A/N: Sorry for the delay. I was coming up with new weapon ideas with a friend. Once I get the details properly done I'll put them on a site somewhere... Or my blog. Most likely my blog.

There are a lot of ideas coming out of my head but it's been hard to sort through them so my chapters may seem... messy. Sorry for that.

Angel Beats!

What We Live For

Operation 35

The Mantle Of Power

Five hours later

The next bump made Yamato feel extremely sick, as if the last few hundred of bumps did not. Sitting at the back of one of the trucks in the convoy, Yamato had time to think and rest, as did the rest of her group in the same truck as herself. Banding together as a squad, they called themselves Guard 1, fashioning themselves after her position as a Guardian and following her lead. Personally, it felt too surreal for Yamato. Not just the battle itself, but this entire place. It wasn't too long ago since she came here. Truth be told, Yamato simply let the torrent of events sweep her through.

As the convoy sped down the tunnels, Yamato was starting to feel slightly unsure of the outcome of the battle. Too many variables, too many factors that did not make sense. What happened outside Guild? Who attacked the Angels and Shadows outside there? Was there another force at work in this battle? Yamato shook her head as she tried to dissipate those thoughts. It was pointless to think about it now. In fact, it wasn't part of her personality to be mulling over things too much. She was more the up-front and deal-with-it kind of person.

"Five minutes!"

The driver hollared over the roars of the engines. Everyone in Guard 1 looked up, sharp and loaded their weapons. Yamato guessed that it was time. No more hesitation. No more doubts. Time to look at nothing but her goals. She will have more doubts in the future, that is one certainty for sure. But for now, she will complete the task set in front of her. The truck screeched to a halt and the sounds of gun fire and war cries were already all around as Yamato jumped out of the truck. As expected of the Runners, they were just as mad as the rest of Guild. The trucks stopped right in the middle of the entire battlefield! But it did not matter. Not to Yamato. Not to the rest of them.

"Guard 1, spread out and provide covering fire!"

Yamato commanded as she brought out her large cannon, Getsuga-tengan.

" "Roger!" "

They echoed back, rushing out in perfect formation and doing as ordered. Using the trucks as cover, Guard 1 fired at the Shadows and Angels who were laying siege to Big Site's main platform area where multiple Shield members were, defending the lifts down to Big Site itself with entrenched machine gun nests and mortar fire. But even Shield's best efforts, Shadows and Angels were breaching their defences, forcing some Shield members to fight in close quarters. All in all, this was a very hectic and chaotic battle.

"Corporal Kusanagi! We must get my divisions to regroup with the Shield members on the platforms if we were to stand a chance to turn the tide of this battle!"

Shinobu shouted above the loud din of the battle. Yamato flinched as a grenade shrapnel flew past her face.

"What about you?"

She shouted back. Shinobu pulled her goggles down over her eyes and tapped twice on her helmet.

"I will head over to the platform to provide immediate assistance!"

Before Yamato could stop her, Shinobu muttered something under her breath that wasn't audible A sudden flash of light blinded Yamato for a mere second and then Shinobu was gone.

BOOM

A loud explosion echoed from the platform and before the dust cloud could settle, Yamato saw another flash of light within the dust cloud and a second explosion erupted from the other end of the platform.

"Don't need to worry about Senjougahara-san, that's just her special skill."

One of the Runners shouted to explain to Yamato. Sure enough, Shinobu stepped out from the large hole in the wall, dusting her hands of dust and blood. Did she just ram a few enemies into the walls and floors?

"Her skill allows her to accelerate at a tremendous rate but the problem is that she cannot stop unless she crashes into something."

That doesn't sound promising at all. But from what Yamato could see, Shinobu had no problem dispatching enemies quickly, if not explosively. As expected from a member of Guild. Well, since Shinobu was doing her part, Yamato had to do hers. She closed her eyes. Breathing slow. Deep. Hard. Her hearing was strained. Every fine detail could be heard. The shouting of the SSS2. The gun fire. The explosions. The bullets flying flying through the air. Her chest tightened. Her muscles tensed. She opened her eyes.

"It's show time."

She swung her cannon around the truck and took aim. Slamming her boot against the pedal, she locked the mechanism in place and fired.

BOOM

The round detonated with a three metre radius, scattering the enemy. Her heart beat was strong, hard against her chest. Snap open cannon. Let empty shell fall out. Grab next round from belt. Spin round in hand. Slam it into chamber. Lock chamber back in place. Boot against pedal. Mechanism locked. Aim. Fire.

BOOM

Enemy charging at her. Snap handle side ways. Extend forward pike. Pile Bunker mode. Swing weapon at enemy. Contact. Fire round. Impact shock wave against enemy. Enemy stopped in attack. Next shock wave impact. Enemy shield shatters. Third shock wave impact. Spike pierces enemy. Snap handle backwards. Load rifle magazine. Fire rounds into pierced angel's body. Snap handle back. Fire explosive round. Enemy disintegrated. Next target. Lock on. Snap cannon open. Load next round. Snap back cannon. Step on pedal. Mechanism lock. Aim. Fire.

BOOM

"Die human!"

An angel screamed, charging at her. Snap handle. Fire pile bunker into shield. Enemy too close. Using her boot, Yamato backed kicked her cannon, causing it to flip, centred around the handle which she held in her hand. The back portion of the cannon sailed through the air and smashed the angel on the head.

"That's enough! Kusanagi!"

A voice called out to her. Her senses slowly dulled as reality slowly came back into view. The one who was calling out to her was Shinobu. She had cleared the docks. Now was the time to regroup.

"Guard 1, on me!"

She shouted out, slinging her cannon over her shoulder and running over to the platform with her squad following closely behind. Once on the platform, Shinobu approached her, her helmet covered with blood splatter that she did not bother to ask about.

"We managed to secure a line thanks to you. Shield can take over from here but we have a larger problem now."

Shinobu's words weighed heavily on Yamato as she nodded.

"Okay, so what is it?"

"A number of Shadows have managed to slip past Shield's defences and went down into Big Site. The elevators are not working so you will need to get down the hard way."

Shinobu reached into her waist pouch and pulled out several metal rings.

"These will clip onto the elevator wires and bring you down to Big Site. Your team will go down, secure Big Site and meet up with the Boss. I will hold off the enemy here."

Yamato did not argue with that. There was no time to nor did Yamato think of any better alternative. She grabbed the metal rings and headed off towards the elevator shafts. She distributed the rings to her squad members and walked all the to the shaft. Looking down, she could see that the battle was already on-going below. Still, what a way down.

"... Ready up."

She ordered and the members of Guard 1 took out their rings. They had to jump to reach the elevator wires but none were afraid. They had seen worse. They had gone through hell. This was nothing.

"... Hook up."

Yamato said and the members of Guard 1 all jumped at the same time, each grabbing a wire and clipping the metal ring's catch onto the wire.

"Corporal."

Yamato looked up and saw Shinobu standing by the shaft's entrance.

"Good luck. And take care of the boss."

Shinobu said. Yamato nodded in reply.

"Of course."

Shinobu smiled at her answer and turned around, pulling her goggles down over her eyes as she walked off back to the front lines Yamato looked down the shaft. It was now or never.

"Descend!"

Guard 1 descended down the elevator shaft, down into what was the largest battle Yamato had ever seen thus far. Fires everywhere. Screams from running non-combatants. Sounds of gunfire and explosions.

"It's like the battle of big site all over again."

One of the members of Guard 1 said with a grim tone.

"... Let's not waste time."

Yamato said. She and the members of Guard 1 landed at the bottom of the elevator shaft and stepped out of the remains of the elevators into field of chaos. Blood everywhere. Bodies scattered everywhere.

"... First thing first. Let us find out where the survivors are."

Yamato said.

"Ma'am, there seems to be a lot of gun fire going on at the bath house."

One of the members said, pointing towards the furthest end of the cavern. Yamato nodded in agreement and unslung her cannon.

"Alright. Let's move out. Tight line formation."

" "Roger" "

The group moved out quickly, rushing off towards the grand bath house. Despite Yamato's getsuga-tengan's size, it was still a very light weight weapon. Yamato figured it must be because of how simple its mechanisms actually were. But besides that, the situation in Big Site was quite bad. As they ran through the streets of Big Site, Yamato noticed that nothing was still alive. If the reports from Shinobu were right, then there should only be Shadows down here, yet why was she seeing bodies of Angels lying around? Something was not right.

BOOM

Yamato looked up and saw a large chunk of a building coming down towards them.

"Scatter!"

She shouted and everyone dispersed in separate directions before the large debris crashed into the ground, leaving a large crater.

"What was that? !"

One member demanded, but Yamato did not have an answer... till now. A giant screeching roar echoed throughout the tunnels. A roar so loud that it made the very ground tremble and crack. Looking in the far end, Yamato saw them. Towering close to ten storeys tall, those giant lumbering towers of darkness.

"Gigas!"

One of them shouted. Gigas, a giant shadow that easily towers anything around it. Thus far, only two had ever been seen, both dispatched off by the sixth division at a heavy cost. But this was different. It wasn't just one Gigas... there were an army of them.

"Five? Five Gigas all in the same place? ! This can't be happening!"

Yamato gritted her teeth as she tried to think. What should she do? She then saw explosions against the Gigas. Guild was still fighting back.

"Alright, split up. Saori, take half of the squadron to the baths. Group up with Guild and tell them to concentrate all fire-power at the centre of the market square. Got it?"

At first Saori looked confused, but upon seeing the determination in Yamato's eyes, Saori nodded with confidence.

"Leave it to me ma'am."

"Good. The rest of you, follow me."

Yamato headed off towards the other end of Big Site, leading half of Guard 1 with her. Running through the destroyed streets of Big Site, streets that were once busied with people. Streets that were once filled with the voices of people. People... who were now gone. Streets devoid of life and filled with nothing but death. Yamato dashed past a few stores she recognized herself, being a customer once or twice. She remembered an ammunition store that tried to sell her the wrong ammunition type. She remembered another shop had sold her a very good modification part for her shotgun at a low price. She really liked that owner. He always had sweets in his shop for the customers to take. Or was it that they weren't for taking and she simply took them either way?

"Ma'am! Above!"

One of those following her shouted. Yamato quickly looked up and saw a giant chunk of another building flying down towards them. She immediately slammed the butt of her cannon into the ground, forcing the spikes that were meant to hold the cannon down when firing straight into the ground. Without waiting, she slammed her boot into the pedal and pulled the trigger. The round flew into the falling debris and exploded upon contact, splitting debris into smaller pieces that flew away harmlessly. Heaving a sigh, Yamato picked up her cannon and looked to the others.

"Everyone alright?"

She questioned, and to her relief all nodded in reply.

"Ma'am look over there."

One of them said, pointing towards their destination. Looking in that direction, Yamato saw what seemed to be wired harpoons flying from all over at the Gigas. As each harpoon pierced the Gigas and the wires became taut, Yamato saw that each harpoon was connected to... a person?

"Is that... Shield?"

One of Guard 1 asked. Yamato did not know, but it seemed that the members of Shield had created a device that allowed them to harpoon and anchor themselves onto large objects to climb it. The Shield members all 'flew' up at the Gigas, stabbing it from close range and it seemed to do the trick, although slow. The Gigas managed to swipe its hand on its back, sweeping all of the Shield members off its back. One of the shield member flew all the way to Yamato's group, crashing into the building next to their location. Yamato ran over to take a look.

The shield member was in a bloody mess, having the top half of his or her body pulverised. It was a disgusting sight but Yamato now saw how the Shield members did it. Clipping around their waste was a contraption of some sort. Like two large circular holders shaped like giant up-side down measuring tapes by the sides of their thighs, holding onto wires that ran through a feeder at the front of the holder. The back of the holders held what seemed to be a compartment for the harpoon tips. The back of the belt held a small cylinder that seemed to contain compressed air. Yamato wasted no time in taking the harpoon equipment and putting them on herself.

"Ma'am? What are you doing?"

One of them asked.

"Taking over the fight. As it stands none of us know how to deal with a Gigas, but Guild seems to know a way to defeat them... Most likely attacking the head. To get there, we must do like how Guild does it. Find any spare equipment you guys can find and follow me."

She ordered. The members of Guard 1 were unsure of her decision, but followed it anyway. Yamato now had to figure out how to work this contraption. Unlike getsuga-tenga, which is her own personalized weapon, this equipment was massed produced and she had no practice with it. Gestsuga-tengan could also be called her 'soul weapon' as upon contact she knew how to operate immediately, resonating with her very soul. But this was a whole different matter. After a few rounds of testing, she discovered that the holders could rotate. Time to test it. She loaded a harpoon into the hole in front of the holder and aimed it at a nearby building. A small trigger on top of the holder with a button allowed her to set the amount of compressed gas to be allowed into the quiver and upon squeezing the trigger, the harpoon flew out like a bullet, embedding itself into the wall she aimed at. Releasing the trigger caused the quiver to retract the wire, and since the other end was anchored, that only meant-

"AAAHHHH!"

Yamato screamed as she was shot off the ground at break neck speeds off the floor and towards the wall she shot the harpoon at. She had no time to adjust and quickly shifted her cannon into pile bunker mode, piercing through the wall and allowing her to tumble into the upper floor of this building relatively safely compared to crashing into the wall.

"Cough cough... too much gas."

Yamato muttered, dusting herself off. She looked around and saw that the harpoon she used earlier was now bent in a weird angle. So these harpoons were for one time use only? What a lousy design. Still, it explains why there were so many anchor tips this the holder. It was hard to control but Yamato knew that she had no choice but to force herself to adapt to its usage as soon as possible. She faced the measuring tape-shaped holders to the next building, loading the next harpoon tip onto the hole. She pressed the button to let the compressed air from the cylinder at the back of the belt flow into the holder's main chamber. Aiming the device, she squeezed the trigger, firing the harpoon out. The harpoon flew out and embedded itself in the next building. Releasing the trigger, the device retracted the wire, pulling Yamato along with it.

Controlling the amount of gas that was put into the wire as well as the pressure on the trigger allowed Yamato to control her speed and she twisted her body, allowing her legs to hit the wall of the building before she crashed into it. Tilting the second harpoon holder, she fired that at a higher building, detaching the harpoon from her first holder to be pulled by the second holder. She was getting used to this. A flip by the side of the trigger was used to hold the wire had a desirable length, very much like a real measuring tape. At a certain length, she used her momentum and swing and run up along the wall. Releasing the harpoon at the right time, she essentially 'flew' through the air and landed on the roof of another building. This was bad... she was very much enjoying this too much.

"Focus."

She muttered to herself. Looking forward, she saw her target. The nearest Gigas that was lumbering straight for the bath houses. The sound of retracting wire made Yamato turn and she saw that members of Guard 1 were joining her. All with the same harpoon belt equipment on them. Mixed in were some Shield members.

"Ma'am, we've managed to regroup with some of the members of Shield."

A member of Guard 1 reported, to which she nodded in reply before turning to the nearest Shield members.

"So, what can you guys tell me about the situation down here?"

"We were attacked by waves of Shadows from the elevator shafts. The Boss had disappeared, saying something about finding an end to all of this, leaving us to defend this position."

The Shield member said.

"And the Gigas?"

"They just appeared. Their weak point appears to the a point at the back of their heads. We're using these newly developed H.A.I.L. (Heavy Auxiliary Insertion Linkage) anchor belts to get to their height though these were originally used by the miners to dig along the walls."

So these were for the diggers. That explains a lot. Yamato looked back at the Gigas.

"So, it's weak point is the back of its head, am I right?"

"Yes, but no matter how many times we try to get up there the Gigas just manages to sweep us off! Besides, no one is able to get close enough since it is still a Shadow! It's darkness is too thick for us to get close without damage!"

"... Good."

Yamato nodded her head as if to understand something.

"Alright, Guard 1, get to it."

She ordered and the members of Guard 1 all replied in a unified manner.

" "Yes ma'am!" "

They shot out their anchors and sped off towards their target. The members of Shield were perplexed by Guard 1's rash and sudden move.

"W-what? ! B-but without proper planning and protection, your men will be killed!"

He objected to Yamato, who merely silenced him with her glare.

"I did not expect such words coming out from the glorious Shield members of Guild... Do not look down on my men. We have fought from hell and back. If you're so afraid of dying, then stay back and shoot yourself. We'll be done by the time you revive."

Yamato snapped, before turning her attention back to the Gigas and squeezed the trigger on her anchor belt. Firing an anchor, Yamato shot off from the roof top and quickly made her way towards her target. The Gigas was only few more buildings away. Time to test the power of the HAIL anchor belts. Yamato looked up and saw members of Guard 1 were already shooting anchors up to the Gigas and closing in. Now was the time. Yamato dashed forward, running along the roof tops as she slotted another harpoon tip into the feeder hole. She released gas into the holders and aimed the anchors up at the Gigas. Squeezing the trigger, Yamato fired the anchor at the Gigas, retracting the wire and pulling herself towards her target.

Flipping her body, she slammed her boots into the thigh of Gigas, using the momentum of her initial jump to run higher up the Gigas before firing the second harpoon into the waist of the Gigas. As soon as she managed to get up to the waist, the Gigas raised its hand, sweeping it down at her. She forced her legs to jump, springing off the body of the Gigas, twisting her body in mid air and firing another harpoon at the hand of the Gigas. The hand swept past the waist and dragged Yamato through the air. The G-force was intense, but Yamato forced herself to focus. Timing it just at the right time, she released the anchor at the swings apex, flying through the air over the Gigas's head.

She had never flown through the air in her life, not even in an aeroplane. So to Yamato, who had never gone through the air before, her mind was slightly high on adrenaline and whatever happy/excited hormones that exist. The feel of the wind, legs not being restricted by the ground. All of this was extremely invigorating. Too bad it had to end. But Yamato reached out her hand to the ceiling of Big Site. Someday, she promised herself. Someday when all of this over. She will take to the skies once more. As Yamato began to descend back down towards the ground, she flipped her body and aimed a harpoon into the back of the Gigas's head. Pulling herself in, she could see it now, the Gigas's weak point. A strange crystal-like formation growing out of the Gigas's dark shadowy body. She loaded her getsuga-tengan, switching it to become a pile bunker and pressed the spike against the crystal formation.

"This ends now."

She said as she squeezed the trigger, sending the spike straight into the crystal formation. The Gigas unleashed an unearthly howl as its body slowly started to disintegrate. Jumping off the disappearing carcass, Yamato fired an anchor into the side of the building, preventing her from crashing down into the ground. As she released the anchor and lightly dropped down onto the roof of the shop houses, she looked up and saw that the Gigases were already being brought down by members of Guard 1. One of the members of Guard 1 dropped down before her and saluted.

"Ma'am. All of the gigases are being brought down."

He reported.

"Good work. What of the situation at the bath houses?"

"It appears that Saori and the others have established contact with the rest of Guild and managed to push back the rest of the Shadows."

"Hmm, good. Alright, signal the rest to regroup at the bath houses. We need to find that crazy boss of Guild and try to get some form of resistance back into action."

Yamato said, walking over to the edge of the roof. Looking down, it appears that the distance to the ground wasn't that far down. Or maybe she was just too used to high altitudes by now. Stepping off the edge, Yamato landed lightly on the ground. Members of Guard 1 followed suite, jumping down from the rooftops to join her on the ground.

"How is the situation back at the station?"

She asked as they made their way towards the bath house.

"It seems that everything is under control as well. Reinforcements from the Runners and from Provisions are descending down the elevator shafts as we speak."

The Guard 1 member said, pointing to the elevator shafts where multiple ropes were dangling down, providing a way for Guild members to descend down into Big Site. Yamato nodded in acknowledgement, continuing down the street and reaching the bath house where Saori ran up to her and saluted.

"Ma'am. We've held the line and the moment the Gigases fell, the enemy's strength broke. The remaining enemies are being routed by Shield members even as we speak."

Saori reported. Yamato nodded and walked into the bath house. Once a place for relaxation, for comfort and rest, now it was looking more like a war hospital combined with a military command post. Injured were everywhere. Crates and munitions and weapons scattered all around. Shield members being almost everywhere, either being a medic to treat wounds or running around with weapons to add support. It was truly a mess in here.

"Who is in charge here?"

Yamato asked.

"There isn't any proper chain of command, ma'am."

Saori reported, leading Yamato down the hallway of the West wing.

"After Himura Yuuko disappeared without a trace, Guild was thrown into disarray. The closest thing they have to a command structure is here."

Saori stopped right outside one of the leisure rooms in the West wing of the bath house. Knocking on the door before opening it, Saori stepped aside to allow Yamato to walk in. The leisure room was a room that was suppose to hold recreational objects to let members relax after a nice hot bath. Table tennis, vending machines, massage chairs, arcade machines. Basically anything to relax. Now the room was turned into a miniature command post. The tables were covered with maps, bullets, radios. The massage chairs now held crates of weapons. Vending machines emptied of its contents. Standing in the middle of the room were a group of young SSS2 members. One thing Yamato noticed immediately about them. Only two of that group were part of Guild's division. the others are-

"Assault division?"

Yamato questioned. The huddled group of Assault members looked up to Yamato and a young man stepped forward with a smile.

"Ah, so you must be the leader of Guard 1. Never heard of such a squad, however. Newly formed?"

He asked, extending his hand to her. Yamato did not take that shake, however, feeling tired and slightly wary of these people.

"They formed it on their own... You're in charge around here?"

She asked. The young man realized that Yamato did not want to shake and merely smiled as he pocketed his hand.

"As close as you can get to one. We were in a lot of trouble when Yuuko disappeared on us. Well, we're the closest thing to a fighting squad besides you guys so I sort of naturally took charge. I'm Yamamoto Takanari by the way."

Yamamoto Takanari. Yamato knew that name.

"First lieutenant Yamamoto Takanari, the leader of the Assault's heavy division."

"Ah, so you have heard of me."

Takanari smiled sheepishly.

"But I'm still nowhere near a Guardian such as yourself. I came down here because I heard that Yuuko's little project was a success and she personally called me down to test them since they were meant for my squad. However the moment I got down here... well, you know the rest of the story."

Takanari explained, scratching the back of his head. By Yuuko's pet project, he must mean Yuuko's near impossible project. How could Yuuko succeed? But if they did succeed, then that changes everything.

"Are they all operational?"

Yamato asked. Takanari blinked a couple of times at Yamato, before he smiled.

"Yup, they all are. We just need to get them topside and this war could change in our favour. That... and Yuuko left behind a very nice toy she had been hiding from everyone else. Can't wait to test it out."

Takanari smirked, rubbing his hands together like some mad scientist.

"... Alright, how soon can we move?"

"We can have everything operational within two hours."

Two hours. Yamato did not like to wait that long, but she guessed it had some advantages.

"Alright. I'll report back to you later, first lieutenant."

Yamato said, turning to go but Takanari suddenly stopped her.

"I think you've got something mixed up, corporal."

That made Yamato turn, perplexed by what he said.

"You don't have to report to anyone. Instead, WE shall report to you."

Takanari said.

"... What do you mean? You are the higher ranking one-"

"Corporal Kusanagi. In war, there is no rank. Hierarchy is only for when there is enough time in peace to squabble over meaningless power that does not suit anyone. As you have demonstrated time and time again, you are clearly more suitable to lead us into battle than I would ever be."

What Takanari said felt slightly weird to Yamato. Maybe she needed to rest. Lead Guild? She had never commanded a squad, let a lone an entire division. How could she?

"No... I do not have the aptitude to lead. Find someone else."

She muttered.

"Ah, but there isn't anyone else to choose from. Besides, I don't think anyone else in this room would object. Right, guys?"

Takanari turned to the others in the room and all nodded in agreement. Even the Shield members were agreeing.

"But-"

"I object!"

Slamming the door open, a Shield member stormed into the room with a group of other Shield members. Yamato remembered this young man as the one who told her about the Gigas but was too afraid to attack. Just what does he want now?

"What do you want now, Saitou?"

One of the higher ranking Shield members in the room groaned. Obviously showing that this person is already a problem person in the Guild.

"I object to making this person lead us!"

Saitou shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Yamato.

"She is reckless, going to fight the Gigas without proper knowledge of how to handle the equipments as well as ignoring my warnings!"

"Your warnings were irrelevant."

Saori snapped at Saitou.

"Saori, enough."

Yamato muttered.

"Saitou, at current, the Boss has disappeared and we need a strong leader."

The higher ranking Shield member explained.

"But she will get us all killed!"

"And how is that any different from when we were under the Boss?"

Saitou bit his lip, unable to say anything to that. The higher ranking Shield member sighed, shaking his head.

"We've been through this before, Saitou. Your habit of sticking to the books is constantly getting in the way of you seeing the bigger picture."

"And what is the bigger picture? Yuuta, there is no bigger picture! We're trapped down here! Cornered like rats by the very enemy we were trained to kill! We cannot win!"

"Saitou!"

"Don't stop me!"

Saitou screamed, slapping away Yuuta's hand.

"We lost the war! We lost everything! The boss left us! Abandoned us! We're nothing but pawns to all of their stupid games! We're all going to die down here!"

Saitou suddenly drew his pistol, making the entire room a dangerous free-fire zone.

"I've had enough of these stupid battles! These stupid decisions! It doesn't matter if we manage to push the enemy back now, they will just keep coming back over and over again! This war will never end!"

"Saitou! Calm down!"

Yuuta shouted but to no avail.

"Don't tell me to calm down! How can you keep calm in something like this? !"

"What is with all of this noise? And someone put that idiot down before he pokes his own eye out."

A new voice said, making everyone turn. Stepping into the room, her uniform soaking in blood, was Senjougahara Shinobu.

"Shinobu-sama!"

Yuuta seemed to be glad that Shinobu was here, and frankly, everyone was. Maybe not Saitou.

"You! You're another one of those that keeps on manipulating us for their own pleasure! I will not let myself be a pawn of your damned games any longer!"

"Saitou, put that gun now."

Shinobu snapped at Saitou and for a brief moment, Yamato swore she saw a flash of red in Shinobu's eyes. Fear. Intense and uncontrollable fear filled every part of Saitou's body and he became unable to hold the gun up. The pistol fell harmlessly onto the floor and Saitou himself collapsed.

"Sigh, see to him. And while you're at it, tie him up in a strait jacket. I'm sure the boss had some in her office."

Shinobu said to the Shield members taking Saitou out of the room. Turning her attention back to the room, Shinobu walked over to Yamato.

"I agree with everyone here that you should take up leadership, Kusanagi."

"But-"

"No buts."

Licking the blood off her hand, the little vampire smiled and took off her helmet.

"There isn't anyone better to lead us than you. You have experience, not to mention you felled a Gigas all by yourself. I don't think anyone in Guild who witnessed such a sight would want to follow anyone else. Even if they were by your recommendation."

Shinobu said, putting her bloodied helmet on the table and throwing herself onto one of the empty massage chairs.

"A leader is not someone who just sits there and orders people what to do. A leader is a symbol, a power that is far greater than the most powerful weapon in the World. Being able to move people, turn the tides of an impossible war into a victory, bring hope in the darkness of despair, show the path that we should all take. You do not need to do anything new, Kusanagi. Just be the way you are. Wherever you walk, we will follow."

Yamato stared at Shinobu for some time after hearing that. Was she serious? But then again, Shinobu rarely joked. So... she had choice in this matter then. Like it or not, she would be leading Guild and one entire squad from Assault. This day just keeps getting better and better.

"... Fine... We move out in two hours."

A/N: The idea of the anchor belts came from a comic named "Attack of the Titans", and no it has nothing to do with Greek mythology.

I've been thinking of writing a story for Last Exile. It is still an idea so not sure if I should pursue it. Too many things to do anyway. I could also restart my Hellsing story. I was also writing a Fate/Stay Night story but I need to work out some finer details. Someone wanted me to continue with my Nanoha story... Sigh, anyway, I'll go onto another project only after this story is done. The side stories can be posted whenever I get something done.