[September 3, 2418 - Monday, 1:00 PM]
Kyoto, Nousagi, and Usagi entered Kabetori, Kyoto parking the car in the parking lot of North Haven. A few bystanders looked at the SPA Bureau's company car, wondering why the Bureau suddenly appeared in their city. Kyoto stepped out of the car and fixed her long coat then popped a flavored pocki into her mouth.
Nousagi held her hat over her head as she stepped out, her observatory eyes scanning each corner of the plaza area. "This place still reeks of greed and lust. My husband will not be happy that I came back here."
Usagi stepped out of the car as well, straightening her button up shirt and glanced around with caution. "I can't believe this city is so close to Itakatsu. This is the first time I've been here."
Kyoto looked around as well, crossing her arms as she began analyzing the area before making her way into North Haven. "Let's move. We only have a few hours to find Aurum before I have to pick up my Valkyrias."
Nousagi and Usagi followed behind Kyoto with purposeful steps. The bouncers in the front of North Haven looked at the three then one of them held their hand out to stop them. Kyoto looked into the bouncer's eyes, seeing his unwavering gaze then sighed softly.
"The SPA isn't allowed in North Haven. No Government Officials allowed," The bouncer said, pointing at the 'No Gov. Official' sign with his thumb.
"These two aren't SPA, they're Valkyrias. I am though, and I suggest you move since this is official business," Kyoto said, biting down on her pocky stick and letting the remains fall on the ground.
The bouncer looked down at the pocky stick then brought his gaze back up to Kyoto with a smirk. "You're a beautiful woman, so I'll let this disrespect on our turf slide. I suggest you turn around, or else we'll have to get people involved."
Kyoto's eye twitched at the bouncer's casual attitude to her. "I will—"
"Excuse me, they are with us, darling~" A sultry voice sounded behind the bouncer.
The bouncer looked back and noticed Madam B standing behind him. He looked back at Kyoto, Nousagi, and Usagi with slight confusion. He shrugged his shoulders then stepped aside with his partner.
Madam B chuckled at the two, stroking the chin of the main bouncer before turning around and stepping back inside. "Gosh, you should really learn something from the sweet boy~ You are terrible at blending in."
"I don't blend in. I've been sent by the Minister to investigate Averice's Pawns, and I will do this the official way. Besides, isn't this place supposed to be a hub for everyone? You have high schoolers here," Kyoto commented, pointing at the juniors and seniors at the bar area.
Madam B hummed and shrugged her shoulders, walking over to the Chi-Teck-ii table then sat down with a light sigh. "Well of course Kabetori has rules surrounding SPA and the Japanese Government Officials. No Officials allowed, unless they are allied with anyone in Kabetori."
"That sounds very corrupt. How many other officials could possibly be? I'm just a fashion model, but I also know the law," Usagi said with innocence, crossing her arms at Madam B.
"You're nearly double my age and still live in this ideological world. Lemme guess, you also do things the Holy Way?" Madam B asked, raising her eyebrow at Usagi.
"Let's not disrespect God, He isn't part of this issue. At least not until we get some things straightened here," Another familiar voice sounded then let out a soft breath of smoke.
Kyoto glanced over at the man then hummed softly. "You're helping as well, Riggs?"
Riggs shrugged his shoulders in a chill manner. "Guess the kid's rubbing off on me. I would normally never investigate anything in Kabetori that doesn't benefit the Chi-Teck-ii, but if seeing Averice's kingdom fall is the reward, I suppose free labor wouldn't hurt."
"Except this labor is assisting our literal enemy. But, I guess an enemy of my enemy is an ally in my books," Fists said, his gaze focused on a port of Beast Brawlers on his handheld console.
"Jesus, what are we getting ourselves into?" Nousagi asked, glancing at Kyoto. "All of this just to catch Jeht?"
Kyoto looked back at Nousagi then nodded. "It's a tedious process, but welcome to the detective side of being a Valkyria."
{Chapter 34: Burnout}
Riggs looked at Kyoto, Nousagi, and Usagi then stood up from his seat. "Alright, let's get some facts straight. You three are here to investigate Aurum, and possibly by extending Director Orla. Well, Aurum is in the city right now, but Orla is out of town."
"Out of town? That's not good because she could possibly know something about Jeht, and could have some valuable information," Nousagi said, holding her chin in a thinking pose.
"What about her assistant? What's her name? Door? Dias?" Usagi asked, looking over at Nousagi and Kyoto.
"Ahh, you must mean of one of the kid's girlfriends. Her name is Dior and she's also out of town. Orla is like a guardian figure to Dior, so they are damn there inseparable," Riggs answered then looked back at the TV on the wall with a news segment playing.
"Breaking News! A Fiery Valkyria has been spotted in Kabetori and she has taken down Supervisor Hojo in Gekko Street! We have news reports upon the Valkyria known as The Burnout! No one knows her motives other than striking down the Kabetori Yakuza!" The News Reporter explained then grunted as a fireball crashed through the set.
"What in the world?!" Usagi gasped, rushing forward to get a closer look at the TV.
The News Reporter coughed lightly and began bringing himself up onto his knees then groaned heavily as a woman stepped on his back to pin him down. He struggled to escape the heating pressure of her foot on his back then groaned as the woman dug her heel into his back.
The woman grabbed the camera, her heated golden eyes glowing into the frame while embers flared in her hair. "This message goes out to all who support the Womato-gumi and Jeht Mato. I will burn every one of you to oblivion for what you've done to Nanako! I'm here in your city! Averice, Marlucia, Madam K! I am in your damn city do you hear me!?"
Riggs watched as The Burnout made her announcement then glanced over at Kyoto, noticing her surprised expression. "Looks like someone you know."
"It is...that's Hanabi. I've been searching for her for the last 30 years. She's here," Kyoto said before darting out of North Haven to find where Hanabi specifically was.
"Ahh~" Madam B moaned with excitement then shot up from her seat. "Some real excitement now! Boys, let's go~!"
The Chi-Teck-ii, Nousagi, and Usagi hurried after Kyoto, each of them following behind her as they rushed into their cars and drove off quickly. Kyoto played the news broadcast upon the radio of her car, using the updates to find where Hanabi was.
Hanabi walked out of the news station and balled her hands into fists, her gaze looking around as she noticed multiple Kabetori officers surrounding her. "You absolute sheep following a bad shepherd. You probably know what happened to my friend! 30 years doesn't erase what you've allowed to happen!"
"Put your hands in the air, now! It's time you surrender, Valkyria!" The Commanding Officer warned, aiming his handgun at Hanabi.
Hanabi glared at the officer, her blood boiling through her veins while her embers began growing into fiery aura. "You wouldn't do all of this for an actual felon you all keep protecting! You keep protecting that fraud and I'm sick of just watching him run as a free man..."
"We won't repeat ourselves! Put your goddamn hands in the air right now!" The Officer yelled, joining his commander at holding Hanabi at gunpoint.
Hanabi began walking forward like a hound stalking her prey, each step leaving behind a print of flames on the ground. As the officers began firing rounds, the bullets struck Hanabi's fiery energy and burned into ashes, each bullet rendered useless.
"Tell me where Jeht is, or you'll be joining your Supervisor," Hanabi threatened, summoning a lance using her flames then took on her stance as her fiery wings spread open with intimidation.
The Kabetori Officers began backing away from Hanabi once they noticed their firearms were ineffective against her. The Commanding Officer grunted softly and took another step away from Hanabi, seeing the absolute pain and hatred in her burning eyes.
"I will never forgive you all! You even killed my husband in this God absent city! I won't let you take another breath in this lifetime!" Hanabi yelled, darting forward and thrusted her lance forward at the Commanding Officer.
As Hanabi's lance reached the officer, a sudden force of energy pushed her lance to the ground, the gravity causing the lance to get jammed into the asphalt. Hanabi looked at her lance with shock then looked ahead, noticing another Supervisor walking ahead with a calm attitude.
The man moved his dreads from his face and looked at Hanabi, fixing his sunglasses and slipped his hands into his pockets. "Supervisor Faux is now in your city."
Hanabi glared at Faux and ripped her lance from the ground with pure rage and let out a bellow as she thrusted her lance forward once again. Faux held his hand out, a repulsive ripple forming before his hand to keep distance between him and the lance's tip.
"What the hell is this?!" Hanabi questioned, grunting as she tried to overpower Faux's gravitational abilities.
"We would call this subjugation. You were impressive against an old captain, but how about someone close your age?" Faux asked, snapping his fingers and releasing a repulsive force to blast Hanabi away.
Hanabi groaned as she crashed into a wall of a building then grunted heavily as a gravitational force was pressed against her, pinning her upon the wall. "You...haven't won yet..!"
"Really? From this angle, it seems like you're in the losing position," Faux replied with sarcasm, using his fingers as a camera lens then chuckled as he began walking toward her. "You're causing a lot of issues around here, even in Shikoku."
"Because you all killed my husband...and Mr. Erik and Mrs. Mikoto!" Hanabi yelled then groaned hard as Faux increased the pressure against her body.
"The Izunas and Inspector Han? This is what this is all about? The Izunas died two years ago and Han died 15 years ago. Do you really just let your rage consume you?" Faux questioned, holding up Hanabi's chin.
Hanabi looked at Faux with hatred and growled lowly at him, her wings forcing themselves out of Faux's hold then she let out a charging bellow. Her fiery energy surged upward, shattering Faux's gravitational force and pushing him back as she awakened her Valkyria Form.
Hanabi planted her feet on the ground with heavy huffs, smoke leaving from her lips with every beneath she took. She stood up straight then twisted the handle of her lance, the pole arm gear shifting into a cannon.
"Oh shit—" Faux said in shock, his sunglasses leaning slightly off his face.
"Infernal Arts: Consuming Blast!" Hanabi bellowed, pulling the trigger of her cannon and grunted as she slid backwards from the intense blast of fire from her cannon.
Kyoto gasped as she noticed an explosion near Gekko Street and noticed a large smoke cloud forming to the skies. "Hanabi, what are you doing right now?!"
"DAAAMN!!" Madam B exclaimed, leaning out the open window of Riggs' car to get a better look at the fiery smoke cloud. "Kabetori hasn't seen this much action in so long!"
"This is getting bad, but also it is very interesting. A Valkyria who's gone insane because of the death of her friend. I can't imagine the lengths love will bring you to, and how well it breaks a person," Riggs said, swerving through traffic to keep up with Kyoto's high skill speeding.
Fists looked at the smoke cloud as well and exhaled softly. "I do wonder...what if what everyone is saying about Jeht is true? What if he did kill Nanako like most people have been saying? Even some locals here believe he did..."
"It's a possibility, but until we know for sure, I refuse to jump on this bandwagon," Riggs replied, glancing quickly at Fists from the rearview mirror.
Kyoto drifted her car to the side of the road before quickly getting out and running toward the clearing smoke cloud. She guarded her face from the smoke using her arm and noticed a fiery Valkyria standing in front of the destruction.
Faux coughed heavily as he let down his barrier from around his squadron. He looked at Hanabi with intrigue, yet a bit of hesitation filled his heart. "We have to find a way to control this weeping angel before she turns this city into Sodom and Gomorrah."
Hanabi aimed her cannon at Faux and his squad once again, charging yet another Consuming Blast. "I'll burn you away into ashes!"
Kyoto grunted softly as she noticed the law enforcers about to be sent to Hell on Earth then sprinted forward at top speeds. She tackled Hanabi to the ground and pinned her to the concrete, Hanabi's lance falling out of her grips.
Hanabi grunted as she struggled under Kyoto's grip and looked up at her, her eyes widening in shock. "K-Kyoto..?"
Kyoto stared down at Hanabi with a hint of pain in her heart seeing her friend in this state. "Hanabi, what are you doing? Mr. Erik didn't teach us to strive for vengeance."
"He's dead, Kyoto! The Womato-gumi have killed too many of our people, and you know just as much as anyone that Jeht did it! You wouldn't have been banished from the Nagagami Clan if it wasn't for Jeht!" Hanabi combated, pushing Kyoto off her then rose to her feet with a flap of her wings.
Faux looked at the two then glanced over, noticing Nousagi, Usagi, and the Chi-Teck-ii arriving on the scene. "Haha! If it isn't the Chi-Teck-ii! Come to help Kabetori bring a Valkyria to justice?"
Riggs walked forward with a collected mind, his gaze never breaking away from Hanabi. "Bring her to justice? Nah, that's not my kind of thing. Besides that's your job, but first...that weapon looks familiar."
"Now that you mention it, that lance does look very familiar. Have we actually met this chick before in the past?" Madam B asked, looking to her Captain with curiosity.
Hanabi looked behind Kyoto, noticing the Chi-Teck-ii and immediately recognized them. "It's you two...where is Madam K?!"
"Lashing out on my sister won't bring you any good. I can personally confirm, she had nothing to do with what you're accusing her of. Neither do I, I wasn't born when Nanako was alive," Madam B answered, shrugging her shoulders.
"Plus, Kanna is at Matsugaya. However, that doesn't matter right now. The Chi-Teck-ii come in peace to ask you to stop venting your anger on the city. You won't get any meaningful answers from a burning city," Riggs added, lifting his gaze back to Hanabi.
"He's right, Hanabi..!" Usagi said, taking a step forward with worry in her eyes.
Hanabi glanced at Usagi then glared at her, pointing a burning finger at her. "Why are you even here?! You were the closest to Nanako and still let that man manipulate her!"
"As if you did anything meaningful? Jeht was my boyfriend and you didn't think to warn me that he was cheating on me with Nanako while we are pointing fingers?" Nousagi asked, scoffing at Hanabi's accusatory tone.
"Oh shit. Listen boys, we might not have to lift a finger. Keep watching," Faux said, slowly backing away from the scene with his squadron.
Kyoto looked at her friends then held her hands out, stopping both sides from bickering then let out a soft groan. "Listen! We all could have done something to save Nanako back then, but we can't let these harboring feelings tear us apart! We are all back together now, and it's for a reason."
Hanabi sucked her teeth at Kyoto and looked her up and down with immense amounts of sass. "This reunion is pointless if you're just gonna help protect the enemy! I refuse to be indicted into your moral superiority because you want to play the fair game when you know the truth!"
"I could be omniscient and still would need to provide proof that Jeht killed Nanako even though we all know he did, so what are you arguing?! Hanabi, I understand your righteous anger, but without direction you're just setting fire to every path you walk! You get nothing in the end!" Kyoto argued, looking at Hanabi with slight stress.
"Good! Let it all burn down! For 30 years, God watched Jeht get away with everything possible but when I take matters into my own hands, it's wrong?!" Hanabi yelled, stomping her foot down and gripping her hair.
"And you don't think God is working right now!? God let another Izuna be born before Mr. Erik and Mrs. Mikoto were killed!" Usagi blurted out, trying to find anything to say to appease Hanabi.
Hanabi and Faux paused after hearing Usagi's outburst, the both of them looking at Usagi with confusion. For a split moment, a sliver of hope returned into Hanabi's eyes then she began walking toward Usagi and grabbed her arm.
"Where is the Izuna? I need these answers! I need to put an end to Jeht!" Hanabi said out of desperation, nothing but unresolved pain sitting in her eyes.
Nousagi crossed her arms and closed her eyes. "You're not gonna see him with you being as unstable as you are. You are judgment without discernment right now. The Last Izuna is using nothing but discernment. As you are, you two are incompatible to meet."
Hanabi looked at Nousagi, her words crushing something within her then she looked at Usagi with desperation. "Please...I have to see him..."
"If you want to see the kid, you need to do something first. You need to get checked out first because I refuse to have a walking time bomb near him and his maiden," Riggs answered, his gaze continuing to study Hanabi.
"With all this destruction going on, you might not even make it out the city," A voice said in tbe distance with a chuckle.
Everyone's attention became directed to the voice, all eyes now falling upon Aurum in the distance flipping a coin up repeatedly. Aurum caught the coin then began walking forward while analyzing the Chi-Teck-ii and SPA.
"Hm, this is very intriguing. What a sudden shift if our luck. The Chi-Teck-ii is working alongside the SPA. How convenient after losing Dior, not like that little girl was useful beyond money generation," Aurum said with a condescending tone.
Riggs smirked at Aurum and chuckled as he stepped forward, pushing Hanabi, Nousagi, and Usagi behind him. "You should know better than anyone else, we only follow where the money leads us. We would even follow God if it benefitted us."
"Oh? How interesting hearing you talk about God after wasting your life in this sinful city. I suppose Karma must've gotten to you?" Aurum asked, inhaling sharply then chuckled. "I bet it was that shrine maiden and her cousin?"
Fists stared Aurum up and down then scoffed. "I've always believed, so I didn't need another to tell me who He is. However, that isn't the point. We want NekoP1 and every other tech company your king has stolen from us."
"That's right. If you didn't know, the Chi-Teck-ii rules over this city! If it wasn't for us, you all would have nothing to call yours here! We know about your little side hustle, cutie~" Madam B added, her gaze becoming sharp and cold.
Faux groaned softly and rested his hand upon his face. "Ugh, I guess we're doing this shit again. How many times do we have to beat you into submission before you realize you can't beat Kabetori."
Riggs casually shrugged and closed his eyes. "As long as it takes. Averice been fighting with me since we were 15, and I'm now 38. It's time he learns there's more to life than greed and sex. Which isn't saying too much since I have a seductress on my squad."
"I'm not a seductress! Okay, maybe I am just a little, but it's just an act most times~" Madam B giggled softly, holding her arms under her chest.
Kyoto rolled her eyes at Madam B then stepped to the front and showed her SPA Badge to Aurum. "Forget what these clowns are talking about. You want to meet someone who's following God and has the credentials of the industry. You're looking at her."
"Ahh, the infamous Banished Angel! I was wondering when the Nagagami outcast would show up for her weeping seraphim. Let me guess, you're wanting to investigate Averice?" Aurum asked, smirking at Kyoto and crossing his arms.
"No," Kyoto said, her eyes glowing with conviction as she stared at Aurum. "We're here for you, Golden Boy."
Aurum paused for a second then scoffed, not taking Kyoto seriously until he noticed the conviction oozing from her gaze. "What could you possibly want with a showman like me?"
"Your Sleight of Hand ability. A trickster like you wouldn't be at the edge of the board if you weren't a valuable asset to Averice," Kyoto said, putting away her badge in her pocket.
Aurum hummed at Kyoto, staring at her for a moment before chuckled softly. "Huh, so you know my ability? You are smarter than I anticipated. Might be as smart as this Binah I've been hearing about all day."
Fists began to pay close attention to Aurum. "Binah? Who told you about him?"
"He's the talk of the entire town because of NekoP1. Ever since he found that exploit, NekoP1 has been losing money and has become just a free Hangout pub for high schoolers and college students," Aurum answered, holding his coin up under the sunlight.
"That's the reason why Orla and Dior skipped town for the week. They got their massive payout via the Credi income with that cafe while we got left with a broken VR Room. So yeah, we're kinda pissed about this," Aurum said, flicking his coin at Riggs like a bullet.
Riggs tilted his head, watching the coin graze his cheek and fly past him. He directed his eyes at Aurum then smirked at him. "Oh, so this is the game we're playing today? Good, I needed some exercise today."
Aurum took another coin out of his sleeve then made it disappear in his hand with a chuckle. "Faux! Let's make this quick!"
"Alri—" Faux began then groaned as Kyoto blasted him away with a burst of wind from her hand.
Kyoto stared at Aurum then walked in front of his line of fire, forcing him to focus on her. A singular black wing emerged from her back, the wing spreading out wide. "Your issue is with me. No one else matters right now...not the Chi-Teck-ii, not Averice, not Rosa und Grün."
Aurum felt the immense spiritual energy Kyoto was releasing, goosebumps crawling down his back while the hairs upon his neck began standing. 'What is this level of energy..? Could this woman be an S Rank Valkyria..?'
Hanabi felt Kyoto's high energy and gasped softly, her eyes shimmering with awe seeing her wing and the spiralling aura around her feet. "Her spirit energy feels so powerful..."
Kyoto summoned her gauntlets and slipped them upon her hands before taking her stance. "You like chess right? Well in this game of God's Chess, I'll be moving you away from your promotion. You like to make everyone else your guinea pigs, we'll you're gonna become my case study."
"So when Binah comes back here, your Sleight of Hand will mean nothing to him," Kyoto finished and clenched her fists.
Aurum laughed and clapped his hands, his excitement beginning to bubble within him. "Ahh, another bout with SPA! Fine, let's play, Banished!"
------------------------------
I stood in the Student Council Room, looking out the window and watching Amon with his group of friends closely while stroking my chin. "Silverella, do you really think Amon is connected to Tenshi?"
Tsubami looked up from her computer then turned to me, sitting back in her chair and tilted her head. "His father is Jeht and we know Tenshi is his secretary, so the logical answer should be yes. Why?"
"Well, if you remember, Fists said Averice and a secretary took over NekoP1 and apparently Amon is a dealer," Lotus said, looking over at Tsubami.
I nodded at Lotus's statement and stroked my chin more. "It's also interesting when you think about what Nanako said to me. Two people at my parents' home, and both escaped. Was it two killers or was it just one and the other was a lookout?"
Tsubami exhaled softly and looked at her computer screen again. "You know, for the Music and Arts Festival this month...we might be able to get some answers. Nanako loved to dance, so I want to test a theory."
I looked at Tsubami and rose an eyebrow. "What theory?"
"Nanako's favorite song was called Bun Bun Bun, and according to Nousagi's testimony, she and her friends would always go the bunny garden to dance together. Apparently, it was one of their happiest memories and of course it's a memory without Jeht," Tsubami said, looking over at with an insightful expression.
"However, it was recorded by Mr. Erik in some of his works that Nanako would go silent between September 12th through September 19th every year. That's how long the Music and Arts Festival is, an entire week," Tsubami added.
"Okay?" I replied, glancing at Lotus to see if there was anything more. "So, what do I do about that? I can't control when a spirit doesn't want human interaction anymore. Shit, I get it. We are infuriating sometimes."
Lotus giggled softly at my comment and sighed softly. "Now, I can see why you and Tsu-Tsu are very close. Anyways, there's a way to bypass that period of silence. You have to spend that week with Nanako, doing her favorite activities."
"It sounds like I'm trying to appease her. Is there a specific reason why she goes silent?" I asked, looking at Tsubami.
"I believe it's because she can't experience it like she once could without having to influence her host to go as well. She's stuck in time, forever 18 years old. However, you can still make this the best week for her," Tsubami answered, pointing her finger at me.
"Yeah, and I also gotta hope she doesn't influence Rebecca on that week due to Amon still being obsessed with her. Plus, I've seen how she can get around a Mato. She wants to kill them," I said, sighing softly and lowering my head.
"That too...and we have no control over who Nanako wants to influence next. I mean we got pretty freaking lucky with Aisha. Aisha doesn't seem to go beyond Stalking when influenced by Nanako," Lotus said, sitting back in her seat and hummed softly.
I looked back out the window, noticing a student walking up to Amon while looking around the empty lot to see if anyone saw anything. I began looking closer and noticed the two swiftly shake hands before the student walked away with both hands in his pockets in the most conspicuous way.
"Lord, could he have been more obvious with this?" I asked, looking up at the ceiling and closed my eyes. "But that only means Riggs was right...he is dealing."
My eyes shot open then I leaned over the windowsill with wide eyes. "He's dealing! On school grounds? This is exactly the same course of events as what Kyoto explained to me when Nanako was still alive!"
Tsubami watched as I darted out of the room and chuckled at me while attending back to her computer. "You'll get there faster if you go right!"
I heard Tsubami's call and back down the hall to the right. "Thanks!"
Amon stood next to his car while counting the money he had gotten from the student then heard quick steps charging toward him. He looked up to see me then smirked, slipping the cash back into his pocket. "Well, well...if it isn't the teleporting detective."
I stopped in front of Amon and glanced down at his hands in his pockets. "You sold drugs on campus...what are you doing right now?"
Amon took a box out of his pocket, the brand being a normal cigarette box then looked at the box. "What? These Eikian Reds? It's not illegal to sell to seniors in New Japan. It's just cigarettes. Can't some students relieve some stress before a midterm?"
I looked at the box of cigarettes in Amon's hand and rose an eyebrow, wondering if I had been overreacting, but something in my spirit told me that I wasn't delusional. I met Amon's gaze again, scoffing lightly and slipped my hands into my pockets.
"What? Your brain not computing? You're just looking for any reason to put a Mato on trial. Just as desperate as your father trying to take down mine. In the end, who wins this? Some Christian with a gut feeling, or someone who actually knows what he's doing?" Amon snarked and chuckled before walking away.
Amon slipped the cigarettes back into his pocket then opened his car door. "Next time you want to accuse me of something, make sure you actually see what happened. Discernment and Faith can only get you so far."
My right eye twitched out of pure annoyance then I scoffed at him, shrugging my shoulders and lowering my head. "You seem to think you're so smart...yet you hide behind a fake birth certificate, using Nousagi's name to cover up who your real mother is..."
Amon paused for a moment then looked back at me, a hint of condemnation striking his chest like a truck. "What?"
"Nousagi isn't your mother, and even if she was...your desire to date Rebecca is repulsive. Just as repulsive as you are, Amon," I said, looking up at him with a serious expression, my eyes gleaming a golden glow. "I know who your real mother is...and I'm sick of acting like I don't."
Amon smirked at me and showed his canine teeth, chuckling softly and closing his door then walked toward me. "And who do you think my mother is..?"
I tilted my head to the side and scoffed at Amon. "It's Nanako...and I'm not talking about your mother being influenced by her. I mean, your mother is the physical Nanako."
Amon froze for a moment with disbelief then laughed in my face, shaking his head and turning around. "Yeah, whatever you say..."
I reached forward and gripped Amon's tie then pinned him against his car, his expression becoming surprised by my sudden shift in demeanor. "You're doing the same shit your father did that got Nanako killed...her body was never found yet you have matches in your DNA with Nanako. Why?"
"I don't even know what you're talking about!" Amon argued, pushing me off him and dusted himself off.
"Liar..." I said, my small ember forming upon my chest. "Otherwise, you wouldn't know that my enemies and Inspector Kyoto'a enemies are the same. The Matos...so tell me something. Who really is Tenshi and was she with you, specifically, when my parents died?"
Amon stared at me and felt a shift in my energy, my gaze meeting his like a lion staring at a vulnerable gazelle. "How do you know Tenshi?"
"Because your idiot, obessed father brought her with him when he decided to encounter me last Saturday with Aisha. Things tend to fall in my lap, just how the devil grants you things as well," I answered, my gaze never breaking away from Amon.
"The devil? You think I ride with the devil huh? You're no different from the other Christians who took upon jobs in the SPA. Let me guess, your God told you something?" Amon taunted, scoffing at me and waving me off.
"If you have nothing to hide...you would finally stop running away from your responsibility and confess something up. You know...like how you supply the Burning Bulls? How you are part of the Womato-gumi? You want to test me as well, well put your faith where your mouth is," I said, crossing my arms.
Amon chuckled and looked at his car, exhaling softly to keep his cool. "It's just accusation after accusation with you. Are you that desperate for a bust? Do you even really know who my father is?"
"A phony? I've met actual criminals with higher morals than your father. I'll applaud him for being able to put on an act for this long...but just know I am not the only one who believes your father is guilty. And if it takes me putting his son behind bars for him to confess..." I began then closed my eyes and chuckled softly.
"Actually, disregard that statement... because I doubt he even actually cares about you taken he'll just allow you to fall down his same path. What? You aren't going to come down to the station because of the tone of my voice? If you feel condemned then that must mean there is truth in my words, not my sound," I said, turning away from Amon and walked off.
Amon looked back at me and watched as I walked away, his eyes burning a hole in the back of my head. "And if I don't? What then? You're gonna keep terrorizing me? You're just targeting and coaxing at that point."
I stopped walking and looked back at Amon. "Just like how your father targeted Kyoto and got her banished? Just as he coaxed Usagi into believing it was her fault? It amazes me when judgement and accountability knocks at your door, suddenly everyone knows the damn law. It's time the Matos understand the pain they put the rest of the world through."
Amon watched as I walked away once again without another word, scoffing at me and getting into his car before driving off the campus. While he rode down the rode, my words continued to echo into his mind. He sat back in his seat as he got to a red light.
Amon propped his phone up on the stand then called Tenshi, putting her on video call. Once she answered, Amon immediately exploded. "TENSHI! You failure of an Angel, do you know how compromised we are!?"
Tenshi rose an eyebrow and looked Amon up and down on the camera with a scoff while she stood in the VR Room with her tablet. "What are you whining about now?"
"The Izuna! He knows we are connected and he's accusing me of being a child of a dead woman who died 30 years ago! What the hell is going on?!" Amon raged, continuously glancing at his phone while driving down to Kabetori.
Tenshi glanced back at her phone with confusion. "Wait, slow down. Firstly, you being connected to me shouldn't even be surprising. Do you know who your father is? Secondly, he's saying Nanako is your mother?"
"Whatever is going on, you blind bat, fix it! Even if you have to kill that Izuna, I'm not letting some Avenger ruin my plans and the kingdom I'm growing! If he stops me from getting Rebecca, I will have you thrown back in the underside of Kabetori where you came from!" Amon yelled, quickly pressing the end call button and groaned.
Tenshi looked down at her phone then sighed, slipping it back into her pocket while shaking her head. "Like father like son, both some damn bastards. It ain't my fault your idiot father let Nousagi escape with the information she knows..."
[September 3, 2418 - Monday, 1:45 PM]
Aurum vaulted over the Golden Ram while laughing, using his swift movements to evade each of Kyoto's wind blasts before flicking his coin in the air. He leaped up and kicked his coin toward Kyoto, but she dodged it swiftly before propelling forward with a spinning 540 kick.
Dodging her attack, Aurum grabbed her leg then pulled her to the ground before striking her chin with an uppercut. Using misdirection, he vanished from Kyoto's view then struck her from behind and knocked her away with immense force.
Kyoto rolled forward and recovered onto one knee while twisting her body to face Aurum. She panted softly and stood up, watching as Aurum hopped up and down with energy. "What the hell..? I can barely keep up with this guy..."
Aurum laughed and clapped his hands loudly, holding up a die with an excited chuckle. "What's wrong, Inspector! The show is only now starting! 45 minutes into the program, The Midas Community all placing their bets on a winner!"
Hanabi landed on the back of the Golden Ram then looked up, noticing broadcast helicopters flying over them and scoffed. "They're live streaming the entire thing! Look at the skyscry screens!"
Nousagi and Usagi looked at the billboards and skyscraper screens, noticing a live feed playing everywhere with bets between Aurum and Kyoto currently taking place. They noticed 90% of Kabetori voted for Aurum on being the winner of the fight.
"Let's play a game, Banished Angel! This is a d6 die and each number means something. If this die rolls anything from one to three, something bad happens to you. However, from four to six, something good will happen," Aurum challeneged, holding his die in front of Kyoto.
"Wait, you shouldn't go through with this..! You already identified his ability, who's to say he won't use it to cheat you into something negative?" Usagi questioned, looking at Kyoto with concern.
Kyoto exhaled through her nose and kept watch of Aurum. "I don't and that's part of the gamble. Fine, I'll play by your rules!"
Aurum's grin stretched wider then he shook the die in his hand before launching it forward. Kyoto was taken by surprise as the die struck her solar plexus before bouncing off, the impact pushing her back and off balance. The die landed on the ground on the number two, the dots on the die glowing red.
"Womp, womp! Looks like I win!" Aurum laughed, snapping his fingers to activate his die's ability.
Suddenly, a hand of shadows emerged from the die and gripped Kyoto hard, draining 2/6 of her spirit energy and adding it to Aurum's own reserves. Kyoto groaned as she became dazed and completely destabilized, her black wing beginning to lose its feathers.
"Kyoto!" Nousagi called out, hurrying to Kyoto and catching her before her legs gave out.
Kyoto panted softly and held her arm over her head, her vision blurry and her body now exhausted as if she wasted all of her energy. "What the heck just happened..?"
Aurum snapped his fingers again, his die reappearing between his thumb and index finger then held up Kyoto's SPA Badge. "Does this belong to someone~? Seems like someone can't return to HQ without the ID. Bet you didn't know this showman was—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Madam B appeared behind him and slashed his back with her tanto to catch him off guard then struck his back with a heavy palm strike. Aurum groaned as he hit the ground, the SPA Badge falling on the ground.
"You aren't the only one who knows the Art of Deception," Madam B hummed, swinging Aurum's house keys around her fingers with a giggle.
Aurum grunted as he looked back then checked his pockets, his heart dropping as he realized his keys were actually missing. "Hmph...I forget your a Ninja and Assassin..."
"Guilty as charged~" Madam B replied, winking at Aurum.
Aurum stood up and dusted himself off then chuckled at Madam B, sighing softly. "Well, it seems like I'm actually gonna have to level up my game. So, let's change the table!"
Riggs watched as Aurum pulled out a deck of playing cards then crossed his arms. "Blackjack huh...a mockery to the fluttering I've seen with the Saints."
"Oh? You remember this ability? Well let's see how well you remember it!" Aurum laughed, drawing two cards and slapping them onto his hand.
Riggs noticed a seven and four appear on the sides of Aurum then chuckled, crossing his arms as Aurum charged toward him. He dodged Aurum's first strike then ducked under his impossibly next kick. "Five more attempts, kid."
Aurum rose an eyebrow at Riggs then grunted as he through another kick, but Riggs caught his foot and shook his head. Aurum took his foot back then feinted an uppercut to misdirect himself behind Riggs.
Before Aurum could make his next move, Riggs struck his face with an elbow then pivoted around into a knee strike. He grabbed Aurum's shoulders and struck his stomach with another knee before following it with a third knee to bring him down to his knees.
"Your tricks won't work on me... especially not with this fight being broadcasted. The entire city can see your moves!" Riggs called out, striking Aurum's chin with his knee to bring him back onto his feet.
Aurum stumbled backwards but recovered with an straight punch which Riggs causally dodged with a chuckle. Riggs closed his eyes and dodged the misdirected strike then took a step backwards. Aurum rushed forward with a superman punch, but Fists appeared in front of Riggs to tank the attack for him.
"This is too easy! You don't think we know about Sleight of Hand?" Fists roared, pushing Aurum's fiat back with his face then countered with a steamed punch to Aurum's chest.
Aurum grunted heavily as a shockwave coursed through his entire body, the force of Fist's Demolition Fist sending Aurum crashing through the Golden Ram and into the side of an armored car. Aurum winced in pain as he arched his back, grunting softly as he fell onto his knees.
Aurum groaned and hissed as he stood up, a small chuckle leaving his lips. "Damn, I also forgot you tend to hit like a meteor, you fake Lightning Bruiser Hulkster."
Fists shook his hand and chuckled at himself. "Hulkster isn't the word for me, nor is Lightning Bruiser. I'm too slow for that. I'm more of a Fire Bruiser, my body a pressure machine!"
Hanabi stared at Fists with awe and looked at her own hands, wondering if she could build pressure like that with her own heat. "That's amazing...he's like a boiler. The hotter he gets, the stronger output of his damage...just without all the rage."
"Nope! No rage from Fists, but he is what the newer generation would say now. He's on BMT, Beast Mode Timing~ He's brain and brawn, a perfect combination~" Madam B giggled, holding Fist's arms and squeezing his toned muscles.
Aurum scoffed at the two then looked at the Valkyrias, noticing their hesitation to act and smirked. "Hmph...I suppose the city has seen enough. Good thing we weren't betting between me and the Chi-Teck-ii. Wasn't a fair fight anyway, all you do is jump people."
"And you're absolutely right. Six fists crashing onto one person is better than two fists caving your skull in. You should know that we never play fair, you're lucky I forgot my Orbital Cannon at home," Riggs said, shrugging his shoulders.
"What the hell?" Usagi asked, holding her hand out toward Riggs. "Why does a man even need such a destructive device?! Who even are these people like actually?!"
"I'm starting to ask that myself..." Nousagi sighed, rubbing the back of her head.
Aurum chuckled at every one of them before trailing off with his hands upon his back. "Even though you beat me today...I still walk away the winner. 100% of Kabetori voted for me..."
Suddenly, the screens began to glitch then a different broadcast showed on the billboards and skyscraper screens. Aurum stopped walking then looked at the billboard to see a masked figure on the screen.
I held the camera in my hand while wearing my mask then turned the camera to face Dior. "Attention, Kabetori and all citizens...you are looking at my Bishop. Your king hides and castles behind frauds, cold cases vanishing due to the KPD..."
Madam B looked at the screen then gasped. "It's the sweet boy~!"
Riggs looked up at me on the screen then chuckled, crossing his arms. "So this is the Matsu Starter... Kid, you are absolutely insane."
I pointed the camera back toward me, my eyes glowing behind my mask. "Averice! I'm calling you out personally. You have until September 20th to prepare your weak ass board because I will teach you something very important."
Dior snickered as she listened to my speech and crossed her arms, looking up at Director Orla. "Didn't I tell you, poyo? He doesn't play by the rules at all...this detective is different, nya."
Orla hummed softly and crossed her arms, twirling a strand of her half blue hair around her finger as she watched me. "Calling out Averice on the same day the Burnout does. Averice has some real trouble now."
"I know the Big Three isn't as united as you want Kabetori to believe. Just as Inspector Krisis and Miko Mikoto were on your tail...now their protege is after you. There will be no castling in this game...I'm coming at you with the Royal Gambit. I have no pawns unlike you," I finished, dropping the camera then walked away.
Aurum smirked at my announcement and felt pure excitement in his heart. "Oh? Who is this masked man talking about a Royal Gambit. He's only playing with the back royal pieces? Now this is interesting...this play has zero walls..."