eyes wide as she noticed how the silhouette wasn't there anymore, but her attention shifted when she felt her body shivering slightly. Remembering when the temperature dropping was a precursor to, Mato started looking around, trying to find the malevolent other self that was somewhere in the area, and she knew B RS could feel it as well, since their connection was open again instead of being closed like it was in the forest. The temperature dropping didn't stop, but Mato knew that she looked around all possible spots that Icicle could be at, causing her paranoia to settle a bit, but remain active enough that she wouldn't drop her guard and get blindsided. Mato took a few tentative steps forward before she heard someone nearing her from behind, which prompted her to turn around as B RS swapped places with her, but it was futile as she got caught by her neck and smashed up against the wall of a building.

"The hell," B RS let out as she opened her eyes to look down at the assailant, only to have them widen, "No..."

[That's.. that's just not possible..!]

Seeing I.B RS out and about caused a sense of fear to well up inside B RS, but it's what came out of her violent self that scared her even more, "Hello Shooter, I hope you don't mind me taking your insane self for my own, her body is much more comfortable than I thought..."

"Icicle..!" B RS let out, the grip around her neck tightening as she could feel her lungs suffocating.

"Correct, now the act has reached its end, and the new one is about to begin," Icicle said as black wisps started to surround the two, "So, let's go.. me..."

B RS could see the black wisps surrounding them as they blocked off her vision, removing everything from her line of sight until all she could see was nothing more than a void filled with eternal darkness.

Author's Note: Man, my general ideas all panned out for this chapter, which I'm glad for, and making use of a laptop to nail down roughly a 1,000 to 3,000 words helps a lot too. Please, try listening to the songs that the titles are named after, as they give you a bit of insight into the chapter, the characters, and anything else I can't think of from the top of my head. Per usual, please review and I'll see you all next time.