Author's Note

Just the prologue Also, a good deal of references will be mentioned. They are the property of their respective owners. I am in no way slandering or bad-mouthing them, merely making comparison. And also, I am touching up on the backstory in this because I do not want to info dump, at least not in the right way, right away, so expect it to be developed throughout the chapters.

Prologue. In Which A New Life Begins.

Rite Of Passage.
Detroit, Michigan, 2016.

Try imagining being suckerpunched by a psychopath, then being sent flying into a wall at near the speed of light.

That was how the world and my day ended for me.

Now that I think about it, it could have been a good deal worse.

It should have been worse.

My day consisted of relaxing in the park downtown that was adjacent to the highway. As I stared at the bonsai and cherry blossom trees and benches around me, I admired the significance of my city's geographical setting. The New Center Area of Detroit is at times beautiful. It was a major staple for business and living.

That's another thing. I'm from Detroit. It's always a good place to visit; it has a good and bad reputation. It's The Motor City, The D, Motown, etc. It's the number one technological hub in the world. But enough about that, I was on a important business venture.

I was here to pick up a package to help give our local law enforcement a break. It's a problem, that as of late, is becoming a major issue. I am sure that if left untreated, it will go beyond my city. It could harm all 50 states, beyond.

So I had to be right.

I sat on the bench, chewing on some smoked lamb I picked up from a nearby restaurant. I was getting impatient. If there's one thing I like, it's being punctual.

"What the fuck is taking so long?" I groaned. "Rin ought to know that I hate waiting when I shouldn't have to,'' I huffed, checking my nails for any dirt.

"Ai! Sir, you should be more patient! You wouldn't want to blow a blood vessel!'' a voice sounded from on top my head.

''Yes, I should, Ai,'' I chuckled, humming a sweet tune.

''Sir, do not be so brash. Perhaps you should count to 10, that is what you taught us to do,'' another voice scolded, making me scoff, but agree.

''Also noted, Yuu,'' I smirked. ''I forget how much we've rubbed off on each other.''

Thanks to the miracle of my own stubbornness, I was not completely broken by what occurred some years ago. It was that period of time that led me to my greatest friends. But, it was not without sacrificing something.

Most people wouldn't be able to handle it.

I was. . .tortured for 10 consecutive days on end, nonstop due to me standing up for something I believe in by a horrible human being.

The mere word torture pales in comparison to what that person did to me. I was initially starved and deprived of water for a week in a dark boiler room, my mind playing tricks on me as I hallucinated about things I never thought possible, causing a period of hollering at the top of my lungs, my body forcing itself to vomit practically nothing. I was begging for food, but they ignored me, even when I was obviously malnourished and sleep-deprived.

Afterwards, I had thugs and demented patients assault me with bats, spiked clubs and whips until my back was tanned red. I was stepped on, spat on, and when I finally was able to eat and drink, the food was spiked with pomegranate, a fruit I'm highly allergic to.

It caused massive swelling of my throat. . .and I could barely breathe.

And the water was worse, it had massive amounts of lemon juice in it. I was never given a rest as I was thrown into a pit of rabid, hungry wolves, set to fight against them with meat tied around my body.

Apparently, with their sick games, they sought to play my heartstrings by baiting a trio of innocents along with me in the pit.

Remember how I said Detroit was a major technological place? I failed to mention that it branches out to science. Our top scientists in the industry developed a well-placed system of helpers, companions and conduits for artificial warfare.

The Fairies. A race of miniature genetically engineered girls, that can easily be held in the palm of your hand embedded with the means of how they are vital to warfare: Magical Circuits that code for specific types of genes that allowed for the most basic of functions; healing, pyrokinesis, teleportation, etc.

In the midst of battle, I spied a duo of wolves ganging up on two Fairies and a smaller helper for The Fairies, called Wisps, unconscious and malnourished with cuts all over their bodies.

In my drugged-fueled rage, I snapped and attacked with what little of the energy that I had and drove the wolves off.

The howling of pain from me and from the Alpha wolf's neck I snapped while stricken with tears, stuck with me, deciding to choose my life over its. By the stroke of God, they backed away after giving me massive cuts and wounds on my arms and legs. As if that was not enough, I was subjected me to water torture, electoral-therapy, poison acupuncture and a whole lot more I'm too scared to talk about...for fear it might happen...again.

After all that, they awoke, albeit slow and they looked confused. When I asked them if they were okay, they confirmed, but after that, they couldn't remember how they got here. Even worse, they lost. . .their memories.

After a while, I was sure that it would come back, but turns out a week of me taking them in was not enough. I felt bad for them and when asked if I would help them get their memories back, I reluctantly accepted, knowing it would be for nothing. But I had to give them names. After debating, I decided on Ai and Yuu, and for the Wisp; Snow.

But, a year later and I have yet to find any big answers, or regrets.

Back to my business. Rin Akame is a lifelong pal. She, Ai, Yuu and Snow are the only ones who I can call my friends that has not betrayed me. She's my childhood friend of 17 years.

She was, initially, a bit cold to me at first, making me think she was a Tsundere, but she just had a major case of social anxiety and never had any friends. Well, besides me, Ai, Yuu and Snow.

Rin has a hard-headed, but caring nature, willing to do what she has to, but she has trouble expressing herself, so she often acts distant even though she's not very good at it.

Another thing I'd have to praise Rin for is her unnatural amount of strength, compared to that of 100 bodybuilders. Rin was experimented on when she was 12 and gained the ability to loosen the tendons limiting normal human strength, allowing Rin to use 100% of her full body power, but comes with the drawback of her being tired easy and overexerting herself.

With her time with training, she has been known to be the best person to handle a gun and sword at the same time. So much so, she has been given the nickname Sharpshooter Knight. I would be very concerned for the person who would have to face Rin's wrath when they piss her off.

In return for me wanting to learn sword skills, I taught Rin the art of martial arts, particularity Taekwondo and Judo which are methods of fighting I highly prefer to get the job done.

Speaking of which, here she is now.

"Oi, Rin; what took you so long, you were supposed to be here 10 minutes ago," I said, miffed.

"Sorry. . .Jamir...but. . .the Dexter Mag-Lev bus was late. . ." Rin huffed.

''Hi, Ms. Rin!~'' Ai waved.

''Hello...Ai.''

''Hello, Rin,'' Yuu greeted, bowing, falling off my head before I caught her with my hand. She then found her way back to my head with Snow on her leg.

''And to you too, Yuu. . .and Snow.''

Rin was a simple girl, with luscious black hair and blood-red eyes. She was panting, holding her hand to her chest before settling herself.

"So. . .were you-"

"Watched?" I asked, making Rin nod. "No, but we shouldn't be here, it might be...hey, are you okay?" I noticed Rin staring into the direction she ran from, a glint of indifference in her eyes.

"Ja-Ja." Rin called me by my nickname. That only happens when she's serious. This was important. Looking at me, her eyes stared into mine, faint petals began falling in front of us as I listened carefully.

"Do you know. . .what today is?"

''Yea...January 12th.''

. . .Wait. 12th? Of J-January?

My eyes began to water, my body beginning to shiver uncontrollably with every growing second. My hands began to sweat and clench. I fell on my rump, choking on my tears in tandem with a growing headache.

"Jamir." Rin said, bending down and wiping my tears off with a handkerchief. "I know that day means a great deal to you and the girls, but-"

"It's okay, Rin. . .I knew this day would come regardless," I sighed, shaking my head. I tried my best to keep myself in check, but still remained with tears dripping to the ground. "But, at the same time, this'll make stopping ‘them’ all the more sweet.”

''Sir, are you okay?'' Ai asked, leaning over my head, frowning.

''I'm. . .fine, Ai. I just had a bad memory resurface, that's all.''

''Are you sure, sir?'' Yuu inquired while Snow licked my ear, making me chuckle.

''Positive, girls. I would never lie when it comes to you two.'' Rin then looked to me.

"So, what is the plan?" Rin tilted her head, curious.

"'Stealth and Seize on C.A.T. High school. If ‘they’ manages to get control of the grid in that area, there could very well be a standoff with the local police and residents."

"Soooo, what exactly are we going to do?" Rin titled her head. Again.

That would be the hard part. This plan, unlike my previous attempts are twice as likely to fail and have the biggest repercussions if we were to have a misstep. It would go beyond Detroit, spread into other states, or even bleed through to the nation's capital. It has the biggest payout of stopping a tyrant of an entire city for 5 years, but also the pain of knowing that it's. . .

Nevermind.

And this was the last strike for me before the cops would say; fuck it and arrest me.

So I had to be right.

"Come on,-" Rin held her hand out for me to grab. "-We should get going. You can explain the plan on the way."

Central Academy for the advancement of Technology, 1:00 P.M.

"Your plan is what?!" Rin looked ready to grind my bones into paste, that is, after she peeled off all my skin. "Are you that insane?!" Rin yelled, grinding her teeth together.

"Now, I know my plans are, for a lack of words, lacking-"

"Common sense?" Rin whispered from the bushes we were crouched in. ''We're wearing black hoodies, bandannas for masks and cargo pants! We look like robbers! We'd stand out like a flamingo among pelicans!''

Eh, yes.

"Eh, yes. But...have my plans not worked out when we do it like this?"

"Yes," Rin huffed. pouting. "They have."

"So, this plan should be about the same brand of-"

"Jack-assery?”

"Will you stop interrupting me? And will that be a key element? I hope not. Now, focus."

Now that we were here, the plan would be a tad easier. We need to get control of this school before it blows up in our faces.

Like Kermes Fire.

"Hey, you all remember your parts?" I asked, remembering that I have a tendency to ramble.

"Yes. I'll deal with any stragglers while you do the smart thing and go after what's really important," Rin flashed me a small smile and a thumbs up as she hiked her duffle bag full of tricks over her shoulder and went into the school through a empty classroom window.

''Yes, sir!'' Yuu gushed. ''Me and Snow will do our best to keep intruders at bay for as long as possible!'' Yuu twirled in the air and teleported away, ready to do her job, leaving me and Ai.

''And we'll do the smart thing and go where most wouldn't; the basement,'' I whispered, picking up my own duffle bag before standing up. ''I just hope that I'm right this time.''

''Yes, sir!'' Ai whispered back. ''I have confidence in you!''

At least someone did.

The inside of the school hadn't changed as much as I thought. The floors were outfitted with grayish black pressure plates that respond to movement to help power 10% of the school's electricity. Every other wall had huge 50' inch touch-screens that were central conduits to help navigate the school, call for help and check on the internet.

The ceiling spanned as high as the eye could see before seeing the giant skyroof that led to the 5th floor roof. From where I entered, which was through the cafeteria, I had a clear shot of the small service hallway that would lead to the basement. As I walked by, the mechanical shifting floors with tables, canopies, and a staircase that led to the roof were gone.

''Sir, why is nothing here?'' Ai asked, tilting her head from ontop my head.

''They're under the floor. Helps with space,'' I answered.

Moving cautiously, I shifted my view every few seconds, intent on not getting caught by and of the robotic sentries that patrolled the school while kids were in class. All the 9th to 12th weren't here today because routine maintenance.

So I had time to not be found out.

Now, when Rin said that to go after what's important, I believed it to be mostly right, but then I thought about it. If I knew anything about this person, it would be that they have a tendency to not go against their 'supposed beliefs.'

I walked down a long and narrow hallway, decorated with blue paint and tons of wires hooked up to various machines. They looked like the school's wiring system. Further down and a right turn, I saw it.

I frowned.

Before me was a black and red door, the height and width of two people with a fingerprint scanner, keypad, and the school insignia, a Trailblazer.

''Ai, could you get this door open without...making any noise?'' I asked knowing that it would a noticeable enough noise that should anybody be inside, it would reflect bad on me.

''Ai, sir!'' Ai cheered, holding out her hand. Slowly, a green aura surrounded Ai's body before literally stretching out to the door like a type of rope before attaching itself with a small plop as it covered the door. Her pink eyes glowed green and focused. With a small grunt and a tug, the door was silently yanked off the frame, flying into a nearby wall, contacting it with a small tink as the floor rumbled a tad.

''Flawless as ever,'' I complimented, rubbing Ai's head with a finger as she blushed, pursing her lips together. ''Excellent, Ai.''

''Thank you, sir!'' Ai took her place back on my head as I slowly ventured in, eyeing the spacious area, covered with more mechanical floors, the entire room spanning to form a huge circle, two giant supercomputers in the very middle, flanked by a terminal with a computer with four screens. As I walked further in, I couldn't help buy seen something weird to the left and right of the supercomputers.

. . .Two giant standing pods, adorned with the color gold with black and red that looked to fit a human, with a bit of space to move around in. The glass on it was tinted black as blue lights steadily pulsed like heartbeats.

“Master, what is that?” Ai asked, pointing.

“I think I don't wanna know,” I muttered. As I slowly moved towards it, it must have been a while since somebody was her for there was a bit of dust of the tag plate.

“Hmm, 1st Order,” I read the tag plate.

“Ai! This one says Last Order, Master!” Ai cheered. “What is that?”

I jogged over, and tried and true; it said it. But something felt off. Looming closer, we could see inside, but nobody was in there. What. . .is this place?

“Master, the door is cracked!” Ai pointed to the door, being slightly what. Meaning somebody. . .or thing got loose. Ok, change in plans. I had to regroup with Rin and tell her her. The plan's been compromised. I didn't account for. . .this.

''Let’s go, Ai,'' I ordered, taking hold and putting her in the crook of my hoodie, throwing up the hood on my black, making Ai feel like a ninja as she went up to my head and giggled. Before I could reach into my cargo pants and reach for my phone, blue sparkling particles began to gather before Snow had appeared in front of us, chirping happily.

''Hey, Snow!~'' Ai waved.

''Sup, Snow? How's the fight going outside?'' I asked, seeing Snow turn and twirl in the air.

''Snow! Snow! BOOM~!'' Snow chirped as he pantomimed somebody getting beat up, then a explosion.

That's a reason why I named Snow. That's all he really can say. Somehow, Ai and Yuu can understand him perfectly to a T, yet at times, I get the gist of what he wants to say. And other times, I'm about as lost as a kid in a forest.

''So, does Yuu need help, or no?'' I asked.

''Snow!'' Snow shook his head no. ''Snow, Snow!''

''Ai! That was a great idea, Snow!'' Ai praised, rubbing his head.

''What now?''

''Oh, Snow said that Yuu cast a sleeping spell on the attackers and had them tied up in the gym,'' Ai said, giggling.

What did she mean by-

Thud!

''Oh, okay. . .guess that Yuu could join-'' I then felt a tap on my shoulder. Looking over, it looked to be Yuu, her outfit slightly dirtied.

''Hello!~'' Yuu hugged my face, making me frown. ''. . .Sir, what's wrong?'' Yuu floated in front of me.

''Yuu. . .'' I spoke calmly, as I began to walk, Ai and Snow taking a seat on top of my hood.

''Yes?''

''Why is your outfit dirty?'' I fought to not get angry.

''I-I. . .I uh. . .kinda...rolled around in the dirt.. .'' Yuu poked her fingers together, looking away from me. She knew she was in trouble.

''And why did you that, young lady?'' I grit my teeth, upset at the lack of manners Yuu seems to hold. Even Snow and Ai are more well-behaved than her. I swear, this girl will use any excuse to get dirty, calling it a 'fun experience', to where I call it a excuse for her to get me involved in her little shenanigans.

''I thought I raised the three of you guys better than this, but you just seem to test my patience, little lady. And why is that?''

''But, sir!~'' Yuu gushed, barely containing her excitement. ''It's so fun!''

Ignoring her excuse, we set out to continue looking for Rin. She had to be close, so I-

''Ja-Ja!~'' a voice managed to them through the basement, though faint.

''That sounds like Ms. Rin!'' Ai said, surprised.

Before her voice stopped yelling, I sped down the hall, pushing past my limits and burning lactic acid in my legs as I sped down the hallway, then up the stairs and past tables. Then up a flight of stairs before I pushed through a pair of double doors and ended up on the roof, the sun shining in my eyes, blinding me as I tripped over the last step and landed on the ground with a thud.

Craning my head ever so slightly, the reinforced gates around the school did bring a sense of relief upon me as whoever was up here with Rin would have a hard time escaping when the gates are laden with sharp crosswires at the top. I saw Rin squared up into a ready stance with her signature weapons; a Desert Eagle pistol with different types of elemental bullets called King and her Ringed Broadsword called Slayer. A few cuts littered her hoodie and cargo pants, thin red lines of blood seeping into her clothing as she lightly panted.

But who she was currently fighting against had me questioning myself.

It was a girl with darkish blue hair, wearing a white collared shirt, a long blue skirt and brown shoes. But her face. . .was really. . .fucked up. I mean, the girl is caked in so much blood that she look like she just came out the womb and had her face massacred by Leatherface. A wicked smile on her face, the fear in Rin's eyes being reflected into the girl's. But from what I saw, she was about four feet tall.

''Hee, hee, hee,~'' the girl laughed, licking the blood from her fingers. ''Well, I see that you are stubborn,'' she uncovered a knife with wicked serrations, resembling chainsaw and spike protrusions. ''Why won't you die?~"

''Yes, well. . .I have. . .been known. . .to be that way. . .'' Rin huffed.

They had yet to notice me, so I slowly crept behind a flower garden and slowly crept behind the mystery girl, holding up to the quiet symbol to Rin, Ai, Yuu, and Snow as I got within reach. I readied a haymaker that would knock her ass out. I cocked back my fist and swung forward, aiming tried and true. I could practically see the imagine the look of pain in her eyes as I clocked her in the head, making her stumble before turning to face me.

''Heeeyyy, why you'd do that?'' she asked, pouting. ''I was having so much fun with my new friend here!''

''Sorry, but I can't allow that!'' I rushed forward again, my initial assault seemingly doing nothing as she maneuvered through my punches, palm strikes and kicks with the grace of a person with practically no bones. Even when I spit in her face and decked her across the face with a elbow strike, did it not faze her. And damn, are her bones hard as hell.

I felt like I was hitting pure concrete. She was enjoying this by the second, but I was certain that this was going to follow a trend, but the bitch headbutted me, cracking my nose as blood ran down my face, the adrenaline numbing the pain slightly.

Laying on my rump, I spied something around her neck past the blood. A purple metal choker with the engravement. . .

“Last. . .Order,” I narrowed my eyes as the girl suddenly was in front of me, faces touching as we pressed foreheads. I flinched.

“Do you want to be friends?~”