Night had fallen long ago on Fugahoka Technical University. As a clock somewhere nearby struck midnight, the vampire turned to the professor with a defeated look on her face. "I don't think they're coming." "They'll be here, Lyss," Mirumoto reassured her, chuckling. "I haven't brought up the members of the Mystery Club to deny an old man when he needs them." "If you say so, but remember, if we don't finish this up before dawn..." "Don't worry, we'll be done in plenty of time for you to get indoors and away from the light of the sun. I promise." "Of course. I suppose I'm just nervous." She gave him a timid look as she spoke. "I've got a funny feeling about this." "You too, huh?" He looked at her and grinned, "But, don't worry; things will turn out well, I'm sure." Lyss blinked. "Why do you say that?" "'Cause he's a sick pervert who'll be gawking at us all night." Coming down the street, directly opposite the gate, was Ibuki, dressed in her tight black outfit. "Now now, this is strictly business." "Here," Mitsurugi interrupted from behind him, tossing the professor a revolver. He himself was left with his crossbow. "It's past midnight. Are we going?" "As soon as Setsuna gets here." "If she's coming," Lyss said. "She'll come. She promised, and Setsuna's not the type to break a promise," Mirumoto assured her. As if on cue, Setsuna appeared around the corner of the block, panting from lack of breath. "Sorry I'm late! I was afraid you left without me." "Setsuna, dear, I'd never do a thing like that." "Oh, I don't doubt that." Ibuki rolled her eyes. Mirumoto gave her an annoyed glance, but shrugged, clearing his throat. "Well, we'd better not waste any time. Let's go." * * * Mystery Club Created by: Aaron Peori Part 12: A Faint Glimmer of Hope Shines by: Brett Schimmel * * * Some time earlier... "So he wasn't hurt, then?" "No. I don't think so. He seemed alright, anyhow." "And yourself?" "It's not too serious." "You sure? I think I'd better look-" The thunderous slap echoed through the tenth floor as Lyss smacked Mirumoto across the face. He looked at her with a sheepish grin. "Sorry." "Stick to the topic, will you?" "Right. So, Nanatsuki was battling you in Akumu's body. What happened after that?" "Well, this woman-" Mitsurugi growled as Setsuna spoke, causing her to stop momentarily in confusion. "-this woman just suddenly appeared, out of nowhere! Nanatsuki seemed to think she was his ally, but she ended up killing him. I think her name was... Hikaru?" "Hikaru?" Lyss and Mirumoto spoke simultaneously, exchanging looks. The vampire continued: "You don't mean...?" "Dairoba," Mitsurugi finished. "Hikaru Dairoba. The very same." "I..." Mirumoto looked confused, as though he didn't know what to say next. "I see..." "You know of her, too?" Setsuna asked. "Yes... It's... Well, it's not how I know of her that matters," the 73 year old professor explained, deftly sidestepping the question. "If she's back..." "If she's back, I'll destroy her," Mitsurugi said simply. "Mitsurugi, I thought I told you not to-" "I'll destroy her," he repeated, growing angry. There was tense silence that followed. Finally, Lyss spoke up. "This may be kind of pointless, but..." "What is it?" Ibuki, who had been silent until now, was eager to change the subject. "Well, I just thought that if Hikaru really is here, perhaps we could learn something if we were to check out the Dairoba building?" "I already considered that," Mirumoto said, "but the company went bankrupt years ago." "That's what I thought, too! But, if they really did go out of business, how come the building's still there?" "It would make more sense if they bulldozed it," Mitsurugi agreed. "After all, land is expensive. You'd think another company would've bought the property by now." "Not to mention the laboratory underneath it," Lyss added. "There's no way they could get rid of that without anyone noticing." "Very well, I guess it's worth a shot," Mirumoto agreed. "We'll meet in front of the school's gates tonight at midnight and sneak into the building." He looked each member in the eye before asking the next question. "I'll need all of your help. Can I count on all of you to be there?" "Of course!" Setsuna promised. "Definitely. You'll need me to guide you," Lyss said. Mitsurugi simply nodded. "Don't have anything better to do anyway." Ibuki grinned, hitting her open palm with her fist. "Besides, maybe I'll get to beat something up!" "Maybe," Mirumoto agreed, with a slight chuckle. "But maybe not. It's quite likely that nothing will be unusual there. In fact, it's quite likely we won't even find anything." "Don't worry! If any problems arise, I'll take care of them!" Ibuki assured them. "Right. Again, meet in front of the gates at midnight. Any questions?" He waited a few seconds, and when there were none, continued. "Very well. Mystery Club, dismissed." Mitsurugi rose, immediately heading out the door. Setsuna started to follow, but Ibuki stopped her. "Hey Setsuna, I'm going to go practice. Wanna come?" "No thanks," she replied as she walked by. "I'll come long enough to watch you change into your uniform," Mirumoto offered. It was the first time in his entire life that he'd been slapped from both sides at the same time: once by Lyss, once by Ibuki. * "Mitsurugi!" Setsuna called uselessly as she exited the building. He had gotten to the elevators before her, and had left long before she reached the first floor. Looking around a bit, she sighed as she failed to catch sight of him. However, she did spy Akumu as he strolled up to her. "Setsuna, thank you for earlier. I'm so sorry-" "Don't worry about it. Have you seen Mitsurugi?" The baku nodded. "Shortly before I saw you. I don't know where he went." "I see," she sighed. "I needed to talk to him-" "About Koine?" Setsuna looked at him, startled, as though he had read her mind. "I wasn't in control of my body at that time, but I was still aware of my surroundings. I know he told you." "Akumu, please, you have to tell me what exactly happened!" "Not much to tell," he shrugged. "It's not much different than how Nanatsuki explained it. Koine and Mitsurugi were chasing after some supernaturals, as was Hikaru Dairoba. They were hot on the trails of the supernaturals, but when they finally caught up, they discovered that she had already killed one, and was about to finish the other. Koine tried to get her to stop, explaining that she and Mitsurugi needed one of them alive, but all that did was bring her to Hikaru's attention after she slew the remaining supernatural." "And she attacked?" Setsuna assumed. The baku nodded. "When she advanced on them, Koine urged Mitsurugi to escape while she held her off. And he did." An awkward silence followed. Akumu stood, expecting her to say something, but when she didn't, he nervously continued. "He heard her screams as he ran, but he never turned back. I bet he wishes he had, though." "Because of the nightmares?" "No. I already took care of those for him. But, the guilt is tearing him up inside. I'm sure you've noticed." Setsuna nodded in agreement. "Isn't there anything we can do to help him?" "Like I've said, I've already done all I can by aiding him with his nightmares," Akumu explained. She didn't notice him clench his fists as he spoke his next words. "But maybe... Maybe you can." "Me?" she blinked in confusion. "Why me?" "Because you're very similar to Koine. I'm sure Mitsurugi noticed this as well; that's why he's always protecting you." "I don't understand," Setsuna began. "I mean, sure, he's saved my life many times, but he wouldn't have known if not for his power..." her voice trailed off as realization came to her. Ever since she'd met Mitsurugi, he appeared suddenly to save her when she was in danger, claiming that he knew of her peril through his ability. But he also said his power was unreliable; that he couldn't activate it at will, and that sometimes he'd sense paranormals across the city; other times only those nearby. Yet he had been there on so many different occasions, arriving just in time to save her. Was it possible that this was the trigger for his power: When someone he cared for was in danger? "...guess I could have been wrong," Akumu was saying when she recovered from her thoughts. She swiftly shook her head. "No, I think you're right after all." If he really did care, that meant... "Thanks for all you've done, Akumu," she said, taking his hands in hers. He managed a weak smile. "Don't mention it." He watched Setsuna as she turned from him, heading across the campus, and waved when she glanced back. But no sooner had she gotten far enough than his eyesight blurred, and he started to cry. "I don't believe this!" Akumu looked up, seeing his kitsune friend before him. "Junko?" "You were in love with her? No wonder you've been acting so strange lately!" "Junko, you wouldn't understand-" "Understand what? That she's the one who tried to get me to stop setting my traps? That she's partly responsible for Koroko's death?" Akumu winced, and Junko softened her tone slightly. "I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have mentioned her. But still, how can you trust these people so easily?! How can you-" she shuddered, "love... one of them? And if you do, how can you let them go so easily?" "I didn't want to!" he yelled at her. "I didn't want to, but... But I had to." "Why's that?" "Like I said, you wouldn't understand." Junko looked as though she was going to explode, but managed to calm herself down. "Fine, but in that case, I'm not going to tell you about the plan they have for tonight that I overheard them talking about." "Plan? You mean you were spying- Hey, wait!" He yelled as the kitsune skipped away on one foot. The baku tried to follow, but tripped and fell to the ground. It was then that Akumu noticed his shoelaces had been tied together, and he grumbled in frustration. * "I didn't expect to see you here, you old letch." Mirumoto looked up as he stepped out of the cemetery, a surprised look on his face. "Ibuki. Done with your training?" She nodded, giving the bouquet of roses she carried a gentle pat. "I thought I'd quit early; it's been a while since I visited my folks." "Oh." She never talked about her parents much, but since meeting her, Mirumoto had gathered that their deaths had been hard on her. Her father, like most of the Kusanagi bloodline, possessed the same power she had, and was a master martial artist to boot. Nobody, living or undead, could beat him in combat. He was killed in a bus accident, along with her mother. Was it some kind of twisted coincidence, he wondered, that death had brought them all together? Ibuki and her parents, Mitsurugi and Koine, Setsuna and Yohko, and, to some extent, himself and Lyss. "Hey! Don't have a heart attack on me, old man!" Ibuki said, her voice knocking him out of his trance. "Oh. Sorry about that." "Lyss isn't with you?" "You know very well she can't enter sunlight. She's still in the clubhouse." He checked his watch. "Speaking of which, I'd best be getting back to her..." "Yeah," Ibuki nodded as she stepped past him. "After all, we've got a busy night." * "Where are you?" Lyss asked. She stood alone, at the edge of a small circle of light. Darkness blanketed everywhere else, but she could still feel the other's presence. "Does it matter?" Treasa wondered as she stepped to the opposite edge of the light. "You knew I was here anyhow." "Invading my dreams." Lyss stared straight ahead, making eye-contact but maintaining concentrating, so as to make sure she wasn't hypnotized. "What is it you want?" "Not much, really." Treasa shrugged. "Just wanted you to know that I've enjoyed playing with you these past few decades." "Wh-What?" "But, you've grown tiring. Outlived your usefulness. No longer have any value." "You," Lyss snarled, her hands shaking. "You destroyed my life, and you treat me like a toy?!" "It's what you are." She twitched, seething with anger. "I'll never forgive you!" "It's not like it will matter before long, anyhow," the older vampire shrugged. "This is probably the last time I'll speak to you under my own power." "What do you mean?" "I mean that soon I won't have control over myself. Not that it matters; I've lived for a long time, and I've enjoyed it. It'll be nice to take a rest." "But why? Why waste your energy telling me this?" Treasa chuckled. "Why? Because I know how badly you want revenge. And now, you won't be able to get it. I thought it would be amusing to see your face when I told you that." She sniggered. "It seems I was right!" Lyss charged, her enraged cries echoing through the surrounding blackness. She was but an inch from the woman when she fell into consciousness. * The Western-style cemetery was built on a hill. As a result, no matter which direction Ibuki approached it from, she would have to climb uphill. Might as well go directly up, instead of taking the path that spiraled around. Her parents were buried near the top of the hill, anyway. The flowers caught her attention. Placed on a grave that was in a somewhat obscure, they called out to her like a beacon. Making her way to the grave, she felt a memory emerge as she read the name. Kazuki Nonoka was a pretty nice person. He liked to joke a lot, but was quite a responsible person in the end. He was already close to graduating from Fugahoka Technical University when Ibuki had first joined the Mystery Club. Not even Mitsurugi had joined at that time. He was also promising art student, until his life had been ended by the kue-jin a month before graduation. Mirumoto was probably the one who left the flowers. He had always blamed himself for sending Kazuki on that last, fatal mission. "It's very unfortunate, that he had to die then," Ibuki said to herself, "but it's just a reminder, that all of this is very real, that we're risking our lives every time we battle these paranormals. If we're not careful, any one of us could share the same fate." She plucked a rose from her bouquet, laying it on the grave, before continuing her upwards climb. * "Calm down," spoke voice from within as the bolt struck the target on the outermost ring. Mitsurugi pulled another one from a quiver near by, reloading the crossbow. "Calm down," it spoke again, "or you're going to get them killed." Mitsurugi's eyes narrowed as he concentrated, aiming again. His right arm remained in its cast, therefore he had been training with his left. He needed to be able to fire accurately with it, or he'd never be able to help the others. And he'd never kill Hikaru... "So you're the new guy?" one of the girls had said, brushing a hand through her long green hair. "Not gonna last long if you can't stop shuddering." "He just came from a frightening experience," the other girl explained. "He's probably still recovering from the shock." "I know, I know. I'm just teasing the newbie." "You haven't been here that long yourself, Ibuki," the second girl pointed out. "Well, yeah, but..." "Nevermind," she turned to the boy. "You're Taro, right? My name is Koine. I know you're probably still frightened, and you probably can't believe what happened, but we can assure you it was real. Very real. But don't worry, we'll help you get through this. You are not alone." The bolt struck the target again, this time a little closer to the center. "You have to be stronger, more focused," the voice told him as he picked up another shot, and reloaded. "If you couldn't do it for Koine, do it for her instead." * Setsuna had headed home, intent on getting some rest before meeting with the others at midnight. A few hours later, her alarm made an annoying sound, informing her it was time to go. She grabbed her coat, and opened the door to her apartment, only to see an older man, clad in a brown trench coat and hat, standing there, his fist raised as though he was just about to knock. Setsuna stepped back in surprise, only to have that emotion change quickly to anger as she recognized him. "What do you want, dad?" Akira Fume wasted no time, stepping forward with his arms out to embrace her. "Setsuna, dear, I've been so worried-" His daughter stepped back, evading his embrace. "I'll bet you were, too. I'm busy." She moved to step past him, but he sidestepped, blocking her path. "Setsuna, please. You don't know how worried I've been about you, hearing how a teacher was murdered, and how another one vanished..." "Yeah, right," she said sarcastically. "Both of those incidents happened weeks ago! Weren't worried then, were you? Not even a phone call!" "I was in Europe on a business trip! I was cutting a deal with a corporation that's going to win us millions!" "I should have figured. It's always about money with you, isn't it?! There's just never enough for you!" "Setsuna, you have to understand-" Akira began. "That it's all you care about, right?" she spoke in a half-sob, half-scream. "You didn't even care when mom died..." "How dare you!" Akira screamed, causing his daughter to step back in surprise. Startled by the tone of his voice, he managed to calm down before continuing. "I'm sorry, Setsuna. But, you must never think that I didn't care about your mother." "They why weren't you there when she died? You were on a business trip at the time, right? Why didn't you come back when she needed you?" "I was doing it for her," her father explained. "Early on, we both knew that she had contracted a fatal illness, the only cure being much too expensive for us. I worked hard, hoping I'd be able to raise enough to save her. But I didn't make it in time..." "I see," Setsuna said, her voice showing no emotion. "You don't believe me?" "No. If you were telling the truth, why didn't you stop after she had already died? Why weren't you ever there for me?" "I was. I never told you this, but you were born after your mother was already ill. The doctors said you were in danger of contracting the same disease." "What? You mean, I'm going to-" "No. At least, it seems unlikely. It's been years since then, and you've probably built up natural resistance to it over time. But even if you do catch it, we can afford the cure." He took a step forward, staring into her eyes. "I lost your mother because I didn't have enough money to help her. I don't want the same thing to happen to you. I don't know what I would do without you, Setsuna." "Dad..." she mumbled as he embraced her. She could hear him crying over her shoulder. Confusion filled her as she tried to contemplate what he was saying. Could he be serious? It was possible he was just lying to her, but... After a moment's hesitation, she returned his embrace. "I'm sorry, dad. I didn't know. I'm sorry." They stood for several minutes together in silence, before Akira finally spoke again. "Come back with me, Setsuna." His daughter shook her head. "I can't, dad. I like this school, and besides, if I left, my friends would be disappointed." Akira looked disheartened, but he quickly hid his disappointment with a warm smile. "All right, I understand. But, if you need me, let me know." "I will, dad." Her father checked his watch, nearly jumping. "Wow! It's late! I've got to get back." he turned, but no sooner had he stepped out the door than he turned back to face her, a grin on his face. "Come home some time, okay? I miss you." "Next time I have a vacation," she winked, causing him to chuckle as he waved. Setsuna watched him head down the hall, until he descended the stairs, before she closed the door. A few minutes later, the door burst open and she dashed out. "The Mystery Club! I forgot! I'm going to be late!" * The group of five traveled down a dark street, following Lyss' lead. The area was deserted, but given the time of night, that was hardly unusual. "What are we going to do about the police?" Setsuna spoke up suddenly, breaking the silence that had settled over them. "Already taken care of," Mirumoto assured her. "Did you forget? Mirumoto has connections with the police," Mitsurugi said. "There won't be any trouble from them." "Here we are," Lyss said suddenly, gesturing at the large building surrounded by a wall at the end of the street. "The Dairoba Building." "Wow! That's pretty big!" Ibuki whistled, gazing upwards. "It might take us more than just one night to search it all." "Not so," the vampire informed her. "Remember that Dairoba's dealings with the supernatural were of the highest levels of secrecy. Any important information would only be kept either in Mishii Dairoba's office or in the laboratory below the building." "The lab's probably a better bet, but we need to get in there before we can do anything?" Ibuki grinned as she approached the wall, taking a rope with a grappling hook from around her shoulder. "Alright! I've always wanted to do this!" "Umm..." Setsuna pointed at the front gate, which was open wide enough for a car to pass. "Why don't we just go in through there?" "Oh, sure, if you wanna do things the easy way," Ibuki grumbled as she followed. "Don't fret," Mirumoto told her. "You can still pick the lock on the front door." "Really? Cool! Just like a ninja-" "Hmm... It's unlocked," Lyss observed as she pushed the front doors open. The others followed cautiously as she went inside, Ibuki grumbling in disappointment. * "There they are, sir, as expected." "Excellent. Your spy did a nice job, Ayame." "It took a little bit of work to... persuade her to help us, but she was very cooperative once we had." "I see. Is my daughter in position, Rikimaru?" "Yes, sir." "Excellent. The stage is set. Now for the performance!" "Sir?" "They're approaching the elevators. Shall we greet them?" * "Well, so far everything seems normal," Mirumoto observed as they walked down a wide corridor. "Except there are no guards," Lyss pointed out. "Although, if the building hasn't been used in a long time..." "It doesn't look like this place was kept up very well," Mitsurugi added, "but on the other hand, it doesn't look like it's fallen into disarray, either." "Meaning either they decided to cut back on maintenance..." Ibuki began as they came to the end of the hall, a tightly closed elevator door barring their path. "Or our hunch was right," Setsuna finished for her. "Obviously, it's most likely the latter," Lyss said as she entered a three digit code into the panel next to the elevator. "In other words, be on your guard-" She was cut off as the doors opened. Almost immediately, a figure dashed out, wrapping an arm around her neck before she knew what hit her. At the same time, another one lunged at Ibuki, spinning her around and holding her arm behind her back. Ibuki tried to struggle, expecting to overpower her opponent, but the strength didn't come to her. Mitsurugi and Mirumoto had their weapons out, and were taking aim when a third figure stepped slowly out of the elevator. Clad in a grey business suit, the man looked to be in his late forties. Lyss knew better. "Mishii Dairoba." "You know me? Ah, yes, you must be the vampire that joined with the mortals," he said to her, pushing his glasses into position with a finger. "Please, forgive the rudeness of my staff; they're not very friendly with burglars." The 'Staff', consisted of two beings, nearly human in appearance, except for the small pairs of horns on their heads. They were nearly identical, the only visible difference being that one was male and the other was female. Each wore a familiar silver pendant. "Let them go, Dairoba," Mirumoto said, pointing the revolver at him. "I have a better idea: drop your weapons," he chuckled lightly. "Otherwise, there's no telling what will happen to that poor girl," he pointed behind them, where Hikaru Dairoba held one hand over Setsuna's mouth, the other one pointing a knife at her throat. "Hikaru," Mitsurugi glared. "Nice to see you again, too, Mitsu-chan," she smirked as he took aim with her crossbow. "Do you think you're a good enough shot to hit without killing this girl in the process? Or can it be you'll kill her to get to me? You've always had a way with women." She laughed wickedly as she watched his arms shake with rage, but finally he lowered the weapon, dropping it uselessly on the floor. It was joined shortly by Mirumoto's revolver. "That's better," Mishii looked at his thugs, "Ayame, Rikimaru, get their weapons." They obeyed instantly, gathering the equipment, then surrounding the Mystery Club with Hikaru and Mishii. "That's more like it. Come," Mishii beckoned towards the elevator, easily large enough to fit all nine of them. When they hesitated, Ayame and Rikimaru prodded them forward. "What are you planning to do with us?" Lyss asked when they were all aboard the mechanism, going quickly downward. "I thought I'd give you a tour of this place, since you wanted to see it so badly. It would be a shame to kill you, especially if I find out I can use you." "'Use us'?" Ibuki echoed. "What do you mean by that?" Mishii smirked, as though he had rehearsed this over and over again. "For millions of years, our kind has been hunted by humans with special powers, such as yourselves. I have been working to give us an advantage since this company's beginning." "The pendants!" Setsuna realized. "You're the one who- " "Created them," Mishii finished for her. "Among other things." The elevator quietly came to a halt, and the doors opened. He flicked a light switch, and grinned as he was rewarded with gasps from half of the Mystery Club. They stood on a wide iron catwalk, about fifty feet from the floor below. Lining the walls were test tubes filled with a blue-greenish liquid, as well as... creatures. "What is this?" Setsuna demanded, already suspecting the answer as she observed the shapes, most of them humanoid. "As I said, I created a way to disrupt your powers, but that's not all. I've been increasing our numbers through mass production, as well." "You monster!" Mirumoto swore as he and the others realized what he was saying. Mishii laughed, spreading his arms out wide and throwing his head back. "That's right! I have been genetically engineering mortals into supernaturals to aid our cause!" "How could you do such a thing?" Setsuna cried as they were urged onwards towards a door at the end of the catwalk. "How could I not?" The head of Dairoba Industries asked in response. "Besides giving us the upper hand in our eternal war, I am giving you puny mortals a reason to exist! I am giving you a divine gift that so few of you can ever obtain naturally!" "A gift?" Lyss asked, her hands clenching into fists. "You call this... mutation, a gift?!" she waved her arm in front of herself as though throwing something, seething in anger. "This 'gift' of yours ruined my life! My happiness! Everything I held dear was gone, just like that! You call this a gift?!" "Of course! Ayame, Rikimaru, Nanatsuki... Even Hikaru, who I found wandering homeless on the streets of Europe and took to be my daughter, so many years ago... All of them were once human!" "Father, perhaps we should let them meet her now?" Hikaru interrupted as they approached the door. "Ah, yes... I nearly forgot about that." Mishii looked at Lyss as he opened the door. "She's been waiting for you." "Treasa!" Sitting comfortably on top of an operating table, the woman gave them a vile grin when she saw them. "She decided to join my cause, after some..." he searched for the right word, "...persuasion, from my daughter." "Can I play with them now?" Treasa purred questioningly. Mishii nodded. "I think I've shown them enough. Hikaru, come with me. The rest of you, finish them off!" The Mystery Club gathered in a defensive circle at the end of the catwalk as they were approached from three sides. "This doesn't look good," Mitsurugi scanned the enemies. "Don't worry," Miumoto said. "We still out-number them." "Damn it," Ibuki swore. "If I just had my power-" Mishii evidently heard her, turning around. "You want your abilities back, Kusanagi? Very well, I shall give you what you desire." "Why-" Ibuki began. No sooner did Mishii flick a switch, though, than she screamed, clutching herself in pain. "What did you do?" Setsuna shouted after him. Mirumoto answered for her. "All of these paranormals! Ibuki's body can't handle all of the power she's absorbing from them!" "Now this is where the fun begins!" Treasa smirked. Quickly she sprinted forward, colliding with Lyss. "No!" Mirumoto shouted as she leapt off the catwalk, taking his wife with her. He looked like he was about to follow, but the two remaining foes stopped him. "What do we do?" Setsuna panicked as they were quickly approached. "Ibuki can't take much more-" The two horned beings cut her off as they roared, charging... and tripped, their shoelaces tied together, causing everyone to blink in surprise. "I told you that I wouldn't let you push me around anymore." Junko suddenly appeared before them, glaring. "Junko? Um... Can you take this off now?" another voice said. Junko giggled as she snapped her fingers. Akumu appeared out of nowhere, holding their weapons, as well as the pendants. "Akumu, Junko!" Setsuna exclaimed in surprise. "How did you-" "Those horned idiots made me spy on you," she explained with a smirk, watching them carefully as they rose, ripping off their shoes, "but I had a plan of my own." "Give me a pendant," Mitsurugi ordered Akumu. The baku looked at him in confusion, but handed him one nevertheless. Quickly he knelt down and placed it around Ibuki's neck. She stopped shaking, rising to one knee. "Can you fight?" Mitsurugi asked as he turned about and fired a bolt at Ayame, who was attempting to attack Setsuna. Rikimaru, for his part, was occupied by Mirumoto, now in possession of his revolver once more. "I think so," Ibuki mumbled as she staggered to her feet with a grunt. "I might not have my strength, but I still know martial arts." "Good. Protect Setsuna," he ordered as he ran towards the operating room. "What are you going to do?" Ibuki called over her shoulder. Ayame sought to take advantage of this, but Ibuki managed turn her head about just in time to see the attack coming, and blocked it. "I'm going after Dairoba," he explained simply, not stopping. "Mitsurugi, wait!" Setsuna yelled, following after him. "So much for protecting her." Junko tripped Ayame when she tried to strike Akumu. Meanwhile, Ibuki had moved over to help Mirumoto. * The initial collision had hurt, but Lyss managed to roll away from Treasa, standing to her feet. The elder vampire did likewise. "A dream universe?" Lyss scanned the area, no longer the bottom floor of the lab, but a deep forest, the sky a bizarre mixture of red and deep blue. "Fitting, don't you think? You know that both of us are much more powerful here than in the waking world. It'll be more amusing this way." Treasa smiled in anticipation. "Oh, yes, it'll be much more amusing this way, my dear." "If you say so," Lyss bit her own finger, then drew it away from her in a wide arc. The blood hardened, and she gripped it at one end. Then she thrust the jagged crimson blade towards Treasa. "But I've learned a lot since the last time we've met." "Do you think you can defeat your mother, little girl? Heh. I can see we're going to have fun." The air around Treasa's hands glowed oddly with what could be best described as a black light. It sprung upwards in a cross formation, and she gripped the bottom, forming her own blade. No sooner did she touch it than it became an outline containing swirling darkness. She pointed it at Lyss, mimicking the pose. "A lifetime of fun!" * "This, then, is my greatest creation," Mishii observed a test-tube at the end of the large room. The lights were off, parts of the room illuminated only through the door, but that didn't matter to one who could see in the dark. "Before long, you'll have a sister, Hikaru," he said, not taking his eyes from the tube. "Father, there's something I've always wondered," his daughter said. "You've always called her that, since you began these experiments. Why is that?" "Because she will become my greatest achievement," he replied. "It's only fitting that she be referred to as my own child." "Greatest achievement? Is that the only reason?" "Of course. There's no emotion behind it, after all. That's why I call you my daughter; because you were my first experiment," he explained. "I see," Hikaru said, her hand moving behind her back. "They were right, you know." "Eh?" Mishii turned just as Hikaru attacked, thrusting a silver blade through his chest. He fell with a cry of pain. "Hi-Hikaru! What are you doin- gaaaah!" She stomped on the dagger, forcing it in past the hilt. "Like I said: They were right, the Mystery Club. Nobody wants your gift." "You..." Mishii uttered, reaching for her. His arm fell limp. "Hikaru!" No sooner had Mishii been eliminated, than Mitsurugi burst into the room, raising his crossbow. "Mitsu-chan! How fitting!" "This is the end!" Mitsurugi promised, taking aim. "You'll pay for taking Koine's life!" "Oh, Taro, there's so much you don't know!" Hikaru said as she placed her hand on a lever. "I never killed your friend at all!" "What?" Hikaru threw the switch, and the lights came on, illuminating the entire room. The naked body of a short- haired girl floated within the test-tube, an oxygen mask drawn across her mouth. Mitsurugi's eyes widened as he lowered the crossbow slightly, just as Setsuna came in behind him. "Koine. She's alive..." "Father wanted me to keep her alive after the 'incident'. Said her power would be useful if she were a supernatural. She's been here all this time!" * "What is with these guys?" Junko yelled as she swiftly dodged Ayame's attack, leaving room for Akumu to get a punch in. The horned creature didn't even flinch. "I don't know, but they're too strong!" He rubbed the hand he used to punch his opponent with. "I don't think we're even hurting them much." "They're right!" Mirumoto said as he shot Rikimaru in the chest for the fifth time. He took the bullet as though it were nothing. "We won't win this way." "I have an idea," Ibuki said, clutching her side, where she had taken a blow. "Get them to the elevator!" "What do you intend to do?" Mirumoto wondered. In response, Ibuki pointed to her pendant. He nodded in realization. * "Well well," Treasa mused, staring across a gap at Lyss. They were no longer in the dream forest, and instead were in an underground cavern, lava seeping beneath them. "You've gotten better after all." For her own part, Lyss said nothing, simply leaping across the gap at Treasa swinging while she was still in the air. Treasa blocked the attack, returning with one of her own, which Lyss avoided by dodging to the side. "Your hatred is amusing," Treasa said as she struck again. "Do you wish to kill me that badly?" "Whether you're being controlled or not," Lyss evaded the blow, "It's all your fault that I'm like this!" "How very true! So?" Treasa raised her hand, and Lyss screamed as glowing yellow needles formed around her, zipping through her body. Quickly she called upon a bluish wave of her own. Treasa blocked most of it, but the attack went through her weapon, slashing her across her torso. "I'm not going to let you use anyone else as your toy!" Lyss screamed as she charged again. * "Okay, so now what?!" Junko asked as she frantically dodged a punch from one of the beasts. They had made it to the elevator, and were quickly rising upwards, but all six of them cramped in the close quarters of the elevator made it difficult to battle. "Just a little longer!" Ibuki yelled over the confusion, wincing as she ducked an attack, causing pain to rush up from her wound. There was a loud crack as Akumu slammed into the wall of the elevator. He slumped to the floor, unmoving. "Akumu!" Junko cried, attempting to get to him. Rikimaru intercepted her, throwing a punch that might have finished her, had Mirumoto not distracted the creature by shooting his shoulder. The action caused him to take a painful blow to the shoulder from Ayame. "Damn! If this doesn't hurry..." Ibuki didn't need to finish. The doors opened and they were back on the first floor. Ibuki promptly tore the necklace off of herself, tossing it to Junko. "Run!" Junko nodded, and sprinted down the hallway. She didn't get very far before she fell, Rikimaru grasping hold of her leg. "Damn!" Mirumoto swore as he fired. The bullets stuck the creature in the back, but he didn't relinquish his crushing grip. "Junko! You have to run!" Ibuki cried frantically. Just then, she noticed Ayame's fist heading towards her face. She threw up her arms in defense, realizing too late that, given her assailant's strength, the gesture would be useless. "Mirumoto!" Junko called, screaming as Rikimaru's fingers burst through her flesh and into her leg. Neverthe less, the professor heard her call, and noticed the pendant as it soared into the air. With one bullet, the stone in the pendant shattered. Ayame's fist stopped short as it struck Ibuki's arms. The last of the Kusanagi family grinned, as she effortlessly pushed Ayame's arm out of the way, backed by the power of four paranormals. * "Mitsurugi-san?" Setsuna said unsteadily. For the past several minutes, there had been an uneasy silence as he just stood there, crossbow lowered, staring with wide eyes at Hikaru and the girl in the test-tube behind her. "Let Koine go!" Mitsurugi ordered, swiftly bringing his crossbow up. "Are you sure she would want that?" Hikaru asked. "The process isn't complete. If she's released now, she'll be a half-breed between human and supernatural. Do you think she would like that?" "I know she would never want to be a paranormal! And I'll never forgive you for making her what she is now!" "Me?" Hikaru laughed. "Taro, you seem to have forgotten: if not for you, she wouldn't be here in the first place!" Mitsurugi roared in anger, firing the crossbow at Hikaru. She parried the bolt with a knife hidden in her sleeve, and then charged. * Rikimaru was sent flying as Ibuki kicked him, sending him tumbling until he stopped, unmoving, next to an unmoving Ayame. "That'll teach you!" She said, before turning around. "How is he?" Junko looked up at her from Akumu's prone body, the relief showing across her face. "He's breathing. I think he'll live." "He should," Mirumoto agreed, examining the injury himself. "A few broken ribs, but that seems to be it." "Looks like we're all a little worse for wear," Ibuki mentioned. The professor's arm dangled by his side, barely mobile. Junko couldn't even stand on her leg, as Rikimaru's fingers had dug straight to the bone. And a dark spot was widening on the side of Ibuki's clothes. "That may be," Mirumoto stood, touching a button on the elevator. "But the others are all still down there. We're going back for them." * "Are you getting tired?" Treasa chuckled. Now they 'stood' on sky, Japan visible far below them. Lyss was breathing hard, covered in many more wounds than her elder. She gasped for breath, forcing herself to remain standing as she pointed the blade threateningly. "I will..." "Kill me? By all means, little girl," Treasa mocked, dashing forward. Taking Lyss by surprise, she scored a hit on the woman's leg, the dark energy of her blade lingering on the wound. "Please, take your revenge." "There's more to it than that." Lyss faked an attack from the right, coming from above instead and catching Treasa off guard, her blade cutting down her foe's cheek. "Oh?" "It's not just about revenge anymore," Lyss said, slicing at her enemy. "Not just my revenge." "Is that so?" Treasa asked, blocking the blow easily enough. "I won't let you toy with anyone anymore! Not Setsuna, not my husband, and not the rest of the Mystery Club, either!" she cried, striking once each time. Treasa grinned evilly, as she intentionally took the last blow on her shoulder. Lyss gasped as the sword entered through her torso, forcing its way out her back. "I do what I want, to whomever I want, child" Treasa explained, placing her foot on Lyss' head as she fell to the ground. "And there's nothing you can do about it." "I'll protect... My friends..." Lyss replied, coughing up blood. "Friends," Treasa spat, raising her sword above her head. "Let's see if your 'friends' can survive the end of the game." The blade fell. And then the world shattered. * The pain was excruciating. A trail of blood lingered behind him as Mishii Dairoba crawled away from the battle. "How could you, Hikaru?" he asked aloud. Slowly, he staggered to his feet in front of a control panel. "This... All my work..." he coughed up blood as he entered a code. "I can't.. can't ever let the Mystery Club research it... I'll go down with it..." He fell forward, unmoving, once the code was complete, his arm falling across a large red button. * "Setsuna, get out of here!" Mitsurugi ordered as he met Hikaru's charge, blocking her dagger with his crossbow. Immediately, she attacked again, but he managed to block this as well. She watched the battle, terrified. Mitsurugi was handling well for now, but could he keep it up with only one arm? There had to be something she could do. Mitsurugi broke away from Hikaru, firing another bolt at her. At the same time, she drew a knife from her back, tossing it at him. Both projectiles collided in the air, falling harmlessly to the floor. Almost instantly she tried to rush at him. He reloaded swiftly, especially considering he only used one hand, but the instant he brought the weapon up Hikaru was upon him. Setsuna screamed as there was a gush of red, and Mitsurugi staggered backwards, clutching his stomach. "Goodbye, Mitsu-chan." Hikaru mocked as she drew back the knife. "No!" Setsuna cried, leaping onto the woman's back, her arms around Hikaru's neck. The enemy staggered under the extra weight, but not needing to breathe, was unaffected otherwise. Setsuna screamed as Hikaru jammed the knife into the back of her palm, causing her to let go and fall to the ground. She looked up from her sitting position in horror as Hikaru raised the knife above her head. And then a crossbow bolt burst from her heart. Hikaru staggered, her wound staining Setsuna's face with blood. Then she slowly turned around, facing Mitsurugi. "You'll die for that," she gasped, thrusting at him with her weapon. She came within an inch of skewering him before she grunted in surprise, dropping her weapon. Reaching behind her neck, she pulled out the knife she had dropped earlier, and stared at Setsuna in disbelief before falling. * "Am I dead?" Slowly, Lyss' eyes opened, staring at the lab's ceiling far above. Oddly, she felt fine, excepting a few small bruises. "I don't know how to answer that." She sat up, a smile crossing her face. "Darling?" Tears ran down Mirumoto's face as he embraced his wife. "Thank God you're alright, Lyss!" "But... Treasa?" Mirumoto pointed at the elder vampire's unmoving body, a stake through her back. "I found you both down here, unconscious. I was too afraid to do anything, but when I heard you cry out suddenly, I knew I had to take a chance." "Then she's...?" "Dead. I got you your revenge, Lyss." She smiled, shaking her head. "I got that a while ago." "What do you mean?" A perplexed Mirumoto asked. "When I came to you for help. That's when I got my revenge." "I don't understand. At the time, we didn't do anything..." "Except you forgave me, and made me one of you. Treasa had been alone for countless years. The second I found you again and befriended the Mystery Club is when I got my friends." "I see..." Mirumoto shook his head, slowly clambering to his feet. "We'll talk about it later. Right now, we have to rejoin the others." Suddenly, red lights started flashing, along with a siren. A computerized female voice echoed around the room. "This is an emergency. This building will self-destruct in ten minutes." The two stared blankly at each other for an instant, before Lyss broke the silence. "You're kidding!" * "Taro-kun!" Setsuna rushed to his side as he fell. The computerized voice repeated its message as she lifted him up, putting one of his hands around her shoulder. "We have to get out of here!" "You go," he said as he turned around, falling almost instantly. "But-!" "I have to help her," he said. "If she's still alive, I have too..." "Setsuna! Mitsurugi!" Ibuki ran into the room, ignoring the pain in her side. She gasped as she looked at the large wound in Mitsurugi's stomach. "Mitsurugi, please!" Setsuna begged, kneeling next to him as he tried to rise. Tears flowed from her eyes as she grabbed his shoulders. "Please don't do this. You'll never make it!" "Don't you understand? If I do nothing, it'll be just like it was before! I... I don't want to-" Whatever he was going to say next was lost as he coughed, blood spilling to the floor. Despite Setsuna's bracing him to hold him up, he collapsed once more. "What are you doing?!" Ibuki demanded as the voice gave an eight minute warning. "We have to get out of here, now!" "Ibuki," Setsuna rose, wiping away her tears. "Get him out of here." "What about you?" "I'm going to try to find a way to get Koine out of there," she explained. "What? But-" "Ibuki, please!" Ibuki nodded, as she bent down and picked Mitsurugi up. "All right. But if time gets too low, promise me you'll get out alive." "I promise," Setsuna said as she examined the tube, looking for a way to open it. "Setsuna," Mitsurugi called weakly. "Don't die." "I won't." "Good, because I still haven't asked you out." Setsuna head darted in his direction, her eyes wide with disbelief. Did he just say...? "What are you doing?!" Ibuki yelled from outside the room. Meanwhile, Mitsurugi had slipped into unconsciousness. Setsuna shook her head, regaining her senses her senses. * "Here they come!" Junko yelled excitedly as Ibuki ran down the catwalk, carrying Mitsurugi and ignoring the pain in her side. "Where's Setsuna?" Mirumoto asked when she got to them. "Still back there." "What?" "Here." Ibuki handed Mitsurugi to him, and turned around. "I'm going back for her." "No, I will," Lyss said. "But I'm the fastest!" "Not in your condition. I'm the only one here who isn't seriously injured," she explained. Not waiting for a response, she darted down the catwalk. "Don't!" Mirumoto ordered Ibuki as she turned to follow. "She's right, you're not in any condition to help." "But-" "Don't worry," he smiled. "Lyss is a vampire, after all; I'm sure she has something up her sleeve." * The chair bounced harmlessly off the strong glass of the test-tube, not even leaving so much as a dent. Setsuna dropped it, looking around in confusion. "Four minutes before self-destruction. Evacuate immediately," the computerized voice warned. As Setsuna glanced around. There was no control panel nearby, and trying to shatter it failed. What else was there? She grabbed the knife she had used to slay Hikaru, thrusting it at the glass with both hands; it bounced harmlessly off. She tried again, and again, until the knife spun out of her hands. Panic filled her as she sought a solution to her problem. "Setsuna!" Lyss called as she dashed into the room. "Come on, we have to get out of here!" "I can't! Not yet! I have to save Koine!" "I'm sure Mitsurugi would rather see you alive!" "I'm sorry, but I can't," Setsuna said. Lyss sighed, and gazed long into her eyes, before remembering something. "Damn! I forgot! I can't hypnotize you." "Three minutes until self-destruct," the computerized voice warned. "Safety precautions engaged." Lyss turned around in horror as a large iron door slammed shut, locking them into the room. She tugged on it with all of her strength, but it didn't budge an inch. "Great," she muttered, her mind racing frantically. She gestured at Setsuna. "Any ideas?" "...Hypnotize," she muttered. Lyss blinked. "What?" "You couldn't hypnotize me... Maybe..." she broke off, running to the test-tube. "Setsuna! We have to..." "This was created by paranormals," Setsuna spoke, staring into the test-tube. "Maybe it's been reinforced by paranormals, too." "I don't understa-" Lyss began. She lost her voice as Setsuna merely touched the glass, causing it to shatter. "How...?" "My power," Setsuna explained as she lifted Koine's still form. "The glass must have been reinforced using supernatural means. My power has the ability to cancel supernatural influences." "I see..." Lyss turned back to the door. "But that doesn't help us with this..." "Two minutes until self-destruct," the voice warned. "Damn!" Lyss swore, shoulder-tackling the door, too noo effect. "Looks like this is the end." Suddenly the door dented inwards Lyss stepped away, and just in time, as the door fell to the ground, revealing Ibuki behind, her foot upraised from the kick, and a squirming Junko tucked under her arm. She grinned at Lyss. "Told you I was needed here." "Looks like I was wrong," Lyss smiled. She pointed at the kitsune. "And her?" "Oh, don't mind me," Junko grumbled as the three srpinted out of the room. "I'm just a battery for power girl, here." "The other paranormals out there seem to have died as a fail-safe," Ibuki explained. "I needed something to give me strength..." "Hmph! If we die, I'm going to haunt your ghost for eternity!" Junko threatened. * "Come on!" Mirumoto mumbled to himself in the elevator, pacing worriedly. The electronic voice sounded the one minute warning, putting even more stress on him. He tried to remain calm, because someone had to, and Mitsurugi was still out. "Where's Junko?!" Akumu asked again in panic, having just come out of unconsciousness after she had left. "Why did you send her back?" "I already told you, Ibuki needed a paranormal to increase her strength." "Then why didn't she take me?" the baku cried. "I've already lost my first best friend. If anything happens to Junko, I... I don't..." "Stop being such a crybaby, Akumu." Akumu cleared his eyes of tears, grinning at the friend who stood before him awkwardly on a wounded leg, next to Ibuki. "Junko!" Outside, Lyss and Setsuna followed closely on the Kusanagi's trail. Mirumoto hit the button as they dove into the elevator, and the seven of them sped quickly upwards. "Less than a minute," Setsuna said. "Can we make it?" "From here on, it's all up to luck," Mirumoto answered simply. "Whatever," Ibuki said as she picked up Mitsurugi in one arm, Junko in the other. "Just get ready to run." "Is this all I'm good for?!" Junko moaned as the doors opened. Ibuki took off the fastest, the others following hot on her heels. Setsuna yelped in surprise as she herd a loud explosion behind her. "Don't stop!" Lyss ordered. "Just keep running!" She did as she was bidden, and the Mystery Club darted out of the front door of the building, in a mad dash for the front gate. Slowed by Koine's weight, Setsuna was sure she wasn't going to make it. The others were already there by the time she heard the glass of the windows shatter behind her, and she could feel the fire of the explosion. "Setsuna!" Ibuki called, throwing her rope. She caught hold of it, and Ibuki gave it a single, hard tug as the flames blew out of the front of the building, narrowly missing her as she was pulled to safety by Ibuki's strength. The rest of the structure soon collapsed as well, but fortunately the Mystery Club was protected by the thick wall around the complex. Setsuna handed Koine to Mirumoto, almost immediately falling onto her back, gasping for air. For several minutes, they all just remained there, catching their breath. Until Junko broke the silence. "Well, that was fun." They gave her glares, but were too tired to even mention anything. * The next morning, police were gathered around the rubble, trying to keep reporters and curious citizens out of the ruins. One reporter, however, managed to get by briefly, and grabbed a small object before he was tossed out. He grinned as he made his way from the crowd, the object enclosed in his hand. After he though he was far enough, he looked at it, expecting it to be some sort of clue. His face turned into a small frown. The object was nothing more than a small business card. On one side, printed in simple letters were the words "Mystery Club". On the other, a phone number and a small phrase: "You are not alone". * Author's notes: I think Junko summed up my feelings the best. "Well, that was fun!" Seriously, I really enjoyed writing this part. The Mystery Club has been one of my favorite Impros since it's creation. It started off as your basic monster of the week, but over time evolved with a strong central plot. I'm kind of upset that this will be the end of it, but at least I got to write the ending, and it went out with a bang (pun intended). ^_^ Hopefully, there will be a sequel in the future, too. ^_- Thanks to NDebugger and Myth for prereading.