Chapter Text

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Kyo: Let's take them both with us.

A reaper pipes up.

Reaper: But- what about-?

Kyo: We can handle that later. Right now.

They turned to me.

Kyo: Something... More important, has come up...

They grabbed me by the arm, pulling me off the ground. I groaned in pain. But they quickly froze after hearing distinct click.

I looked up.

Jess: Boom boom, bitch.

*BANG* *BANG*

Kyo is thrown to the ground by the force of Jess' attack, tossing me aside. However, it didn't effectively hurt them. Jess runs up and pulls me up wraps her arm over mine, shouldering me. She whispered.

Jess: Don't die on me, I should have everything under control.

Neku: Don't- don't forget-... Price...

Jess raised her gun to the crowd of reapers and turned to me, deadpan.

Jess: Who?

I shook my head, trying to look for him in the meantime, but it seemed that a bunch of reapers had scrambled after Jess' stunt. Including Price.

Jess raised her voice.

Jess: Ok, I'm gonna need you all to clear out.

Neku: Where- where have you been?

Jess squeezed my side tightly, ignoring my question.

Jess: Honestly, I will shoot every single one of you...

Kyo struggled to their feet. Trying to regain balance.

Kyo: You idiot, that gun doesn't work on humans... Only those that have-

They stopped themselves. Shaking their head.

Kyo: Whatever, I'll just have to kill you...

With that, their hands ignited. Again.

Jess looked at her gun and began to step back.

Jess: What kind of crap did you get yourself into?

Neku: urg-

I was close to unconsciousness at that point. But I do remember clearly that Jess began running with me on her back, as she tried her damnest to fend off the occasional straggler.

As we fled from the scene into the streets, mutants and noise began to appear on all sides. With whatever energy I had left, I pulled out a random assortment of cards to try and help our defense.

I tossed a bullet card straight into behind us into a wolf noise that tried to snap at us. I clocked it square in the head, sending it into a mutant that was also trying to make chase. They suddenly began fighting each other...

Jess slid into an alleyway as reapers ran past, fending off stray mutants. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately for us, they were good at handling them.

Jess sat me down and inspected my wounds. Her face unmoving.

Jess: God- kid. You need to stop playing so recklessly.

Neku: I~ I should say the s~same to you...

I was struggling to articulate anything at that point. My thoughts were swimming among the pain that was scattered all over my body. I tried to steady my breathing as Jess poked and prodded, trying to guage the severity of my condition.

Jess: I can probably fix you up. But we're going to need to finish this mission first.

Neku: R~right. But how?

Jess pulled out her phone, presumably double checking the mission for the day. She snapped it closed.

Jess: Well, this debacle gave us a good head start. But we need something more severe... So crazy that they'll just drop everything to check out...

Neku: What~ what about another mutant attack?

Jess grew grim upon suggesting the idea. She shook her head.

Jess: That's definitely not as smart as you think it is... Trust me.

That comment made no sense to me. If the mutants cause enough of a ruckus, just far away enough for the reapers to hear, they would likely split again. Leaving us to deal with the stragglers. But Jess' comment suggests she knew more than she let on... I decided to keep my mouth shut and ask later.

But then, I noticed something else. Jess had begun to stare at her gun again. Her expression was pained. Against my better judgment, I asked what was wrong.

Neku: Hey~ What's up with the gun?

Jess avoided eye contact and holstered it, moving to the alleyway entrance to keep an eye out.

Neku: Was it his?

You could hear a pin drop from the silence. I was referring to Shourin, Jess' previous partner. I hadn't seen him since last week, nor has Jess spoken a word about him.

I continued to wait for a response.

...

Jess: Yeah...

I nodded. That was I'll I needed.

We continued to embellish in the silence. It felt like a moment of mourning. But only for a monent. Time was running short...

...

While pondering, suddenly Price decided to charge by, with a group of reapers in chase. Jess didn't pay them any mind, so I knew I had to say something.

Neku: Jess...

Jess: What now?

Neku: Could you help~ that guy? The one getting chased by reapers? He might~ be able to help...

Jess let out a deep sight, rolling her eyes.

Jess: Fine. Not like we have anything important to do or anything...

Jess continued to mumble to herself as she existed the alleyway, firing off warning shot into the sky. The reapers stoo and turn around.

Jess: You all mind-? I dunno... Going away?

The reapers looked at one another awkwardly, then pulled out their guns and took aim.

Jess: Ooof course...

From the my alleyway view, Jess almost disappeared she was so quick. But I heard a variety of sounds from guns firing, to the grunts and thuds of reapers. Eventually, all went quiet...

Jess: Hey kid! Where'd you go?

Another moment of silence, followed by a short scuffle. Next thing I knew, Jess tossed Price to the ground right next to me.

Jess: Here.

I give a half hearted thumbs up and turn my head to Price.

Neku: L~look, we're going to have to work together on this... Since we're sorely lacking in time, we need~ to be quick, and effective.

Price: And why should I listen to you?

What was with all the damn hostility???

Jess: Jeez kid, chill out. We're technically all on the same team.

Neku: Add the fact I saved your ass to the mix.

Price looked away. He seemed to question his own words too. But reaffirmed himself.

Price: I don't trust you. Simple as that.

Neku: Well tough because I trust you. For better or worse. The least you could do is trust her.

I tilt my head to Jess. Who shrugged.

Price: I- I dunno...

Jess: Do you want a broken neck???

Price went pale, presumably recalling whatever Jess did to those reapers...

Price: R-right- yes ma'am!

Jess: Now then... Let's figure something out huh?

Jess pulled in Price and we spend the next five minutes planning.

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My confidence in this plan wasn't exactly sound. But we had basically no time left. With 15 minutes remaining in the day's mission, it was now or never. Jess dropped me off at a spot to try and watch the whole event from above. More specifically, she left me on the fire escape of an apartment complex. I was at an angle, such that I could just barely spot the bouncer to the backstage. Meanwhile, I could spot Jess lecturing Price behind a stack of boxes near the reapers circle, where Kyo was scrambling talking to reapers running in and out of the area. Maybe they were still taking care of the mutants...

Jess tries to find me, and flashes a thumbs up.

It was do or die time.

Jess gestured to Price, and they split. Running to opposite ends of the stage area. Once in position, Price mangled a few pins in order, while Jess loaded her gun with- something...

Once Price was ready, he peeked up, waiting for Jess' signal.

Jess finished loading her gun and cocked it. Flashing a thumbs up from behind her cover. They both dropped back behind cover as the reapers continued to scramble amongst one another.

Then a ear shattering scream came from Price's position as he activated a street jam psych. Catching all the reapers off guards. Jess lept over the stack of crates and begin aimlessly firing vaguely in Price's direction. The reapers mistook the gunshots for their own and pulled out their own SMGs and began unloading.

Price ran deeper into the jungle of crates concealing the concert equipment, while Jess snuck back into the city. Where she let out a similar screech with her own psych not too far in the distance. The reapers turn around.

Reaper 1: It's the freaks!

Reaper 2: What do we do Kyo?!?!

Kyo stood, trying to determine if the threat was real enough to concern themselves with.

They were at the ledge... I just needed to push them in...

Then, a stray mutant wondered into the same street. It was snarling and drooling black ink as it jittered from wall to wall, looking for something, or probably more likely, someone.

I took note of a trashcan and readied a bullet card. Using the remainder of my strength, I threw it at the can, knocking it over as loud as I could have ever wanted. The mutnat approached the trashcan to investigate its contents.

The group of repaers are startled with the influx of noise and noticed the mutant.

Reaper: There's one!

Kyo returned to their certain demeanor, and turned to their comrades.

Kyo: Ok, let's split up and find these freaks. Afterwards, we reconvene here. Got it?

The crowd responds in unison.

Reapers: Got it!

They split, leaving only Kyo in the circle. Once the reapers cleared, I jankily worked my way down the fire escape. As I approached, Jess and Price began walking beside me.

Kyo turned their gaze to us, unsurprised.

Kyo: I should have figured. You've all been a real pain in the ass you know that???

Neku: I should~ say the same to you...

Kyo sneered at me. Somewhat amused.

Kyo: Not looking too hot are we Sakuraba?

I grimaced. Jess, meanwhile, spread her arms.

Jess: What? Not surprised to see us?

Kyo was properly able to get a good look at Jess and acess what kind of threat she posed. Didn't seem they were too impressed.

Kyo: Not- exactly. I had a sneaking suspicion. You even had me fooled with that one... Thing-

Neku: We call them mutants.

Kyo: Sure. Mutants. One the mutant appeared, It was better safe than sorry. I just hope no one goes off along in there...

Jess flinched slightly. Possibly feeling a tinge of guilt.

Jess: Well- if you leave right now, you can save their sorry asses.

Kyo looked down.

Kyo: If only it were that simple...

They then locked eyes with me specifically.

Kyo: Neku. For reasons I can't explain, I'm going to need to take you with me. Normally, reapers aren't allowed to fight until ordered too. But this time- I need to make an exception...

Kyo lit their hands woth a blue flame. Price stepping back nervous.

Price: Wh-where the hell is the GM???

Kyo: That damn idiot is willfully ignorant of everything that's happening. The mutants, disappearing players, the very rules keeping the UG together weaving apart... Not to mention the noise blockage...

I cocked my head. "Noise blockage"? Before I could ask any questions, Jess raised her gun.

Jess: Shut up and fight then!

Kyo: How many times do I- that gun won't work-

*BANG*

My ears rang from the blast of that shot. I shook my head and noticed that Kyo now had a very real would on their shoulder.

In a look of shock they slowly turned to Jess.

Kyo: What- the-

Their look of shock and horror transitioned to that of anger and hatred. In a flash they disappeared and reappeared right behind Jess and jutted their flaming hand into her back.

Jess let out a shriek before attempting to roundhouse kick Kyo. They grabbed her leg and pulled back and over arming slammed her into the ground. Brick debri flew all around as her gun flew away behind a stack of boxes.

Price and I stood shocked. As Kyo straightened up, I pulled put my shockwave card and began swinging at them. But they were nimble, and ducked and weaved around my attacks util my card needed recharging.

I hop back pull out a lightning card. But as I was preparing, Kyo leapt at me preparing to thrust their hand in my chest. But Price flew in and slammed into them with such force and speed I hadn't seen in a while. That was a velocity crash psych.

Once Kyo was thrown aside, I readied my card and threw it. It built up energy, sparking and crackling as it grew heavy once more in my hand. But once I let it loose, a streak of light was sent into Kyo, bouncing off and striking a box that aptly exploded on impact.

Kyo was looking rough from the attacks, but they weren't done yet. They twisted their legs, aiming towards me, and lunged yet again. I was ready this tune however, and rolled to the right. Struggling to get up, Kyo tried and aims for the legs, I leap in response, falling to the ground with a thud and an unusually sharp pain up my spine. I let out a short scream from the impact.

Kyo, now very visibly pissed off. Steps towards me with a frustrated smirk. They reel back and thrust their hand down at me. Quickly, a slew of emotions flow through me like a waterfall. I was immobile, afraid, and angry. But felt shame, regret, and sadness. I could only think of Shiki as I felt the burn of Kyo's hand reach my torso and I faded out of consciousness.

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That- honestly seemed liked the end. But the next few moments, were- very strange... Specifically due to the fact that I was only half conscious. As such, I'm not sure what was entirely real and what wasn't.

I opened my eyes to see Kyo recoiling, gripping their arm. Immediately I assumed Jess had stumbled for her gun.

I faded out of consciousness again.

...

When I opened my eyes again, Kyo was lunging with their other arm ablaze. But Price, being timely as usual, slammed into them yet again.

I faded again...

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I ope ed my eyes to see me getting dragged away slowly. I watched on as Price was joined by another figure. His partner? Together, they chased Kyo, who was nlw fleeing the scene. Maybe trying to find me.

With that I went unconscious for the last time...

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I starred at the ceiling of some random decrepit building for a solid three minutes at least.

As I slowly came to my senses, I sat up. No immediate pain. It was a good start. I inspected my hands for damage. They were clean. The timer was gone too.

I stood up and tried to look around the room I was in. It was certainly a room alright. Cinderblock wall with wood floorboards that were coming up. It was then I noticed something... Something- smelled? It was a weird mixture of senses that conflocted with one another. Ultimately, I exited the room via the only door accessible, and found myself in a short hallway. I heard a low, crackly, and echoey noise to my right. I followed.

As I approached, I noticed shadows on the wall, signifying a figure in the room, but there was a weird swirling of- something... Was it fire?

Neku: Hey- Jess?

The figure froze. I freeze as well. It dissapeared and the swirling calms down. I hold my breath, slowly reaching for a card in my pocket. I hear the creak of the floorboard as the figure approaches and-

Jess: Yeah?

Jess leaned on the corner, eyeing me up and down. She seemed pleased with herself.

Jess: Lookin pretty good. If I do say so myself!

I rolled my eyes and wall into the room. I found a kitchen with an active stove top cooking... Something... It smelled good though. I scratch my head.

Neku: How- how long was I out?

Jess returned to her crackling pan of vegetables and some sort of meat and shot me a concerned side glance.

Jess: Erm- about... An hour...

Neku: I'm sorry?

Jess: Yeah. Don't ask me kid. I've got just as little of an idea myself.

I shook my head in disbelief.

Neku: Ok. Followup question: What happened?

Jess frowned. Eyes still on her work.

Jess: *ahem* Your pal decided to take matter up with his partner and run out that reaper.

Neku: He- She-...

I stopped myself. I couldn't actually identify who Kyo was.

Jess: They.

Neku: They- seemed like they had a lot of plans that we just crashed.

Jess: That's the understatement of the year, my friend. That reaper-

Neku: I think- their name was "Kyo".

Jess: Kyo said he had plans with you. As well as plans for that other reaper. Which truthfully? I don't know which concerns me more.

Neku: Not to mention all that crap about the GM...

I stopped, recalling that Jess wasn't present for most of the day.

Neku: Oh yeah-

I up behind Jess, pulling out my lighting card, and thrust it in Jess' back.

Jess: WHAT- The shi-?!?!

Neku: Shut up. Where were you today? Huh? Not a damn word and you only appear only after I've done all the heavy lifting, with completely separate player mind you- and I'm about to be dragged off to god knows where!

Jess was silent. Her hand stuttering as she held the pan by the handle in one hand, and a wooden spoon in the other. She took a deep breath, and with one swift motion, dropped both items on the stove top, spun around, knocking my arms out of the way and pulled her gun, just in time for us to lock in a stalemate. My card to her face, her gun to my chin.

Jess: I don't have to justify *shit* to you kid. If I was absent there was a reason for it.

I'm able to get a good look at the gun yet again. It was definitely Shourin's. Her hand was also still jittery.

Neku: What happened to him?

Her anger faltered briefly. Before jutting the gun harder against my chin.

Jess: *shut* *up*.

Neku: We all have our own share of problems, ok? There's no reason to have to worry about it alone.

Jess: You're too determined to win this game, you won't care.

Neku: Says who?

Jess raised an eyebrow. I lower my card.

Neku: We're partners. For better or worse. Start acting like it.

Struggling to keep her composure, Jess shoved me away, lowering her gun.

Jess: I-... Got antsy...

Neku: What does that mean?

Jess: After yesterday, well. I felt something familiar... Something I was trying to repress. Guilt.

Neku: Are you talking about-

I stopped myself. I already knew the answer. Jess turned and began stirring up her mixture again. With puffs of steam and smoke occasionally emintating from the pan.

Jess: On the final day, something happened... I don't know why, but... Copperhead just sort of... Appeared in front of us. Calling us "cheaters". We were apparently the last ones besides you and your friend.

I looked down. Thay must have meant Joshua and Rhyme- they didn't make it???

Jess: She attacked us. Spitting poison at us. Shourin keeled over because the dumbass decided to take the brunt of it... Moron...

Neku: So you lived? Why didn't Mitaka kill you?

Jess: Oh, I wtill got hit. Just not with nearly as much as Shourin... Mitaka seemed... Weakened. She spat some crud on us and left not long after being sure we were both hit. I was able to find shelter and recover. But Shourin... Nothing worked on him... He died. Leaving me his gun.

She clutched the revolver in her left hand tightly.

Jess: Yesterday showed me that I'm self destructive. If I'm gonna do something, others are gonna get hurt in the process. So, today, I decided I'd put that bad luck to good use...

Neku: How so?

Jess: Haven't you noticed that No. 3 has basically disappeared?

I blinked. I, in fact, had not realized this.

Neku: Since when???

Jess shrugged.

Jess: Dunno. But I went to investigate. Apparently, someone tore it down.

Neku: How the hell..?

Jess shook her head as if still in disbelief herself.

Jess: What's weirder, reapers were talking about the size of the- the...

Neku: The what?

Jess: Meteor that came crashing down...

My eyes widened. I knew exactly what that meant. Only one person can summon a freaking meteor from nothing, and I thought he was dead.

Neku: That- BASTARD!

I kicked the wall out of frustration. Unfortunately, cinderblock doesn't play nice with bone. I recoiled and gripped my foot, holding back random pained noises.

Jess: I'm guessing you know-?

Neku: It was Joshua. Joshua brought down No. 3! The question is: when did he manage that?!?! Rikka and I were just there-

I paused. Recalling who's working with Rikka, probably right now.

Neku: And Sunako didn't tell us...

Jess: Would she? That's a place of business for the reapers you know.

Neku: But- Still wouldn't she know about-?

I shook my head.

Neku: I guess she doesn't know we know Joshua and Rhyme personally.

Jess: Probably. Anyway, I came over when I got the second text. The one about ones and zeros?

Ah. The clue about the sigil.

Neku: Right... But what about here? Why are we still awake?

Jess turned to me, with and extremely annoyed look.

Jess: Take a guess.

Nelu: Neglectful GM?

Jess nodded slowly.

Jess: Something is very wrong with this whole game. So...

Jess pours the mixture into two bowls and plants them on the small wodden table in the center of the kitchen.

Jess: I have a proposal, if you're willing.

Neku: What kind of proposal?

Jess: The messy kind. One that will likely garuntee you another week here.

I sneer at the thought. But then again, I had enough of these reapers. I sat down at the table, and starred across at Jess.

Neku: I'm listening.

Jess: We take down No. 2. Then, we take the fight to No. 1, the composer themself.

At that point, I truthfully had little to lose. There was very little hope, especially since I had reapers targeting me, that I was going to win the reapers game in a legitimate fashion.

Neku: So we burn it the hell down?

Jess smirked.

Jess: Damn-straight.

Neku: You mean-

I smirk to myself.

Neku: "Damn-Bi???"

...

Jess simply resumed eating her food.

Jess: Shut up and eat.

Neku: R-right. Sorry.

That night was filled with nothing but awkward conversation, planning, and more food. But throughout the nigh, one thing was certain...

We were done with games.

Day 3: Respect Lost