Chapter 10: The Power of Kidd VIII

(WK POV)

After a hour or two of rest (at Margaret's insistence), I began my training.

Once I made it to where Margaret was waiting, we got started. "First, let's get you used to your new power. Draw your weapon."

Since Fuuka had my usual gun, a 1917 Lange Pisole 08, I grabbed a DWM P08 Luger from my jacket, and held it up in my right hand.

"Excellent," Lavenza said. "Now imagine that weapon as not just something you're holding, but as a part of you. Imagine it merging with your body, and becoming your arm."

I closed my eyes and envisioned my arm becoming one with what I was holding. Immediately, the gun began to shine a bright reddish-orange before breaking into several small veins of light that absorbed into my arm.

Then, something truly unexpected happened. I saw my arm begin to change shape. A large bolt appeared just below my elbow, while the barrel burst from the end of my arm, splitting my hand down the middle and replacing my middle and ring fingers. A magazine emerging from my inner forearm completed the transformation as I looked at it, completely speechless.

Lavenza smiled again. "This is your power. The ability of the Endo to copy people's appearance combined with the power of your persona has given your arm the ability to mimic any weapon you hold. Whenever you change it back, the weapon transformation will be stored within your being to be called out again at any time."

"So I only need to copy a weapon once," I reasoned. "Makes sense."

"However," Elizabeth interrupted. "It's worth noting that while you've seemed to easily pick up how to form 'Endo weapons', as we'll call them, that doesn't mean that you will have mastered using these weapons. Be careful not to grow overconfident."

"Yeah, yeah," I said dismissively. "In the past, my luck has never let me down. Even if I find myself in a tough spot, I'll get out of it."

This caused her to sigh loudly. "You're just like Arisato. Why do I even try?"

[May 10th, 2010]

(YT POV)

While I was heading to the condo to grab something, I spotted a familiar figure.

"Why did I have to show her?" He mumbled. "I really need to be more careful…"

He ducked into an alleyway, and I followed at a distance. His face was turned away from me, but I could tell who it was from the scarf and technicolour shoes. Espresso must not have noticed me, because he continued mumbling to himself.

Then, he removed his scarf and stared at his reflection in a window. "So hideous," he said. "Why didn't she run away like everyone else?"

I couldn't help myself. I carefully adjusted my angle to see the reflection while still staying hidden. And what I saw made my blood run cold. I tried to stay quiet, but…

(E POV)

"EEEEK!"

I whirled around, my heart hammering in my chest.

Yukari stood there, white as a sheet. "W-What the… E-Espresso?!"

I sighed, trying to keep my voice at its usual pitch. "Yes, it's me…"

"Y-you… you're… what happened to you?"

"Long story." I turned to leave as I put my scarf back into place.

(YT POV)

A thousand thoughts rushed into my head. Espresso's face… that horrible, terrifying face… my legs were shaking too hard for me to walk, but I wanted to run after him as he was leaving.

Right when he was about to turn the corner, I finally managed to speak again. "Wait!"

He turned around, annoyance in his eyes. "What?"

"Why did you hide that from everyone? Were you worried that we'd reject you?"

"Judging by your reaction, I was pretty justified in thinking that, wasn't I? Even you, one of the kindest members of our team, were ready to turn and run away when you saw me."

I couldn't refute that. For a moment, I saw something terrifying when I looked at that face, but now I only feel compassion when I see it. So many people left him alone, and he needs someone to stick by his side when it matters. That someone was once Kidd VIII. And now that he's gone, I was left as one of the few people willing to provide that for him.

He looked at me with a look of acceptance. "Well? Go ahead and run. It doesn't hurt me. Not as much as used to anyway- !"

I cut him off with a tight hug. His eyes became somewhat uneasy as he slowly put his arms around me to return the embrace, while I pulled his scarf down again.

We stood like that for a moment, before he spoke. "Why didn't you run away?"

I looked directly into his eyes. "Because I can see you for who you truly are. You're more than your face."

"Yukari… Thank you. Thank you so much."

I saw a solitary tear drip down his cheek, flow straight into his scar, and disappear. Before I fully registered what was happening, I felt myself rising to the tips of my toes, moving my face closer to his…

"What the- YUKARI?!"

Shit. This was bad…

"Espresso… What the hell are you doing with my girlfriend?!"

…Very bad.

(WK POV)

"Okay, there's just one thing left to figure out, guys."

"And what would that be?" Margaret asked.

"How do I get outta here?"

Lavenza immediately giggled. "I thought you were going to ask about that. Come with me."

Pretty soon, we were standing at a bright blue door out in the middle of a field of blue poppies. The three sisters nodded at me, and the door opened as bright light poured through it, obscuring everything around me.

I woke up on the floor of a small shack, wearing a black beanie and leather jacket instead of my usual look. The clothing brought back memories of my first heist, but before I could think about that too much, I heard one final message from Elizabeth. "Go back to them. Their journey is only just beginning, and you and your power will be the key to their success."

Nodding, I stepped outside, catching sight of a beautiful 1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS, painted gunmetal black. Looks like these girls made sure I was well-equipped.

"Look out, guys," I called out as I jumped into my new ride. "Kidd VIII has returned."