Sorry about the long wait! Here's a new chapter!
Enjoy!
_________
(Y/n POV)
After we arrived at Glitter, Aoba and I tried to fix up Clear the best we could.
I can't believe Clear did all that for us.
I was upstairs, looking at Clear's unconscious body.
He was wrapped in bandages around his waist, arms, and even his head.
I felt tears swell up in my eyes.
I sighed and left the room.
I closed the door and went in the living room where Aoba was.
I sat down on the second sofa.
Aoba looked a little depressed.
I think it's my fault- no...don't think like that (Y/n).
Aoba then grabbed his head, his migraines must've returned. Be dug his hand in his pocket and took out his pack of medicine.
He got up and went to the sink in the kitchen.
I stayed put.
I looked down.
The last words that Clear said echoed in my mind.
I decided it's finally time to stop lying.
I got up and went to the kitchen, only to see Aoba standing there, spacing out. His cup overflowing.
"Aoba." I said. He didn't even budge.
"Oi.." I said. I snapped my fingers. Nothing yet.
"Hey!" I said.
He finally moved. Noiz arrived and turned off the sink.
"What are you spacing out about?" he asked.
Aoba looked at him. Not saying anything.
I looked at him.
He looked at me with a bit of a stern look.
"Aoba...I know this isn't the right time but, I-" I stopped when I looked at Aoba. He gave me a stern look.
My heart felt like I just got stabbed.
"Aoba...what are you...?" I froze in place. He sighed.
He took his pill and drank the water.
"So how's Clear?" he asked Noiz.
"I got some patch work done. We're still gonna have to find a shop or something to get him running right." Noiz replied.
I looked down.
"Thanks for that." Aoba said.
"Yeah, we really appreciate it." I said.
Noiz was silent for a while.
"Not sure when." he simply said.
He doesn't mean...?
Aoba looked at him.
It was silent.
Just.
Pure.
Silence.
Until I broke it.
"So what do we do now?" I asked.
Aoba and Noiz looked at me questionably.
"If we just sit around here, who knows what Toue's gonna do!" I said.
Aoba then opened his Coil, looking at his invitation.
"Every one of us got an invitation here." he said. "They led a trap for us."
"How can you be so sure, Aoba?" I asked.
"Well for one thing, it started with that guy, Ryuuhou. Those Morphine guys. And the two guys who look just like Clear." he said.
"You knew they were after you?" Noiz asked.
"Well, I'm pretty sure Toue wouldn't just let us get Oval Tower and stop his little "annaversary celebration."." I said.
"I still don't know why you guys got invitations." Aoba said. "Toue what's something with me, I get that."
Noiz sighed.
"And because of me you're all involved in this." Aoba said.
I heard footsteps.
"Because we wanted to be." a familiar voice said.
I turned around to see Koujaku. He seems to have healed pretty well.
"Koujaku. Are you okay now?" Aoba asked.
"Yeah, I'm pretty good." he put his hand on his head. "Still clearing the cobweps out. How's Clear doing?" he asked.
"It was a mess in there. But I really can't do a whole lot more in this amusement park." Noiz replied.
"Alright." Kou replied.
"So anyway. I don't deny that Toue is after you, but still..." Noiz stopped.
"But what?" Aoba asked.
"There's gotta be something else." Noiz said.
Aoba, Koujaku and I looked at him with a questioning look.
We decided to talk about this in the living room.
I sat down beside Aoba on the sofa. Koujaku sat on the second one while Noiz stood up.
"And when Morphine attacked us..." Noiz started.
That memory then came back.
(Recap)
"I TOLD YOU TO STOOOOOOP!!!" Aoba shouted. Or two voices did...
(Recab end)
"All those guys. They all just stopped, like they were somehow obeying every word you were saying to them." Noiz said.
Aoba looked away a little. "Well, yeah.." he said.
"And then, I heard a voice in my head. Telling me you were going to come inside." Noiz said.
Koujaku looked at him with concern.
"And then you were there." Noiz said.
Aoba looked a bit nervous to tell them about his power. So I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and nodded. Telling him that it was alright.
"Yeah well, that was me using my Scrap power on you. That's how it's supposed to work." Aoba said.
I balled my hands up into a fist. Clutching onto my fingerless gloves.
I was supposed to keep an eye out for him.
"Scrap?" Noiz asked.
"Yeah, if I really feel like doing it, I can go inside someone's head and make them do anything that I want." Aoba explained. "All I have to do to learn everything about someone, is to force my own thoughtstream into their unconscious mind at any time."
It was silent for a bit.
"So that's what you were doing." Koujaku said.
"Yeah. I didn't know how to control my power when I wound up mind to mind with Mizuki. And then...."
He paused for a moment.
"And then all got the invites to come here, Toue's been sending guys after us without a break. And that means he's trying or succeeding at brainwashing people, and what's worse. He's probably recruiting me to do it. You remember don't you, Koujaku?" he said.
"It was part of the fireworks and light show." Aoba said. "And Clear knew about the effects of the Die Music."
"Right, he sings it." I said.
"And I went inside Noiz after Toue got control of him." Aoba said.
Noiz looked a bit down.
"And there's that anniversary event coming up. Toue's gonna use it, to brainwash everyone he hasn't gotten to yet." Aoba said.
"Yeah. That's what he's planning." I said.
"I wanna do everything I can to keep that from happening." Aoba said.
"Yeah..." Koujaku said, nodding.
"But I'm the one Toue wants, not you guys. I can't ask you to put yourselves in danger for me like that." Aoba said.
"It's not like you were the only one who got invited." Koujaku said.
"Okay. But still, that does worry me." Aoba said.
I looked at Aoba.
He's doing all that he can to stop this. I haven't even got the chance to tell him the truth.
After our long conversation, Aoba decided to see how Clear's doing.
As I entered my room, I sighed and plopped down on the bed.
My Coil vibrated.
I sighed and sat up.
I answered.
"Yes?"
"How's your mission doing?"
"It's going fine, sir."
"Good. As expected from my favorite."
"Tch. Don't get cocky! I know what's going on and I'm not letting it happe-"
"Don't you dare get an attitude!"
"...of course, sorry sir."
"That's better. Now, about Aoba Seragaki, what have you found out so far?"
"Well....he has been a little bit stressed, and I just found out about his Scrap power, sir."
"Is that so? Good job, dear (Y/n)."
"T-thank you, s-sir."
"Now, I must attend to some very important meetings. Good night, (Y/n)."
"Good night, sir.."
I ended the call.
I fell back on the bed, and stared up at the ceiling.
Enough is enough, I need to tell Aoba.
I then heard footsteps down the hallway.
I then heard a door open then close, it sounded like it came from the front door.
I got up and grabbed my stuff.
I packed my knife, gun and grenades. I usually don't use these, but only for emergencies and whatnot.
I walked downstairs and went through the back door, I snuck through an alley beside the front door.
There I saw Mink and Aoba, and listened carefully on there conversation.
Mink was giving Aoba some sort of USB transporter.
"Go ahead and put this in your Allmate first." Mink said.
"What's it supposed to be?" Aoba asked, holding it up.
"The Over Tower uses a salt weapon class specialized Allmates to keep people like us out. That's a worm, not the kind a vet can fix either. We get to the tower, you plug your Allmate into the network, and bye-bye big guns." Mink explained.
He expects Aoba to put a random bug inside Ren? That's not what I'd do.
"What's it gonna do to Ren when I put this inside him?" Aoba asked. As always, worried about Ren.
"Dunno." Mink replied.
"What the he'll is that supposed to mean? If this thing kills Allmates, why would I put it in Ren?! Nice try Ace, now take it back!" Aoba said.
You go Aoba!
Mink slapped his hand back.
"He's a machine you idiot, a freaking toy. He breaks, you go to the shop and get another one." Mink said.
"He's not a toy you stupid musclehead! We take care of each other, got it!?" Aoba said.
Atta boy!
"Fine, so you don't wanna break it, it's still a machine. They don't eat, mess the house, and they're damn easy to replace."
That's not what Aoba would do!
"Hey! Maybe you treat that bird of yours like a toy, but I would never do that to Ren!" Aoba said.
"I might understand if he was a real dog, remember you still owe me, you better make the right desicion!" Mink said.
"No way!" Aoba said. Mink then grabbed the front of his coat and punched him across the face.
"Hey, what your pro-" he punched him again. His cheek was swelling a bit.
"Right now your my problem, got it!?" Mink said, punching him again and he and ended up falling. He fell back against the fence, dropping the bug. Ren hopped off his lap.
"I can keep on doing this all night, but I get the feeling you can't." Mink said.
Aoba looked at him with hatred.
Ren walked up to Aoba with the bug in his mouth.
What's he doing?
"Go ahead and use it Aoba, it's fine." Ren said.
How is it fine!?
"Yeah but, you might catch a virus I can't get rid of, I don't want that!" Aoba said in a worried tone.
"You'll fix me if it happens, right Aoba?" Ren asked.
That actually is true. Ren and Aoba will always be there for each other. Ren actually had the strength to have a bug inside him. Even for Aoba's safety.
That's what a true Allmate can do.
"But Ren.." Aoba tried to deny.
"Of course you will." Ren replied.
Aoba seemed to have calmed down a bit. "Alright. Let's find out where I can put this." he said.
Ren turned his back to Aoba.
Aoba then pushed on his fur, opening up his outlets. Aoba plugged in the transporter.
"Upload confirmed." Ren said.
"Are you good?" Aoba asked.
"Certainly, thanks for asking!" Ren said.
"Alright." Aoba said.
I smiled a bit at this.
I then heard Mink speak. "See? I got him, what do you want me to do with him?..... Got it." he said, talking to someone on his Coil.
I glared at Mink. "Let's go." he said.
He then started up his motorcycle. Aoba sat behind him with his arms wrapped around him.
And then they were off. I got out of my hiding spot and tried to catch up to them, but they were a bit too fast.
I growled. I then heard some sounds coming from my left.
I looked around to see Noiz's Allmate hopping around.
I stopped her and picked her up. That gave me an idea. "Noiz?"
I waited.
"Yeah? What's up?" he said.
"I'm gonna need your help with this plan, okay?" I said.
"Alright. What is it?" he asked.
"Think you can route out a faster way into Over Tower?" I asked.
It was silent for a while.
"Hold on a sec." he said.
After about 2 minutes, I heard a 'bing' notification sound.
I looked at my Coil. "I just sent you something." Noiz said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Take a look at it." he said.
I opened my Coil. I went into my email to see a message from Noiz.
I clicked on what be sent me. An entire map of Over Tower!
"Woah....!" I said. "Noiz, you never fail to surprise me." I said. "Now let's get busting. I'm gonna need your navigation though."
"Alright." he said.
"Wait a second. How the hell am I supposed to get there in there!!?"
"Hang on.." Noiz said.
After about 5 minutes. I heard what sounded like a motorbike.
Then as I thought, a motorbike came and stopped right next to me.
"Whoa! How'd you do it?" I asked.
"I put one of my Allmate's chips inside one of the motorbikes on sale. I'm pretty sure you'll do okay." Noiz said.
"Alright. Let's go." I said.
I hopped on the bike and started the engine. I put my hands on the handles and my feet on the pedals. [A/n: Okay, tbh. Idk what the things are on a motorcycle because I never rode on one. Just saying.]
Then I drove off at full speed. Now I'm gonna see what Mink and Aoba are doing.
(Time Skip! Brought to you by Ren's abs! Whoo! Hot abs!)
After a long drive, I parked the bike behind the tower where less security was.
The something caught my eye. I saw a bit of blue. 'Aoba!' I thought.
I saw some stairs and quietly made my way up.
There was a door leading into the tower.
I slowly opened the door. I looked around. It seems like no ones around. "Noiz. Which say do you think Aoba and Mink ran off to?" I asked.
"I tracked down his Coil. Keep going straight then make a left." he said.
"Got it!" I said.
I ran in. What kind of surprised me is that no alarms went off.
Then I turned to my left.
"Alright. Try and find an open hatch, that seems to be the only thing leading into the tower." Noiz said.
"Alright."
I looked around and my eyes landed on an open hatch.
I looked down. It wasn't that far down. I jumped down, landing perfectly on my feet.
I got up and went in the next room. There were computers and ministers all over the place. Aoba and Mink are in here too.
Toue's system control room.
I looked down and saw them. I quickly went behind a wall. I listened carefully.
"I'm plugging you in, Ren." Aoba said.
"Understood." Ren replied.
Aoba then plugged in the other end of the chord into one of the monitors. He turned it on and the data and network was being transferred into Ren.
Some blue static of some sort started to form around Ren's eyes. Then it disappeared. "It's in." Aoba said.
He then unplugged Ren. He picked him up. "Sorry about that." he said. He was about to put his forehead on Ren's, but Ren stopped him with his paws. "What's up?" he asks.
Ren's right eye staticed a bit. "Let's go. Toue should be up on the top floor." Mink said.
"R-r-right." Aoba said.
Then they left. After the door closed I came out of my hiding place and went out the door quietly.
I went to.the elevator but it was in use at the moment. 'Dammit!' I said in my head.
My only use now is the stairs.
I ran up each staircase. Every step I went up, the faster I went.
I got up to about the 64th floor and heard a bang.
I took off down the hallways to see what the commotion was about. I hid behind the wall and got my gun ready.
I looked behind me to see Akushima and security guards surrounding the elevator.
Akushima laughed crazily. "Did you think we were gonna let you just walk in here!? Did you?! " he said. "You really think I was done with you after you left your grandma's house! You got another thing coming you damn punk! Hahaha!!" he said and laughed insanely.
'I wonder if they brainwashed him.' I thought.
Akushima got his guns and guards ready. "Drop your weapons now, I'll think about letting you live! You better be standing tall in front of me by the count of ten!" Akushima said.
He then started counting down. That gave me an idea. I dug my hand in my pocket and took out my smoke granades. I took the trigger out with my teeth and threw the grenade in my Akushima's feet. He jumped back and then.
*KABOOM*
Smoke blew out everywhere and then I heard gunshots.
I stayed hidden behind the wall.
After a while it got quiet for a while. I looked behind me to see that the guards and Akushima are gone. For now.
I got up and ran down a couple hallways. Then my eyes landed on a door, there was movement inside.
I took a closer look. Mink was holding Aoba by his jacket and was pulling on his hair.
Aoba then seemed to pass out.
I stayed hidden behind the wall and Akushima and the guards come back. I got my gun ready.
The door then opened.
"Well, well, well, look where we found you!" Akushima said.
I nearly laughed at the position they were in. "Let's not kill the kid, alright!?" Akushima said. "Get your ass out here!"
Mink glared at them.
Aoba then got up and moved beside Mink. His bangs shadowing his eyes.
He raised his head, his eyes a bright golden color.
Some of the guards and Akushima put there guns down. "What's he....doing?" Akushima asked.
"Leave now!" Aoba ordered, his voice distorted.
Scrap.
My eyes widened, but I wasn't effected by it. I saw the guards and Akushima lower their guns.
They all went in different directions. "Aoba" looked like he was proud of himself.
Mink then spoke up. "Seragaki." he said. Aoba looked at him.
"What now? Didn't you want me to come out here and fix things? You like threatening people? How about a return the favor for ya, big guy." he asked.
That's not Aoba... I just know it.
"What us it you wanna do with me anyway? You better tell me." 'Aoba' asked.
Mink stayed silent.
"I'm actually glad you're not saying anything." he said.
I got my gun ready.
"Playtime. Now I get to see what's in that brain of yours." he said.
Then out of nowhere they both fell to the ground.
I ran over to them and looked at Aoba.
'Oh no.....' I just realized something.
I dropped down on my knees.
Aoba's probably never gonna trust me ever again.
(Aoba's POV)
When I opened my eyes, all I saw was fire and screams of torture.
"Wait up, why am I.....in here?" I asked myself.
I took a better look at the place. This seems to be a village of some kind.
"Is this...the place where Mink came from?" I asked.
I then looked around and my eyes landed on Mink. He was helping one of the injured people around the area.
The place was swarming with fire and smoke.
Then I looked to my right. Standing there was Toue and a couple of guards and....
My eyes widened when I saw a certain person beside Toue.
Is that...... (Y/n)?
She looked so different. She had a cigarette in between her lips and her clothes were torn and dirty.
I looked around at the area around me.
There were children and adults being held captive. Then Toue spoke up.
"I've heard that your people practice a secret art that uses smell to influence the minds of others." he said. "That's interesting. I would really love to study that art."
The person who he was talking to stayed silent.
"Your not giving me much choice. You really ought to reconsider your choice. That's too bad then." he said with his eyes closed. He then snapped his fingers.
(Y/n) came up and readied her pistol, aiming it to the 3 people Toue was talking to. She then pulled the trigger and the gunshot echoed through my mind.
She then pulled out a couple matches and lit one. She threw it in the air, catching the smoke on fire.
The smell of it burned my nose and throat. It was hard to breath.
Then after that,it was morning and everything was burnt away. Mink was the only one who was last standing.
He then picked up a crystal of some sort.
I understand now. All of Mink's family and people were killed for Toue's spite. And he wants revenge. I guess I would too.
And (Y/n)....
(Y/n POV)
I sat beside Mink and Aoba, waiting for one of them to wake up.
I know that when Aoba wakes up, he's gonna be either mad or disappointed.
Mink then woke up.
I quickly made a move, but I wasn't fast enough.
"Oi..." Mink said.
I slowly turned my head to see Mink with his usual bored expression.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
I stayed silent and stood up on my feet.
"I was wondering what you guys were up to. And besides, I know what your plan is. Kill Toue." I said.
Mink then clenched his fist.
"How about I join you guys in your little game?" I asked.
"I don't think so. Why should I trust you?"
I looked at him with a small glare.
"Why not?" I asked.
"I shouldn't work with the enemy of my people and village .So how about you get out of here?"
"Look. I know you still hate me for what I did. And I know you want revenge, Toue didn't just ruin your life, but he did ruin me too. Not only did he force me to burn your entire village to the ground, but he also forced my mind and soul into his own filthy hands." I said.
"You might wanna get out of here." Mink said.
I said nothing and turned on my heel, but stopped right when I started walking.
"Also Mink. Try be more careful."
"With what?" he asked.
"You know what I mean, you don't wanna end up messing around too much you'll end up killing other people. It's hard to not get consumed by the flames." I said as I closed my eyes.
"Flames?" he questions.
I opened my eyes and looked him straight in the eye.
"The Fires of Revenge...." I said.
He stayed silent.
I turned on my heel and walked through the hallways.
I ran at full speed.
'Now its my turn to have a little "chat" with that old bastard!' I thought to myself.
Then another thought came to me as I came to the elevator. Aoba saw Mink's memory.
That means...he saw me with him and what I did to his village.
I backed away and slid my back down the wall of the elevator, sitting down and putting my legs up to my chest.
"Aoba...." I said, my voice breaking.
"Please believe me....I didn't want to do it..." I said has I buried my face in my knees.
'Aoba.....I'm so sorry .."
___________
GUUYYYS!! I'm so so so so so so so so sorry I took so long to publish this!! Christmas came up then New Years, and school's been biting me in the ass!
And I've been sick.
Hope you all enjoyed!
Bye!
Jayden/TheFanGirl2003❤💖
~