[Far away...]

The rest of the Jaegers followed the trail that would theoretically lead them to Najenda. Esdeath, Run, Wave and Seryu rode on horseback to find their enemies.

[Insert this soundtrack: The Bridge - Hans Zimmer and John Powell]

https://youtu.be/DeFRKcoZA64

Esdeath looks at Seryu as the team continued on.

Esdeath: Seryu. Don't use too much force until we face the enemy. - She warns.

Seryu: Huh? Y-Yes. - The redhead stammers, confused.

The ex-soldier was confused by the treatment her captain was giving her.

Seryu: Huh... Captain? What's wrong? - She asks, curious - Recently, you've been paying special attention to me. You also divided the teams so we could stay together... Is there something wrong with me?

Esdeath: I received a report from Wave, saying that your heart was dangerous. I'm trying to get you to act alongside me whenever you can. - The general responds, looking at the youngest over her shoulder.

Surprised by the information, Seryu looks at Wave with perplexity and indignation, who closes his eyes confidently in response.

Wave: It was for your own good, Seryu. -The sailor says, convinced.

Koro's owner looked like she felt stabbed in the back.

Seeing this, Esdeath smiles calmly at her subordinate.

Esdeath: Why that face? Anyway, I said I would take care of you. Don't forget that, Seryu.

Seryu: Ah! Thank you very much, Captain!- She thanks, quickly becoming radiant.

Run looks at his leader.

Run: Should I search the sky, using my Arm?

Esdeath: You can't fly now. We should save our energy for when we confront the enemy.

Wave seemed unsure about something.

Wave: Even so, shouldn't we have caught up with them by now?

Esdeath: Indeed. This is a bit strange.

The Demon's Extract holder tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

Esdeath: As I imagined... a trap. Night Raid must have gone the other way... and their target is Kurome. - She deciphers the trap, narrowing her eyes.

Spotting something in front of her, Esdeath orders her horse to brake abruptly.

Esdeath: And now we meet a bunch of idiots. It can't be a coincidence.

In front of the Jaegers, there was a flood of scarred criminals, weird hairstyles, ugly clothes, dangerous weapons and dirty faces.

The guys made a lot of comments about Esdeath that I'd rather not write here. The blue-haired woman looked at them boredly, with her hand on her hip.

Esdeath: I recognize these men. They come from the Eastern territory of the Empire.

Seryu: If they're associated with Night Raid, then they're of the same ilk. - The redhead growls, turning her right arm into a blade while Koro climbs onto her shoulder.

Wave unsheathes Grand Chariot's cleaver and places it over his shoulder, ready to fight. Run, on the other hand, remains calm, analyzing that group with his hand on his chin, as if trying to find something that interests him.

Esdeath: Is there a problem, Run? - She asks, looking at him from the corner of her shoulder.

Run: No... nothing.

Run: It seems that... he's not here. - The blond thinks, analyzing the group.

Looking at the bandits, Esdeath smiles calmly, but sadistically.

Esdeath: Jaegers, feel free to kill them. However, leave two or three alive. - The criminals, previously anxious, now start to get scared as they feel the air getting colder - I have some questions to ask them.

[End soundtrack at 1:08]

[Back to the battlefield...]

The Night Raid members present at the battle, as well as Atsuko, smiled as they looked at the protagonist duo, who were now in the air above them while watching Kurome's Screaming Death from a safe distance.

The two Jaegers facing our group of assassins were perplexed. They could hardly believe the presence of the dragon that was carrying the Incursio carrier. The sound he made when he arrived, the plasma shot, the speed, the dark color...

[Insert this soundtrack: RE DESTRO - Yuki Hayashi]

https://youtu.be/iO42-ileeo4

Kurome: It can't be...! There's no way that's a...

Leone: ...Night Fury? I think it is! - She says, with a mischievous smile.

Najenda: They were our secret weapon. - The team leader proclaims confidently.

Najenda is confused when she feels Atsuko touch her shoulder. She looks at the Imperial general.

Atsuko: Najenda, are there more people here to kill Bols and Kurome?

Najenda: Well... Chelsea is a little far away. I told her to attack when she finds an opportunity. - She says, rubbing the back of her neck.

Atsuko: She needs to know that this mission has been aborted. I can't let Bols die.

Najenda: Alright! Eryx!!! Here!!!

Hearing the call of his pilot, the Rumblehorn flies towards the woman. Najenda climbs on her dragon and nudges he so he flies towards Tatsumi and Indra.

Eryx remains suspended in the air, next to Indra, flapping his wings. Najenda looks at Tatsumi.

Najenda: Tatsumi! Take the Screaming Death far away from here, but avoid encountering Esdeath's group!

Tatsumi: Understood! - He says, nodding.

Najenda, however, puts her organic hand on the boy's shoulder so she can talk to him more closely, leaving him a little confused.

Najenda: One more thing. - The dark-haired man listens attentively - If you find Chelsea, tell her that Atsuko convinced Bols to leave the Empire and that he should no longer be eliminated.

Tatsumi is shocked by the information... before smiling under his helmet and waving to his boss.

Tatsumi: Sure thing!

[End of soundtrack]

In the distance, Kurome, who was still stunned by the situation, finally composes herself and frowns, glaring fiercely at the Incursio user.

Kurome: Screaming Death! - The young woman points Yatsufusa to our protagonist duo - Kill them both!!!

Obeying the swordswoman, the puppet dragon lets out a powerful roar and rushes towards the boy and the Night Fury.

Najenda clenches her fists seeing this.

Najenda: Go!! Now!!! - Orders, before flying with Eryx to where Susanoo was facing Death Tagool.

The boy and the green-eyed dragon fly away, being chased by the albino reptile.

[About that; with Susanoo...]

The humanoid Imperial Arm was positioned on high ground, facing Death Tagool. The bluette seems to see something in the creature's body. So he decides to go ahead with everything. However, the danger beast carries one more energy shot. Susanoo dodges, but not without allowing his right arm to be destroyed by the corpse puppet's energy blast.

Susanoo manages to land on his feet, looking back at his colossal opponent.

Susanoo: It seems like... we are both pretty stubborn. - He states, regenerating his arm.

Najenda flies in with Eryx, looking at Susanoo.

Najenda: He's megaclass. Of course he would be a difficult opponent.

Susanoo: That's true, but my biggest problem is there. - He says, pointing forward.

Looking at the pointing direction, Najenda sees that he was pointing at Death Tagool's torso. But specifically, to an area that served as the creature's chest.

Susanoo: That region is bothering me a lot, it's totally asymmetrical.

Susanoo is completely oblivious to the blank look he left on his master.

Susanoo: I got hit because I paid too much attention.

Najenda: ... - She was speechless - Dude, you have to let go of this obsessive-compulsive disorder!

Najenda recovers and resumes her serious appearance.

Najenda: If no one finishes off Kurome soon, we're going to start suffering casualties.

The woman looks at the biological Imperial Arm.

Najenda: Susanoo!! As your master, I authorize the use of your trump card!!!

Frowning, the horned man nods.

Susanoo: Understood.

[About that; with Tatsumi and Indra...]

Our two green-eyed friends were flying at full speed to try to get the Screaming Death away from the battlefield. The colossal dragon was chasing them like a mad beast.

Looking over his shoulder, Tatsumi stares at the Screaming Death and remembers how Kurome described the undead reptile.

Tatsumi: Evolved Whispering Death, huh...? I wonder if his weaknesses have evolved, too?

To try to find out the answer to his question, the dark-haired young man takes out Neuntonte and positions it in a way that the sunlight hits the blade perfectly and shines directly into the Screaming Death's face, to see if he had an aversion to light, like the Whispering Deaths.

Receiving the reflection of the light in his eyes, the animal screams and dives to the ground, creating a tunnel in the earth.

The two friends stop their trajectory and remain in the air. They both smile.

Tatsumi: That's it!

Since celebrating too early is asking for everything to go wrong, the Screaming Death resurfaces from the ground, charging full force towards the trainer and his dragon, who narrowly dodge him; the revived corpse passes by them with power and barely manages to stop its advance.

Now far from them, the Screaming Death faces the duo and lets out a devastating roar in order to disorient his two targets.

Tatsumi covers his ears to avoid having his eardrums burst by the dragon's scream, while Indra struggles not to faint. Tired of hearing that scream, the Night Fury fires a plasma shot at the dragon, hitting him right in the lower jaw.

Quite irritated, Kurome's puppet advances towards our protagonists, who fly away to avoid a brutal death.

Tatsumi, tightly holding the reins of Indra's saddle, looks back to face his pursuer. Narrowing his eyes, the dark-haired boy positions Neuntonte to reflect the sunlight onto the Screaming Death's face, who only seems to want to go after them even more. His eyes didn't avoid the light; they focused on it.

Tatsumi: Actually, he seems to be attracted to the light...

He smiles slightly.

Tatsumi: I think it could be a weakness, too! Indra! Let's take him to the biggest wall we can find!

Indra waves and makes a quick right turn, which the Screaming Death manages to follow.

Seeking to accelerate his speed, the Night Fury dodges several stone towers. Taking a breath, the Screaming Death fires several fireballs in a row like a machine gun, fire escaping from his skull.

(Art by Cici_Hong)

The reptile's fireballs destroy the rocky towers in the environment, making it difficult for the duo to dodge. Now they need to avoid the fire shots, the smoke and the falling rocks.

One of the corpse puppet's fireballs hits the dark dragon very close to the ground, sending him plummeting to the ground, to the sound of Tatsumi's screams. The two friends hit the ground and roll. The Incursio wielder falls from his winged companion and lies face down on the ground.

Standing up slightly, Tatsumi sees the Screaming Death slowly appear in front of him, staring directly at his prey with his lifeless red eyes. The albino-scaled animal roars powerfully, forcing the green-eyed boy to cover his ears so as not to be deafened by that horrible sound.

Tatsumi and the Night Fury's salvation ends up being a puff of blue flames that hits the Screaming Death's jaw, stopping his roar. Tatsumi, Indra, and the Screaming Death look to the sky to see who attacked Kurome's lackey. It was none other than Jade, who flies at full speed towards the Screaming Death and spits a blast of blue fire, hitting his snout to impair his sense of smell. The Razorwhip passes through the Boulder-class dragon and continues charging at him.

Tatsumi: Jade!!! - He says, with a smile.

The Night Raid assassin feels a hand touch his shoulder. The brunette is perplexed when he sees Chelsea, who is looking at him with a confident smile.

Chelsea: Don't thank her. You'd better thank me. - She says, with a mischievous smile.

Tatsumi: What? What are you talking about?

Chelsea: That puppet she was facing, the one with the red mask. I ended him in a trap and that's why she's here to help you now.

Although she was clearly being self-centered, Tatsumi couldn't help but smile under his helmet.

Tatsumi: Thank you, Chelsea. What are you doing here?

Chelsea: Waiting for an opening to eliminate Kurome or Bols. - Says the redhead, watching the Screaming Death spit several fire shots at Jade, who dodges them in the air.

Tatsumi, hearing this, widens his eyes as he remembers the information Najenda told him about Bols.

Tatsumi: Actually, Chelsea, I remembered that I need to inform you of something. - He attracts the attention of the redhead, who looks at him - You have to spare Bols.

Chelsea widens her eyes in shock, before being overcome by indignation and anger.

Chelsea: Tatsumi, we have direct orders! You said you wouldn't let your emotions...

Tatsumi: It's not because of me!!! - He shouts angrily, scaring the young woman.

Calming down, the boy explains better.

Tatsumi: The boss told me... that Atsuko spoke to Bols. She convinced him to leave the Jaegers and defect from the Empire when he had the chance. The boss told me to tell you that if I met you.

To say that Chelsea was surprised was an understatement. She was almost certain that it was Tatsumi's joke or that he was lying to her so that she would spare someone he had grown attached to. However, Tatsumi didn't seem like a liar, and he didn't seem like someone who spared enemies for no reason.

Tatsumi: If you find Bols... let him live. Please, Chelsea, you have to believe me. - He begged, looking at the shapeshifter from under his helmet, and from the tone of his voice... it was clear that he was being sincere.

The Gaea Foundation's bearer was stuck in a silence that seemed to last an eternity. After a few seconds of this, she sighed heavily and took the lollipop out of her mouth.

Chelsea: Okay. But you owe me for that.

Tatsumi: Thanks! - He thanked her, nodding.

Rainbow's pilot looked back at the fight that was happening right ahead.

Chelsea: So... don't you have a little snake to take down? - She said as she pointed to the Screaming Death, returning to her usual relaxed attitude.

Meanwhile, the Screaming Death swings his enormous tail to launch spikes at Jade, who narrowly dodges. The Boulder-class dragon intended to continue fighting if a plasma ball didn't hit his neck.

Furious, he sees Tatsumi riding Indra again, and the sunlight was reflected on Neuntonte.

Tatsumi: See you, Chelsea! - He says goodbye to his friend before Indra takes off into the sky.

The Screaming Death chases them while Jade lands on the ground next to Chelsea, watching the two leave.

As Jade grunted softly, Chelsea moves away from her as she puts the lollipop back in her mouth, deep in thought.

Chelsea: This boy... one of these days, he's going to make me die. - She thinks, cynically but playfully.

[Back to Tatsumi and Indra...]

Both of them flew at full speed towards the clouds, with a furious Screaming Death following them from below.

Tatsumi: Hold on tight, buddy!!! - He shouts to his companion - Down, now!!!

Indra, following the command, changes the direction of his flight from vertical to horizontal, just in time to avoid a huge bite from the Screaming Death.

With that, they manage to reach above the clouds, as well as the undead dragon. After continuing a little forward, the friends begin to dive downwards, crossing the clouds, the powerful wind shaking the Incursio's cape non-stop.

The Screaming Death does not give up and pursues them in this diving flight. When they finally return below the clouds, the assassin and the Strike-class dragon continue on, flying over the place.

In the middle of the flight, the Screaming Death tries to bite them with several bites, but the boy and the dark reptile avoid being captured by his monstrous teeth.

Tatsumi tightens his grip on the reins of the saddle as he feels he is close to where he wants to be, still attracting his pursuer with the sunlight reflected on his spear.

Tatsumi: Almost there, dude. Let's go... - He encourages his friend as they pass by stone towers. The Screaming Death, due to his size, ends up crashing into all of them and destroying them on impact, although he doesn't mind at all. - Just a little more...

The Screaming Death opens his jaws to try to devour Tatsumi and Indra alive, but right at that moment, to the misfortune of the red-eyed reptile, the duo flies upwards and Yatsufusa's puppet crashes face-first into a huge stone wall.

Feeling dizzy, the dragon falls to the ground. His fall causes a huge tremor and makes rocks from the wall fall right on one of his wings, dislocating it.

Looking at his adversaries flying in the sky above, the Screaming Death roars furiously. But taking advantage of this opportunity, Indra shoots a fireball right at his throat and hits him squarely. It doesn't take long for the Screaming Death's body to suffer internal combustion and start to catch fire.

Getting rid of the rocks on top of his wing, the albino dragon tries to advance towards his enemies. However, unable to fly, he falls back to the ground. The internal combustion causes the impact of the reptile's fall to explode his body completely.

Indra and Tatsumi close their eyes due to the explosion. After being sure that it has passed, they open their eyes and see the ground where the Screaming Death fell completely marked with soot, and a little fire crackling in that area.

The boy looks at his friend.

Tatsumi: Yeah, survive is possible, but it's not easy. - The dragon grunts in agreement to him.

[Back to the main battle...]

Susanoo presses the fingertips of each hand together.

Susanoo: Magatama Manifestation! - He exclaims, a faint glow emanating from his hands.

Atsuko watches intently as the front of Susanoo's shirt opens, revealing his blood-red core. Moments later, the glow from Susanoo's hands reaches Najenda, causing her to wince in pain. The revolutionary general falls to one knee.

Susanoo's trump card should be a great increase in strength, just like Koro's. However, while Koro uses a massive amount of internal energy for his transformation, Susanoo, on the other hand, draws on his master's life force, using the Magatama on his chest to amplify his power. If this trump card is used three times, his master's death is virtually guaranteed in exchange for the Arm gaining this immense power.

By this point, Susanoo had completed his transformation. The biological Arm now sported snow-white hair, with his horns turning black and his eyes turning yellow. He also had a large metal disk levitating behind him.

[Insert this soundtrack: Susanoo - Taku Iwasaki]

https://youtu.be/RmfsM6ZMYqM

The newly transformed Susanoo stared at the enormous, skeletal danger beast before him. The horned man was unfazed as Death Tagool began gathering energy for another attack.

Moments later, Death Tagool fired a massive beam of energy at Susanoo. Standing his ground, the humanoid Arm moved the metal disk on his back in front of him, transforming it into a large mirror. Death Tagool's beam hit the mirror, but was deflected back at it in several smaller streams of energy. The energy currents struck various parts of the corpse puppet's body, causing it to stumble backwards.

Susanoo: Eight-Target Mirror... - He said, the metal disk returning to his back.

Najenda: The perfect reflection of any projectile. - She states, giving a confident smile as she wipes the sweat from her forehead - That is exactly the ability I would expect from my Imperial Arm's trump card!

After taking a deep breath, Susanoo shoots towards Death Tagool, attacking the creature with a relentless barrage of powerful punches. The Night Raid assassin hits the skeletal danger beast with a powerful punch, knocking the monster off balance. Continuing his attack, Susanoo extends his hand, a yellow glow radiating from his palm. A split second later, a gigantic sword materializes in Susanoo's hands.

Susanoo: Sacred Sword of the Heavens! - He thinks, using the enormous sword to cut vertically through Death Tagool's body.

Landing back among the group, Susanoo lets out a shaky sigh, as the skeletal beast disintegrates into pieces.

[End of soundtrack]

Susanoo: Mission accomplished.

Najenda: Think of insane power... - She says, as she struggles to get up - I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Susanoo!

Susanoo: I'll be able to finish them off as long as there are no interruptions.

He walks over to his master and helps her up.

Najenda: I really wouldn't worry about that. We should be able to continue undisturbed.

She spots Kurome on a cliff, facing off against Mine and Pinky. The swordswoman was giving the pink duo a hard time.

Najenda: Now that she's not controlling so many puppets, Kurome will have more energy to fight. We need to help Mine. Now!

Susanoo nods and jumps over to where the Yatsufusa wielder was facing off against the sniper.

[Meanwhile; with Akame and Leone...]

Leone: Here I come, you bastard! - She roars as she advances towards Bols, with Akame at her side.

Before the assassins could get close enough, Bols unleashes a torrent of scorching flames from Rubicante. Both Akame and Leone leap into the air to avoid the intense fire.

Bols: You can't escape by jumping into the air!

The Jaeger aims Rubicante at the duo. However, he is caught off guard when Leone suddenly grabs Akame's leg.

Leone: Go there!!!

The lioness throws the swordswoman at Bols. Akame quickly closes the distance, but her attack is thwarted by Wall stepping in to protect Bols.

Akame: Since the bodyguard is going to get in the way...

Adjusting her strike, she cuts straight through the bald puppet's right leg.

Akame: ...I'll finish him off first... even if it takes longer.

Bols: Wall!! - He screams, frightened.

The Murasame wielder prepares to jump off a nearby wall, but is forced to dodge when Bols fires a blast of fire at her.

Leone: This guy is too focused on Akame. - She analyzes.

Seeing that Wall is temporarily incapacitated, Leone decides it's time to strike. The blonde jumps from where she was, quickly descending towards the Rubicante wielder.

Leone: That annoying bodyguard can't do anything this time!

However, before Leone can attack Bols, she screams in pain as a dagger pierces her arm. Turning her head, the blonde growls in fury when she sees Wall's arm pointed at her, a small device on his wrist.

Leone: Are you kidding me?! A hidden harpoon?!

The melee assassin is still crawling towards Bols, but the dagger prevents her arm from moving. Looking down, Leone sees that Bols is aiming Rubicante at her now. Deciding to throw caution to the wind, the golden-eyed woman decides to go all out.

Leone: RAAAAAGH!!!

Bols watches Leone sink her teeth into Rubicante's barrel, the downward thrust destroying the front half of the Imperial Arm.

Leone: Yeah, I knew it wouldn't be edible!- She growls in discomfort after spitting out the barrel of the Imperial Arm.

Bols: Gah!! You bit my Arm?! - He exclaims, looking in shock at his broken flamethrower.

Akame: And the bodyguard is done for too.

The red-eyed girl cuts off Wall's arms, before slitting his throat. She glares coldly at Bols.

Akame: There's no one to defend you, now.

Leone: And your Arm is useless.

The Jaeger was in an internal panic.

Bols: She's right... my Arm is useless now... if that's the case...

Bols: I'll use my trump card!!!

Seeing that Akame and Leone have become nervous, Bols unhooks the fuel tank and throws it to the ground.

Bols: Actually, it's a bluff. My trump card is the Magma Drive, but while they're on guard...

Raising the fuel tank above his head, Bols throws the container into the air.

Bols: I'm going to destroy you guys!!!

Both Akame and Leone watch in confusion as the fuel tank flies higher into the air.

Leone: Wait... don't tell me...

Leone's eyes widen as she takes in the situation. Glancing quickly at Bols, the lioness's fears are confirmed when she sees what appears to be a detonator in his hand.

Leone: Take cover, Akame!!!

Leone jumps to her friend and uses Wall's discarded shield to protect them both. In the distance, the Night Raid members who had cornered Kurome see a colossal explosion approaching and try to protect themselves as best they can. Susanoo protects Najenda, Pinky protects Mine, and Crusher covers himself with his wings. Atsuko moves away using her flames as propellers.

Even further away, Tatsumi and Indra are flying back to the battlefield, alongside Jade. But they widen their eyes in horror when they see an explosion erupt where the battle was taking place.

Tatsumi: Oh, no... - He mutters.

In the distance, the rest of the Jaegers have easily defeated the gang of criminals who ambushed them. All of them were killed and only three were spared. They were now being interrogated by Esdeath, who tortured them by sticking thin ice stakes into their bodies while the tips branched out inside their bodies to mutilate their internal organs. The general questioned them harshly about Night Raid, but none of them said anything useful.

Until they saw the explosion in the distance. Wave and Seryu were shocked, while Run and Esdeath remained calm.

Wave: What is that?!

Esdeath: It must be Rubicante's doing... - She muttered.

Dropping the three tortured criminals, the ice user ran to her horse.

Esdeath: Let's go south! If my suspicions are correct, we need to find Kurome and Bols now!

[Meanwhile; with Kurome...]

The black-eyed Jaeger was being carried by Natala bridal style. The girl's childhood friend caught her at the moment of the explosion and carried her away just in time.

Kurome: That giant explosion... - She mutters softly - ...It must have been Rubicante. Now, without Bols, it's going to be hard to stay in the area. And nee-san...? I wonder if she's okay?

However, she feels a sudden headache.

Kurome: Guh... the dust has already started to settle!

[Back to Akame and Leone...]

Akame: Leone!! - She exclaims with concern, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder - Are you okay?!

Leone: Relax, I'm fine. - The blonde answers with a forced smile, patting Akame on the head - But I'll need your help to walk...! I have faith... in my ability to recover...

With these words spoken, Leone falls forward, straight to the ground. Akame, nervous, crouches down to talk to her.

Akame: Leone...! Hey, Leone... - She doesn't receive an answer, becoming desperate - LEONE!!!

[Meanwhile; with Bols...]

The man walked unsteadily away from the battlefield, with his hand on his shoulder.

Bols: I think I managed to escape... - He murmurs, weakly - Looks like I'm free now.

With a tightness in his chest, he looks at the detonator in his hand.

Bols: I did such a great harm to Wall... and risked the lives of Kurome and captain Atsuko. - He says, with remorse - I hope they're okay.

He looks up at the sky, reflective.

Bols: Captain... You have no idea how much I owe you...

(Flashback ON)

[Insert this soundtrack: Lost Girl - Toby Fox]

https://youtu.be/P89rxnT7lKw

It was night in the imperial palace. Atsuko was in her room, standing, while looking at Bols. The Ignis bearer was wearing a chic white-orange blouse, along with a long green skirt, with green flats. The woman also wore a golden bracelet and a white tiara.

Atsuko: Something makes me wonder, Bols. - She says, curious - Why do you cook for everyone, but never stay to eat?

Bols: It's just... - He rubs his shoulder in embarrassment - ...If I ate with you guys, the food would taste horrible.

The imperial general tilts her head, still staring at her subordinate while thinking.

Atsuko: I see... You don't want to show your face.

She smiles gently, advancing with slow steps towards the masked man.

Atsuko: But haven't you heard about "never judging a book by its cover"? And you're part of the team, you should eat with us.

Bols wanted to argue against it, but the woman with orange bangs was already in front of him, reaching her hand to his face.

Bols: Captain! S-Stop!!! - It was too late. Atsuko had already grabbed Bols' mask and pulled it off his head.

Atsuko stays still to look at Bols' face and is surprised by what she sees.

Bols was a blond man, with dark blue eyes, short spiky hair and a wide face. But the most notable thing about his face... were the deep burn scars that marked almost the entire man's face, leaving only the upper right and lower left areas intact.

(Author: Imagine more or less like Shredder's face in TMNT 2012!)

Bols, aware of his face, expected the worst from Atsuko, who was just analyzing him.

Atsuko: I see. - Her tone of voice wasn't scared, disgusted, or even passive-aggressive. She remained as calm as before - That's why you never want to show your face.

The general smiles at him.

Atsuko: But, Bols, do you think anyone will care about that? They're just scars. I've seen soldiers with worse war wounds.

Atsuko leads Bols down a hallway, where she opens a large gate.

Atsuko: Come on. They're waiting for us.

When the woman opens the door to the dining room, everyone welcomes Bols with warmth and joy, not even seeming like his face was the way it was.

For the first time since he met Kije... The man finally felt accepted.

(Flashback OFF)

Bols: You have no idea how much I wanted to eat with you guys again... But I trust the captain to save my family.

[End of soundtrack]

Bols' thoughts are cut off by the sounds of crying.

Bols: Huh?

Confused, the masked man looks around. He sees a little girl with brown hair and a green ribbon crying, sitting near a tree. Her knee looked injured.

Bols was considering whether he should just leave the girl alone, but she reminded him of his own daughter, and he couldn't just abandon her.

Bols: Oh, dearie, what's wrong? - The Jaeger says cheerfully, crouching down in front of the young girl - Why are you crying?

The girl stops crying for a moment and stares at Bols. But her eyes widen in fear when she gets a good look at him, something the blond was quite used to.

"AHHHHHH! A MONSTER!!!" - The girl screams, crawling against the tree behind her in an attempt to get away from Bols.

Bols: Oh! I'm not a monster! You're okay now! - He explains with a light laugh, quickly examining the young woman's body for injuries.

After a few moments, he sees a cut on the girl's leg.

Bols: Wow, that's pretty bad, huh?

Standing up, Bols puts his hand in his back pocket and takes out a roll of bandages.

Bols: Now relax.

Crouching down again, Bols takes care of the child's wound. The girl keeps writhing, but Bols finally manages to bandage the cut.

Bols: You'll be fine! The pain should go away soon! Everything will be better now!

"Oh, thank you, sir!" - She thanks him, smiling.

Bols: It was a pleasure!

He was ready to get up, but is stopped when the girl grabs his hand.

Bols: What's the problem?

"The parts of my body that you burned... will never heal." - The girl states in a strangely calm tone, leaving the man confused.

She wraps her arms around Bols' neck, and with that, the masked man feels something sting his neck, just before his entire body becomes completely immobilized. The young woman's body is suddenly enveloped in smoke, revealing herself as Chelsea. She had her arms around the older man's neck, completely still.

[Insert this soundtrack: I'm the Bad Guy - Hans Zimmer & Lorne Balfe]

https://youtu.be/CyyPEy6F0cs

Chelsea: That girl you helped just now... was a child from a village you burned down. They were suspected of helping the Revolutionary Army... so you were ordered to burn the whole place down. But I really don't expect you to remember all the people you killed...

Chelsea coldly removes the needle from the back of Bols's neck, allowing the masked man's body to fall forward.

Bols: I always knew karma would come. But... - He tries uselessly to move his body, wanting to get up - ... I finally have a chance to escape from that place! I can't die now! - Desperate, Bols starts to sweat, seeing no escape.

Chelsea: You're a lucky bastard, you know that? - She questions, her back to him.

Bols: H-Huh...? - Weakly, he turns his head to look at Chelsea from the ground, over his shoulder.

Chelsea: I attacked you with this. - She explains, showing off her blood-stained needle - If I had moved this a little more to the left or a little more to the right, you would be dead by now. But that's not going to happen. - She closes her eyes - Our orders were to kill you, but that was aborted.

Putting the needle away after cleaning it, Chelsea takes out Gaea Foundation.

Chelsea: So instead, I decided to just paralyze you. After about an hour, you should be able to move again, but you'll probably be quite dizzy.

Reaching into her skirt pocket, Chelsea takes out a small vial and sets it next to Bols.

Chelsea: Take this as soon as you can move again. It will help alleviate any side effects of the paralysis. After that, you will return to the Capital and be able to get your family out of there.

Bols: T-Thank you... — He murmurs, feeling tears welling up in his eyes — Because of you... I will be able to...

Chelsea: Don't thank me. — The young woman interrupts, taking several makeup tools from her Imperial Arm — Thank the people who asked me to spare your life, because if it were up to me, you would be dead right now.

Bols: Who were they, then...? B-Because... I... want to thank them in person...

Chelsea: Don't worry, I'm sure you'll see them again someday. And if you want to thank them, just take your family to a safe place. Then, maybe, when your family is out of danger, you'll help the Revolutionary Army overthrow Honest's corrupt reign. I'm sure you'll find them if you do.

The redhead stands up.

Chelsea: Now, I'm going. — She says, leaving with Gaea Foundation in her hands.
 
Bols: If she's right, I really hope to find those people... — Bols thinks, feeling his chest lighten... — ...I owe them a lot. To them and to the captain.

Further ahead, Chelsea walked away from Bols, disappearing into the forest.

Chelsea: Now don't waste this opportunity that was given to you... Take this opportunity to repent for the sins you committed and start doing something good.

[End of soundtrack]

???: Then she goes and paralyzes the enemy before he can escape! That Chelsea is no pushover! — A male voice says, in a good-natured tone.

Confused, Chelsea looks to the side, but fortunately, it was only Lubbock, who was accompanied by Typhoon and Rainbow.

Chelsea: Oh, hi, Lubb!

Lubbock: Good to see you caught your target, but weren't the orders to kill Bols? — He asks, a little confused.

Chelsea: Our orders have changed. — She answers vaguely, brushing some hair from her eyes — I'm glad you came to help me.

Lubbock: Well, it's time to find the guys, isn't it? — He asks, pointing with his thumb behind him.

Putting a lollipop in her mouth, the redhead looks away.

Chelsea: Not yet. I need to kill Kurome before she finds Esdeath's team.

Lubbock's eyes widen at his teammate's statement. He looks down nervously.

Lubbock: Kurome has already left the limits of my barrier, but I know exactly where she's going. But... — He looks at the redhead, raising his arms — ...It's dangerous, woman! You're not the type to take that many risks!

Chelsea: If I don't go, it'll be too late. — She argues seriously, removing her lollipop from her mouth.

She looks at the green-haired man sternly.

Chelsea: If we don't find her now, she'll find eight more puppets and come back to attack. Won't that be more dangerous? — Lubb doesn't answer — So you're going to go back there and report what happened. And then you'll make them send two more assassins to come and help me.

The Crosstail bearer, initially not answering, looks down with a melancholic face.

Lubbock: I see... — He looks back at the redhead — But don't do anything stupid, okay?

Chelsea: I'm not going. If she's already reached Esdeath's team, I'll come running back. — She promises, with a confident smile. 

Lubbock climbs on Typhoon, holding the Deadly Nadder's reins.

Lubbock: I'll send reinforcements as soon as I can!

He nudges Typhoon and the purple dragon shoots into the air.

Rainbow, worried, looks at her pilot.

The redhead frowns.

Chelsea: Rainbow, no, you have to stay. — She orders, turning her back on the dragon to leave.

As she walks, the shapeshifter hears footsteps behind her. She realizes that, to her dismay, Rainbow was following her. The assassin stops walking.

Chelsea: Rainbow, no! I said "stay"!  — She orders, raising her voice so that it scares her dragon.

Sighing a little, she looks into the Ghost Reaper's eyes.

Chelsea: Listen. This is my job, and no one should be involved in my risks. Go back and follow Lubb. It's better this way.

Lowering her head sadly, the reptile waves. Rainbow turns her back to her pilot and flaps her wings, flying in the same direction where Lubbock and Typhoon left.

With a melancholic smile, Chelsea looks up at the sky.

Chelsea: Lubb is right. I'm not the type to take risks. Heh, I guess working with them made me soft.

Focusing back on her objective, Chelsea grabs Gaea Foundation and pulls out makeup tools. In a movement of her arm and a smoke screen, she had transformed into an exact replica of Bols.

The disguised assassin continues on her way.

Chelsea: Now it's time to find Kurome. I'm going to finish her off, no matter what.

[Meanwhile; at the Night Raid meeting point...]

The group was inside a wooden hut that would serve as a meeting point. Mine, who had a towel around her neck, was having her shoulder — burned by Kaiser Frog's acid — bandaged by Susanoo.

Mine: Hurry up with that, I want to change my clothes right away! — The pink-haired girl grumbles.

Susanoo: Only after I treat your wounds.

Akame looks at Leone. The lioness woman was lying on a bed, with the stump of her severed arm bandaged. Crusher was lying on a tarp below, with bandages around his pierced torso.

Akame: So, Leone? Are your wounds better yet? — Leone smiles.

Leone: Of course they are! I've already recovered quite a bit! Now all I have to do is wait for Lubb to come back so he can stitch my arm up!

Tatsumi: Did you say "stitch"? — The dark-haired boy asks, surprised.

Leone: He and I have a special combination in case of a total loss! That's Lionel's trump card: The Regenerator!

Najenda, with an arrogant smile, points at Leone with her eyes closed.

Najenda: That's true! But my Susanoo's regenerative ability works right away! —She boasts, cutting Leone's fun.

Leone: Okay, okay, it's true...! — She grumbles, with an aura of frustration.

Mine: Well, with a regenerative ability like that, I can even face Esdeath and Atsuko together! — She says, smiling sarcastically.

Leone: What? Are you jealous because your Arm doesn't have a trump card? — She jokes.

Mine: Fuhuhu! Pumpkin doesn't need those things! — She shows off, raising her Imperial Arm — Have you forgotten? The greater the pressure, the greater the... —She is abruptly cut off by Susanoo.

Susanoo: I'm going to apply the medicinal herb, it might hurt a little.

2 seconds later, Mine screamed in pain pathetically, Tatsumi laughing at his misfortune.

Tatsumi: It's bad to humiliate yourself when you want to look tough, right? I know how it is. — He mocks, with little laughs.

The boy's speech makes Leone and the more good-natured dragons present laugh at the poor shooter, whose face was so red that smoke was almost escaping from her ears.

Mine: Stop laughing, Pinky! — The nervous girl says to her dragon, who was following the wave of laughter.

The team hears the door open abruptly. A greenish man had just entered and was with his hands on his knees, panting as if he had run a marathon. Leone smiles and waves at him.

Leone: Hi, Lubb! I know you just got back, but I need to ask you for a...

Lubbock: It's Chelsea! — He interrupts, surprising his companions.

[Meanwhile; with Kurome]

The necromancer walked alone along the forest trail, her arms behind her back. The girl sighed.

Kurome: Oh, the medicine wore off...

The wielder of Yatsufusa sat on a rock to eat her sweets alone, with a blank expression.

Kurome: *sigh* Apart from Natala and Doya, all my toys were destroyed. It must be impossible to gather a force like that again. — She said with disappointment, before looking at her bag of sweets — At least the snacks are delicious.

The young assassin heard a rustling in the bushes, as if something big like a dragon or a bear was approaching. Kurome was on alert, but the person who appeared from the bushes was a familiar person.

Bols: Oh, I knew it, it was you, Kurome! I'm glad you're okay! — The masked man said happily.

Kurome: ... — She was perplexed — I say the same, Bols.  That was quite an explosion, how did you escape?

Bols: Back in my time in the Incineration Squad, I was trained to resist heat.

Kurome: Oh, I see! Good! — Says the swordswoman, with a blushing smile.

Bols: Oh, and I'm sorry. I lost my Imperial Arm. — He explains, rubbing the back of his neck.

Kurome: It's okay.

Kurome was being tricked. As you can imagine, it wasn't Bols, just Chelsea in disguise. She learned the mannerisms and ways of speaking of each of the Jaegers from Tatsumi for situations like these. She now waited for Kurome to have a moment of weakness or to let her guard down to deliver a lethal move.

Shortly after, Kurome and Chelsea in disguise were following the trail through the trees to leave the forest.

Chelsea/Bols: Soon, we'll reach the city.

Kurome: But there might be an ambush on the way.

Chelsea glanced at the Jaeger. She felt a strange discomfort regarding Kurome and so far, she hadn't found any opening to attack. The shapeshifter was considering whether she should retreat.

Kurome: I think the captains must be around here. Let's be careful until we find him...

Kurome feels a sudden wave of dizziness and nausea. The discomfort makes her fall to her knees on the floor. Chelsea approaches, feigning a worried tone of voice.

Chelsea/Bols: Kurome, are you okay?!

Akame's sister gritted her teeth, with her hand on her forehead.

Kurome: No one told me not to eat all the sweets!!

Chelsea puts her hand on the Jaeger's back.

Chelsea/Bols: Do you... do you have pain anywhere?

Kurome: It's okay. I just need to eat one more sweet. — She reassures, taking a snack from her bag.

Chelsea/Bols: You look like you're in pain. Poor thing... Oh, I know! I have something here to ease your pain!

Kurome looks back, having her attention captured. Her eyes widen when she feels something cut her neck from behind. The necromancer is horrified when "Bols" is enveloped in smoke and transforms into a red-haired girl with headphones.

Chelsea: Done. Now you won't feel any more pain. — She says coldly, before standing up — See you later.

Kurome falls to her side, groaning incomprehensibly. Her eyelids slowly close.

Kurome: O-Onee... Onee-san... — She speaks, almost in a whisper, before falling unconscious.

Chelsea: Both missions completed. It's over.

Chelsea: That girl... In the end, her last words were used to call for her sister. I know it's a shame. Unfortunately, it's the fate of a killer.

She crouches down, picking up Yatsufusa to take to the Revolutionary Army.

Chelsea: I'll create a new world. It's a shame you won't be here to see it.

With that, Chelsea turns her back to Kurome's body, now leaving.

???: Hey...

[Insert this soundtrack: You Idiot — Toby Fox]

https://youtu.be/oJFur9DFkoQ

The Night Raid assassin freezes in terror. An aura of darkness flares up behind her.

A hand rips Yatsufusa from her hands in a swift movement. Chelsea turns around and retreats backwards, frightened.

Chelsea: Huh?!! But when did you...? — She asks, looking at her now empty hands.

Kurome: The trick didn't work. It still hurts a lot. — The Jaeger hisses, with a distorted monstrous voice and maniacal eyes that crave blood.

Chelsea: N-No... — She was terrified — I'm sure I hit a vital point!

Kurome: After nee-san left, they created a new drug, so powerful that it made me stronger. It demands much more of me than the previous drug, but in return, it's full of surprises. 

Kurome stands up with great effort, unsheathing Yatsufusa and getting into a combat stance.

Kurome: There are only two ways to end me: Destroy my heart or cut my head off, because otherwise, I won't die!

[End of soundtrack]

Chelsea, desperate, throws a smoke bomb on the ground to cover Kurome's vision. The redhead runs away to escape certain death.

Chelsea: She's not human anymore! I'm going to transform and get out now!

The shapeshifter pulls out Gaea Foundation, ready to transform into a bird and escape, but a sudden pain hits her at the sound of a gunshot.

Natala and Doya were summoned by Kurome and were now chasing Chelsea. The gunwoman had shot the redhead's left hand with everything she had, not only destroying Gaea Foundation, but also all the fingers on her left hand, except for her thumb.

Chelsea bites her lip to contain a scream of pain.

Chelsea: What a... sh*t...!!

Back there, Kurome was on the ground, weak, using Yatsufusa as support.

Kurome: Earlier, she said that both missions were completed... If she was disguised as Bols... — With the back of her hand, she wipes a trickle of blood that was running from her mouth — ...I will avenge him!!

Kurome: Natala!!! Doya!!! Destroy this woman!!!

Chelsea runs until she reaches an open field, whose ground was covered in colorful flowers. However, she didn't expect Natala to jump over her and land right in front of her. Frightened, the assassin steps back to get away, but the blond corpse puppet uses his blade to cut off Chelsea's right arm.

The poor redhead doesn't even have time to react, as she feels a bullet pierce her back. Doya's work, who shot her from behind.

With a frozen expression of shock, Chelsea collapses backwards into the flowers, her blood staining the colorful petals. She stared at the sky, which was starting to get cloudy. Natala crouched down and grabbed the young woman by the collar.

[Insert this soundtrack: He's Here For Here — Heitor Pereira]

https://youtu.be/MBOngHbaqd0

Chelsea: I see... So this is the fate of an killer.

Natala wielded his spear, preparing to finish the job.

Chelsea: I kind of... wanted to be praised on the way back... 

The rain was already starting to fall. Natala lifted Chelsea into the air by her collar. The girl's eyes were shaking. The raindrops dripped onto her face, mixing with the moisture in her eyes. She remembered all the bad things she had said to her companions, especially about Sheele and Bulat.

Chelsea: Sorry, guys... — She thought, feeling tears welling up in her eyes — I won't be with you to see the new world...

Chelsea closed her eyes. Natala pulls his blade back to cut off the shapeshifter's head. The redhead accepted that this was her fate, given the path she chose, and regretted not being able to see her team anymore. Natala swings his spear in a violent motion. 

[End of the soundtrack]

[Insert: Hopes and Dreams Orchestral Remix — Laura Platt]

https://youtu.be/CzhO_JSPznU

Only for him to be pushed away by a sonic blast. The blond is thrown against a tree, slamming against the trunk. Doya, realizing that someone was nearby, tries to shoot, but is also sent flying by another sonic blast.

Kurome's eyes widen in shock. An invisible force grabs Chelsea and somehow suspends her in the air. Blue eyes appear in the air, glaring at Kurome. The rest of the body removes its camouflage, revealing itself.

Chelsea weakly opens her eyes, on the back of the individual. She was being carried by someone. The lollipop lover was not expecting her unlikely savior.

Chelsea: R-Rainbow...?

[End soundtrack at: 0:24]

To be continued...

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