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>Two weeks back

“What'cha watching, princess?”

As Kats enters the dorm room lounge, he sees Risa chilling on the couch with a small blanket wrapped around her for warmth. “It's just starting,” she explains. “It's an old movie from America.”

“... St. Elmo's Fire?” Kats raises an eyebrow as he holds the DVD case up and expects the back. “What kinda name is that? Is it any good?”

“Not really,” Risa shrugs. “But I like it. You've never seen it?”

Kats shakes his head. “I've never seen any movie.”

Risa instantly hits the pause button on the televison remote. “You what?!”

“What?” Kats shrugs.

“You've never seen... Spirited Away? Back to the Future? Kaz hasn't strapped you down and forced you to watch Star Wars yet?”

“What part of never seen any movie didn't you get, princess?” he remarks. “Haven't exactly been living in the lap of luxury.”

“Yeah, but...” she sighs, before patting the spot on the couch next to her. “Sit. We're fixing this.”

Kats cautiously sits down on the couch, as Risa instinctively shares some blanket with him. “So...” he starts. “Is this good for a first movie ever?”

“Not really, but I like it.”

Later into the viewing, Kats notices how close he and Risa have gotten. Not just from an emotional standpoint, though the pair have developed quite the friendship and bond that neither truly wants to admit after an initial antagonism. But rather, he notices how bunched up they are on the couch, him leaning on her while her legs are sprawled out over his lap while she hugs into his side. Anyone who enters the room at that moment could definitely get the wrong idea...

Kats becomes very awkward from the thought, clearing his throat and speaking to relieve the tension. “Man... I always wanted to go to America.”

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“Yeah?” Risa looks up at him.

He nods. “Yeah, I once found this old travel brochure for Las Vegas. Big city, full of casinos and stage shows... I'd be terrible at the casinos with my horrendous luck, but... I always thought it would be fun to get away there. Just spend my days watching stage shows in Vegas... completely free. Complete independence... like the kids in this movie!”

“That's what you're interpreting from this movie?” Risa asks. “It's really more about the sudden responsibilities of adulthood, but it is kinda confused on that front and-you know what, screw it. Sure, that's what it's about.”

Kats chuckles to himself. “I guess my whole Vegas idea is pretty far-fetched anyway. Probably sounds stupid.”

Risa pauses. “No, it doesn't. You know what? How about during summer break, you and I go on a trip there?”

“You serious?”

“Yeah,” Risa smiles. “I mean... why not? I've never really travelled abroad before either.”

“I can think of a few reasons why not...” Kats mutters.

Risa scoffs. “Forget all that for now, Kats. Just think of Vegas, okay?”

“Okay... Risa,”

Risa perks up for a moment. “Hang on, did you just say my actual name?”

Kats scoffs. “Don't get so full of yourself Princess, come on.”

Risa chuckles to herself. “You jerk.”


>Present Day

“Just through there...”

Risa stands before the door of her family mansion, before looking around. “Sora-senpai gave his life so that we could make it this far...”

You place a hand on Risa's shoulder while clutching your rib. You've all taken so much damage in this fight so far. “Hey... you okay?”

Risa examines her surroundings, before looking to the tower. “In the past... that was my whole life. I had never been beyond the walls of this manor, to see the real town surrounding my father's extravagance. Every night before 7pm, I would be sent to that tower, locked inside like a prisoner. I was completely concealed from the world around me... my father wanted to hide who he truly was from me.”

“Risa?” Amaya asks with concern, as she continues to heal up the injured of the group as best she can.

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Risa's face remains calms and determined. She looks over to Alice. “Is it true? You sense another enemy Archdemon presence? Besides Goa?”

“That's what I'm getting,” Alice remarks. “Dreamer's really feeling it, and it's only getting more noticeable.”

“So, stronger...” Makoto sighs.

You look to Omitsu, who gives an affirmative nod to back up Alice's claims. She senses it as well.

“Then it's no doubt my father...” she responds. “His power and influence, his bloodthirsty determination... who better as a target?”

“If you have concerns fighting and potentially having to eliminate your father-” Makoto begins.

“-I don't,” Risa responds. “I have no reservations fighting a man like him, that's not my concern.”

Anri nods. “I see. Your true concern lies in our ability to defeat a second Archdemon after our battle with the first-”

“Yes, but that's not my immediate concern,” Risa adds.

“Then what is?” you ask.

Risa sighs. “... Kats. He walked in there, no doubt planning to take on my father by himself like an idiot. And if my father really has taken on the power of an Archdemon...”

Amaya gasps. “First he rescues you from a tower then he chooses to fight your imprisoner for your freedom? How... sorry, not the right time for that. You're concerned he may be in serious trouble...”

Risa nods, as she readies her gun. “I can't waste time if that's the case. He's my friend, and I have to save him.”

“Stop with all those I's,” Gado remarks, reloading his revolver. “We're all still here to back you up. Besides, Masahiro Aoki... He's owed a bullet from myself. Several, at this point.”

Risa looks over to Ninsei, still down on his knees, his eyes red and sore from tears as Tami comforts him, looking at flowers growing on the grass beneath him.

“Ninsei...” Risa addresses him. “You should go back with the others... things could get even more difficult from here, and you've already suffered so-”

Ninsei picks himself up off the ground. He sways side-to-side, his legs still weak from shock, before he reaches out and places a hand on Risa's shoulder to steady himself. “I'm coming with you.”

“Ninsei...”

“I can't give up now,” Ninsei replies. “I just lost Sora... I can't lose anyone else. Besides, if I walked away now, all those lectures I gave my brother would turn me into a real hypocrite, wouldn't it?”

>You don't have to prove anything, Ninsei. Head back with the others.
>Ninsei... if you're sure you can, then let's move.

>>3406412
>>Ninsei... if you're sure you can, then let's move.
>>Just don't do anything stupid...

>>3406412
>>Ninsei... if you're sure you can, then let's move.

Calling for
>Ninsei... if you're sure you can, then let's move.

Writing now.

>>3406412
>>You don't have to prove anything, Ninsei. Head back with the others.
Kid lost his bro, !et him deal with that instead

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>Ninsei... if you're sure you can, then let's move.

You reach out you hand with a reassuring smile and place it on Ninsei's shoulder. He raises his head and nods, before moving forward.

"Don't think I won't be coming with you," Tami notes as well. "As long as I'm fit, I'll fit by your side."

"I know," Ninsei smiles back at her. "Let's get moving."

You then turn your attention to Nariko, who is curled up and shaking with her knees pressed to her face. She hasn't stopped crying since, and you can't blame her. "Nariko-senpai..." you mutter. "I know it hurts to hear, but you're in no physical condition to join us. Or emotional. You need to lead the others back to safety."

"I can't leave you guys without an upperclassmen for guidance," Nariko responds.

You shake your head. "We'll be fine. I promise."

As you speak, a small dove flies into view and lands on Nariko's shoulder. A part of Chihiro-senpai's angel ability, checking in.

"How are my dears holding up?" Chihiro's voice resonates from the spirit dove. "Are we ready to leave this dreadful place?"

"Not yet," Nariko responds. "One more task ahead. I'll be bringing back the injured, and Chihiro..."

"Yes?"

"Sora..." Nariko mutters. "He... he..."

"He what?" Chihiro's voice asks, before the realisation sets in. "Oh... oh no. Please, tell me he-"

"I'm sorry..." Nariko mutters.

"Get back here as soon as you can, sweetie..." Chihiro notes, her voice faltering a little. "I think I'll need your shoulder just as you'll need mine."

As you return to the main group, you note Amaya healing up the injured to the point that they can at least walk back. She's not powerful enough to heal their wounds fully... depending on the depth of the wound in some cases she can only dull the pain. Chuichi hunkers down over a piece of cloth that belonged to Kaiya's robe. "I hope she's okay... we're down a lot of heavy hitters. And if Aoki himself is an Archdemon..."

>Yeah, it seems hopeless. But... it always seems hopeless, doesn't it?
>Chin up, Chuichi. We've got this in the bag.
>We've got all the strength we need right now.

>>3406467
>We've got all the strength we need right now.
>Just have to play it smart.

>>3406467
>>Yeah, it seems hopeless. But... it always seems hopeless, doesn't it?
Haha our lives are pain!

>>3406467
>>Yeah, it seems hopeless. But... it always seems hopeless, doesn't it?
>>Chin up, Chuichi. We've got this in the bag.
We got this, maybe

>>3406467
>>Yeah, it seems hopeless. But... it always seems hopeless, doesn't it?

Calling for
>Yeah, it seems hopeless. But... it always seems hopeless, doesn't it?

Writing now.

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>Yeah, it seems hopeless. But... it always seems hopeless, doesn't it?

Chuichi lets out a small chuckle. "Yeah... I guess it does. I guess I gotta learn to stop doubting us."

You look to the mansion, and you clutch your sword. Goa was so powerful it took both Kaiya and Sora giving their lives in an attack to take him down. Could Aoki be even more dangerous?

>Meanwhile

Katsuyori stands in awe. General Aoki... by all account he was dead. Torn in half by the swinging pane of glass. But then... he got up, and now he's glowing with this aura and calling himself...

“The Crusader...” Kats mutters. He looks to the intimidating man before him, he feels the intense presence of energy radiating from the general, and he stands tall with a cocky smirk on his face. “Pft, like I'd ever go with such a dumb name. Seriously? The Crusader? Try to sound less pretentious, come on.”

Kats doesn't have time to react next. Aoki doesn't lunge at him and give him an opening to dodge. Instead, the general simply holds out his hand and a long blast of energy, like a laser blade, which pierces directly into Kats' side and sends him flying.

Kats looks down and... whoa, that's a lot of blood. Is he really bleeding that much from one shot? Damn... it completely pierced his body. Kats tries to pick himself up, but his legs are weak and give out at first. Kats grimaces, his cool confident facade shattering instantly in the face of this power.

“W-what the hell...?”

Aoki fixes his gloves as he casually steps towards Kats with commanding confidence.

“I must say, I respect your confidence,” Aoki explains as he walks over to Kats. Kats notices his gun has fallen out of his hand from that attack. Dammit... he needs those two shots. He reaches out to grab the gun... only for Aoki to casually step on his arm and press down, breaking it.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Kats screams in pain, as Aoki kicks him aside.

“But I fear your confidence is misplaced,” Aoki adds. “You're weak. I saw that in you from the night we found you.”

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Kats crawls along the ground as he looks to his broken arm and winces. He looks up to Aoki with a confused expression. “Found me?”

“You wouldn't remember,” Aoki explains. “And I doubt Goa ever bothered to tell you. The night we first discovered you was the night we first discovered that world. Had Goa not rescued you, you would have been torn apart by one of those creatures. Years later we discovered that you were awakened to the power from the experience, and yet... you don't have the spirit of a true soldier. Even now you cower like the child you were. Unlike my Risa... when I first found her in the ruin of war, she radiated strength of will. She never even had to be awakened until she went to that school.”

Kat grunts. “You're a regular doting parent... but you were happy to saddle me with Goa and have me fight for my life, while your little princess got to hide away in luxury.”

Aoki nods. “Goa is dead, by the way. With my newfound power, I can sense it. A shame... he was my greatest asset. I will miss his services.”

Goa's... dead? Kats can barely process the idea. He's known Goa all his life, and the man was known as an unstoppable killing machine. But... if he's dead, then that means there's hope. There's a chance. He just needs to keep Aoki busy until the others arrive.

Kats picks himself up and beckons Aoki to approach again. “Come on, you smug son of a bitch. I'll show you some real fighting spirit.”


>Back to the group

"Mio," Makoto commands. "Help guide the injured back to safety. I trust you on this."

Mio shakes her head. "No problem. I don't know how useful I'd be in a demon fight, anyway... hey Kaz. Any message I should send back to Mayu?"

>Tell her I love her. At times like this, you never know if you'll make it back.
>Tell her not to be ashamed. I know she's probably beating herself up that she was too injured to be with us right now.
>Tell her to sit tight. We won't be long, will we?

>>3406524
>>Tell her to sit tight. We won't be long, will we?
TIME TO DIE FROM COCKINESS.

>>3406524
>>Tell her not to be ashamed. I know she's probably beating herself up that she was too injured to be with us right now.
I can't believe Kats is gonna die

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3406530
>Tell her to sit tight. We won't be long, will we?

>>3406533
>Tell her not to be ashamed. I know she's probably beating herself up that she was too injured to be with us right now.

Well, looks like this is all there's gonna be, so rolling to break the tie.

Calling for
>Tell her not to be ashamed. I know she's probably beating herself up that she was too injured to be with us right now.

Writing now.

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>Tell her not to be ashamed. I know she's probably beating herself up that she was too injured to be with us right now.

"Yeah I guess Mayu will be letting her warrior's pride get to her," Mio notes. "She's gonna be in a foul mood for a very long time."

"I know..." you reply. "But reassure her that she isn't a failure for being hurt. Tell her not to let that pride get in the way of her sense."

Mio nods. "I will... I just hope she doesn't tear my head off when I try to tell her..."

"Why would she, it's perfectly comforting."

"Yeah, from you!" Mio shakes her head. "I don't wanna be the shot messenger. Now..."

Mio walks up to you and gives you a warm hug. "Good luck, Kaz. Be safe."

She looks to Chuichi and pauses for a moment before doing the same. "You too. I want my two best friends to come back in one piece. You too, Risa!"

"Don't worry, you damn snake!" Risa smiles. "I'll be back to make your life a living hell!"

"I'm hoping on it, you stuck-up snob!"

As Mio, Nariko and the other injured depart, Roka walks to the front of the group. "So what's the plan from here."

"We need to get to my father," Risa explains. "As soon as possible. But the mansion is surely littered with his guards."

"They're normal humans," Amaya responds. "They aren't much of an obstacle."

"Yes, but they can slow us down..." Risa mutters. "Fighting our way through them could take too long. Perhaps a stealthier approach is needed..."

>Don't worry about that. With our power, the guards in there won't even slow us down.
>Right, we'll want to sneak in from around the back or the side.

>>3406600
>>Right, we'll want to sneak in from around the back or the side.

>>3406600
>Right, we'll want to sneak in from around the back or the side.

>>3406600
>>Right, we'll want to sneak in from around the back or the side.

>>3406600
>>Right, we'll want to sneak in from around the back or the side.

>>3406600
>>Don't worry about that. With our power, the guards in there won't even slow us down.
What guards

Calling for
>Right, we'll want to sneak in from around the back or the side.

Writing now.

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I can't believe no one posted this earlier

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>Right, we'll want to sneak in from around the back or the side.

"I know just the spot," Risa explains. "I loved here my whole life, after all. I know all the nooks and crannys."

Risa leads the group of you, Makoto, Amaya, Roka, Chuichi, Ninsei, Tami, Alice, Kuin, Anri and Omitsu around the side of the mansion, where she points out a small window. "That leads to the kitchens," she explains. "From there, it's just a few corners to get to my dad's office."

"One at a time, no shoving!" Chuichi jokes. "All ten of us trying to slide through at once is a very bad move."

Risa leads the group once more, being the first to climb through the window, with Amaya standing directly in front of her to protect her modesty from the guys. Amaya follows behind her as the rest of you follow.

"I don't exactly see why I'm needed for this upcoming battle," Anri admits. "I'm hardly the most capable fighter."

"But you're our brainiac," Gado smirks, placing her in a playful headlock. "If Aoki is as powerful as it seems, then we're gonna need your smarts... trust me."

"Gado, are you okay?" Kuin asks with a rare tone of concern. She doesn't often ask the feelings of others. "I know the last time you faced this general..."

Gado shakes his head. "I'm fine. Ecstatic even. I'm very close to the happiest moment of my life."

You slide in through the window and land in a large kitchen storage room. Risa shushes you as she slowly opens the door a crack and-

"Miss Risa?" a voice calls out.

"Shit!" Risa exclaims.

"Miss Risa, what are you doing in there?" the voice of presumably the mansion cook asks. "Are you playing hide and seek with someone? There's some disturbance going on outside, you should be back in your room, should you not?"

Risa stares at you all and gives a shrug. Gado loads his gun only for Risa to slap his wrist. "That's a cook, not a soldier! We gotta deal with him more... tactfully!"

"Okay Alice, can you put him to slee-"

You stare as Alice is already tearing into a bag of rice and gobbling the food in the storage. She must have worked up an appetite from all this. She'll be at this for a while. Okay, new plan.

>We can talk our way out of this. You have authority, right?
>A swift knockout will be fine. No permanent harm.

>>3406679
>>We can talk our way out of this. You have authority, right?
Alice hungers

>>3406679
>>We can talk our way out of this. You have authority, right?

OH GOD
THE MOST POWERFUL DEMON OF THEM ALL

THE CHEF

>>3406679
>A swift knockout will be fine. No permanent harm.

>>3406679

>We can talk our way out of this. You have authority, right?
And by we I mean not Kaz, Kaz can't be trusted to talk to strangers, or even none strangers without bungling it up

>>3406679
>>A swift knockout will be fine. No permanent harm.
We gotta go, no time to talk

>>3406683
>Alice hungers
She's so hungry she just started eating raw dried rice
That's next level hungry

>>3406679
>>We can talk our way out of this. You have authority, right?

Calling for
>We can talk our way out of this. You have authority, right?

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>3406720

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>340672

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>3406720

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>64

Risa slides the door open as she faces the chef. He catches a glimpse of the group and looks suspiciously at Risa. "Miss Risa, what is going on?"

Risa lets out a sigh in her best attempt at deception. "Okay, you got me. Look, I know dad will be angry, but... there was so much fighting going on outside, and these kids were in danger of being killed by insurgents. I wanted to bring them to my father to convince him to give them some shelter until the danger subsides... I know I put myself in danger doing so, but... but..."

Risa begins to sniffle, as the chef looks at her with empathy. "Oh... I see... in that case, then-wait. If you wanted to ask your father about them, why did you bring them to the kitchen storage?"

"Uhh..." Risa mutters. "Well... uhh... you see..."

As the chef is distracted, Roka grabs a frying pan and whack him in the back of the head, knocking him out cold. "Roka!" Risa yells. "I could have turned that around!"

Roka shrugs, frying pan in hand. "Yeah, probably. I was just getting bored."

Risa rolls her eyes as she steps over the chef and starts moving. The rest of the group begins to follow her, as Alice hands over the large bag of rice over to the unconscious cook. "Don't drop it!"

You step through the kitchen, waving awkwardly at the stunned in silence kitchen staff before exiting to the hall.

"Well... there is zero chance that everybody in the mansion don't know we're here already," Risa explains. "Dad's office is just around the corner, so if we just rush to-"

"Hold it right there!"

"-Son of a demidemon!" Risa curses.

Amaya gasps. "Language!"

You look around, to see a few dozen men in full body armour pointing rifles at you and the group. "Step away from Lady Aoki!" they exclaim.

"Step away?" Makoto exclaims. "We aren't kidnappers!"

"Don't think that you can get through us just because you took down Goa!" the head of the soldiers warn. "We're an elite group!"

Anri nods. "Interesting, have you ever seen a demon?"

"What?" the man asks.

"Exactly," you respond. "Not a threat."

"Do not move, or we will open fire!"

Okay, these guys aren't going to just walk away. But how to deal with them?

>Roka, smash.
>Makoto, wanna see who can take out the most between us?
>Alice, work your magic and put these guys to sleep.
>Omitsu, you mind blinding these guys while we move on?

>>3406779
>Roka, smash.

>>3406779
>Roka, smash
He's not doing anything else useful

>>3406779
>>Roka, smash.
I always like a bit of Roka Smash

>>3406779
>>Roka, smash.

Calling for
>Roka, smash.

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>3406817

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>3406817

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>3406817
NAT HUNDO

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>97

"Hey, don't tell me what to do!" Roka yells. "I'm not some dumb animal you can just boss around!"

Risa raises her eyebrow. "So you're not going to do it?"

"Well... I am," Roka shrugs. "But not because he told me!"

Roka casually approaches the head of the elite squad who quickly holds his rifle up to him. "We will not hesitate to fire!"

"Dummy, you just did," Roka points out, as he grabs the barrel of the rifle and twists it upwards.

"Alright then, open fir-" he leader begins, before taking a punch to the face from Roka, who then begins to tear through the supposed Elite Squad, at points grabbing two at a time and chucking them across the room with ease.

Risa grabs you and pulls you forward in the midst of the chaos. "Come on, my father's just around the corner. We're almost there."


>Meanwhile

“Bring it on!”

Kats charges at Aoki, who casually sidesteps before letting out another blast. It just manages to graze Kats ankle... he's be analysing the patterns in Aoki's movements. He's insanely powerful, but his rigid military routine may just be Kats' best chance at keeping him at bay until help arrives. Kats lunges for his gun, but Aoki is quick to cut him off. He launches another blast, and Kats dodges with a one-handed backflip with his non-dominant hand. He's got to think on his feet if he's gonna stay alive here.

“You're clever,” Aoki notes. “But fancy footwork isn't going to impress me. Where is that spirit you promised. Show me why you were ever worthy of my time!”

Spirit... Kats focuses his eyes, staring down Aoki, as he begins to recite to himself. “I can make it... I know I can. You broke the boy in me... but you won't break the man!”

Kats lunges again, dodging each and every one of Aoki's attacks, edging closer and closer, as Aoki's concern grows. “What skill...”

“I can see the new horizon, underneath the blazing sky...” Kats recites again. “I'll be where the eagle's flying, higher and higher!”

Aoki throws a kick which Kats slides under like a rockstar on stage, before tripping up the General. Aoki breaks his fall and quickly somersaults back to his feet, but Kats is ready to move, a determined fury on his face.

“I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea!” Kats announces. “I can feel St. Elmo's Fire burning in me!”

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?” the confused Aoki yells, before catching a back elbow to the nose. Kats then kicks off from Aoki's chest pushing him back and launching him forward. Grabbing his gun and rolling through in a swift motion, Kats spins and fires wildly at Aoki... but the self-proclaimed Crusader dodges the last ditch effort with ease.

“A valiant effort,” Aoki announces. “But it seems you cannot retain your spirit without sacrificing your precision. No matter, even if you had hit me, this new power would ensure my survival.”

“Just once in his life...” Kats mutters. “A man has his time. And my time is now! And I'm coming alive!”

So sick of Aoki's constant stuck-up lectures, Kats doesn't even bother to explain the obvious that the general missed. Kats wanted Aoki to dodge. Kats' fire couldn't possibly hold Aoki in place... but the pillars in this hall can. And with each shot of that demon blast that Kats dodged, the structural weakness of another weakened. And now, the general is in position for two to collapse on him at once.

Several tons of weight come pounding down on Aoki, pinning him down as Kats rushes to stand atop them, his revolver pointed at Aoki's head. “A point-blanc shot to the brain at this distance...” he notes. “Not even you can come back from that.”

“You seem to think you have me dead to rights,” Aoki notes, his breath strained under the weight of the marble pillars. “But I still have a hand free. This is a stand-off.”

“No it's not,” Kats notes. “We both know who'll hit who first in the position. You can't bluff me.”

“Nor you, me.” Aoki groans. “I must say I truly have underestimated you, Katsuyori. You truly would have made a fine protector of my daughter... but your pokerface needs work. I know you fired two shots to get me to dodge earlier. You're out of ammo.”

“You must be delirious,” Kats responds. “I'm still loaded, and I don't think you want to test that.”

“You're simply trying to stall for time by keeping me at gunpoint,” Aoki replies with a smug smirk. “Go ahead. Fire, if you truly can.”

The corner of Kats' mouth curls up slightly. Aoki is right... Kats did fire two shots earlier. However, only one of those shots was real. But that doesn't mean he's out of ammo. In their encounter earlier, Goa... he slipped one extra bullet into Kats' pocket. With him dead and gone, Kats will never really understand why...

“Y'know... I kinda hope you beat him.”

Goa's words ring in his head, as the Colonel just ensured Kats this victory. He's so certain that he's just giving him the shot. Goodbye Aoki.

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With sweet satisfaction, Kats pulls the trigger.

And nothing.

No... that can't be.

The gun is indeed loaded... but the mechanism jammed.

As Aoki looks on, Kats lets out a laugh as his eyes begin to well up. “Wow...” he mutters. “My shitty luck finally caught up to me.”

With that, Kats takes the blast from Aoki immediately afterwards, sent flying across the room into a another pillar. A clean hold torn through his abdomen, Kats slouches his head down, defeated and bleeding to death. What a shitty end for the magnificent mathematical mercenary, Katsuyori... but a better one than Kats ever could have imagined.


>Back to the group

As you walk forward, Risa's stride begins to slow. "What's wrong?"

"I..." she mutters. "Nerves... I know I've been headstrong about having no reservations, my father is no doubt a monster... but I'm worried that when it comes to it, and we're face to face... I'll hesitate. And that could cost us. Kaz... what if I hesitate?"

>What if you don't?
>Doesn't matter. Gado won't.
>Stop talking like you're alone in this. You've got all of us backing you up.

>>3406978
>>Stop talking like you're alone in this. You've got all of us backing you up.
He got donuted.

>>3406978
>>Stop talking like you're alone in this. You've got all of us backing you up.
I FUCKING SWEAR IF HES DEAD I WILL...
ACTUALLY ILL JUST CRY BUT ILL ALSO BE QUITE MAD

>>3406978
>Stop talking like you're alone in this. You've got all of us backing you up.

>>3406978
>What if you don't?
Now is not a time for you to pull a Gado, need to pull that trigger Risa

Calling for;

>Stop talking like you're alone in this. You've got all of us backing you up.

Writing now.

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>Stop talking like you're alone in this. You've got all of us backing you up.

Risa looks behind her, to see the group of friends following behind her. She looks you in the eye and gives a knowing nod. "Right... thank you, all. Now... let's finish this."

You and the group round the corner, as you see the double doors to Aoki's office collapsed. A fight already begun?

"Kats..." Risa mutters, before rushing ahead.

"Risa, wait!" you call after her, before running to catch up.

As you enter, you see the General himself standing at the front of the room, seemingly awaiting your arrival with a dark aura glowing around him. He's possessed by an Archdemon, no doubt about it.

Gado enters the room and without taking a breath... unloads his gun into Aoki. Even the general is taken aback as he gets riddled with bullets from your classmate and he falls back... only for Gado to pull out a second gun and unload into him again. This fight is already underway... hey, what's Risa looking at? Oh... oh no.

"K-Kats?" she mutters as she spots the slumped over Katsuyori up against the pillar, a puddle of blood streaming from him. As Risa rushes to his side, her muttering turns to an outright scream. "KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATS!"

She moves to her knees and forcibly holds Kats head up, his eyes barely open. "AMAYA!" Risa shouts, as Amaya rushes to Kats' side and does her best to heal him.

"R-Risa..." Amaya mumbles with her eyes welling up. "I... his wounds are too deep-"

"SHUT UP!" Risa yells in a desperate panic. "They're not! He... he can't..."

"Sooooooo much yelling..." the delirious Kats groans. "You... never know when to keep it down, do you?"

"Kats!" Risa exclaims. "Please... you can't die! Not now! Just... just think of Vegas."

Kats lets out a small laugh, then groans in pain. Weakly, he raises his arm, as it brushes across Risa's cheek, wiping a tear from her eye. "It's alright, Princess... guys like me don't last very long. But... it was good to dream. Thanks for that..."

"Don't even think about it!" Risa yells. "Don't you dare!"

Kats smiles. "Always so pushy... you know, when I look at you now... you're not really that plain at all... you're actually kinda beautiful. Risa..."

Kats can't get his next words out, as his eyes close, and his head lilts.

"No..." Ninsei mutters as he watches on. "NO!"

Risa places her hand over her mouth in shock, tears welling from her face.

Kats... he's really gone.

Amaya lets out a cry of defeat, as Risa is stunned in silence.

Gado looks back, his face softening as he sees what's happened to his friend... as Aoki rises back to his feet and swats Gado aside. Aoki fixes his glove and cape before stepping towards Risa with authority.

"He fought well, daughter. But ultimately, he couldn't match your strength. Perhaps if he had the upbringing I gave you... but as it stands, he was simply too weak."

"... Too... weak?"

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e0Cdi_TLY8

Risa quickly rises to her feet. "Father, let me tell you something about weakness."

As Risa steps forward, you notice something. An afterglow where she stepped... glowing from Risa. What is happening? Could she be...?

"Weakness is working your entire life to keep innocent people beneath your heel, because you're afraid of what they'd do otherwise," Risa states, as she approaches her father. "Weakness is hiding your actions from your family, because you know even your own daughter would see you for the pathetic worm you are."

"Risa, do not speak to me like-"

"Go to hell," Risa spits, as her body begins to glow further. "Weakness is sending a machine and a psychopath to do your bidding for you, even to collect your daughter. Weakness is hiding me away in a tower for sixteen years. SIXTEEN YEARS. You're nothing but weakness. I can smell it from you. You reek of it."

"I am your father!" Aoki barks. "Everything that you are, you owe to-"

"AMAYA SHIBATA!" Risa interrupts his speech. "And Kazuma Asai! And Gado Nemoto! And Kiriko Maita! And Ninsei Marufuji! And Sae Urai! And Mio Tanaka! And... Katsuyori. And countless other good people. That's who I owe everything to! You're right, I am strong. I'm damn strong. But not because of you. Because I knew to shake off the weakness you tried to pass down to me!"

"What's happening to Risa?!" Ninsei asks.

Amaya's face lights up with pride. "I know what's happening."

"I refused to be a part of your war! Of your agenda! But I will fight!" Risa announces, as her body fills with light and energy. "I will wage war against the darkness, to protect my true family! I will beat down injustice with my heart of steel! I AM RISA... RISA KATSUYORI."

"That's not your name-" Aoki tries to speak, before getting punched back by Risa as she gives one more triumphant shout.

"I AM RISA KATSUYORI... THE STEEL SOLDIER!"

Risa's body fully fills up, as she is completely enveloped in a blinding light.

When your eyes adjust, Risa is gone. Well... she's still there, but she's something... else.

Something big. Something... steel.

"Risa... just unlocked her angel form," Amaya remarks.

"That form..." Kuin mutters as she looks at the shining glimmer of Risa's sudden transformation, standing tall and proud with a weapon in hand. "It's like a giant mecha... like a giant tank... oh my god, it's so cool!"

You look at this structure... but it doesn't feel like Risa. It's so... mechanical, and silent.

"Hello?" you mutter, before the Angel lunges forward at Aoki blasting him across the room.

"It's so... strange..." Anri mutters.

Amaya shakes her head. "She's filled with rage. I... I don't think she's in full control right now. She's not fully aware of what's happened."

>Does it matter? She has her target, and she's going for it.
>You're right! We need to return Risa to her senses first!

>>3407101
>>Does it matter? She has her target, and she's going for it.
Go go go

>>3407101
>>Does it matter? She has her target, and she's going for it.
IT'S A GUNDAM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6BbvCC0VI0&spfreload=1

>>3407101
>>Does it matter? She has her target, and she's going for it.
PULL THE MANY TRIGGERS ON YOUR TANK BODY

AVENGE BEST BOY

>You're right! We need to return Risa to her senses first!
Don’t need another Nariko in our hands.
Can’t even bother with Kats, he is mostly dead like Hiro, is not like Sora who was so dead they had to pull a demon out of nowhere just to kill him.

>>3407101
>You're right! We need to return Risa to her senses first!
Oh shit, is this when we finally learn that the Archangel powerups are just a different flavoured demon power?

>>3407101

>Does it matter? She has her target, and she's going for it

Let het smash her grief out on her dad and the surrounding area
Roka already killed the innocent by sander cook
What's the worst that could happen now

Calling for

>Does it matter? She has her target, and she's going for it.

Writing now.

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>Does it matter? She has her target, and she's going for it.

"You might be right..." Amaya mutters hesitantly. "Even if we tried to get in the way now, we might just get squished..."

The Steel Soldier launches herself at Aoki, lance in hand. Aoki uses his aura or power to fend off the attack as best he can but is eventually pierced by the massive weapon. The Steel Soldier floats back and opens ups a compartment in her arm and gets ready to blast the general. At this range, he'll probably be reduced to dust.

"Hey..." Chuichi mutters. "Not to interrupt, but... does something feel... familiar?"

"Familiar?" you ask. "What do you... oh."

Yeah, that's a familiar feeling. One you only get back at the academy. And... the sun has indeed set, but... how could this be happening? Here? Now?

The floor crumbles away, and you sink in a way you've done many times before.

When you awake, you're in what appears to be a ruined cityscape. Derelict buildings, long since abandoned. Most crumbled... they look like the aftermath of an apocalypse.

And of course... that old familiar red sky.

"Okay..." Roka mutters. "WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUCK?!"

"I don't know!" Chuichi yells. "How in the hell are we-"

"... An incursion," Makoto mutters. "Of course. That's how Aoki, Goa, Kage and Katsuyori all had their powers."

Amaya's eyes widen. "It's why Risa would be sent to sleep in a tower separate from the mansion before night... because it was out of range. How could we be so blind? The pieces were all there!"

"I had my suspicions..." Anri muttered. "But I didn't want to verbalise them until our current matter was dealt with. Now, there is no doubt about it."

"Wait, so you're saying...?" you begin.

"Yes... there is a second rift to the Darkworld. Another Dark Gate... right here."

"Shit..." Gado mutters.

Anri looks around. "No telling how regular the incursions are compared to our rift. If it's localised to this mansion, to this room, then perhaps the rift is smaller. Maybe once a month as opposed to several nights a week."

"Aren't we forgetting something?" Chuichi claims as he points out the Steel Soldier, in all it's size, patrolling through the city, searching for its target. "Risa was about to finish Aoki, but that incursion just saved his hide!"

"Not just that..." you mutter, as you point to the rest of the group. In the distance, another massive armoured enemy. It seems his transition to full powered Archdemon is complete.

"I WILL SHOW YOU TRUE STRENGTH" Aoki speaks through a mechanic filter. "FOR I AM... THE CRUSADER."

As Risa's new form spins around to face her father, as both ready their weapons, you simply stand in awe.

You don't think even the Darkworld is big enough to contain this clash.

END OF EPISODE 28

>>3407198
IT'S A FUCKING MECH FIGHT OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN24W_psMpE

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Thanks for playing! What was supposed to be a shorter thread took a bit longer due to poor connection issues, but next thread will be up tomorrow or Saturday! Follow the Twitter for any updates!

>Player Questions
Well, we're entering the last portion of the Aoki arc! What have your thoughts been on it so far? And of course, what were your thoughts of Katsuyori? A newer character, but one who became a fast favourite of mine.

>>3407223
>>Player Questions
HE WAS BEST BOY AND YOU FUCKING KILLED HIM AAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

But he went out like a fucking G, all without any help or angel mode, and there's something to be respected about that... And his legacy will live on through Risa!

>>3407223
Kats was legit great, he was cool as hell. His whole fight with Aoki was a whirlwind of cool shit and it had a nice bittersweet end to it.

>Risa Katsuyori
Did she just declare that their married or something?
Because that right there is Top 1 really fucking adorable.
>>3407223
Either you killed him way too fast or you are planning something with him.
Kats is one of my favorites alongside Isamu, truly the Golden Bois.

>>3407223
He was pretty cool, shame he had to go.

>tfw you wake up just in time to see DGA go full /m/
When's Kaz getting his mecha?

>>3406408
>>3406410
>>3406412
>>3406467
>>3406517
>>3406524
>>3406600
>>3406679
>>3406779
have sex