Gooden and the other captains wasted no time as they moved throughout the capital towards the main square. They kept to the skies as they could see the corpses down below wandering the streets and within buildings.
Gooden only sighed as she said "My gods. This is insane."
"Don't worry-" Yami said, "-Once we kick this guy's ass then all of this will stop."
"But what if they're more of them?" Gooden asked, "Not corpses I mean but-Other Mages."
"Then we'll just beat them up too." Yami replied casually, "Now just stay focused."
"Hey-!" Theodore said as he had been riding on Yami's shoulder, "-I see it Mr. Gorilla!"
The three of them took notice of the area as they took cover on top of a building that had been nearby. They quickly had gotten low to the ground as they started to survey the situation. They noticed Nolan had been in the center of it all with Zeus, as they could see the mage that had been terrorizing other people and mages he had captured as he looked to be on the move.
"That's him!" Theodore said, "That's the Puppetmaster I was telling you about!"
"It's just one man controlling all of these corpses?!" Gooden said, "Just how much mana does this guy have?!"
"KEKE-It doesn't matter the numbers!" Jack said with his usual smile, "-I'LL CHOP THE BASTARD INTO MINCEMEAT!"
"Cool it stringbean!" Yami said as he pulled him back, "We need to figure out how we're going to do this."
"I thought the plan was to attack him from above." Gooden said.
"It still is but we need to strategize and come up with a contingency in case things go south." Yami said, "If one thing goes wrong-He might kill the old man and the dog."
Gooden and even Jack looked shocked by this sort of thing. "What?" Yami asked, noticing the looks they gave.
"N-Nothing it's just that you never say something like that!" Gooden said, "You usually just charge in without thinking about it too much unless-" It soon hit Gooden as this time Yami flinched, "-Are you worried about making Prism cry if this goes south?"
"N-No!" Yami exclaimed before he said, "WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?!"
"KEKE-Getting soft, Sukihero?" Jack asked
"OH LIKE YOUR ONE TO TALK!" Yami yelled with a glare.
"WHAT WAS THAT MEATHEAD!?" Jack yelled.
"Can we focus on the task at hand?" Gooden asked in an annoyed tone, "But seriously, are you that worried about hurting Prism?"
Yami only sighed as he slapped himself before replying, "Okay fine maybe a little bit. The kid doesn't have her parents like the sword boy to help her through all the hard stuff. Sure she had those three to look after her for those six months, but she didn't have her role models to basically you know-As the old man down there would put it, see her teenage years. Now she finally has a part of her family back and if something ends up happening, she'll be the depressed princess instead of being the happy-go-lucky girl."
"Yami..." Gooden said before she smiled, "... Sounds like Prism really changed you since she came to the Capital."
Yami flinched at this as he said, "S-shut up."
"I'm serious here, it's good that she has that impact on you." Gooden said, "But if she trusts you to save Nolan, then that means your relationship with each other is pretty strong. We couldn't be more proud of you for taking the role as well someone she can look up to as a parent."
Yami groaned as he said "Let's just come up with a plan to save the old man. Your mushy talk is making me sick."
"I'm not letting this go afterwards, you know that." Gooden told him as he groaned.
Jack only rolled his eyes at this conversation, "KEKE-if we're done chit chatting. Let's come up with a plan already! I'm getting impatient!"
"Fine, fine, at least this can't get any-" Yami started to say before-
"-Hey why is your toy beeping?" Theodore asked as he pointed to Yami's belt.
The three of them had been a bit taken back before they noticed Yami's device had been beeping vigorously. "The hell-?" Yami said before he took the decivice. The moment he took the call he was greeted with-
"YAMI WE GOT A BIG PROBLEM YOU GOTTA COME BACK RIGHT AWAY!" Acer shouted as it caused them to fall back.
"Geez Acer! Are you trying to kill us?!" Yami asked.
"This better be a good Ace!" Gooden said as she held up her thumb "Or else you're gonna get another helping o-"
"It's Prism! She's gone!" He said, "I think she's gonna try to get to Nolan!"
The three of them looked petrified at this sort of thing. "P-Pretty Lady… No…" Theodore whimpered.
"And you sure this isn't your eyes deceiving you?" Jack asked.
"DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M KIDDING?!" Acer exclaimed. "That girl's gonna get herself killed out there. She doesn't understand how dangerous it is!"
Gooden let out a groan, "Damn it Zeid, why did she inherit your clumsiness!? She's gonna get killed!"
"No she won't.'' Yami said with an aura as Gooden flinched, "CUZ I'M GONNA KILL LIZARD GIRL MYSELF."
Jack added as a menacing aura came over him as well, "KEKE-GET IN LINE YA OAF! IMMA MAKE HER INTO A KABOB!"
"... Oh-Jukette…" Gooden said as she facepalmed herself.
(Third Opening Theme: Gintama Opening 15-Pride Kakumei Performed By CHiCO w/HoneyWorks)
The fires had started to die down and yet the sky had still been clouded with red. Prism had been thankful that the explosions had finally died down, but she could still hear the sounds of corpses practically over shoulder despite the distance. The Spirits had been quick to comfort her as she could hear the sounds coming from all around them.
They had made another turn through the city maze as Karasu's legs suddenly gave out. He nearly found himself collapsing if it hadn't been for Prism and Sachiko to help him stand.
"Just hang on-" Karasu said as he leaned against the wall, as he looked practically drenched in his own sweat, "-I need a minute."
"Whoa are you okay man?" Blaise asked, "You look like death caught a hold of you."
"Yeah…" He replied as he could feel his head throb, "... Yeah I'll be okay-" He coughed hoarsely as he removed the bandana for a moment, "... I'll be fine."
"Karasu-" Prism said with worry, "-Maybe you should go back. You really need your rest."
"And leave you all alone out here?" Karasu said with a smirk, "Nah-Something tells me those three wouldn't forgive me if they heard I did that… Sides-It wouldn't be gentlemen like me."
"As long as your sure aniki-" Sachiko said as she patted his arm.
Erin only groaned as she hit her head against the wall only once, "Okay this is obviously getting us nowhere! Avalon, are you sure this is the fastest route?"
"Look I'm positive!" Avalon replied, "Besides we can't burn through our mana if we fly there!"
"Great…" Erin groaned as she spun her staff in her hand.
"Wait-" Prism said as she looked at Dylan, "-I thought you could teleport. Couldn't you use it to put us where Nolan is right now? "
"I can but it's only up to short distances to wherever I threw my knife." Dylan said as she manifested the knife she had normally used to show her before making it vanish again, "If I threw it at a long distance and tried to teleport at said distance, let's just say limbs would show up mixed up if I brought a person with me."
Blaise only shuddered at this, "I thought it would be months before my hands and feet switched back in place…"
"What about your lizard buddy?" Erin asked, as she pointed to Adrien in Prism's pouch, "Can't he carry all of us?"
"He could but-" Prism started to say, "-He can only carry so much weight. Plus-He might need his energy in case something happens."
The group had been silent as Prism noticed the tension between them. "L-Look, I know we have to get to the square, but I'm trying my best not to get everyone killed." She said, "I really want to save my Uncle but I have a job as the future Queen of this country."
"I get that-But we're running out of time here." Blaise said, "We need a faster way to get to the square before those Badass Captains take the glory."
"I know but-" Prism started to say before Saorise quickly shushed as her ears twitched.
"Quiet!" She told the group, "Do you hear that?"
The group had been taken back by this as they could hear the sounds of what appeared to be flapping. "What the hell?" Dylan said.
The Spirits hiding within Prism's hood soon started to speak as they drew their attention upwards. There they could see what appeared to be an origami bird in a dark red color fly towards them. "A-Crane?" Avalon said, shocked.
Saorise sniffed the air, "That smell-That's the scent of a Magic Item!"
"You can tell that from a scent!?" Blaise said surprised.
The crane flew towards them before it had gone to Prism in particular as it stopped right in front of her; they noticed a pendant had been attached to its neck. "What is this?" Erin said, "How is it flying on its own?"
"I don't believe it! It's a messenger!" Saorise exclaimed in realization, "I've heard about these! The Ancient Ones would use them instead of owls and hawks to send personal messages to people by tracking their mana!"
"Whoa-Those Ancient guys really got around." Blaise said.
"But-why would a messenger be here?" Erin asked, "Who's it tracking?"
The crane floated closer to Prism as they had been quick to put it together. "I thought you said she lost her mana." Avalon said to Karasu.
"It-" Karasu said before he coughed again, "-Didn't track her. It tracked them." He soon gestured to the spirits that seemed to peek out of her hood.
"Then that means this is-" Sachiko said.
"... The ransom…" Prism finished. She pressed on the pendant as the crane unfolded; an image that drew itself on the page started to manifest as it showed a familiar place. The image started to move as they saw a man with an eyepatch more clearly.
He chuckled sadistically before he spoke, "Hello Princess Prism~" He said as Prism had a look of shock, "That's right, I know who you are. I know you survived all these years and I know of your little gift. Do you really think the Magic Knights-These little rats can protect you and everyone else from all the big bad people like me?" He laughed as she showed off behind him were the corpses that followed, some looked to be freshly made, "Well look how good of a job they're protecting YOUR people!"
Prism only had a look of horror at the sight of the corpses; Saorise immediately acted as she hugged her to shield her from the sight. Karasu had done the same for his sister as Sachiko had covered her ears.
"Those-Were people." Dylan said as she had been referring to the corpses behind him.
"He's a monster…" Avalon said.
"As you can plainly see, they DESPERATELY need new management." The man in the drawing said, "For various reasons-For example-"
The man soon pulled in a familiar Elf as Prism had been petrified when she noticed the condition he had been in. The others had been shocked on the other hand as they had been awestruck by his white hair, and ears. "Holy-" Blaise said, "-He's… Really an elf!"
"Nolan!" Prism exclaimed with worry.
"-They let me capture your dear loving Uncle so easily." He said, "Riddle me this-What are you willing to protect? The future you were destined to be a part of? The people of this ridiculous kingdom? Or your own flesh and blood?"
Nolan fought against his grip despite his injuries, "Prism! Baby, if you're listening, no matter what happens to me, don't do anything he-" Nolan shrieked as Prism and the others heard a snap from the picture. They saw Nolan's arm had been limp indicating that it had been broken; he fell to his knees as they could hear Zeus bark aggressively.
"I really like this one!" The man said as he held him by his neck, "He's got a WHOLE lot of spunk in him! It must run in the family! Your mothers side anyway!" He laughed, "How interesting would it be, to make an Elf, into one of my army of the undead! I heard they have the mana that makes them almost like Devils afterall!"
"No…!" Prism said in horror and realization.
"Oh Gods…!" Saorise said horrified.
The look on his face changed to that of a sneer, "I will do it Prism! If you're not in the West District, alone in 20 minutes!"
The paper soon tore itself apart as the pended that held the origami together broke apart. Each of them, especially Prism, took in what they had just witnessed.
"Okay I'm gonna be the one to say it, and I can't believe that I am-" Blaise said, "-This guy is WAY more insane then we all thought!"
"You're telling me that this edgelord alone is in control of all those corpses?!" Erin said, "How much mana does this guy have?!"
"He's going to be in the West District?" Avalon said, as she looked around, "That's just close to where we are right now!"
"We need to get there!" Prism said as she tugged on Saorise's arm, "I can't let Nolan turn into one of these corpses!" She soon started to rush out of the alley as it took them back, "Come on guys we have to go!"
"Prism calm down!" Saorise said as she took hold of her arms to stop her from moving, "You need to have a clear head, okay? Soeh, soeh!"
Prism started to take deep breaths with Saorise as she could feel all of her clouded thoughts. She could feel her heartbeat grow steady as her forehead leaned against her own. "There we go, it's alright." Saorise said.
"... Thank you Saorise…" Prism said, before she shook slightly, "... But what are we going to do? We can't let him turn Nolan into one of them! There's no coming back from that!" She soon buried her face into her hands, "...I just got him back…"
"Okay-It's alright-" Karasu said before he coughed a little, "-We just need to think of a plan before we go charging in there without one."
"Just how are we going to kick this guy's ass?" Blaise asked, "He's gonna be expecting her to come alone! And if he sees any of us he'll slit his throat before we do anything!" Blaise soon noticed the worry on Prism's face as it made him flinch, "That came out wrong."
Karasu started to think about it before the idea came to him when he looked at Sachiko, "Then-We just give him what he wants." He said.
"WHAT!?" Most of them shrieked.
Karasu quickly calmed them down, "Look, yes he's expecting Prism to come alone, but he won't be expecting us-Playing a little trick of our own."
"A trick?" Prism said.
It soon clicked for Sachiko as she looked to her hands, "My magic!"
"Yes! Exactly!" Karasu said, "And when the opportunity presents itself-BAM! We save Nolan and Zeus, and kick that guys ass before the Captains show up."
"We don't even know how strong that guy really is." Avalon pointed out, "And who knows if he has another Super Corpse like that patched guy from earlier."
"We'll deal with it when it happens-" Karasu said, "-For now we have the element of surprise. He doesn't know that thieves and a Magic Knight are coming to stop him from causing all this chaos. We can use it to our advantage. And this way, not only will we be able to save him and his partner-" He soon gave Prism a smile, "-But-I'll be keeping my friend safe."
Prism's expression brightened slightly at this before she smiled, "It is a pretty bad plan-" She admitted, "-But it's the best bad plan we got right now."
Nolan let out a groan as he could feel himself come to as he found himself being dropped to the ground roughly. He felt the agonizing pain in his arm as he did his best to sit up despite his broken arm. Zeus, though his ankles had been tied up, whimpered as he nudged him slightly.
He managed to sit himself up as he realized they had been in a different area altogether as he had been leaning against a now dried up fountain. He felt Zeus nudge him a little, "I'm okay partner-" He said as he rubbed his head against him, "-I'm fine."
He soon looked over and noticed that Rades had been angrily pacing, as he had been waiting for something while the corpses wreaked havoc around them.
"This damn mage-" Nolan thought with a click of his tongue, "-If Yami or Jack don't get here first, I need a plan of attack and find a way out." He looked to Rades, "Even with that amount of mana he has, I can use my elven mana and have him on the ground in a matter of seconds. Though the only catch is-Everyone will know we've survived after all these years, and start hunting the ones that are hiding, if they're any at all. They'll probably go as far as brand us as Devils and worse, trail us." Nolan shook his head at this, "I'll use that as a last resort. Though I'm hoping It won't ever come to that."
He soon noticed the ropes had been a bit loose, "I can rush him the minute he's distracted. After that-I'll figure it out as I-"
Nolan's thoughts had been cut off as his eyes widened in shock and horror. Rades had stopped pacing as he soon stopped his pacing as his smile seemed to have grown.
"You got here quicker then I'd thought you would-Little Princess."
Prism stepped out of the shadows as the corpse growled and groaned at her as she stepped forward. Nolan could only shake at the sight, as it had been more out of worry. "No, no, no, honey what are you doing?" Nolan said softly as Zeus whimpered.
Rades chuckled as he walked towards her, "Nice to see you took my offer seriously, unlike the other magic knights here."
"... I don't want anyone else to die." Prism said to him, "I'm doing what I have to do."
Rades only laughed as he took Prism's hands before tying her wrists together, making sure the ropes had a tight grip on her.
"Prism no…" Nolan said softly.
"You're a pretty smart kid." Rades said as he kept a long length of rope like he had been using a leash, "A lot smarter then others peg you to be."
"You'll let my Uncle go, like you said right?" She asked him.
"Of course." Rades said as he tugged on her rope making her move, "After all a promise is a promise. Sides, since you're doing the right thing, it means I can let all of this go."
Rades and even Nolan had soon been taken back when Prism let out a chuckle. A devious smile seemed to have appeared on her face.
"... You're right. I have done the right thing-" Prism said.
Rades and Nolan had a look of shock when Prism seemed to have changed. Though quite frankly, they were taken back to see-That it wasn't Prism at all…
… It was Erin.
"-Feels weird." Erin said with her own voice.
"WHAT!?" Radees exclaimed as he was suddenly kicked underneath his chin courtesy of Erin since she had flipped back. Using the rope she tugged him towards her before she headbutted him. It hadn't been long until-
"HOUND MAGIC: CERBERUS FLAMES!"
A hound appeared at his side as it blasted Rades back suddenly seemingly freeing Erin from the binding and allowing her to get ahold of her staff. "OWL MAGIC-HUNTERS TALON!" Erin shouted. With a spin from her staff a set of beams went towards Rades.
He managed to get out of the way from the blasts however he had been taken back by a flash. Dylan came up behind him and took a swing at him with the knife she had in hand.
"THE HELL IS-?!" Rades exclaimed before another one appeared behind him.
"AETHER MAGIC: LIGHTHEART FIST!"
Rades had been socked in the face as Avalon threw her fist while it glowed a purple glow, though it ended up pushing him back. He managed to stay on his feet though he went to attack the three of them with a vengeance. Nolan had looked on as they fought against him.
"Those people-From before-" Nolan said shocked.
"Psst! Nolan!"
Nolan flinched at a familiar voice as he looked behind him as he saw Prism-The real Prism peaked up from behind the fountain, along with Karasu Saorise, and Sachiko.
"Prism!" He exclaimed softly as he had been relieved as it all clicked, "You crafty little devil-!"
The four of them stuck low to the ground as Prism took out a knife she had hidden in her shoe before she started to cut through the rope while Saorise assisted her. Nolan gave a soft laugh, "You kids these days, I swear-You really are something else! Who came up with this idea?"
"Karasu did!" Prism replied softly as she managed to get him free,
"Sachiko was the one that made that illusion!" Saorise added, "Isn't that cool?!"
Nolan laughed again as Prism helped rub out the rope burn from his wrist, "You really found yourself a good set of friends Trouble Monkey!"
The ropes had soon been cut off, before Prism handed the knife to Karasu before she hugged Nolan as tight as she could; He responded in kind which made Saorise smile.
Karasu soon started to cut the rope to Zeus's legs, "Hang on buddy, we'll have you out-" He soon handed a second knife to Sachiko, "-Here, cut the ropes on the muzzle like I've been showing you!"
"Got it!" Sachiko said as she took the knife from him and went to work.
"Awww how cute." Avalon said as she blocked an attack from Rades.
"WHAT!?" He exclaimed before he realized what was happening, "YOU LITTLE-"
"Oh no you don't, Mr. Edgelord!" Erin shouted as she smacked Rades across the face as it made him stumble.
Rades glared as he had gotten his grimoire out, "That's it! No more playing around-" He thrusted his hand on the pages of his Girmoire, "SOUL CORPSE MAGIC-"
"NOT TODAY!" Blaise yelled as he kicked the grimoire away.
Rades clicked his tongue before he was kneed in the stomach by Erin; He responded in kind as he managed to get a hit on Erin and they started to trade blows. "Come on Nolan, we have to go!" Prism said.
"No need to tell me twice!" Nolan said as she pulled him up on his feet.
Sachiko had gotten the muzzle off of Zeus as well as the restraints that had been around his ankles. "Let's go!" Karasu said as he took her hand, before Zeus followed behind them. They ran towards the set of buildings that had been closest to them. Just as they were within reach however-
"KARASU!"
The group had been taken back by the sound of a familiar voice.
"That voice-" Prism said.
"Oh no-Not-" Karasu started to say before they were taken back by a sudden purple blast as it blasted them apart. The Cursed Stone that had once been on Prism's head flew off as it shattered in two; it had sparked dimly before it turned to gray before it broke apart into sand.
"No!" Prism exclaimed as she picked up some of the dust, "The Cursed Stone-!"
"Prism!" Nolan exclaimed as he ran over to her, "Are you okay?!"
"Are you hurt?!" Saorise asked.
Prism only nodded as she had been shaking a little; the spirits soon spoke to her as her eyes widened in horror.
"Karasu!" Prism exclaimed with worry.
Karasu didn't land too far from Prism and Nolan as he managed to recover despite his agonizing headache; he could see Sachiko had been unconscious just nearby. He could hear muffled voices around him, but one had been clearer then everything else.
"Karasu! Run!" He could hear Prism shout.
Finally-His Ki sense came back to him, as he froze up. "No, it couldn't be-!"
He could soon see what had been coming towards him as it had been a set of cards; he quickly moved out of harm's way as he managed to stick to his feet despite the fact he had been a bit wobbly as he stood.
"Karasu!" Prism exclaimed fearfully.
Erin, Blaise, Dylan, and Avalon seemed to have noticed this as they only had a look of horror. "Oh shit no-" Blaise said, "-Not him!" Rades had taken advantage of the situation, as he ran and grabbed his grimoire.
"SOUL MAGIC: NO. 3, DAVID!" He shouted.
Before anyone could react it seemed as though out of the pages the familiar patched Corpse formed. "CAPTURE THE PRINCESS!" He told David and the other corpses.
"Oh Gods!" Prism exclaimed before she felt Nolan take her arm.
"Come on!" He told her before he whistled, "Zeus, buy us time partner!"
Zeus's fur sparked before he charged at David with full force and took out the other corpses.
"Adrien!" Prism said as she opened the pouch, "We need you bud!"
Adrien quickly hopped out of the bag and reverted to his regular size as he laid on his stomach. "I'll help Zeus keep the corpses busy!" Saorise said as she had gotten her weapons out, "Get back to the Headquarters!"
Prism nodded as she climbed onto Adrien's back along with Nolan. "Karasu! Sachiko! Come on!" Prism called out.
Karasu went to move as he nodded to her, though just before he could even grab Sachiko, before he cried out in agony when a set of cards hit his arm. Sachiko regained consciousness just in time to see what had happened.
"ANIKI!" Sachiko cried out with worry and fear.
"Going somewhere?"
A familiar face soon made itself known from the smoke and fire. It had been the last person Karasu would see. "Hywel!" He exclaimed.
Hywel looked to be covered in blood practically from head to toe, and not to mention… He looked oddly calm. "I finally found you, you little snake." He said.
"Him again!?" Prism said shocked before they could hear Saorise shriek as she was tossed at Zeus by David as it knocked them both out instantly. "GO AND GET HER NOW!" Rades shouted to David.
David went towards her again, though this time Erin blocked the way with her staff, "What are you waiting for!? Go!"
"What are you doing here!? You were imprisoned!" Karasu said as his voice shook a little, "And that blood-!?"
Hywel gave a laugh as he said "Those Mages-they put up a good fight-for a good 2 seconds"
"You killed them!?" Prism and Karasu said horrified.
Hywel had a crazed smile as he laughed, "... I wouldn't have had to if you didn't leave and ruin the Pack, old friend."
Karasu seemed to have flinched at this, before he had a glare. "Why can't you-JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?!" Karasu's grimoire floated beside him before charging at him with full force. "Karasu don't!" Prism called out as she was about to hop off of Adrien, but Nolan kept her back.
Hywel managed to dodge an attack before he kicked him in the stomach causing him to fly across the way and hit the floor hard.
"No!" Prism called out though Nolan kept her back.
They could hear Erin cry out in agony as she had been tossed to the side and David came towards them. "Prism baby, we need to go now!" Nolan told her.
Prism only had a look of horror, as she looked to the group of the thieves as they had tried their best to keep David back before she looked to Karasu as he had been struggling to get up. Her body shook as her thoughts had been racing.
"But-I-" She said, "-I can't-I-Can't leave them-I'm supposed to-I'm supposed to-!"
"PRISM!" Karasu yelled, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked at him as she noticed the look he had been giving her.
"You're not leaving any of us behind!" He told her as he had been struggling to get up, "We're buying you time! Just trust in us-And we'll be okay!"
"Yeah kid-" Erin added as she goin up with blood trickling from her head. "-It's gonna take more than this to take us down!"
"We believe in you, future ruler!" Blasie told her as he kept the corpses back, "You'll be better than that sorry excuse of king! And you can be sure-We'll live to see that day!"
"You can count on us not to die!" Dylan told her, "We thieves are stubborn as hell!"
Avalon nodded in agreement as she told her, "Just go! We'll be okay!"
Prism looked to them all as her anxiety seemed to have left her as she could see the look in their eyes as if they had been reassuring her. It was almost as if they were telling her-To trust all of them.
"Just promise me one thing!" Prism said to them, as the look on their faces changed slightly, "... That you'll come back alive!"
Karasu managed to stand himself up, as he gave her a smile, "We're Thieves Tater-Tot." He soon readied her hook sword in his hand, "-We don't die that easily."
Prism only nodded as she had a familiar smile on her face. They soon turned and noticed that David and Rades had already knocked Avalon and Erin away. "Like I'd let you get away." Rades said as he laughed, "Try and run, I dare you!"
Prism' s look changed as she gripped the straps. "And I dare you to try and catch us!" Prism said, "Hup-hup Adrien!"
Adrien understood the command as he started to sprint down the alleyway as Rades hitched a ride on David's back. "DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!" He yelled as the corpses began to change but before Blasie's attacks bulldozed them away.
"Hey eyepatch!" Blaise called out. "You're dancing with me first!"
"Like hell-I AM IDIOT!" Rades yelled. Before Blaise could react he ended up getting hit away by a tendril from David causing him to fly right into Avalon as she stood up. "OH COME ON!" He shouted as he felt his ankle had snapped.
"CHEW ON THAT HOUND DOG!" Rades shouted before he disappeared down in the alleyway where Prism and Nolan had gone.
"NO!" Erin shouted, "Come on! We gotta-"
They could here Karasu cry in pain as he had been blasted back by Hywel as he had used one of his spells; he ended up rolling across the floor as he looked to be sheared and burned.
"KARASU!" The three of them shouted.
"ANIKI NO!" Sachiko exclaimed.
Hywell gave a laugh as he said "You brats ain't going nowhere.." he gave his grimoire a wave as it floated by his side; he started to step towards him, "I'm gonna teach you a lesson in hell one after another. And when i'm done with you a lot i'll be going after your friends, Arai. One by one,starting with that Anti-Magic brat followed by that damn royal reject."
Karasu's expression hardened at this as he knew fully well, he had been talking about Asta and Feodora. He could feel his arm throb slightly as he gripped the hook sword in his hand.
"Erin, Blaise, Avalon-" Karasu said to them as he held onto the weapon tight just as Hywel had gotten closer, "-Look after my sister-And tell Captain Yami, that I'm sorry."
"What?" Avalon said, shocked.
Before they could have a chance to react, Karasu let out a fierce cry before he thrusted the hook sword through Hywel's shoulder just missing chest as his bandaged arm moved slightly; it was his turn to let out a shriek of agony drawing the corpses that had been nearby. Karasu's own clothing soon became stained with his blood.
"If you want my life that bad-" Karasu said as he took the sword out of his shoulder, practically kicking him off, "-Then try and take it from me."
Karasu soon turned and despite the pain in his arm, and the fuzziness in his head, he took off running towards the flames that seemed to have died.
"Aniki!" Sachiko called out.
"Karasu no!" Avalon shouted.
"He's insane!" Blaise yelled.
Hywel only glared before he gave chase, "Running like the rat you are!"
The thieves could only watch helplessly as Hywel ran after Karasu with a rage filled aura. Though before either of them could do anything they suddenly found themselves surrounded by corpses once again. "Oh perfect!" Blaise said, "And we've got to deal with this again!"
"Aniki!" Sachiko said with worry, "I have to go help him!"
She managed to get free from Erin's grasp before she ran in the direction her brother had gone as it had surprised them.
"SACHIKO!" Avalon shouted as she was able to run after her, "WAIT!"
"Hey-!" Dylan yelled before Erin pulled her back just as she was about to run after her.
"Don't mean to interrupt ya, but we got-Company!" Erin said as she immediately got herself ready.
"When the hell did all these jerks get here!?" Blaise exclaimed as he manifested another hound.
"Who cares?!" Dylan said as her knives manifested, "Let's take care of them so we can save those dumbasses!"
Erin gritted her teeth as she readied her staff as she glanced over in the direction Karasu had run in. "Don't you dare die on us Little Crow! I'll never forgive you if you do!"
Thus the three of them charged at the army of corpses that came their way.
Karasu kept himself ahead of Hywel despite the fact his fever had been hindering his stamina and not to mention his vision. He sliced down the remaining corpses that stood in front of him as he could feel his heart beat particular accelerate, and his bandaged arm had started to move slightly despite the fact he was keeping it still, or doing his best.
"This is fine! I can handle him! At least this way-My luck won't get anyone killed! And Prism-The others-They can be safe!"
He managed to narrowly dodge an attack from Hywel as he hit the wall before running towards the main square of the capital.
"I won't let this luck be the death of them! This time-I'll be the one in control!"
He could feel his head practically pounding and his vision becoming a blur, causing him to nearly stumble until…. A voice could be heard. Not just any voice… Only one he could hear.
"KARASU… YOU CAN'T WIN..." It spoke in a hoarse voice, like it had been out of this world, "... USE OUR POWER… OR DIE…"
"No-" He told the voice as he didn't realize he was slowing down, "-Never again you goddamn leech."
"YOU… ARE WEAK…" It said as Karasu's arm started to throb, "WITHOUT US… YOU ARE NOTHING…"
"Shut up!" He told the voice as he started to hit his head, "I'm NOT relying on you! Not ever again!"
"CARD MAGIC: GAMBIT'S BANE!"
Karasu found himself getting blasted as he practically found himself flying through the air. He ended up crashing into a set of wooden crates that had been left behind after the chaos had ensued. He could feel his head start to ring as he had hit his head on something hard.
He could feel an open gash as he could sense Hywel had been behind him.
"You had nothing before-The Pack gave you everything you could ever ask for!" He heard Hywel say as he stepped towards him, "They gave you a place for you and your sister to live when no one else so much as batted an eye! And you ended up throwing it all away!"
"You mean like what you did with your vendetta!?" Karasu said as he stood himself up, "I don't know what you did, or what got you kicked out of the Crimson Lions-But you sure as hell took the Pack for granted!"
Hywell growled as he shouted "SHUT UP!"
Karasu let out a cough as he kicked him hard in the stomach before he tossed him; he rolled across the floor as he tried his best to recover from the attack.
"As if you can judge me after everything you've done!" Hywel said, "I didn't betray the Pack! You did!"
"Are you THAT delusional!?" Karasu shouted, "I told you before, I didn't want Sachiko to be exposed to that life! More importantly-I NEVER wanted to hurt anyone!"
"That's because you're too stupid to see the big picture!"
"That isn't the reason! Why would I hurt or take lives of strangers that didn't do anything to me in the first place!? They were innocent!"
"No one in the Royal capital is innocent!"
Hywel's grimoire floated beside him before he uttered an attack spell, "Card Magic-"
"Jinx Restraining Magic-Yellow Flower Vines!" Karasu shouted. The hook sword in his hand manifested a set of familiar vines as it managed to catch Hywels arm. He soon pulled himself towards him before he punched Hywel across the face causing him to hit the floor before Karasu was on top of him.
"You keep saying I'm the one that doesn't understand-!" Karasu shouted before he threw one punch at another to Hywel, not even realizing his bandages started to come loose, "-But you're the one that doesn't get it! I do hate royals and nobles as much as the next guy, but some of them aren't as bad as you say they are! They're actually trying to make a difference for everyone else and themselves! You're the one that'll NEVER understand!"
Hywel soon blocked his punch, as he glared; Karasu found himself struggling against him, "All they're doing is playing pretend with the ones that are weaker than them! They and the King think they're so high and mighty because everything in the world is just SO easy for them! Money! Power! Even their magic! It's like someone is just handing it all over to them while we're left to collect their crumbs and scraps like rats! And those Captains and Wizard King aren't any better then them!"
Hywel soon manifested a card blade in his hand as he readied his weapon, "You Karasu-Old friend-Might as well just be the same as them… Since you've taken their side the moment you walked away."
Karasu wasn't able to block the attack, as Hywel went to thrust his blade, until suddenly-He vanished.
Or at least in his line of vision he did-Karasu however could see that he had just stopped as he looked perplexed.
"What?!" Hywel exclaimed.
Karasu stayed quiet and managed to back off slowly as Hywel let him go. He had been perplexed until he felt a familiar ki presence-Two in fact.
"Sachiko? Avalon?"
He turned in the direction of where he sensed the ki as he could see the two of them had been hiding behind a turned over wheelbarrow as he could see Sachiko's hand had been glowing as she had been reaching out in Hywel's direction.
Avalon had given him a thumbs up as she motioned him to attack.
"Those two-" He thought before he smiled, "-They're just as stubborn as they are proud! But at least now-" He soon turned to Hywel as he was still confused by what had just happened, "-I have a chance!"
He soon kept low to the ground as he got behind Hywel as he started to move forward. It was then-He made his move.
"Jinx Magic-Crackback Slash!"
He swung the hook sword hard and fast as it hit Hywel successfully making him stumble as he turned behind him. "Has time made you a coward now, old friend!? You're becoming little snake!?"
"Jinx Magic-Black Cat Fury!"
Karasu made a circular motion before he thrusted the ring towards Hywel. Though unlike before it didn't manage to hit him; instead Hywel managed to get out of harm's way before he went and tossed a card in his direction. Karasu managed to move out of harms though barely as he felt it graze his cheek.
Hywel soon let out an unsettling chuckle as it seemed to have clicked for him.
"So that's your game is it? You're up to one of your old tricks?" Hywel said, "Just like the days when you tricked those royals into giving you their money and jewels?" He soon started to look around the area sensing a type of mana in particular, "Though you could never use that trick alone-"
Karasu's eyes widened when he realized what he was looking for.
"-You always had help." Hywel said as he pulled out a card, "Too bad she has one little flaw."
"SACHIKO!" Karasu exclaimed as Hywel's card lit up. He soon tossed it towards the wheelbarrow as Avalon realized they had been had. "AETHER MAGIC: HEART'S DOME!"
She thrusted her hand into the ground as tiles quickly formed around them; though it wasn't enough to protect them both from the blast. Avalon hit the wall hard as Sachiko hit the ground as it opened a few sets of wounds on her face and leg.
"NO!" Karasu shouted as he ran, attempting to get to Sachiko, however-
"Card Creation Magic: Warriors Blade."
He turned around fast as Karasu found his blade, the size of a cooking knife, going right into his stomach. He could only gag as he coughed up blood.
"That's the last time-You played a trick on me, old friend." Hywel told him as he gave his cheek a pat.
He kicked him off the blade as Karasu fell to his side, attempting to stop the bleeding. Though Sachiko had a look of horror before she glared.
"LEAVE MY BROTHER ALONE!" She yelled as she went to tackle him. Hywel soon grabbed Sachiko by her hair though Shiromori who had been hiding in her shirt slithered out as he bit his wrist making him cry out.
"You little-" Hywel yelled before he took Shiromori and roughly tossed him off as he landed near Karasu; he soon tossed her aside as she shrieked.
Avalon had been quick to catch her before she could hit the ground.
"Hey!" Avalon yelled as she readied her grimoire and fists, "No one does that to my best friend's little sister!" She soon thrusted her hand on the floor, "Aether Magic: Heart Burst!"
She launched herself towards Hywel before he and her engaged in close combat; as they engaged each time their attacks bursts of mana had sparked.
"Not enough effort in your punches!" Hywel shouted before he took Avalon by the neck and punched her hard in the stomach.
"Ha!" Avalon said despite her gagging, "You hit like a girl!"
She soon kicked him in the head as he fell over on his side though he had been quick to recover before he charged at Avalon again.
Karasu ground as he could feel his vision start to worsen especially since he had been losing blood. "Cra… Crap…" Karasu groaned as he moved to and took hold of Prism's hook sword. Shiromori slithered to his side as he nuzzled his head into his cheek.
"Aniki!" Sachiko cried out as she ran to him, "Aniki!"
"It's okay…" He told her as he gave her a small smile, "... Your niisan's okay."
"Y-You're bleeding!" She said as she had been panicking, "Wh-What should I do?! How do I get it to-!?"
Karasu soon shushed her gently, as he placed his hand on her cheek, "... I promise I'm fine… Deep breaths imoto… Okay?"
Sachiko only sniffled before she nodded; she started to take deep breaths to calm herself; though she couldn't stop herself from shaking despite the fact her heart had been somewhat calmer.
"Good…" He said before giving her a pat on the head, "... Good girl…" He coughed a little as he could feel his fever getting to him, "... Listen… I need you to do something for me, okay…?"
Sachiko nodded, "O-Okay! Okay what?"
He soon moved slightly, as he showed her his arm; the bandages falling loosely now revealing his arm, "I need you to get these off of me…"
Her eyes widened slightly at this, as she looked shocked, "Wait-But-I thought-You said no one is ever supposed to see! What if-?"
"It'll be okay..." He told her, "... Just trust me…"
Sachiko had been hesitant, as she looked to his arm before she looked over to Hywel who had still been preoccupied with Avalon. Biting her bottom lip she soon took his bandages before she ripped them off like they had been gift wrapping revealing his scale snake arm. Shirormori wrapped himself along the arm as he hissed.
"Okay-" Sachiko said, "-Now what?"
"Now…" He said to her, as he cracked his fingers, "... Find me something to bite on… Then cover your ears and eyes."
Avalon found herself skidding across the floor as she had been hit hard by Hywel.
"You're as much of a fool as Karasu is, Avalon-" He said as he stepped towards her, before he stepped on her leg-Hard making her cry out, "-Though strangely enough, I can't hate you for leaving since it's not entirely your fault. Still I can't let you off the hook so easily."
"Oh no you're not!" Avalon shouted as she kicked him in the leg before she gave him an uppercut before she had readied her grimoire, "Aether Magic: Hearts Wrath!"
She fired a blast of magic as Hywel managed to dodge, before he fired another attack at her. She had barely enough time to dodge the attack as she ended up hitting her elbow breaking her skin. "I take it back-" Hywel said as he prepared another card, "-I'm going to take pleasure in killing you."
His grimoire soon floated by his side as he manifested a familiar card sword.
"Don't worry-" He told her as all Avalon could was back up, "-This will hurt a lot."
Hywel lifted his sword as he readied to finish Avalon. Before he could however, a snake scaled arm soon grabbed ahold of the weapon, and in an instant the sword seemed to have broken apart as his illuminated cards turned to gray.
"The hell-?!"
He was soon met with Karasu as he had been surprised to see him standing in front of him before he was hit in the face hard by the butt of the hook sword. "You little-" Hywel said as his grimoire floated beside him, "-Card Magic: Gambits Bane!"
He fired several cards illuminated with light towards him. He had half expected Karasu to dodge some of it, though much to his own surprise he caught most of the cards and they turned dull and gray, before he dropped them to the floor; he could practically see the mana leaving off of them.
It was then Hywel had come to realize something as he looked upon Karasu's snake scaled arm.
"So that's it isn't it?" Hywel said, "That arm-Has Anti-Magic doesn't it? And yet-You don't have a five leafed grimoire." He chuckled, "You really are cursed aren't you?"
"I don't take mana like the tater tot or Asta." Karasu soon told him, "Everything I touch that's laced with magic with this arm-The mana goes away like it was never there." He spat some blood on the side, "I'd figured, if you're playing for keeps-I might as well be all in too."
Hywel only chuckled at this, "There's the Karasu I remember."
Karasu readied himself as he could feel his arm throb; that familiar voice started to go off in his head as it and his arm started to throb. "ANGER… AND PAIN… WHAT A DELICIOUS MEAL…" It said, "...KILL HIM TO SATISFY US…"
"No-" He told the voice in his head, "-I'm going to beat him-But I'm going to do this my way. Without your help!"
"Come on then!" Hywel said, "Let's see who is stronger then other!"
Karasu growled before he focused his mana into his feet before he boasted himself towards Hywel, charging at him with full force. Hywel had been able to manifest a card blade, as he had been taking an extra measure to make sure his blade didn't touch his claw arm.
Though Karasu proved to be a lot faster and more agile then he was before; almost as if his own body had been changing in that moment. Avalon could see that Karasu had been moving faster then he, as he almost disappeared from his line of sight.
She ran over to Sachiko as she put her arms around her, as the child had been too scared to move, even with Shiromori comforting her.
"You got this Karasu-" Avalon said softly, "-Don't let it win."
Karasu threw one attack after another as Hywel countered it with his own, before delivering his own punch as it nearly knocked out Karasu's tooth. He managed to block it before he gripped the hook sword.
"Jinx Magic-Crackback Slash!"
With a swing of the blade he was able to manifest a purple beam that hit Hywel back; though he kept himself steady as he readied his next attack. "Card Magic-Five of a Kind!"
He tossed five cards in the air as they all hoovered over Karasu. Though before his very eyes they started to multiple in an instant.
"Crap!" Karasu exclaimed before he moved out of harm's way. The blast blew him over to the side as he could feel a wound open up as his outfit tore up a little.
"This is nothing! I can do this!"
He managed to move out of harm's way when Hywel attacked again before he charged as his sword became illuminated once more.
"I'm the one in control!"
He took a swing at Hywel as he ducked though Karasu kicked him across the face before headbutting him; opening wounds on both his head and his own. Hywel soon tackled him to the floor as this time he was the one pinned before he felt his fists go across his face drawing more blood.
"No one is in control of me! Not him! Not Erin! Or Blaise! Not them! Not anyone!"
The voice soon laughed as he continued to fight.
"YOU ARE A FOOL…" It said, "... YOU AND FATHER'S FATHER ARE FOOLS TO THE BITTER END…"
Karasu had coughed up some of his blood again before his vision became hazy. He had only snapped out of it when he felt Hywel's fist again. He had blocked it this time before he touched Hywel's hand just as had readied his magic. His arm soon wrapped around Hywels body before he threw him to the floor hard making Hywel gag.
He was quick to get out a knife he had hidden in his sleeve before he stabbed his wrist making Karasu cry out in anguish.
Karasu sneered and growled before he went to charge at Hywel; though it ended up proving to be a mistake as Hywel grabbed a rock before he hit his shoulder causing him to stumble and fall over on the ground as Karasu
"NO!" Sachiko exclaimed as she tried to run to him but Avalon stopped her.
Karasu could finally feel his wounds and fever get to him as his grimoire fell to the ground at his side and the hook sword fell out of his hand.
"Da… Damn it…" He groaned as he tried to move.
Hywel caught his breath, as he stood up, "Looks like your bad luck finally started acting up." He kneeled down before he took hold of his hair pulling him up a little, "So your arm intensifies your misfortune, when you have it out in the open like that?"
The voice in Karasu's head chuckled, "USE OUR POWER-OR DIE BOY…."
Karasu only gritted his teeth as he glared at him, "What… Are you going to do to me now Hywel…? Are you going to kill me?"
"No." He replied as it had surprised Karasu, "Death is too kind for you. And you don't deserve it after what you did." He twisted his hair a little causing him to cringe, "Your bad luck is a blessing in disguise for me-Your friends will be the source of your suffering."
Karasu had a look of horror at this as his face paled at this statement.
"And as long as they exist-" He said as he tightened on his hair, "-I will make it my MISSION to have you suffer the way I have suffered-And destroy everything and everyone you know and love."
Hywel soon looked over to Sachiko and Avalon as Avalon quickly put herself in front of her with a look.
"Starting with your sister." He said.
"No-!" Karasu exclaimed in realization before he was roughly tossed to the ground. Despite this Karasu tried to get up, "-Leave her!"
Avalon readied herself as she went to attack, but Hywel was able to block her attack before he tossed her aside. Sachiko only had a look of horror as she ended up tripping when Hywel approached.
"There's no escape." Hywel told her. "If you have anyone to blame-blame your weak big brother for losing to me."
Shiromori quickly removed himself from Sachiko before he quickly slithered around his ankle before he bit him hard; though Hywel merely kicked the snake off to the side as Sachiko only continued to back up.
"Hywel!" Karasu yelled, "Leave her alone! Please!"
Sachiko tried desperately to use her magic but it didn't seem to work as his expression remained unchanged. "Sta-Stay away!" Sachiko cried as she tossed whatever she could find towards him, "Get away from me!"
"Hywel please!" Karasu pleaded as he tried to get up, but his body only shot through with agony, "She's all I have left!"
The voice soon came again, "KARASU…" It called, "... UNLEASH OUR POWER… OR YOUR SISTER DIES…"
Karasu started to panic as Sachiko had been trapped with his cards preventing her from moving as she started to cry.
"N-No-No please-" He could hear her beg.
"Sachiko-!" Karasu cried out as he could feel his arm throbbing intensely. His thoughts started to race as only one thing started to become clear. "D-Damn it-" He said as he started to hit his fist on the ground, "-Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
His thoughts soon became clear as tears started to form in his eyes as it had been a realization. The Voice in his head laughed again.
"YOU ARE NOTHING… BUT OUR PUPPET…" It taunted, "YOU WILL ALWAYS BE… A PUPPET…!"
"D-Damn it…" He said tearfully, before he took a deep breath, "... Saito… Aya… Forgive me…"
Karasu started to concentrate as he could his arm started to throb immensely as he could feel his body starting to change. His arm started to become larger as he could feel himself start to lose himself. However before anything could happen just as Hywel was ready to attack Sachiko and before Avalon could act-
"Back again from the grave?"
Hywel flinched at a familiar voice call out before he looked to a familiar shaggy haired man with a tank top and black pants as he got his sword ready to strike with a gaze ready to kill. It hadn't been long before he punched Hywel across his face as he fell to the ground roughly.
Avalon's face had been filled with relief as was Karasu's and Sachiko's as they realized it had been-
"Yami!" Karasu exclaimed as he could feel the transformation halt itself.
"Yami!" Sachiko cried as the cards seemed to have vanished. She didn't hesitate as she ran to Yami before she hugged his leg.
Hywel grunted, as he managed to stand up despite the fact he was staggering, "You again…?!"
Yami had said to Hywel with a glare, "I warned you the last time you tried to off one of my squadmates, This makes strike two."
Karasu looked to be processing the fact that Yami was there; he didn't even seem to realize that Avalon had been beside him as she hugged him.
"I don't have time to kill you yet-" Hywel said as he noticed that his own jaw had been nearly broken, "-Can't you see I'm punishing that weakling?"
"That 'weakling' Happens to be under MY care." Yami told him as a dark aura came around him, "And no one is allowed to punish him-BUT ME!"
"Seriously?!" Avalon said in confusion.
Yami soon drew his sword before he went to attack Hywel after he had gently pried Sachiko off of his leg. Despite his injuries Hywel was able to dodge with ease before he attacked him on the side with an aggressive force.
"That little snake doesn't help anyone but himself!" Hywel told Yami as he thrusted his blade towards him, "All he'll do is bring you misfortune and kill others! Just like he had done with his parents and his Uncle and Aunt! It won't be long before his misfortune kills you and everyone you know and love too!"
Karasu flinched at this as Avalon tightened her grip on him as she could feel him shake.
"Kill me?" Yami asked as he countered each and every one of his attacks, "Like hell that'll happen. All I know is that kid is a member of a magic knight squad, known as the Black Bulls. He's not the snake you made yourself think he is!"
Hywel gritted his teeth, "CARD MAGIC-FIVE OF A KIND!"
Several cards flew towards him as Karasu's eyes widened in horror. "YAMI!" He called out.
Yami drew his blade as it illuminated a familiar dark aura. "Dark Magic-Dark Cloaked Lightless Slash." In one swipe the cards broke apart as it had shocked Hywel.
"What!?" Hwyel exclaimed before he was hit with a dark magic attack as he screamed in pain. "NO! HOW?!"
"There's a difference between you and me-" Yami said, "-You got so lost in your rage you forgot about the little things-Like how I've got mana to last me for days, and you don't."
Hywel growled before he let out a warcry as he charged at him; though Yami merely dodged it before grabbing his head and punching him in the gut, making him gag. He soon tossed him over to the side as he hit the ground.
"Let that be a lesson to you-" He said as he stepped towards him, "-Mess with one Black Bull-You mess with all of us." He grabbed Hywel by the neck of his shirt, "Listen up, I'm going to say this once-Karasu Arai-Ain't a snake, he isn't a thief, and-He doesn't belong to you!"
Karasu looked shocked to hear this as he was surprised; as was Sachiko as she rubbed her eyes.
"Remember that when you spend some time in prison." Yami said as he tossed him over to Gooden who had come out of hiding as Theodore was on her shoulder.
"Good Lord Yami!" Gooden said as she managed to restrain just as he started to fight against her even after she muzzled him, " You didn't have to go THAT far."
"Hi Dictator guy!" Theodore said, sounding oddly cheerful as his eyes were pink.
"For the record, that wasn't me." Yami said as he gestured to Karasu, "You have this guy to thank."
"But-" Karasu said as he coughed out blood, "-How did you find us here? I thought you were-"
"I didn't find you-" Yami said before he pointed over to Sachiko, "-I found her."
Karasu and Avalon looked at Sachiko, shocked as she herself had a puzzled look. "Me…?" She said as she sniffled
"Your magic is good. You even managed to fool Acer with it." Yami told her before he patted her head. "Only flaw-You yourself was detectable. I found you easily, which lead us to your brother."
"Yami-" Karasu said before he realized he could see his arm. Avalon did her best to hide it though but to no avail as Yami only gave him a look as he stepped towards him.
"-Wait-I can explain-!" Karasu told him when he felt something menacing him, or so he thought. Yami placed his hand on his head as he felt him ruffle his hair a little.
"Don't fret about it." He told him, "You managed to keep yourself alive, that's all that matters."
"You're-Not pissed?" Avalon asked.
"Not about this, no, no, no, no." Yami replied, before Karasu started to pinch him hard on the shoulder, "What I am pissed about is the fact, you snuck off with the Lizard Girl and went AGAINST my orders when I SPECIFICALLY told you to WAIT!"
"OWOWOWOWOW!" Karasu exclaimed as he flailed his arms, "UNCLE! UNCLE! UNCLE DAMN IT!"
"NEVER-EVER DO THIS AGAIN." He told him in a menacing tone as Karasu felt him twist where he was pinching making him paralyzed with the intense pain.
"WHY!? HE'S SEVERELY INJURED YOU KNOW!" Avalon exclaimed out of confusion.
"That's abuse." Theodore said as his eyes were blue.
"YAMI HE IS LITERALLY BLEEDING OUT!" Gooden yelled.
"Yeah and?" Yami asked as he didn't let go, causing Karasu to squirm harder.
"Yami." Gooden said as she got the thumb.
Yami immediately retracted as he gave Gooden a look, "Killjoy."
"You mean you were enjoying that?" Karasu asked shocked, "What kind of a Captain are you supposed to be?"
"Seriously, how are you not arrested?!" Avalon said, shocked.
Yami told the two of them, "Like they could arrest me."
"Anyway-" Gooden said as she gripped Hywel as he let out a grunt, "-What should we do with him?"
"Hey Woman! Take it easy!" Hywel said. "Say, you're not a bad one. You're pretty hot. How about you freeing me from these restraints and-"
In the next second, Gooden jabbed his neck with her thumb as he began to laugh hysterically.
"WHAT THE HELL?! YOU BITCH!" Hywel exclaimed as he gave a mancial laugh.
"Yay! It's a party now!" Theodore cheered as his eyes were pink.
"Next time it won't be the thumb." Gooden said as she gave a huff
"Thanks for that-" Karasu said as he groaned, "-I was about to kick his teeth in."
"Maybe save the kicking for another time, tough guy." Avalon said as she patted him on the back.
It hadn't been long before Karasu and Sachiko noticed a certain someone was missing. "Wait a minute-Where's Jack?" Sachiko asked.
"If I'm right-" Yami said, "-He's reached your other thief friends by now. Figured you guys would divide and conquer, knowing the Lizard Girl." He took a puff from his cigarette, "... Is she with her uncle right now?"
Karasu and Sachiko nodded their heads in reply. "She did it…" Gooden said, relieved, "...She really does take after both of her parents."
Yami soon pressed on the device as the diagram of the map showed up, "We just gotta figure out where she is-" He hit the device a couple of times, "-Damn that stone, why isn't it working!?"
"Stone?" Avalon asked, "Are you talking about that jewel that was on her headband?"
Yami and Gooden looked puzzled. "Was?" Gooden asked.
Yami asked her, "What happened to the stone?"
Karasu only sighed as his expression fell, "... Hywel-Got the drop on us earlier. It turned to sand the moment it broke."
"... What?" Yami said as his aura seemed to have returned.
Gooden looked to Hywel who was still laughing like a maniac as she got her grimoire ready. "Neon Magic-"
"No Gooden-" Yami said, as he grabbed her arm, "-He isn't worth it."
"Not worth it!?" Gooden exclaimed, "This man endangered Prism! Without the stone, we have no idea where she's going to be or if you know what will happen! I thought it wasn't supposed to break!"
"I KNOW!" He shouted as Gooden froze. Yami soon took a deep breath, as he had been able to calm himself, "... But I'm trusting her-To stay alive and safe until we find her. She WON'T let herself get caught and she definitely WON'T die. I know she won't."
Gooden had a soft smile as she said, "I'm proud of you."
Yami only turned a little red at this before he said "S-shut up."
"Seriously? He gets embarrassed?" Karasu thought with a shocked face.
"He is a pretty strange man." Avalon thought.
"He almost looks like a wounded puppy." Sachiko thought.
Almost as if Yami had sensed their thoughts he gave them a look as they flinched. He said to them with a look, "You're lucky I'm not in the mood to kill you lot."
Karasu's eyebrow twitched slightly as he gave a look of his own, "... What kind of a Captain are you?"
(Third Ending Theme: Cross Ange Rondo of Angel and Dragon Ending 2-Love Song of the End Performed By Nana Mizuki)
