Chapter 33: Stage of the climax

09:35 AM (Japan Time), Friday August the 23rd…

"… And then my strawberry albatross defeated the banana diplodocus!"

"Your imagination is always amazing!"

"I know, right?"

"Diplodocus… A new PKMN?"

"No…! A dinosaur…!"

"Heck! Chisao scolds me again!"

"Stop to think, Dekao… Else next school term will be Hell!"

The group were talking during the break in their gym session.

Yaito made another of her grand tales.

Dekao wasn't keeping up and Chisao scolded him.

Netto rolled his eyes, too used to that.

"Wasn't there a PKMN named Guts in the Arm?"

"No…" Saito sighed.

"That guy with four arms!"

"That's Kairiky. Known as "Machamp" in English…"

"My life is a lie!"

"Don't be so dramatic!" Chisao sighed.

"While it's often puns, there's no such "guts in the arm"…"

"Wait! I remember! It was its signature move!"

"No. It's not a move, but an ability…"

"Close!"

"I admit that. But it's "guts", not "guts in the arm"…"

"My life is a lie!"

"Who told you that one, anyway?" Hikawa asked, sighing.

"Uncle Louis…"

"You don't have any "Uncle Louis"!" Chisao reminded him.

"True!" He gasped.

"Sigma or Cloud Man…" Saito guessed.

"Who else?" Blood Shadow sighed.

"Miss Yaito… I must report something…"

"Come in!"

A maid knocked at the door.

She stepped in and bowed.

"Something odd is happening in the DNN Studios…"

"What is it?"

"The broadcast stopped without any previous warning…"

"Odd…"

"It is true, Miss Yaito. Their net broadcast stopped as well…"

Glyde was looking into the topic, too.

"Strange. What could it be?"

"A new AD (Assistant Director) tripped and pulled out the power cord!"

Yaito laughed at her joke.

"Very original. Must be a running trope…" Meiru sighed.

"And he'll dance the Panic Dance!"

"You sure love that one…"

"Because it's timeless!"

"Fair. Each to their own…"

A golden circle formed in the screen.

The silver letters "NEO GOSPEL INCORPORATED" were drawn there.

"What!?"

The head of the "Gospel" beast appeared there and roared.

"That MGM parody again!" Netto groaned, annoyed.

The broadcast resumed.

It showed a man in a red raincoat sitting in the newscaster's seat.

The hood was lowered, hiding the face.

He was leaning his elbows on the desk.

His chin leant atop his intercrossed hands.

"Greetings, slaves of the metallic box of propaganda and brainwashing…"

Everyone groaned, annoyed at the "edgy" greeting.

"I'll be brief. Since youth nowadays are so impatient…"

"That's a prejudice!" Yaito fumed.

"Regal! It's time to settle our score!"

He stood up.

"Bring all the proxies and tools that you want. I foresaw that, too…"

He crossed his arms.

"I have deployed soldiers, Gecko, RAY units and my "Darkloids"…"

He turned around to look at the wall.

"I know that the "allies of justice" and Brother will come, too…"

He chuckled.

"Why not? The more, the merrier…"

"This isn't a show…!" Meiru fumed.

"I can smell that you're planning something for the next season, too…"

"Can't help but imitate Clark? That Regal guy?" Yaito fumed.

"Wouldn't surprise me. To rub it on his face…" Netto sighed.

"What childish adults! Both are!"

"We all agree with that…"

"As for the folk living in the Palace of the Queen of Strawberry Land…"

Yaito twisted her fingers, and a twitch formed over her right eye.

She looked about to unleash her anger into something.

"You're welcome to stay in your fantasy world and watch it unfold…"

"He's one to talk about "fantasy"!"

"But I guess that the Demi-Fiend will have to leave for the battleground…"

"As if it wasn't obvious!"

"The mighty Princess Kushinada will weep, praying for his safe return…"

"This isn't a movie!" Meiru sighed.

"They had just engaged to each other, but war split them apart…"

"E-engaged!? Nonsense!" Both Netto and Meiru uttered.

They were both blushing.

"Come on. It's obvious that Anaya wrote that…"

Saito rolled his eyes, unimpressed.

"To poke at Meiru and Roll…"

"Why the nerve of that witch!" Roll hissed.

"Don't worry about the pawns of the metallic box…"

"Very funny!"

"They're dreaming of ascents and fame and money in the storeroom…"

"That's a prejudice, too!" Yaito fumed.

"I removed all needless trash to have a clean battlefield…"

"You want a battlefield, go to the steppes of Mongolia!" Yaito hissed.

"Agreed…"

"Well. Enough preludes. Come anytime. Even after the Mexican siesta!"

The man walked closer to the camera and his grin became visible.

The broadcast ended and there was a message shown there.

"OUT OF BUSINESS; BLAME REGAL"

"Come on!" They all sighed.

Netto's PET beeped.

"Mr. Meijin!"

"No need for formalities… I take it that you've seen the fuss…"

"Naturally, sir!"

"Come to the HQ. We must plan our counterattack…"

"Roger, sir!"

"Misaki – kun volunteered to keep watch there…"

"Understood!"

"I and the Superintendent checked that there are no fakes here…"

"Good point, sir. Regal might try to confuse the chain of command…"

"Anyway. I'm sending a car there…"

"Take care, Netto!"

"Thanks! I'll be going!"

10:08 AM (Japan Time)…

"… This is the famed Japan…"

"Yes. This is Akihara, part of the metropolis Densan City…"

"Noted down, sir…"

"And this is the apartment that'll be your new base of operations…"

"Understood, sir…"

Izono had brought Nelaus to a hall inside of an apartment building.

He stopped before the door and drew a key ring.

He unlocked the front door.

"Come in!"

Nelaus followed him inside as he shut the door.

The apartment was already set up, with furniture and all.

There was a brown envelope atop the living room table.

"That's the floor plans and emergency instructions and such…"

"Noted, sir…"

"As well as a list of important facilities on the area…"

"Such as fire department, hospitals and such?"

"Yes. There is also a list of the school rules…"

"Roger, sir…"

"The backstory is already in place. Follow the script…"

"Understood, sir…"

"Your new legal guardian will soon come, too…"

"I must follow his instructions, sir?"

"Yes. But it's simple. Send him a monthly report and that's it…"

"I'll handle that!" Isaac confirmed.

"Good…"

"By the way. Will Regal really bite the bait, sir?"

"Hard to tell. It's somewhat of a gamble…"

"Are you sure that I needn't partake on it?"

"While your skills are good, you're still a rookie…"

He shook his head.

"My bad. But it's not the time for that yet…"

"Besides. We can't be sure if Regal will come or not…"

"Fair…"

"If Regal doesn't show up and wants to play the long game…"

"I can train and accumulate experience in the meanwhile?"

"Yes. And you'll be able to fight his pawns from the head-on…"

"That motivates me more. I'll show them what a pro is about!"

"Good. Also…"

"What is it, sir?"

"There will be a change of employer…"

"Who will be the new employer?"

"The Japanese Net Police…"

"Well. As a mercenary, I simply abide by the contract with the employer…"

"Exactly. I don't say to become buddy-buddy, but respect social norms…"

"I will be aware of it, sir…"

"We and Mr. Opoulos will go underground for a while…"

"To shake off Regal's pursuit?"

"Yes. While Clark will try to draw his attention whenever it's possible…"

"There is no guarantee that he'll bother to stick with it…"

"Also. If possible, don't bring up our names or Clark's, either…"

"You warned me that your past actions were rather dangerous…"

"Yes. But I don't want to drag you into our mistakes…"

He sighed and shook his head.

"I want you to be free of such shackles…"

"Understood, sir…"

"Especially to those brothers, the Hikari twins…"

"Yes. I can infer that something dramatic happened with them…"

"Yes. So don't be surprised if they show intense dislike for us…"

"I will be aware of it, sir…"

"Same for you, Isaac. Understood?"

"Clear as water, sir…"

"If you follow these basic rules, there shouldn't be any issues…"

Both nodded in understanding.

"This new manager will take care of your monetary needs…"

"Yes, sir. That's a relief, sir…"

"You'll be given a monthly allowance. No questions asked about its use…"

He narrowed his eyes.

"But don't spend a huge amount of money on something impractical…"

"Such as…?"

"Jars, paintings, sculptures, antiques…"

"I'm taking note of it, sir…" Isaac confirmed.

"Good. Beware of scammers and such as well…"

"I'll sniff them out from miles away, sir…"

"That's the motivation that I want to see!"

The doorbell rang.

"I'll answer it…"

Izono looked outside through the peephole.

He opened the door.

"Thank you for coming over, sir…"

"It's nothing. I wanted to greet the student under my custody…"

A man stepped inside.

He was in his mid-50s.

He was about a meter and eighty tall.

He had blonde hair.

His irises were brown.

He had a beard over his face.

He wore a black suit, tie, trousers and brown shoes.

"Xavier Rainon. An old acquaintance. Resides in Chicago…"

"Nelaus. The pleasure is ours, sir…"

"I am Isaac. We shall be under your tutelage, sir…"

"Excellent…"

Nelaus performed a handshake with Rainon.

"You will bear my surname. All paperwork has been submitted…"

"It is an honor, sir…"

"I take it that everything else is ready, too? Izono…"

"Yes, sir. All is ready…"

"Alright. Here is my card with my contact information…"

He drew his wallet and handed Nelaus a business card.

Xavier Rainon

Real estate agent

Chicago, Illinois

Two phone numbers and an email address were also written there.

"If needed, you can always have a videoconference as well…"

"Yes, sir. Maybe it would be smarter to do it when submitting the report?"

"That could be a good way to do it at the start of our relationship…"

"Understood, sir…"

"… Understood… Thank you for the update…"

Izono finished a phone call.

"I must go. The package is headed for the depot…"

He sighed and shook his head.

"It'll probably be a while before we meet again. Take care, both of you!"

"Understood, sir. I owe you so much, sir…" Nelaus told him.

"Don't mind it. I did what my conscience told me…"

He made a weak smile.

"A small step on the path to amend for my arrogance and mistakes…"

"A small step that means a lot, Izono…" Rainon added.

"Yes, sir. Goodbye, sir…"

"Farewell…"

"A new stage in my life is about to start…"

10:33 AM (Japan Time)…

"… This is Daratsu… I confirm that the hostages are unharmed…"

"Roger. Any watch over them?"

"The miniature Gecko recon units..."

"Alright. No soldiers, though?"

"No. I checked with IR and radar…"

A man that was clad in a ninja outfit crawled across an air duct.

His face was covered in a balaclava.

He used IR googles.

He had a utility belt with a scout knife and a gun holster.

He also carried two grenades.

A katana sheath was attached to his back, too.

He was looking into a room through a cover.

Several people were orderly laid face-up on the ground.

They were all sleeping.

Small, round robots with three arms patrolled the gaps in the floor.

"I can pinpoint the locations of the Darkloids through their radio…"

"Good. I received the data…"

"Insofar, nobody has attempted to attack the place…"

"Regal is a calculating man. Must want to wait for the best chance…"

"Which means starting a fight with Clark to lure him out?"

"Correct. He wants us to wear down and then finish us…"

"As expected of a smug bastard…"

"Naturally…"

He crawled past that area and stopped at a crossing.

"North is the west wall. East is the north wall…"

He looked to the left.

"West is the south wall…"

"Head east. North wall is less guarded…"

"OK. Will make escape easier…"

"Even if Clark suspects your presence, he won't hinder…"

"Because my data motivates you to come and strike him yourself…"

"Exactly…"

"Will Charles join the raid party, too?"

"Correct…"

"OK. Send him greetings. I'll meet him once this mess is over…"

"As you wish…"

He made it to another intersection.

"There's an empty storeroom to the right…"

He crawled over to the cover and checked the room.

Cloud Man was hovering there, crossing his arms.

He was visibly impatient.

"The cops aren't here yet?" He growled.

"No! How many times will you ask me?" Swallow Man sighed.

"You're the scout. You'll know before anyone else!"

"What do you think I am, a leaker?"

"Sure. Leaker of feathered envoys sponsored by Vincent "Red"…"

"That Mexican comedian that you love so much?" He sighed.

"But it can't rival the madness of M !"

"Who were those again?"

"Mortadelo & Filemón! By Francisco Ibañez!"

"Have it your way. Don't drag me into it…"

"When they appear, call me using the "TD" ringtone!"

"I won't! That stupid song is carved into my ears, forever!"

"Monokuma is a genius composer!"

"I give up!"

"Because you suspect that I have the Exodia in my Deck?"

"No…"

"CLOUD MAN!"

"Lord Twilight!" He gasped.

"YOU SEEM EAGER TO END UP IN WINDOWS 7 RECYCLE BIN!"

"Mercy!"

"THEN SHUT UP! HAVE TO COORDINATE A THOUSAND THINGS!"

Cloud Man gulped and sweated.

"Besides! That's not your assigned position!"

"What?"

"CAN'T YOU READ!?"

"… Dear! It's the 3rd floor storeroom, not the ground floor one!"

"SEE!?"

"I offer no excuses!"

"MOVE THE CLOUDY BUTT BEFORE I HIT IT WITH THE BUSTER SWORD!"

Daratsu rolled his eyes.

Cloud Man warped out of the location.

Daratsu removed the cover and dropped down into the room.

He scoured his surroundings.

He headed for the wall and glued his back to it.

"… No anomalies… Over…"

He heard a radio exchange.

"This is HQ. Shift position to main hall. Over…"

"This is patrol. Roger that, HQ. Over…"

He heard how the soldier walked away.

"… No other heat signatures…"

He opened the door and made it to the corridor.

He turned on a device to become invisible.

He quickly made it to the eastern end of the corridor.

He entered the stairs and climbed up to the topmost floor.

He entered another storeroom and opened its window.

He looked outside to see barricades, soldiers and machines.

They were facing northwards.

"No kidding!" Daratsu muttered.

He used a rope ladder hanging from the rooftop.

He made it there and found the man in the red raincoat.

"I knew it. You pulled it away in purpose…"

"I wanted to say "hi", my cousin… Brother of the angels!"

"Whatever. Suit yourself…"

"As dry as ever. Too much Asahi Dry Beer!" He laughed.

"Don't blame me if Regal shoots you a missile…"

"Don't worry…"

He became transparent.

"I'm not that stupid…"

"Fine. Boss will come see how much you've grown…"

"Waiting for that…"

"But don't blame us if Regal keeps you waiting for two months or more…"

"Naturally. I can tell that it's the most likely outcome of this…"

He glanced at a set of AC units.

"Right, Regal?"

An all-too-familiar chuckle echoed behind it.

"… It's the hollow puppet, isn't it?" Daratsu guessed.

"Thinks that he can intimidate me by placing 8 of them around me…"

"More like he's staging it for the audience…"

"That sounds more like the bastard…"

"You're the one who incentivized him. Reap what you sow…"

"That's why I want to settle it once and for all…"

"Fine. I'm out of here before the firefight begins…"

"Sure. Send me a postcard from the Vatican. "Et tu, Clarque?"…"

He laughed at his lame joke.

Daratsu ignored him and dived for the ground.

A "portal" formed in mid-air and retrieved him.

Clark's hologram pocketed both hands in the pockets, shrugging.

"Well then… Let the "Skyfall" begin!"