A/N: It's been so long! But the two months are finally over! This is not the end of my military life though, since it is two years in total. There will be times when i will be away from my computer for an extended amount of time but i'll tell you guys in advance.
So i see that the cliffhanger was 'well-received' by you guys. And it is also interesting to see that there is an increase of fics that are also writing about the SSS2, in their own variations of course. I've been out of the game for so long so let's see if i still got it. Let the good times roll!
Angel Beats!
What We Live For
Operation 28
The dark ones
He had no idea why he was given the black cloth, nor did he have any idea why Yamato was so angry at him for getting it.
"How could you- You insensitive bastard!"
Was all she said before punching him in the face and storming off. Really, what was that all about? And why did she look so tired, battered and bruised? Did she pick a fight with a bear or something?
"Well, I heard from Yuki-sama, but to really see it."
Iori muttered when Katsuragi approached the Wolf leader to inform him of the news Katsuragi was told to inform his squad leader of the change and so that was what he did after he received his black cloth. Obviously everyone was having mixed feelings about this. A mere corporal suddenly joining the most elite division. It was like seeing an overnight celebrity suddenly making it go big.
"So you're going to be reporting directly to Kurogane Kou. She never really stays in one place, though her favourite spots would be Guild's Big Site, the empty third floor classrooms of complex A and Yuki's room."
Strange... Katsuragi bumped into Kou at every single one of those spots. Maybe not Yuki's room.
"Things are going to get tough from now onwards, but if Kurogane chose you, then you should be alright. Go now and don't forget that though your division is different and you answer to a new leader, that you are still a member of the SSS2 and was once a Wolf."
Iori told him before Katsuragi was sent off in search of Kou to report to her. According to Iori, Katsuragi is actually the third Wolf to be chosen to enter the Guardians. The first was Kurogane Kou herself. The reason behind the lack of Wolves in the Guardians was due to Yuki's influence. She would try to get the best soldiers into the Wolves who were under her direct supervision and since Kou was always avoiding a long confrontation with Yuki, she avoided recruiting from the Wolves. It wasn't so much as Kou was afraid of Yuki, but more along the lines of Kou being wary of Yuki's strong personality coupled with her wide influence. Katsuragi stepped out of the Wolves room and saw that Takamachi Yukari was standing there waiting for him. This time it wasn't Amatsu Len with her, but rather a gloomy looking person with a large cloak wrapped around her. That person looked familiar.
"Hey Katsuragi. The leader told us to fetch you since you probably wouldn't know where we normally meet up. This here is Shion. Asakura Shion. She's the Guardian's only sniper."
Yukari introduced the gloomy looking person, who bowed slightly at him.
"She's a little on the shy side so you'll have to forgive her."
A shy sniper? Somehow that sort of... fits, but doesn't fit at the same time. In the first place, why was she covering her right eye with her long bangs? Was that some sort of new emo-goth style? But was she the only sniper in the Guardians? If she was, she must have some serious skill sets to be chosen.
"Oho? What's this, Katsuragi-kun? You're interested in Shion as well?"
Yukari smirked in a similar fashion to how an old lady would gossip about the latest scandal in the neighbourhood.
"N-no! That's not it!"
Katsuragi blurted back.
"Ah, right. The only one on your mind is Kou. Good! How admirable of you to stay true to your heart!"
Yukari laughed out loudly. Staying true to his heart? What was that about?
"Right right, well let's get going. Kou doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Yukari said, turning around to lead the way. The three left the Fort building and headed straight towards the main school complex. Yukari and Shion both walked without a care for any NPCs or SSS2 members who stared at them walk by. It was quite obvious why these two would attract so much attention. Shion was dressed with an overly large cloak over herself while carrying a large anti-tank rifle on her back and while Yukari wasn't tall, she had the presence of something who was as well as her carrying her overly large cleaver of a weapon really made her stand out. There were two more things that made them stand out from all others. One was the black cloth that they wore. It marked their standing as Guardians. The other thing that made people stop and stare... was the sheer presence or aura that these two were emitting.
It was like how a grand King would garner the attention of everyone the moment he stepped into the hall. You may not see him, but you sure know he's there. A strange prickly sensation at the back of his neck plus the goosebumps that were crawling all over his skin were tell-tale signs of the sheer power that these two gave off. Katsuragi was not trained to sense such power but even he could tell just how dangerous these two were. Guardians. Was he really fit to be one of them? Was he really chosen because of some skill he held that he could not see? Or was he chosen simply on a whim (yes, it was on a whim)? The guardians walked into the school complex C. Wasn't Kou more frequent in Complex A?
"We've moved temporarily to complex C due to a mission. Don't worry, you won't be participating in any missions as of yet until you receive your own specialized weapon from Yuuko."
Yukari explained to the Katsuragi as they walked through the building. There were more NPCs within complex C than complex A due to the presence of the discipline committee. Complex A was where the staff rooms were located so there were mainly teachers there. Considering how the teachers do not really bother with the SSS2, complex A was more or less under the control of the Organization. Complex B was under the direct supervision of the student council and Complex C was under the watch of the disciplinary committee so they were had the least number of SSS2 members within them. Complex D, E and F were mainly classrooms that were constantly being contested by between the SSS2 and the NPCs.
Those three buildings were the ones that had seen the highest number of conflicts and fights, as well as being the hot spot for Shadows to appear within. Complex G and H were both used for Clubs and were the favourite spots for the Diversion division to set up shop. Going back to where Katsuragi and the others were, Complex C was tightly controlled by the disciplinary committee and Katsuragi could already see that the NPCs were beginning to make their move. Just as they reached the stairwell, the three of them found themselves surrounded by members of the disciplinary committee.
[Encounter: Ten Disciplinary members appeared]
An encounter so soon? ! But while Katsuragi was fretting internally, Yukari and Shion were perfectly calm. In fact, Yukari was smiling.
"Takamachi Yukari and Asakura Shion. Where do you think you're going?"
The apparent leader of the disciplinary members demanded.
"What is it to you?"
Yukari asked back, crossing her arms.
"I have a right to know. Besides, the two of you are wanted by the disciplinary committee."
"I do not remember being 'wanted' by you. If anything we were supposed to be 'watched'. Besides, even someone like you should know not to stop me."
Yukari's smirk was beginning to border down-right scary.
[Disciplinary members are frightened]
"I'm sure that you do not wish to cause a scene here, do you?"
Yukari's hand reached for her weapon as she said that.
"... Y-you would not dare to use that on us."
"Just try me."
Yukari's threat was something that was hard to determine if it was joke... or if it was for real.
"Y-you can't just threaten a disciplinary officer like that!"
The NPC was clearly frightened. Putting up a weak bravado like that only make him look extremely pathetic.
"Well... I wouldn't normally. But you should know who my leader is, don't you? I'm not sure about you, but I am not one who would like to make her angry."
Yukari placed her last card, which proved to be too much for the disciplinary member.
"Geh... tch, fine. But just you wait... we'll be watching you."
With that, the disciplinary members dispersed. Was the name of Kurogane Kou really that frightening? Looking back on his memories, Katsuragi decided that yes... Even if it was just her name, Kurogane Kou was still a scary person.
"Come on, let's go."
Yukari said, making Katsuragi follow behind. The trio made their way up the stairs to the third floor. It was here that Katsuragi realized that he was in the heart of the Guardian's territory. Standing across the corridor were all SSS2 members, silently tending to their own weapons and preparing for some large operation. The Guardians, the ghosts of the organization, the reapers of the sixth division, the elite force of the SSS2. Each holding as much power as a high level Angel. The first and last line of defence against the Angels. They were the only hope for the organization to survive. A gloomy group of people. Really. This corridor held as much depressive atmosphere as a funeral.
"In here."
Yukari pointed to a door that had the plaque 'Chemistry lab 3' above the door. Yukari knocked on the door twice before opening the door and stepping through. Shion followed in next and Katsuragi was the last to step through. Stepping into the room, Katsuragi came into a scene that was straight out of an epic movie. Standing around the room were the more important people of the Guardians. The silent swords woman, Sakamoto Shiki; the fierce second in command, Amatsu Len; the young strategist, Minami Shino; walking over to her chosen spot, the steel arm, Takamachi Yukari; the sharp sniper, Asakura Shion; and lastly, sitting on the chair like the King of these great fighters, the reaper and leader of the Guardians, Kurogane Kou. Katsuragi felt like he had just walked straight into a den of lions. Wait, skip lions. This was a den of demon Gods. Each and every one of these scary individuals was powerful in their own right, each standing at the top of their field. Standing under the blood soaked banner of violence, they are wrath incarnate. Or at least they were suppose to.
"... Oi, Shino, we're having a very important meeting."
Amatsu Len snapped at the young strategist who was cramming her mouth with sweets.
"Eh? But it's my snack time!"
Minami Shino said back with sweets flying out of her mouth. Really, that is bad manners.
"Who cares about your snack time! And what the hell are you eating? !"
"Dango, want some?"
"No!"
Katsuragi was wondering if this was truly the same room for the Guardians.
"Ya, ha ha ha. Things are as lively as always! That's good!"
Yukari laughed in a carefree manner. Please, this is no time to be laughing! Those two look to be on the verge of having an all out nuclear war at the moment! Stop laughing and stop them already!
"It's impossible to stop them at this stage."
Sakamoto Shiki said, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall. So you say it is impossible to stop them... at least try!
"..."
Shion merely kept quiet, watching the scene unfold. Don't watch! Do something! It was at this point where Kou suddenly tapped her scythe on the ground. It was a light tap, barely audible yet it made every single person in the room quiet down and turn to her. Such was the power that Kou wielded. Even the ever joking Yukari wasn't smiling at this point.
"... Enough."
Kou muttered, getting up from her chair.
"... We move... now."
Kou said, and the leaders all nodded their heads in unison without a word. But there was a problem. A rather obvious problem. Katsuragi.
"Kou, what should we do with the new guy? You wanted to see him, didn't you?"
Yukari asked, stepping forward. Kou looked to Katsuragi with her usual emotionless eyes.
"... I've seen him... that should be enough..."
That's it? !
"That's not really it, Kou. He hasn't gotten his own weapon so he cannot participate in our missions despite being a Guardian. The other new member is the same as well."
Kou turned to Yukari after the latter said the obvious. Other new member? What other new member?
"... Okay... Shino... Take charge... of new members."
"Eeeeh?"
The small strategist made a rather annoying sound.
"Don't 'eeeeeh' when the captain gives you a direct order!"
Len snapped at Shino.
"... I'll... give you... sweets."
Kou said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a fistful of wrapped candies. At the mere sight of that Shino's eyes lit up like light bulbs with excitement.
"Can I really have them? Can I? Can I?"
What is she, a kid? Well, she does look like one... But still.
"Have... all."
Kou said, pouring the sweets into Shino's waiting hands.
"Yay! I love Kou so much! Okay new guy! Let's go!"
With that, Shino dashed straight out of the room without even waiting for Katsuragi to follow. Katsuragi turned to the others in the room but they were simply preparing for their next mission. With no other choice, Katsuragi left the room.
A personalized weapon. Katsuragi did not have any idea what it was exactly but he had seen a number of people carrying odd weapons around. Weapons with strange and special abilities. According to Iori, such weapons would be granted to warrant officers and above, and even then they needed to pass some sort of test. A test that Iori recommended them not to take. Something about 'horrors' and 'demonic eggs'. All in all, it was something that made even the leader of the Elite Wolves frightened. It certainly had to be something. But apparently it was a requirement for all Guardians to have their own personalized weapon. Why? Was it because it offered them more power than normal weapons? Allowing them to combat Angels on a daily basis without pause? Or was there another reason? He managed to find Shino who was waiting for him by the door of another classroom.
"Ah, there you are. Let me get the other new comer and we can be on our way."
Shino said, turning to the door and opening in to pop her head inside.
"Are you ready to go? Good. The other new member has arrived so we will head straight down to Guild for your orientation."
Shino spoke to whoever was inside. Soon, the door slid open and Shino stepped back as another person walked out of the classroom. With long flowing hair and her sharp eyes, the girl looked over to Katsuragi and-
"Oh."
"Oh."
The two said to one another at the same time. Oh indeed. Katsuragi knew this person.
"... Saya?"
Katsuragi wasn't sure if he was seeing things correctly. Saya, one of the better fighters from his batch from recruitment days, was standing before him. She had changed quite a bit from when he last saw her. She used to have an energetic self, charging straight into things without much thought. Now... she seemed quite mellowed. She wore a broach on her collar that signified her attachment to the Assault division's elite fighting force, the shock troops 'Edge'.
"Katsuragi-san... You're joining the Guardians too?"
Saya asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Y-yeah... I guess so."
Saya seemed to stare at Katsuragi with a sceptical look on her. Not that he could blame her though it was rather rude in the first place. Katsuragi had no idea why he was inside the Guardians too, and apparently no one else knows the reasons besides the leaders of the Guardians.
"... I guess anything can happen in this World."
Saya muttered. Ouch, that was really a harsh comment.
"Alright, let's go."
Shino said, leading the way down the hallway. They were meant to head to Guild so Katsuragi guessed that there should be a hidden entrance way somewhere in this building.
"Since the two of you are new, I will explain a few things to you. Let's start to what the Guardians do."
Shino started as they walked down the stairs of the building complex.
"The Guardians are mainly the elite fighting force of the Organization. We put our souls on the line to fight the Angels, an enemy that only appeared five years ago. It was also about that time when the organization started to delve deeply into using the Angel Program as a way to end this war as well as powering ourselves up. The truth may be that the more we use the program, the worse our situation becomes, but that still does not change the fact that we need it in order to survive. One might call it an endless cycle.
Going back to our mission. Guardians are deployed to counter any Angels of any level, as well as any Shadow deemed too dangerous for the other divisions to handle. By now the two of you must have noticed that we Guardians are not called upon often. Each division has their own pride and vindication to fight the Shadows and Angels. This results in mass casualties on our side and it is often up to us to act before the situation gets to a critical state. As Guardians, we also deal with traitors and the occasional unrest within the organization."
"Unrest?"
Katsuragi wondered about that part.
"An organization with a size like ours are bound to have fragmentations and dividing beliefs. There are a large number of groups within our own ranks that plan to spread dissent against the leaders or even against our very own survival. Every now and then there will be attempts to overthrow the leaders or maybe just a riot. Luckily the name of our leader alone is sufficient to quell most of these uprisings."
And it certainly should. Even Katsuragi would get goosebumps hearing her name.
"Senpai, how did the Guardians form?"
Saya asked, though Katsuragi felt as though there was another reason behind that question.
"We were formed right after the Battle of Big Site. Since there was an emergence of a new enemy, the leader of Fort, Taeno Yuki, decided that there had to be a division that devoted itself fully to the art of destroying Angels, even at the risk of their own souls."
Shino replied briefly. A little too briefly.
"... I want to know why a person like Kurogane Kou was chosen to lead."
Saya said, which caused Shino to stop in her tracks. The small strategist turned her head and eyed Saya. As Katsuragi expected, Saya was trying to probe for more answers, trying to uncover some dark past. But for whatever reason Katsuragi did not know. What he did know was that Shino was already onto Saya and had skilfully evaded answering the question thus far.
"... For what purpose do you wish to know such a thing?"
Shino asked.
"... I need to know what kind of person would my leader be."
Saya replied flatly. Did something to her within the Assault division? Saya never questioned such things before. Katsuragi did hear a rumour about the leader of Edge being somewhat unorthodox and eccentric... but what did that have to do with Saya? Shino eyed Saya a little while longer before sighing.
"Kurogane Kou is a strong person. She sacrificed the most and has lost the most. She is the one to lead the Guardians because she is the only one who has the potential and capabilities to defeat an EX level Angel. Does that answer your question?"
That was clearly not a straight answer, but Saya knew not to press any further. Though Shino may look and act like a child, she was still one of the higher ranking members of the Guardians. That meant she had skill. A lot of skill.
"... No. No further questions."
Saya finally replied after a lengthy pause.
"Good. Now follow me."
Shino led the two down to the first floor and headed towards the toilet. In between the men and women bathroom was the large red box against the wall that held the fire hose. Shino walked over to the red box and pushed down the hinges. A clicking sound came from within the walls as the box swung open, revealing a secret passage.
"Well now, let's enter."
Shino led the way inside the tunnel, which cut downwards into a hole after awhile. Soon, Katsuragi found that they were back down in Guild, though it was a rather secluded tunnel that they were currently in.
"This is Tunnel D8, usually no one uses this tunnel since it connects directly to the disciplinary committee's home base. Come on. We need to get to Guild before Yuuko runs off."
Shino said as she headed off into a slight jog.
"Yuuko?"
"To get your own personalized weapons, you must first meet Musashi. He will be the one who create your weapons, but it is Yuuko who is needed in order to get a full sketch down. While Musashi is able to 'see' what sort of weapon you should have, he cannot create it without instructions or a blueprint, which is where Yuuko comes in. She also needs to give permission as well as supply the amount of black and white essences used in the construction process. Only Yuuko is able to withstand the amount of power which both essences would give off during the construction period."
Shino explained.
"So she's like the only person to die during the making of our weapons?"
"More or less."
Shino casually replied. Wasn't that being a little too casual for this sort of subject matter?
"Well, you'll see it when we get there."
Shino said. Katsuragi was having a really bad feeling about what he was going to see next. And what he did see was something that did not disappoint. The moment they stepped into Guild, a large explosion occurred right in front of them. Once again, it was the experimenter's room. Just when it was rebuilt, someone had to blow it up again. Staggering out of the smoke-filled room, Yuuko coughed and gagged in an attempt to clear her lungs of soot. After she cleared her throat a little, she looked up and noticed Shino and the two new recruits of the Guardians.
"Ah, Shino-chan, you're here! Good good."
Yuuko smiled, walking over whilst dusting her overalls. Not that it did any good since her overalls were already stained black beyond anything a demon level of washing can fix.
"So, these two are here for their weapons, right? Hm?... aren't you that Wolf guy? What are you doing with the Guardians?"
Yuuko asked, clearly confused.
"He's a certified black band. Our leader chose him."
Shino answered that as she sat on a crate whilst munching on her sweets.
"Hmm... what an interesting turn of events this is."
Yuuko said as she grabbed some sweets out from Shino's bag without asking and shoving the sweets into her own mouth.
"Yuuko! My sweets!"
"Hmfmdmng"
Yuuko muffled back with her mouth filled with sweets. She wasn't really saying something comprehensible by the way so it does not matter if it remains as it is without translations. The last thing that Katsuragi thought that was necessary was for a translation for what Yuuko was saying. Anything she says isn't really worth any translation anyway.
"Anyway,"
Yuuko continued after she swallowed her mouth full of sweets.
"We'll go find Musashi now. He should be over by the furnace. He's always there."
Yuuko led the way towards the over end of Guild where there was a giant furnace going strong. Littered around the furnace were anvils, coal bags and other things that would not look weird or out of place at a blacksmith's workshop. But this wasn't a real blacksmith's workshop, but rather it was Guild. So it was like seeing a really authentic ancient blacksmith in a car-manufacturing type of shop. Totally out of place. Sitting on a small stool was a half naked man pounding away on the anvil with his hammer.
"Musashi-chii, these are the ones I talked to you about."
Yuuko called out to the working blacksmith. The young man turned around, revealing a rather impressive-
"... Hige..."
Katsuragi could not help but note the beard. Yes, it was a really impressive beard. It did not matter if you were a man or woman, you would still find it to be a very impressive beard. If one had to say, it was like looking at a very well groomed piece of hair.
"Hmm, that young man has taste."
The bearded Musashi said, stroking his own beard with pride.
"Whatever. Just make their weapons, will you?"
Yuuko grumbled, obviously not a fan of the beard.
"Sure, sure."
Musashi replied, putting down his hammer and turning to face the two new recruits. But that was all he did. Stare. With a blank expression, it made Katsuragi think that this Musashi fellow had crashed and was just zoning out. For one, he is zoning out.
[Musashi is zoning out]
Second, he had not crashed.
[Musashi is still alive]
That was when Katsuragi realized that Musashi was actually studying the two recruits. His stare was long and hard, making Katsuragi feel slightly unnerved and uncomfortable.
[Musashi is still staring]
That glare is really painful
[Katsuragi is feeling nervous]
[Katsuragi is suffering a mental breakdown]
[Katsuragi suffers 10 dmg]
[Katsuragi suffers 10 dmg]
[Katsuragi suffers 10 dmg]
[Katsuragi suffers 10-
"Okay, I more or less have it."
Musashi said all of a sudden.
[Katsuragi suffers 10 dmg]
He already stopped staring so why is there still damage? !
"But I have to wonder... You..."
Musashi pointed at Katsuragi.
"Huh? Me?"
"Yes... you... Aren't you Kurogane Kou?"