After running at full speed, Yamiso and I finally make it outside with Sutoria and Mr. Wave-sama in tow. Yamiso carried Sutoria while I carried Mr. Wave-sama.
"You two alright?" I ask, gasping for breath.
"Somehow." Mr. Wave-sama says. "Thank you."
"Hey..." I start. "I didn't see Tarran. Where is he?"
Zazazazazaza...
The sound of static is heard on all the large TV screens across the city. When they clear, I see Hunter-sama.
"Well, you did it again." she states sacastically. "But I took a few precautions."
She moves the camera she's projecting herself from...
And shows Ripperu and Tarran. Tarran looks to be in pain, likely due to poisoning, while Ripperu is simply tied up with one thug holding a taser close to her.
"How far will you...!?"
"You know what to do." Hunter says before turning off the screens.
"What?"
In that instant...
Sutoria grabs Yamiso and me by our necks and rushes back into the city hall.
"Sutoria!" Mr. Wave-sama yells...
Before being surrounded by multiple yakuza members.
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"So much for secrecy." Hunter proclaims. "Kill him!"
The lackeys ready their weapons and rhime...
"Not a chance!"
Before more yakuza members, the ones treated by the Keisetsu, interfere. Almost instantly, the streets become a large brawl of conflicted fighters. Ally against ally. Friend against friend. In the middle, defending Mr. Wave-sama from an incoming attack, Jonathan-sama moves Ken-sama out of the way from Jericho-sama's fire sword.
"What are you doing!?" Jericho-sama yells.
"Same as you." responds Jonathan-sama.
Jericho-sama attempts to strike Mr. Wave-sama again, who is again moved by Jonathan-sama, who points his gun at his friend.
"I'm here to repay a debt." Jonathan-sama continues.
"What debt?"
"Hunter left us to die, but the Keisetsu spared us, even if we didn't deserve it. And it's all thanks to that Oren kid. I overheard their little plan, so the least we could do is return the favor, so we came to Pira Attis before they did, waiting for them to make their move."
"You'd put another debt over your own friends?"
"You fight to repay a debt to an undeserving, manipulative snake. This is also meant to save you from yourselves. It's in your, no, OUR best interest. Put the team before all else, and repay your debts. Two of our sacred rules."
Jericho-sama looks away, then reluctantly goes into a fighting stance.
"By those rules, I will defeat you."
"I cannot argue with that." Jonathan-sama proclaims. "Should I go down, let me go down to a worthy opponent!"
PARIN! PARIN! PARIN! PARIN!
At any available opportunity, Sutoria-sama slams Yamiso and me through walls as she makes her way back towards the theatre. At the theatre entrance, she tosses us towards the stage. Yamiso uses his Fallen Wings to land properly...
BATAN!
While I crash into the backstage wall.
"Sutoria...why?" I ask.
She looks away, ashamed.
Pachi. Pachi. Pachi.
"Bravo." Hunter says, clapping as she walks towards us. "Playing the hero, as always. You're consistent, if nothing else. Que magnifique."
"Where's Tarran and Ripperu!?"
"They wouldn't be hostages if you could easily rescue them, now would they? But enough about that. Let's end this once and for all."
"Alright, bitch!" Yamiso yells. "For Mydrea, I will rip your fucki...!"
"Oh, I won't be fighting you."
"Huh?" Yamiso and I yelp.
Then...Hunter-sama points to Sutoria-sama.
"She is."
Sutoria starts to tear up...and takes out a small vial.
"Defeat them, and your brother will be spared." Hunter states.
At these words, Sutoria gulps in fear...
"Oren, I'm...sorry."
Then swallows the concoction.
Parin!
She drops the vial, causing the glass to shatter, then grasps her throat, gasping for air.
"Sutoria-sama!" I yell as I rush over to her.
"What did you give her!?" Yamiso demans, looking over to a nearly vaporized cloud that is Hunter-sama.
"A little snake poison altered for one purpose..." Hunter-sama's voice echoes. "Your annihilation."
(Wait...) Yamiso thinks.
!
"Oren! Get back!"
She presses her right hand against her heart.
"BBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Before I get to Sutoria-sama, she gets up, lets out a high-pitched scream...
And is surrounded by a pillar of electric rhime. A shockwave disperses through the room, dislodging chairs and sending them, and me, towards the stage. The air slowly becomes more electrified, and the electric rhime begins to give the room a yellow-ish tint.
"Enjoy your swan song." Hunter-sama's voice echoes as her body flows through the vents. "I've got some unfinished business, thanks to you."
I look back at Sutoria, who continues to scream within the pillar of rhime.
"Yamiso, what's happening!"
"No... It can't be."
"What is it!?"
"An awakening. A harmone awakening."
!!!!!