A/N : So here you go! Next chapter of ASC! Fuhh~ Glad that finally I've updated it.. So, enjoy and I don't own KHR, obviously~! Oh, and my grammar's a bit.. well,, because this is not beta yet... hehe..~

Chapter 5 - Midnight Event

After moving into the Arcobaleno Private Dorm, Izumi has quickly got along with everyone which is quite a scary thing since they were practically inhumane. She also has used to going in and out of the student council room for meeting and whatever thing they do in there. Izumi was in charge for their afternoon snacks and meal, and she absolutely loved it since she likes cooking. Luche has told everyone that they should went for the meeting everyday including Izumi to deepen their bonds as friends. And so, that also results for a certain person claiming Izumi as his servant disturbed her during lunch and after school.

Everyone who was watching was somehow shocked to see their infamous Reborn was talking and walking with a lowly student. Everyone who watched glared on Izumi, but she has used to it, so she just ignored them and just went on her life. She just can't understand why people were dying to be with Reborn. He was just a sadistic bastard who always tried to mess with her life. Sometimes she just thought that Reborn was using her as a toy or something like that.

Even though she did thought of all those horrible things, she still saw Reborn as a friend. At least, she's not alone anymore. Somehow, she felt glad to meet with all of these interesting people including Reborn.

As the routine continued, a certain event was seen making up ruckus among the students. As Izumi was walking along the corridor, she overheard something that perks up her attention.

"Hey, have you heard about that event?"

"Yeah. It's that time already, right?"

"Yeah. So, have you decided your partner?"

"No. I'll think about it first, I don't want someone weak as my partner. That'll decrease my grade,"

"Me too. Besides, most attackers are male, right?"

"Yeah. That might be a good candidate as my boyfriend,"

"I heard love is prohibited between partners,"

"Eh? That's not fun!"

"Right?"

Partners? I don't know about this.

And so, she continued her pace until she reached a certain familiar student council room.

Student Council Room

As she reached the room, she quickly made tea for everyone and take a seat beside Reborn. They have already started their little conversation without her. They were talking in a few other languages, but somehow she can understand it. And then, she remembered something.

"Hey, have you all heard something about choosing partners?" said Izumi.

All of them stop talking and stared at Izumi, as if she had grown another head.

"What?" said Izumi

"You've never heard of it before?" said Mammon.

"Nope,"

~silence~

"Well, if you don't know, we should just explain to you about it," said Luche.

"Unlike other schools, this school along with the other two schools which is the Vongola Academy and Millefiore Academy has a different system of education. Instead of a regular fighting alone with some sort of machine for gaining grades, we fought with partners in tournaments," explained Fong.

"Tournaments?"

"Yes. We chosed a partner which has a different position from us and fought in group as pairs. Each group will be given a codename and calls will be given if there is any tournament for your grades. You can choose different partners every year, but you can also stay with the same partner too,"

"Won't that be dangerous?"

"Of course, it did have a few risks, but we as a high ranking academy can take care of that in our hands. That's why we have judges to see all of those tournaments,"

"I see,"

"By the way, one of the judges is the sky arcobaleno, Luche," said Verde.

"Luche?"

"That's why I don't need a partner," said Luche.

"I see,"

Izumi thought about the partners thingy for a while in silence. Partner means friends. However, she didn't have friends aside from the arcobaleno. There's no way can she ask them to be her partner. They were powerful and popular, if she were to be their partner, that would attract attention towards her and she didn't like it one bit. They also mentioned about the position and she heard the rumors that most attackers are males. That just made her condition worser than usual.

"By the way, have you all chosed your partners?" asked Izumi.

"Yep. Well, most of us just stayed with the same one every year, right, sempai?" said Skull.

"Yeah, it's kind of a trouble to search for a different one every year. How about you, Izumi-chan?" asked Fong. All of them stared intently at Izumi, again.

"Ummm… I…. don't think I have a candidate for it, but I'll manage, somehow. Hehehehe….." laughed Izumi nervously. She knew if she didn't find a partner soon she'll be in a deep, deep trouble. She sighed inwardly.

"Well, if you say so. Oh, oh, by the way, we have a request," said Luche.

"Request? When?"

"It came by this morning. Too early, I must say. It came around 4.00 a.m. I think. Well, I forgot about it completely until now. hehe~" said Luche casually. Everyone in the room sweatdropped.

Luche…

"Well, now that I've remembered about it, we should work together on this one. Everyone will –"

"What do you mean by everyone? Normally we do it by pairs or alone, right? There's no need to for everyone to be dragged along in this request," said Lal.

"Now, now, please listen for a while before you want to say something. This request is a bit special. It's not a fairly dangerous request, but it'll be nice for everyone to participate. It's like an event for you guys,"

"Event? Sorry, but I don't have time for this. I have many experiments to be completed in the lab," said Verde.

"Me too. I have to collect more money by this month," said Mammon.

At those sentences, the auras surrounding Luche changed completely from the kind and calm one to the ferocious and angry one. Everyone in the room felt shivers coming up their spine and they knew something bad will happen if this continues, so the room's sun decided to break the dark aura immediately.

"Luche, we'll participate, and I mean everyone will, so will you please explain to us what kind of event you want to organize and stop releasing your aura in the room? We'll definitely suffocate in no time if you continue," said Reborn quickly in one sentence.

"Glad you accept it, and so the event is-" While Luche was explaining the details of the event, everyone tried not to think of how can their sky just changed her aura and mood just quickly. They tried not to think because if they think about it they knew they'll never found the answer of it.

Event place

"You know what? I thought I'm just the arcobaleno student council room member, not the actual member itself, so please tell me why should I participate in this event?" asked Izumi.

The members of the arcobaleno student council were walking in a dark place nearby the west wing of the school. Each of them have different facial expression plastered on their face including happy, excited, calm, scared, bored, frustrated and nothing. Of course, it was hard to see as it was at night time and there were fogs around the place, but for them it was just a small obstacle and that didn't bother them at all.

"I did say everyone must participate, right? So everyone must participate. No use arguing about it now, Izumi-chan~ you're already following us~" said Luche.

"So about this catch-as-many-people-as-you-can event, when will it start, kora?" asked Colonello.

"Tsk, tsk, Colonello-kun, be patient for a while we have to sneak in first before the game can start,"

"It's surprising that you'll organize this kind of event, Luche," said Lal.

"Exactly. Usually, you'll forbid from organizing games that involve other people, what makes you have the idea?" asked Fong.

"It's the request itself. It said that we need to complete this request by morning, or there will be some kind of punishment from the principal. Well, there is another reason why I chosed everyone to participate in this. The people we need to catch are a lot and they were said to be quite strong, plus that we have limited time, so I have no choice but to do this because I don't want any of you injured badly," explained Luche.

"Then just say this earlier, Luche," said Reborn.

"Ahahaha.. I forgot,"

They entered a building located in the place near the road. The building looked old and there were trees everywhere surrounding the place, so the building was hard to see. The paint on the wall cracked and there were a lot of dusts and messy things in the building. The place definitely looked like a nest of criminals.

"And so, this is the starting point. Should you be in pair or alone, be extremely cautious of your surrounding and refrain yourself from being disconnected from each other. It'll be annoying to search for you in this huge building. The time limit will be at 2.30 a.m. Please gather here as soon as possible. And so, Arcobaleno Catching Game, Start!"

At the command everyone scattered around the building like a prey searching for its food. During the time span, burst of flames were seen around the place and explosions can be heard loudly from outside. Luche can't help but think how dangerous her subordinates and friends can be at times. She strolled around the place to search for the criminals to be caught alone. Well, she had no need for partner as she's strong enough to take care of herself.

Partner 1 – Lal and Colonello

"10, 11, and.. 12! Come and get me, stupid criminals! Hahahahahaha- ouch! What the heck, Lal, kora!?" said Colonello.

It seems that he was enjoying the game very much and he was just counting while beating the criminals to a pulp when his beloved teacher smacked him on the head using a plank she got nearby the place. The furniture in the place were scattered and broken into pieces which is a normal thing to happen when an arcobaleno member was having fun in his own way.

"Learn to be quieter, idiot! Your attacks will be easy to read if you're noisy!" said Lal.
Lal was shooting the criminals using her rain sniper, making the criminals to stop their actions. As a result, blue flames can be seen from outside.

"Ohh…. But you see, we need time to relax so shouting can be a good way for it, kora!"

"Just…. Shut up!"

Partner 2 – Fong and Mammon

"Will these criminals gave us lots of profit if we beat them?" said Mammon.

"I think so. The count's a lot as well, so why not?"

"Then, good. I have to make this quicker,"

"By the way Mammon-san, what did you use your money for?"

"I keep them. I only buy what I want if I have extra,"

"Then, why do you need a lot of it by a short of time?"

"Because I like it,"

"I see,"

Fong and Mammon were beating the criminals while counting them in their heads while keeping up in their conversations in a calm manner. Their tones were as if they were not kicking, punching and terrorizing the criminals and that makes it scarier. That include a few other topics such as foods, money, facilities, hobbies, pets and many more. It seems that Fong and Mammon suits each other with their personality. Fong is calm while Mammon is… well, Mammon is Mammon.

Partner 3 – Verde and Skull

"I can see these kinds of people are interesting to be dissected, but somehow I have no mood for it. They are quite disgusting," said Verde calmly. He was currently using his tools to, well, beat the criminals to a pulp. It seems that the criminals chosed a wrong choice of opponent.

"Verde-sempai, help me! Why did you make these people attack me and not you!? Ahh!" shouted Skull.

Surprisingly, the criminals were all attacking Skull and they didn't even look at Verde.

"Mmmhhh… My potion seems to be working. This is quite a good data. Keep working, lackey,"

"Verde-sempai!"

Partner 4 – Reborn and Izumi

"You know what, I think you don't need a partner at all. If you did, then I don't think I can recognize the victims again. You're too destructive, Reborn. Learn to hold back, will you?" said Izumi monotonously while poking a body in the room. The pulse was still there so they were still alive.

The room they were in was practically burnt and destroyed. The walls were burnt black, pieces of what to be furniture scattered in the room messily. The criminals were all lying in the room unconscious. It seems that they had experience a nightmare from a person called Reborn.

"No need to hold back to these people. They are just contaminating the place. And you're right. I don't need a partner but it's the rule. Everyone needs a partner except for the judges. You're just looking so no complaining," said Reborn while looking at the criminals. He smirked to himself. He can make these people suffer more if not for the request of catching these people alive.

"I only looked because you don't seem to need any help. Not to mention you're attacking me too. How violent can you be, Hitman-san?" said Izumi mockingly. Reborn raised a suspicious eyebrow. How did she know about his occupation?

"I read your profile. Don't worry, I've got Luche's permission. She said something about knowing more about your friends, so I take a look at it. And yours the most….peculiar one," said Izumi.

"Peculiar? I think I'm normal enough, not like you,"

"Hey! I'm normal and you're not. Get. It. Right,"

"Mmmhh… so you consider yourself normal when you're having long bangs, headphone around your neck and don't like attention?"

"You said as if you're not having too big of self-confidence, wore a weird dark blazer, a freaking fedora and attracting too much attention and that's what we call weird. Normal people stay normal and don't attract that much of attention, you know. What is normal about you when people stare at you as if you're a….a….a….a rare species of creature that just come to earth? So tell me what is normal about it?"

"That is normal,"

"Ahhhhhhhh! Speaking with you is annoying!"

"Then don't speak, idiot,"

"Hey, I'm not an idiot!"

"Yes you are, and you should stay quiet. I don't like a noisy servant,"

"I'm not your servant!"

"Then, you're my toy,"

"NO!"

Reborn looked at his watch which displayed the time 2.05 a.m. He looked at his surrounding before decided to go to the starting point. He didn't like to be late especially when it involves Luche.

"Oi, let's go,"

"Huh?"

"It's 2.05. We need to get going now, or do you prefer to be here alone to accompany these people?"

Izumi looked at the bodies lying scattered around the room and gulped silently. Staying here was scary and she did not like it one bit.

"I'll….I'll follow you," said Izumi softly.

"Good. Now that's my servant,"

"Shut it,"

They started to walk towards the entrance when a sudden noise caught their attention. A click seems to be echoing in the room and all of a sudden the unconscious people Reborn just beat a while ago stood and looked at both of them with red, bloody eyes.

"R..Reborn? Is it me, or did their eyes just glow red?" asked Izumi. She seems to be quite shocked with the sudden turn of event.

"A spell?" said Reborn calmly.

"S..Seems to be, I think. Maybe we should-"

Izumi's sentence was cut when a loud noise erupted and the entrance of the room which is made of metal (that's why it's still standing) closed with a loud bang. The other entrance on the other side of the room also closed with a loud bang.

"Locking spell!" said Izumi.

"Tch, annoying bastards,"

Reborn started to reload his gun and shot at the entrance door but the door didn't even budge.

"This type of spell can't be destroyed easily. The master must be defeated if we want to get out from here, but, it seems he's outside of this room,"

"Then, we'll break this room,"

"Are you even listening?!"

"What?"

Izumi sighed loudly and gasped when she saw the people started to move towards them.

"Reborn! Behind you!"

Reborn cursed and shot at the people. They fell down but after a few seconds they stood up again as if nothing's happening on them.

"That's why I don't like this kind of locking spell. It's annoying and not to mention it makes the puppet quite immortal. It's like a package, you know," said Izumi.

"It's quite disturbing hearing these facts from you,"

"I know at least these kind of facts too you know! Don't insult me too much!"

"Tch,"

"Don't 'tch' with me!"

Reborn started shooting at the vital points on the puppets body and that made them paralyzed for a moment. He took that moment to use his special bullets to chain them completely, but the effect would still wear off because of the spell.

"You specialize in spell, right? Then, do something, can't you?"

"I'm trying here! Don't disturb me!"

"Try?"

Now that he realized, Izumi was holding what to be a deck of cards. He recognized them as poker cards as there were lots of diamonds, spades and hearts patterns on the cards.

"Card?"

"Reborn, duck!"

Reborn ducked quickly and Izumi took the moment to throw three pieces of cards the puppets. The cards exploded in blue smoke and the next thing Reborn saw the puppet was chained with what he saw silver flame as its rope.

"Ho~ Card spell, I see,"

"This is bad! I forgot my gun!" yelled Izumi. Reborn turned his head towards Izumi and saw her shaking her head looking quite frustrated.

"You use a gun? That didn't seem to suit you,"

"I'm sorry it didn't suit me! I'm not a hitman and I don't use the bullet type, by the way. I used the spell gun,"

"That still didn't suit you,"

"Shut it!"

Izumi started shuffling her cards and she cast a glanced towards the puppets.

"I'll try handling the spell while you handle those puppets," said Izumi.

"Instructing me now, eh, servant?"

"Ahhh! Mou, just do it and we'll be free from here!"

Reborn smirked and started reloading his gun again. His eyes glowed eerily and they showed a familiar looking I'll-kill-you and This'll-be-fun expressions.

"Don't need to ask,"

And so the combination attacks started.

Meanwhile, the other partners and Luche have already gathered at the starting point.

"Mmmhhh, where's Reborn and Izumi?" asked Luche sweetly.

"Guess he's still fighting, then," said Fong.

"Let's just wait for them for a while. If they don't show up in half an hour, we'll search for them, okay~?" said Luche.

The others just nodded in agreement. They silently hoped that the pair will show up before the sky exploded. And that's the last thing they ever wish to see.

"Hey, still don't get it?" said Reborn while shooting at the puppets.

Izumi was trying to get them out by throwing combinations of cards towards the entrance and explosions erupted from the card time to time. But the entrance still didn't budge even a centimeter.

"I'm trying here! Ah! The layers,.. Reborn! Shoot here!" yelled Izumi.

Reborn turned and shot the door making the building shook from the explosions. However the door still didn't budge.

"Chance!" said Izumi. Reborn raised an eyebrow, not truly comprehending the situation. What did she mean by chance? He didn't have time to think when the girl, once again shouted at him to shoot at what to be a card this time. He shot at the card and to his surprise; his shot's power was raised by five times its usual power.

"Wha-"

"Amplify spell. Sun's attack power was raised by the wind flames by five times. I don't like to use this card but this is the only choice we have,"

"Not bad for a servant,"

"I said shut it!"

The entrance had a bad looking hole and surprisingly, the puppets stopped moving and collapsed on the floor, unconscious. It seems the master of the spell also collapsed unconscious on the floor outside the entrance door.

"I don't know you can use amplify spell, and the card t-" Reborn's sentence was cut when he heard Izumi yelled behind him.

"Ahhh!"

"What?!" Reborn said, patient burning up.

"My…my…my…. 12 no. cards and Queens of jacks and hearts are gone in a day!"

"Huh?"

"Like I said, my-"

"Just restock it, can't you?"

"You said as if it's that easy!"

"It's easy, right?"

"Heck no!"

"Then?"

"I need to find other cards and fill them will flames again! And these are my father's special ones!"

"So?"

"So, so, it's quite, tiring…" she mumbled the last part.

Reborn watched Izumi's expression for a while before stating,

"You're lazy,"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are, so just refill them later, idiot,"

"What did you say!?"

"Let's go, we're late by 20 minutes,"

"Yeah, right," said Izumi while rolling her eyes.

Reborn watched Izumi made the cards and stick she held up until then vanished into thin air. She dusted off her skirt and realized that Reborn was watching her the whole time.

"W..What?"

"Are you a joker?"

"Joker? Ah, the cards, right?"

"Answer me, idiot,"

"Don't call me that! I'm not a joker,"

"Then?"

"I'm just an amateur magician, oh hitman-san~"

".."

A/N : ASC Info : Joker - A type of spell user. Use cards and a few tricks and spell to fight, but usually wear a 'suitable' clothes to inform others about their type. Ranking and difference between joker and magician will show up in next few chapters.