by 
Chapters:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter 14
“This is stupid. A waste of my time. We could be patrolling the streets and catching criminals. But instead we have to waste time at meetings,” Amaterasu grumbled as he limped down the hallway. Little Shiro walked behind him slowly.
“And I don’t need a military escort. You guys should be out doing something important,” Amaterasu said as he pointed at the four expressionless guards following them down the long corridor. Little Shiro tapped one on the head who quickly turned and handed him a cup of tea in response. “This building is really old. Why did they pick this place to the their HQ anyway?”
“It’s apparently in the center of WOTNOPOLIS, abandoned, and right outside the spot of a great victory. A small resistance movement was set up by the criminals of WOTNOPOLIS in that plaza across the street and here was where the military buried them under foot,” Little Shiro explained. Amaterasu opened his mouth but Shiro interrupted, “And we’re meeting here because the mayor wanted to meet at the military headquarters. And with how much Endless Nothing has done for WOTNOPOLIS I’d meet on Mars at this point.”
“Are you sure that’s not out of your district?” Amaterasu hissed as his cane clicked down the hall. A door at the end of the hallway opened and Little Shiro waved to the people sitting around a wooden table inside. He pulled out a chair across from a man in a white suit leaning on his arm.
“Hope you don’t mind if I sit here, miss,” Little Shiro said.
“Not at all,” KaratekeyaQ said and handed him a muffin from her basket. Amaterasu loudly pulled out a chair next to Little Shiro and sat in it.
“Alright, let’s begin,” Endless Nothing said as he pushed back a strand of black hair. “JJDomer, could you give us a progress report on the Decimators?”
Little Shiro watched as JJDomer continued to sit motionless. His breath was steady and he barely moved. Little Shiro kicked him in the foot. A moment later JJDomer opened his eyes and smiled. “The progress of the Decimators, how are they doing?” Little Shiro repeated to him.
“Ah, yes, they are doing exceptional work. So far a nearly flawless success rate. I believe anyone here can say that my men have been an important asset in containing the city,” JJDomer nodded. “And we will continue to offer our services wherever we are needed.”
“However, the gangs left in WOTNOPOLIS are strong. The corrupt are desperately searching for any kind of escape they can get. They have lost a lot of money from this and a lot of safety. And the gangs that are left in WOTNOPOLIS are powerful enough to survive four days of fighting the military or they are capable of hiding from us. Either way, we’re no longer dealing with small fries. Things are going to get rough because of how we’ve handled this,” Amaterasu said to the group.
“But that’s a good thing. We’ve hit them hard enough that they are down and out. Sure, they are starting to retaliate and starting counter movements against us, but that’s to be expected,” KarateKeyaQ countered. “We knew resistance would happen, that was why we moved so quickly before. What we’ve started here will bring peace to WOTNOPOLIS and permanently lay a foundation. ”
Amaterasu glared at KarateKeyaQ as she took a bite out of a muffin. “What kind of resistance movements are we looking at?” Endless Nothing asked.
“Many gangs were completely abolished during the first attack. Those remaining have networked themselves with others. Rivalries mean nothing to most anymore. Survival is first. And a lot of people are also disappearing it would seem,” Amaterasu explained.
“Well known criminals that we knew the location of before have pretty much vanished off the map. We believe people are finding a way out of WOTNOPOLIS somehow,” Little Shiro added.
“It could also be part of the Mafia’s plan. We haven’t gone after them yet, waiting to secure the city itself and see what their moves are. They haven’t made any, though,” Amaterasu stated.
“Although we military are not going to be helping against the Mafia much. We believe that is completely police business and needs to be handled by the justice department of WOTNOPOLIS,” JJDomer interrupted. “We are focused on securing peace in the city from the massive chaos of the large criminal gang sector.”
“Cowards,” Amaterasu muttered. Little Shiro kicked him from under the table.
“Who cares? The big criminals are hiding in their castles and the little criminals are scattering. All in all, a complete success?” Sergeant Zakku smiled.
“Not quite,” Little Shiro said. “The First Knight swallowed the entire drug trade whole, which he already monopolized. He’s manipulating the chaos to his advantage, like a man of his standing is apt to do. Furthermore, we have reason to believe that Mikel is freeing prisoners that we have been taking out of the city. The troublesome part is we have not been able to locate Mikel or the freed prisoners afterwards. He’s escaping our radar sensors that should be able to detect all AMP. Even if we’re not sure if he uses AMP, his men must. If that’s the case, that means they have successfully figured out how to block our sensors. That could be a real threat.”
“Well for now keep an eye on them. They’ll make their move soon and we can expect they will be merciless. As for the networks of criminals, see if we can’t get some of our cops into those divisions. With the high level of disorganization they probably won’t know the difference between a cop in disguise and another gangster in hiding. And remember, the public is very wary of what we are doing, so make sure that you guys are careful. A lot of people aren’t happy about all this, so be sure you’re kind to the citizens of this city. They are our top priority. Meeting adjourned. Thanks for your hard work,” Endless Nothing said as he spun out of his chair and raced out the door.
Amaterasu got up but a hand caught him by the wrist. “You know Amaterasu, you need to let it go.”
Amaterasu pushed Little Shiro’s hand away and grunted. “I’m catching the Eagle gang.”
“He’s right, Amaterasu. Maybe it’s time you just let it go. If you’re meant to catch them you will someday. But obsessing over them like this is only getting you hurt. Maybe it’s time you focused more on something more beneficial? Like focusing on taking down the mafia?” KaratekeyaQ asked Amaterasu. “They’ve never been weaker! If we plan now we might be able to really do them in!”
Amaterasu slammed the door behind him as he left without a word.
****
“So Q, what’s our plan for today? How are you guys feeling?” Knssquad asked him as she stretched. Her hand karate attacked a piece of hair that got in her eye. Temari shivered against a support beam and eyed the two unhappily.
“How did you guys sleep last night? I was afraid of falling to my death and that noise kept making me think a horrible monster was going to get us,” Temari whispered.
“I feel a lot better. Not perfect, but hey. My plan is to go find us a new hiding spot for the night and then we’ll hide up there. Only one more day till we can all be together again! I miss everybody,” Q pointed. “You guys are going to stay here and make sure your wounds get healed up.”
“Hey, why can’t we go with you!” Knssquad yelled. “I don’t want to be stuck here all day!”
“With all those wounds you guys stick out really conspicuously. No, it’s definitely best if you wait here,” Q said as he climbed down to the street below. “And don’t leave or we’ll get split up!”
“Wait, you’re way more injured than us! Unfair!” Knssquad growled as Q ran away down the street. “Scumbag,” Knssquad whispered as Temari sat very still.
****
“These bushes were a great idea,” Bano yawned and knocked some of the leaves out of his hair. “Definitely a great idea. I feel so relaxed.”
“Stupid idea,” Clair glared. “It was very uncomfortable. And I got attacked by a squirrel.”
Bano continued stretching and cracked his knuckles, “That’s awful, why didn’t you shout for help?”
“I did! You didn’t hear me. I think the squirrel gave me rabies,” Clair sighed.
“Oh, Cherry Coke had that once,” Bano nodded. “We better get off this median before too many cars come by and we get stranded here.”
Bano dashed across the street and Clair followed behind him. “So what’s the plan for today? Let me guess, challenge everyone to a tic tac toe challenge of manliness?”
“No, that, yesterday, whatever,” Bano grumbled. “Today’s plan is simple. Design my new weapons. Plus weren’t you going to work on an idea you had for your powers?”
Clair nodded as the two of them passed a truck filled with marines. “Yeah, but we can’t do that here.”
“I agree, too dangerous. But there’s a park down the road. Probably has some cool vendors, too. Maybe a cotton candy vendor?” Bano said.
Clair skipped merrily next to Bano. “Onward! To the park!”
****
Seshimazi watched the man as he stepped inside the large room and hurriedly sat across from him at a triangular table. “Sorry about taking so long to get here. Didn’t expect you. And I also apologize this is the only place we can sit you, right in the middle of my lab. We don’t entertain guests much. Well, of course, that we didn’t kidnap.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t really expect to be here in the first place,” Seshimazi laughed uncomfortably. He watched as a short boy with spiked grey hair and light blue eyes handed him a cup of coffee he knew he would not dare sip. The boy then sat at the other end of the triangle and stared at him silently. Having both people stare at him was extremely intimidating.
The orange haired man leaned forward onto both elbows and smiled. “Well, enough with the friendly banter. I have something important to do today; that your bosses should be in on, by the way,” he said with a hint of annoyance in his voice. “Why are you here?”
Seshimazi’s eyes darted around the room nervously. “Well, as you know, or, I told you. Well, not you, but your friend there. We have a request of you.”
“Although your nervousness is understandable, given how weak you are, relax. If I killed you or blew you up in some marvelous experiment, you certainly can expect that your bosses wouldn’t come to me again. And frankly your group intrigues me. So get it together, or I will knock you out, give you a truth serum, and have you spill everything you know about everything. Your bosses probably wouldn’t appreciate that,” the man across the table smiled. His yellow eyes bore into Seshimazi.
“Alright, my bosses wanted me to tell you that they are aware of what you’re up to. If you don’t comply with their demands they’ll tell your previous boss and see how things work out,” Seshimazi spoke slowly.
The man across the table of the dimly lit room leaned back and smiled. The hum of machinery beeped across the room. “I love it. I love it. I love it,” the man said as he slammed his hands against the table. “They don’t show up at the meetings. They are impossible to contact. They’re useless because most of WOTNOPOLIS doesn’t believe they exist. And now they make their first confirmed appearance in years and they do it by trying to blackmail me?”
Seshimazi nodded. The man leaned forward and banged his hands onto the table. “Interesting. Interesting. Interesting. But in exchange they surely know that I need information. Tell me what they permitted you to tell me about the fourth mafia so I know you‘re not lying,” the man commanded.
“The Fourth Mafia has been run by two people for years. I am the third member. They have deep control, especially in the West district. These two bosses actually run several gangs, and they themselves operate under the faux gang that is the Tiger Gang. Though thought to be a powerful gang of the West, it’s really a cover for the Fourth Mafia’s actions so that they can act without being realized. Another such gang is the Scorpion gang which has dozens of members,” Seshimazi explained. “I can’t tell you anything else, Venomu.”
Venomu put his hands behind his head and stared into an empty space on the wall. Seshimazi glanced at the equipment around the room as he waited for an answer. “Your bosses are smart. Very smart. Wouldn’t of expected that. I see. This changes some things for me. I’ve noticed that the Scorpion gang seems to specifically target, at a ratio of one in three of it’s victims, men who wouldn’t bend to corruption. I suppose that means your bosses are trying to weaken our internal structure. I wonder how many people they‘ve already planted. If they continue at this rate, or were to develop what I suspect they are doing, we could see an unprecedented amount of threatening but useful chaos. They must use the general air of instability in the West to let their own gangs fall into place. Making use of the natural confusion as a disguise they literally roam free. This military intrusion would of especially hurt them, then. However, the fourth mafia is more interesting than I calculated, but if we-”
Arashi raised his hand, “Boss, if I might interrupt. Your guest is still here.”
Venomu looked back at Seshimazi in surprise. “Oh, terribly sorry. You didn’t leave? Oh, guess not. I don’t fear my previous boss, but if he gets onto me he’ll definitely botch up a lot of my plans. Besides this was very interesting. What is your demand?”
Seshimazi smiled. Looks like I might live after all. “This might sound crazy, well, it’s crazy, but they need fifteen million AMP masking collars. They know you’ve developed a bracelet that, once worn, eliminates the ability of sensors to pick up that frequency by remasking it.”
“Fifteen million? I see. Do they intend to hide their real numbers behind such an insane request? Or do they actually mean to do something with all those collars?” Venomu asked. Seshimazi stared at him blankly and Venomu smiled. “Right, they didn’t tell you. My associate Arashi will tell you where we’ll leave the goods, then.”
Seshimazi got up and followed Arashi towards the door. “Oh, and tell your bosses if they ever attempt to blackmail me again I’ll kill them personally. After killing you, of course.”
Seshimazi felt a wave of relief hit him as the door to Venomu’s lair closed behind him. Two men watched him as he walked down a barely lit hallway of grotesque animals. “Hello, are either of you, Destinykil?” Seshimazi asked feeling more confident.
One of the men stepped forward. Tubes ran across his muscular physique and he didn‘t wear a shirt. The man behind him had a sword in a sheath and eyed him carefully. “Yeah, that’s me. What do you want?” Destinykil asked.
“My bosses wanted to let you know that you’re selling yourself short. You haven’t gotten your revenge yet, right? Don’t give up. You’re meant to get it,” Seshimazi smiled at him as he continued walking down the hallway. Arashi and Darnas looked at each other then Destinykil.
Destinykil closed his eyes. “He’s right,” he said.
****
“Your mother makes insanely good cookies,” Yoyo said as her hand brought another cookie up to her mouth. Jake bounced up and down across the parking lot and smiled at the girl cleaning off her swords next to a plate of cookies.
“Thanks,” Jake said as he flipped and landed. “You seem a lot calmer than you were yesterday. It was so strange how you acted, you know?”
Yoyo looked Jake in the eyes and smiled. “Nothing weird happened yesterday. I didn’t act abnormally at all. Okay, buddy?” Yoyo spoke softly.
Jake nodded nervously and bounced away. “Why’d I get stuck with the creepy girl?”
Cars and people passed the secluded parking lot occasionally. Most just stared at the two of them and hurried on by. A man wearing all black and a hoody over his face across the street worried Yoyo. He moved from person to person handing each a piece of paper. Yoyo kept her eye on him. Jake landed next to her and whispered. “Trouble. I just saw one of those military trucks. And your swords are kind of, conspicuous.”
Jake turned and smiled big as the military truck drove into view. “Hi there, soldiers. Nothing to see here. Nothing to see here. Keep on going!” Jake yelled as he waved at the truck.
“That’s conspicuous too, idiot!” Yoyo growled as she kicked him. She froze as she heard the truck come to a stop behind her. A door click alerted Yoyo that the driver had gotten out of the truck and was walking toward them.
“Hey, you with the swords,” Yoyo cringed as she turned around.
“Yes, may I help you?” Yoyo smiled nervously. There has to be at least ten men in that truck. Easily crushed, but if we fight them here we’ll lose our training spot. Plus they might call in back up.
“Yeah, do you mind if I get one of those cookies? They look good,” the soldier asked awkwardly. “Haven’t had a good cookie in years.”
Jake and Yoyo stared at him. “Ah, yeah, sure. Catch?” Jake said as he tossed him one.
“Alright, thanks partner,” he said as he stepped into the truck. The engine started and the truck drove out of view.
“That was too strange,” Jake said as he sighed.
“Can you believe they just took your cookie like that?” the man in all black from before said as he patted Yoyo on the shoulder.
“I know!” Yoyo shouted. “What gives?”
The man in black felt himself hit the ground. “No one touches me. What do you want?”
“Hey, that hurt. We’re apart of the underground cult that’s going to liberate WOTNOPOLIS from the military. Want in?” the man asked as he sat up.
“We’re?” Yoyo asked as she looked around for others.
“Oh yes. There’s lots of us. But we’re well hidden,” the man smiled. “Call me Proxy.”
“Sure, I won’t see you again, but sure,” Yoyo said.
“Hey wait! I know who you two are! Oh my gosh, you’re the chosen two! From the prophecy!” Proxy shouted as he began to wave his arms in every direction.
“What are you talking about?” Yoyo asked. “Get lost.”
“Wait, let’s hear them out. Tell me more about how I’m chosen,” Jake smiled.
“You guys! We’ve been seeing you on the news for days. Your photos are everywhere. It was prophesied long ago, back when this invasion began, that there would come a day when you two would return to us and stage the uprising that takes down the army! As the great challengers to Endless Nothing, I must say, I am huge fans!” the man blathered as he swung his arms up and down.
“Sorry, not us,” Yoyo said as she ignored him and picked up another cookie. “And quit referring to yourself as more than one.”
“Just like in the prophecy! The king of WOTNOPOLIS would return with his woman, the stingy, cold, man hating, stubborn, and famished samurai girl!” the man beamed.
Yoyo spun around and glared at the man. “Famished? Who says I’m famished? I could stop eating these cookies if I wanted to. I just don‘t want to!”
“Is that really your only objection to that?” Jake asked. “Hey, so that makes me, a king?”
“Of course! And you even found a perfect meeting spot! Big enough for all of us to come! Oh man! This is amazing. I’m going to get the group together! We’ll meet back here tonight, okay?” Proxy smiled and ran across the parking lot. “Just wait there your majesty!”
“You know, the guy was strange, but he did make some good points,” Jake delighted.
“I mean so I have a few cookies? Who doesn’t eat cookies! It doesn‘t mean I‘m famished! I‘m not some freakishly thin skeleton,” Yoyo muttered to herself as Jake backed away.
****
Q’s head popped up from the bottom of the support beam. “There you are! Oh my goodness, we haven’t done anything all day! Did you find a hiding spot?”
Q nodded. “Yeah, but then I ran out of quarters.”
“What?” Knssquad said as she hopped off the support beam and landed below Q. “Finally! Let’s do something! I am energized! Take us to the hideout, Q! Is it good? Easily defendable? Full of comfort?”
Q helped Temari climb down and smiled nervously. “Well, it’s really none of those things, actually.”
Knssquad stared at him but twitched it away. “Well I am sure there is some reason you picked it. Lead the way. Not that I am scared. I kind of want to fight today. Need to get that adrenaline going, know what I mean Temari?”
“Not even a little,” Temari shook her head. “I am happy to just have a customer sometimes.”
“So Q, get any training done while you were out?” Knssquad asked Q.
“In a way, yes,” Q smiled. “Our new temporary hideout is so brilliant you’ll all hug me.”
“I’ll hug ya now, boss, for getting me off that scary bridge,” Temari smiled.
“No no, it has to come after you see this amazing hideout,” Q nodded.
“Way to go Q. You’re really taking charge!” Knssquad smiled.
****
“This is a nice park,” Clair said then stopped. “Hey, wait a second, why didn’t we just sleep here last night instead of on the median.”
“Um, how’s the cotton candy?” Bano stammered and looked away.
“It’s pretty good. Where’d you get the money to buy that? I thought you were broke?” Clair asked.
“Uh, you know, it’s here, and there,” Bano’s eyes darted anxiously up and down the park. “Aha, so anyway. I’m going to sit on that hill over there and work on these Kama. Do you plan to practice your ice stuff?”
Clair scowled at Bano. “My ice techniques? And yes. I’ve actually gotten good at some new styles with it.”
“These kama won’t burn like the old ones, that is for sure. Man that crazy chick sold me some of the best stuff,” Bano smiled as he looked at the pieces. “And these new blades? Wow!”
“Hey, I was still talking,” Clair grumbled as she walked away. “Stupid guys and their stupid gadgets and their stupid Kama and their stupid.”
Clair looked around to make sure no one heard that. “Yikes, I almost turned into Yoyo.”
****
“I can’t believe there is this many idiots in WOTNOPOLIS,” Yoyo said as she watched the crowd of people that had gathered in the parking lot. Yoyo felt someone bump into her and she immediately tossed them to the ground.
“No one touches me!” Yoyo yelled.
“My bad, I didn’t mean to famished queen!” the guy said as he hopped to his feet. “Just kind of crowded here. Hey, I know you!”
Yoyo looked back and jumped. “Wow, it’s you. What are you doing here, Dark Raptor?”
Dark Raptor stared at her and pointed like the answer was obvious. “Big crowd? Seemed like the exciting place to be. Where’s my brother Q? I miss him. Although the next time I see him I have to fight him to the death and prove myself. Is he here?”
Yoyo gazed at him but shook it off. “Uh, no, but I’ll relay the message. Our gang split up so the military wouldn’t detect all our amps in one spot.”
Dark raptor smacked one hand into another. “That’s a really good idea! Why didn’t we think of that? We’ve just spent all week running pretty much non stop. We’re really tired.”
“You’re definitely Q’s brother,” Yoyo laughed. “So your gang?”
“Yeah, I have one, I really do!” Dark Raptor smiled. “It has a girl named Reshii, and another named PeinQ. They’re all really cool. But I kind of lost them in the crowd. But they exist. I mean it!”
“I believe you,” Yoyo said unsurely.
“So what exactly is going to happen here? I’ve heard some wild stuff,” Dark Raptor smiled. “Gets the blood lust going. Makes you kind of want to go cut some people, you know?”
Yoyo nodded and tapped her swords. “Although I know the feeling, I doubt any of it’s true. The ‘king’,” Yoyo said and made air quotes with her fingers, “has no real plans. I told him to just make sure he doesn‘t say anything that causes us trouble.”
Yoyo turned behind her when she heard Proxy’s voice burst into the crowd through a loud speaker. “Free thinkers of WOTNOPOLIS! The resistance! I give you the man of the hour, the King, Jake! He stood up to WOTNOPOLIS’s mayor while a hundred guns and cameras watched him! He broke out of prison by his own hands! The one and only!”
Yoyo rolled her eyes and punched the palm of her hand into her head. Maybe if she hit herself hard enough she’d push her brain out of her head and she could be free from the men of WOTNOPOLIS.
“Hey everyone!” Jake smiled as he took the megaphone from Proxy. Roaring cheers ripped through the parking lot that left Jake beaming. “Yes, it is me, the king! I, the king, would like to say that it means a lot that so many of you think I, the king, fill the age old prophecy. I, the king, know many of you probably have questions about whether I, the king, have a, well, what some people would call a plan.”
Yoyo heard a voice behind her shout. “Is it true you’re going to march us to the military HQ and help us destroy them?”
“Attack the HQ?” Jake asked in alarm. “If anyone can do it, it is our King!”
“Attack the HQ!” The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
“Attack the Headquarters of the military?” Jake asked again in surprise.
“Attack the HQ!” The crowd happily cheered back and began to chant it.
“Our king can surely pull this off!”
Jake sprung forward and leaped over the crowd and landed in the street. “Let’s go! Attack the HQ! Your King commands it!”
The crowd rushed forward and erupted into cheers.
Yoyo spun around and elbowed Dark Raptor in the gut. “You just had to ask him that, huh? Thought it’d be funny, huh? At least your brother is a pain by accident. You did that on purpose. Stupid men always with their pigheaded stupidity.”
Dark Raptor screamed as Yoyo pulled him by his ear toward the front of the crowd. “Man, who taught him that awesome spring tactic? Our king is so cool!” a man shouted from behind Yoyo.
“It was me! I did! Yes, it was me! Thank you!” Yoyo shouted and waved her arm eagerly before she caught herself. “Crap, I thought I had gotten over that.”
****
Clair walked back to Bano and pointed at the sky. “Looks like rain over in that direction, maybe we should go in?”
“You know, since we’ve been here has it rained once?” Bano asked.
“The weather here is erratic. They say it can stay seasonally warm for months and then a blizzard or a flood will hit the place,” Clair noted as she Jake telling her it hailed on his birthday.
“Weird. Those clouds don’t really seem to be moving, but maybe you’re right. The longer we stay out here the more likely someone is going to attack us,” Bano nodded.
“Hi there,” a familiar voice shouted from across the grassy field. “I believe we’ve met.”
Bano smiled. “JJDomer, I remember you. I fought you with my broken Kamas the other day. Here for a rematch?”
JJDomer nodded as he patted his white jacket. Azarni Rin pulled out her gun and behind her Amaterasu limped forward and aimed a gun. “What a lucky day for us, JJDomer. We can take these two,” Amaterasu said.
“Actually, I’d rather you didn’t get in my way like you did yesterday,” JJDomer answered. He whipped his hand back and a gush of hair knocked Amaterasu to the ground. “You’re obsessed with this gang for no real reason. Instead of making a difference for this city you’re hunting them. I am hunting them too, but unlike you I have the sense to set traps. Plus I hold no duty to this city.”
Bano shook his head. “You shouldn’t knock down one of your own like that. With it being just the three of you this time you’re going to need all the power you can get. Don’t think I’ll be holding back like before.”
JJDomer leapt the distance between them and swung a kick at Bano. A gush of wind exploded into Bano’s side and forced him to the ground. Bano twisted his shoulders forward and landed back on his feet. He reached back and pulled out two metal rectangular pieces.
Bano held them in his hands and carefully breathed in. A gust of wind knocked his hair back and he watched carefully as JJDomer’s fist towards him. Bano’s feet left the ground and his entire body twisted into a front flip that met JJDomer in the air. His new blades curved out of their kama and immediately JJDomer felt pain sear cross his chest.
JJDomer landed on his back. His eyes widened with surprise as his hand felt a sticky warm blood on his chest. Bano landed in front of him grinning. “These are so light! I love it!”
JJDomer hopped to his feet and swung his leg over Banos head and downward. Bano stopped the kick with his Kama handle and quickly spun the blade in his hand into JJDomer’s leg. Bano arms stopped outstretched in front of him. JJDomer screamed as he landed on the leg Bano had just sliced open.
“Don’t think you fought the real me. With only blades I can fight a little. With Kama as swift and light as these I’m unstoppable,” Bano watched as JJDomer struggled to get back up. “I’m also not as benevolent as Q. Come at me again and I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
Bano started walking back to where Clair was. He spun his hands in a circle and shook the blood off his blades. A voice called out behind him. “You know you’re much stronger than the other guy.”
Bano’s feet stopped instantly. He looked back at JJDomer. “What do you mean by that?” Bano barked at JJDomer.
“I fought the other guy, Q just yesterday. He really wasn’t all that. You’re far stronger. The other guy is also an idiot. He put his entire group into danger. You really should be the leader of the Eagle gang. You can protect the Eagle ga-” JJDomer was cut off.
“Enough! Q is protecting them with all he has. He’s the leader of the Eagle gang. That is that,” Bano walked away.
“Maybe he is, but does he have to be? You follow him, but why can’t he follow you? You’re stronger! Q can’t protect you guys forever! Eventually it’s all going to end! But you could protect them!” JJDomer yelled as Bano crossed the park field.
“Done yet?” Bano griped at Clair. Clair handed Azarni Rin a block of ice with a gun inside and rolled her eyes at Bano. Azarni Rin frowned.
“Geez, what’s got you so grumpy? Kama didn’t work?” Clair teased. A man stepped in front of them with a gun shaking unsteadily in his hands. “Wow, Amaterasu, you do not look so good. What happened?”
Amaterasu glared at the two of them. “You criminals aren’t getting past me. I’ll finish this with you guys here and now.”
“Wow, Q really did a number on you. Look dude, you’ve had it. It’s one thing to be a pain when you’re in fighting shape, but I almost feel bad for having to pull my Kama out on a guy who looks like he should be in a hospital,” Bano shook his head as his blades released. “But I will.”
“I can’t let you go! I have to stop you!” Amaterasu yelled.
“Is it worth your life? Is it really accomplishing anything? Why can’t you let it go?” Clair asked.
“Step aside, Amaterasu. Drop the gun. I will kill you,” Bano warned as he raised his Kama.
Amaterasu stared at the two of them. His body shook as he aimed at them. “Attention all units. Report to the military HQ immediately. Attention all units. Emergency. Code red at the military HQ!” a voice broke over Azarni Rin’s walkie talkie.
“Amaterasu, we have to go. We’re needed at the military Headquarters,” Azarni Rin sighed as she poked the block of ice that had her gun inside. “Plus we need to find Captain JJDomer.”
“What’s it going to be, Amaterasu? Let us go and go help the city? Or die and be forgotten?” Bano questioned. “We don’t have forever.”
“Amaterasu, we need to hurry. It’s a code red,” Azarni Rin started again. A thump was heard. Bano smiled and twisted the bottom of his Kama handles. A wave of white smoke released and enveloped the park. Amaterasu dropped to his knees and stared at the spot where he had dropped his gun. He felt a hand tap his shoulder.
“If it’s any consolation, you did the right thing,” Amaterasu heard Bano say.
Azarni Rin yanked Amaterasu by the arm as she dragged him out of the smoke screen. “We have to find the captain immediately and return to Headquarters. Here’s your gun back. It would seem it slipped out of your hands during that fight.”
Amaterasu laughed and holstered his gun. “Yeah, I guess it did.”
****
“Oh, so this is our hiding spot,” Temari sighed disappointed. “I guess this is kind of cool? I didn‘t really expect to hide out from the military in an arcade.”
Knssquad hugged Q tight. “You’re so smart! Let’s go train!”
“Yes!” Q dashed over to a Zombie arcade game. Knssquad tossed quarters into the machine and they were both quickly shooting at the screen.
“Um, yeah, I don’t really think that’s training,” Temari started but Knssquad waved her hand.
“Hand eye coordination. It’s all about the hand eye coordination,” Knssquad nodded.
“Would you rather me not know how to fend off a Zombie apocalypse with an orange gun that reloads by shooting the air? Think about that!” Q said as he exploded a zombie.
“Well, I guess that’s true. Wait, how is that true? Whatever. But where am I going to sleep?” Temari asked the two of them.
“Sleep? Well if you must sleep there’s a ball pit over there. But first get us some slushies!” Knssquad ordered Temari.
“Slushies! Make mine cherry flavored. If they have cherry coke flavored, better. If not, cherry,” Q nodded.
“Make mine blueberry and cherry flav- holy apple grenades zombie on your right! Yeah, make mine mixed please!” Knssquad smiled at Temari.
“Alright,” Temari plodded off. “I guess I could be back on that scary bridge. Although sometimes I wonder if I‘m just the drink girl.”
****
“What do we want?” Jake yelled to the crowd in front of the military HQ as they brandished their guns. A row of tanks and helicopters sat in front of them.
“To be let go! We’re sorry!” the mob yelled at the army in front of them.
“When do we want it?” Jake sobbed into the megaphone.
“Now please! We’re really sorry!” the group yelled. “It was all the king’s idea anyway!”
“I never believed in him from the start!” Proxy shouted.
“Now, hey, now!” Jake stuttered into the megaphone. Yoyo just sighed and tossed Dark Raptor next to Jake.
“Of all the dumb men in all the dumb universes with dumb men,” Yoyo started but Jake cut her off.
“I don’t have time for that! The military is going to kill us! Why, oh why did I have to be the prophesied one?” Jake whined. Dark Raptor began to laugh hysterically but was pulverized by Yoyo’s fist.
“It’s too late now, moron! Motivate the crowd to attack them. Then we’ll try and slip out the back. Sure you’ll be leading a group to it’s death, but you’ll have learned an important moral lesson about backing down and not letting your ego get too big. So its sort of a toss up?” Yoyo shrugged. “Besides, the world can’t be that much worse off if we lose a group dumb enough to call you king.”
“Wow, they nailed the cruel queen part,” Dark Raptor laughed. “But I like it. Count me in! I’m going to cut some fools during our escape, though.”
“No one cares what you do!” Yoyo snarled.
“These people, Yoyo, are my subjects. They trust me. They listen to me. I am their king. I have to treat them better than that. I owe them my leadership. I owe them my life. I cannot lead my flock astray into the wolves den and then run off with the treasure while the wolf chows down, can I?” Jake asked Yoyo.
“Surrender now. You’re going to jail. Do not try and resist. We will open fire on you,” a speakerphone called out from a helicopter flying above them.
“On second thought, I really don’t want to go back to jail. We only just broke out two days ago,” Jake whispered and Yoyo sobbed. Jake lifted the megaphone to his mouth as spot lights shone on him. “My people. Do you see what they do to us? We peacefully assemble with guns outside their fortress and they wish to destroy us? These men must be stopped! They have taken so much from us, including at least one cookie! When your children’s children look back on this day. When generations look back on you. Will they see men who stepped aside and helped bring peace to WOTNOPOLIS? Or will they see men who fought to the death!”
The group looked at Jake puzzled. “Uh, what’s the right answer?”
“Oh yeah, sorry that was confusing, it’s to the death! We will fight to the death! And we will seize the day! And victory shall be ours! Arise! A sword day! A red day! Ere the sun rises! Fight!” Jake shouted. The group charged forward and rushed on the army in front of them.
A bolt of lightning struck the sky. Jake watched as a helicopter split in two and splintered into pieces on the ground. Jake’s group cheered louder as they charged the tanks in front of them. Yoyo tugged on Jake’s shoulder as they began to make their way out of the mob and away. A loud smashing noise immediately turned them back to the scene before them.
The mob slowed to a stop as the row of tanks before them were disintegrated by giant spikes that had erupted from the ground. A bolt of lightning danced across the sky as two more helicopters fell. Screams echoed throughout the crowd as the giant hunks of metal fell towards them.
“Hm,” a muscular man said as he kicked each helicopter towards the military HQ. The helicopters collided into the HQ and exploded. Mikel laughed as he stared at Jake‘s mob.
“You guys need to leave right away,” Crispi explained to the group. “’This is no place for ants like you,’ he says. You guys will certainly die if you stick around.”
“The mafia? Our king called in the Mafia? He is something else!” Yoyo heard Proxy say as the group scattered. Yoyo turned to leave but felt a tug on her shirt.
“I know it’s against your touching policy, but you’re going to want to watch this. It’s definitely not everyday you see the Mafia let loose like this,” Dark Raptor said.
Mikel picked up a tank and lifted it above his head. He then slammed it down on top of another tank. “Is that guy really using that tank as a hammer?” Jake whispered.
A metal hammer slammed against Mikel’s tank. “I mean you no disrespect sir, but put the tank down,” Little Shiro said to Mikel as he stepped out. “I’m going to have to take you very seriously, aren’t I?”
“Boss, please don’t go too crazy, you wouldn’t want to release it,” Crispi pleaded.
Mikel dodged Little Shiro’s hammer and nodded. “Hm,” Mikel said as he stared at Little Shiro’s hammer.
“Don’t talk to me like that! You always say you can control it and then it goes crazy,” Crispi yelled to him. Little Shiro swung his hammer down at Mikel. Mikel punched his fist forward and smashed Little Shiro’s hammer.
Little Shiro jumped back and looked at the crumbled piece of metal that was attached to the handle he was holding. “We’ll just call this a tie then. Carry on!” Little Shiro said as he retreated from the area.
A figure landed in front of the HQ and smiled. “Man, those helicopters didn’t see it coming at all!” the man cackled as he swung his lightning bladed sword in front of the headquarters. Sparks flew in all directions.
“That’s Darnas, one of the second Mafia’s men. I can’t believe he’s helping Mikel,” Yoyo whispered. A small boy walked forward and behind him an orange haired man.
“Darnas, did you see where my head of defense went? I do believe he was going to meet us here and help us finish up this little situation right?” the orange haired man asked.
“No Venomu, I haven’t seen him. I wouldn’t expect him to pass up the chance at a fight, either,” Darnas laughed as he jumped back into the fight. Mikel was furiously dodging the attacks of several decimators and sending them in all directions.
“Pity, maybe I should work on my control of them in future versions,” Venomu mumbled to himself.
A row of jagged crystals exploded from every window of the building. A man in a suit landed in front of the building. A streak of light was seen coming from the other side of the building. A blindingly bright light followed and zoomed away. “Venomu. Arashi Ryu. And is that Punkfilter and maybe Draco?” Yoyo mumbled. “We have to leave.”
“No, Dark Raptor’s right,” Jake said as the three of them watched the fight from an alleyway. “These are the real kings of WOTNOPOLIS. Someday we’re going to have to face these monsters. We need to know what we’re up against. This could be our only chance to ever see their power before an actual fight with them.”
“Oh, so smart,” a soft voice spoke behind them. “You guys don’t seem to be military guys, what brings you three out here? Enjoying the show?”
Yoyo felt her feet slide against the street as her hands worked her swords out of their sheathes. A whip snapped around her hands and brought her to the ground. “No, no, dear. That certainly won’t work against me,” a tall girl laughed as she brushed a lock of golden hair back. Jake and Dark Raptor stared at the woman before them. “Call me Sick Selfish Sycho you three. And don’t worry, I’m here to watch, too. We’ll just be quiet and enjoy the show!”
A scream brought their attention back to the fight. Mikel was bent over and had both hands clutching at his face. “Not now!” he cried out. Crispi immediately ran up to him and punched him in the chest.
“Hey everyone!” Mikel jumped forward happily and smiled. “Crislala! How are you?”
Cris dodged Mikel as he jumped forward to hug her. “Everyone back off! Jan’s gotten out!”
Mikel’s smile grew large as he rushed forward and hugged a police sergeant. The man screamed in terror as the hug crushed every bone in his body. “Hello world! I love bread!”
Punkfilter ignored the scene as he walked straight up to Venomu. “I never thanked you for leaving TFK’s post as guardsmen. If you hadn’t done that I would of never gotten this job.”
“Well you’re more than qualified to handle it,” Venomu smiled. “Besides, plans are in motion now that even your boss can’t stop.”
“I don’t care,” Punkfilter smirked. “You can scheme from your lair under the city. But you do it because you lack power.”
Arashi Ryu stepped forward but Venomu just spread his arms out. “You’re a mighty unpleasant person. For all his power he didn‘t even bother to show up. Not even for the fun of watching Endless‘s dream burn. Now what‘s the point of power like that if you can‘t have fun?”
Punkfilter ignored him and walked towards the group hiding in the alley. “Why are you here, SSS?”
“I like to watch men slaughter men? It’s intoxicating,” SSS panted as she walked out of the alley. Yoyo felt her swords slam against a wall of crystal.
“I see you Eagles are here, too. Why is it every time something happens in this city you guys are partially involved?” Punkfilter asked. Yoyo‘s feet ran straight up the crystal wall. She felt her self falling backward as she stabbed her sword at Punkfilter.
“You’ve improved,” Punkfilter said as he dodged the attack. He turned away and began to walk back towards the burning HQ. “Sick Selfish Sycho, keep them out of danger.”
Yoyo‘s arms stretched forward as she swung her blades at him again. Her body lunged forward as a snap cracked her foot. Sick Selfish Sycho’s whip pulled her down and Yoyo fell face first. “I’m going to kill you! I will kill you!” Yoyo screamed at Punkfilter as he walked away.
“You’ll get your chance soon. My boss is done playing with you guys,” Punkfilter smiled.
Mikel’s screaming voice brought Jake’s attention back to the scene before him. Cris carried Mikel away from the battle. “You know I can probably cure what’s wrong with our friend here. This curse of his. If you just let me take a look? Perhaps it’s nothing but I am a biologist and have learned all about the human body through experimentation.”
Cris ignored Venomu and laid Mikel down across the street from Jake‘s group. “Hm,” he sighed.
“He says, ‘What a bummer that Jan got out again. She can be a hassle,’ and I told you she would. It‘s a pain fighting her back inside, you know?” Cris asked. “No wait, he just wanted me to tell you guys, ‘Hi Eagle gang, what are you doing here?’”
“We’re not really sure ourselves,” Jake said. Yoyo still lay where she fell earlier. Jake turned to Sick Selfish Sycho. “What did you do to her?”
Sick Selfish Sycho jumped away. “Hey don’t look at me. I just tripped her.”
“We lead that group you called ants here to take down the military,” Dark Raptor smiled. “Really glad you guys came and did it for us, actually.”
“Hm,” Mikel said and nodded.
“He says, ‘You guys are something else. However there’s really nothing left to see here. The fight is long over and now they’re just making a mess. You might want to get out of here before Venomu’s group eyes you,’” Crispi translated. “It was nice seeing you again! Take care Eagle gang.”
Jake walked over to Yoyo and reached his arm out. Yoyo looked at it slowly and grabbed it. “Let’s go,” she said quietly.
“Hey guys, I’m actually going to leave now,” Dark Raptor smiled. “I have to go find my gang that kind of got lost. My gang that does exist. With real people.”
“Bye, Dark Raptor! It was cool seeing you, again!” Jake waved. Yoyo nodded back at him as he ran off. Yoyo and Jake walked away as the dim fires and carnage behind them faded.
“You’re not curious why I hate that guy back there?” Yoyo said breaking the silence.
“I am,” Jake said. “But we all have people we want to forget in our lives. That we hate. I served under a horrible person who murdered his own men without hesitation for years. Sometimes people are just horrible.”
Yoyo nodded. “So how lucky are we? I mean seriously,” Jake laughed.
“Luck doesn’t even begin to describe whatever just happened,” Yoyo laughed back.
****
Clair laid against the bus stop bench the two of them had found. Bano was spinning the Kama in his hands on the ground next to her. “What happened to that thunderstorm from before?” Bano asked. “We saw those clouds earlier, and I could of sworn I saw some lightning coming from somewhere out there?”
Clair just shook her head and rolled onto her side. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “I really hate the rain.”
Bano looked at her and stopped spinning his Kama. “Why? Isn’t it kind of preferable to the weather we have. Refreshing maybe?”
Clair just shook her head. “A man in my past used the rain to do really horrible things. His name was Blackrain and he was a devil. Whenever I see clouds I think of him.”
Bano sighed. “Q and I have a devil in our past, too. He told us he’d be waiting for us someday in this city. I don’t know if he’s still out there, although I can’t imagine he got killed, but part of the reason I’m here is to find him. And make him pay. Maybe that’s why we’re here. To make the demons in our life pay. And with that we’ll reach the top of WOTNOPOLIS.”
Clair looked down at Bano worried. “I don’t know. That sounds like something kind of bad. Didn’t we learn from Amaterasu revenge doesn’t work?”
“Amaterasu was weak and in the wrong. But we’re right. And we’re strong. We can’t have mercy on these people and let them destroy more people, right? And in that we bring justice.”
Toshiro~ ^_^ x3
