Music...that's the first thing that graced my ears as I awoke. Not the sound of silence nor the sound of birds chirping in the fast approaching dawn or the sound of my lovers as they slept but music and not just any music, bagpipes. At first it was nothing but a small comfort but then the sound became louder and I couldn't help but hum the tune and as I began to hum it I began to recognize it.

I quickly sat up as I finally recognised the tune from a battle long ago so I quickly but carefully got out of bed and listened for where the tune was coming from. It sounded like it was coming from outside so I quickly made my way to the balcony doors and opened them, causing the sound to increase, before I looked over the balcony and spied a figure standing in the gardens below the balcony playing on a set of bagpipes. Some of the plants in the garden were playing along adding more instruments to the song. I then looked at the figure again and saw he was wearing dark green pants and coat with a cream colored shirt. I then looked at the figure's face and to my shock I realised the figure was actually a human and not just any human but it was an old friend and teacher of mine called Eli. He had ginger hair and short beard that went all around his mouth.

"Who is playing music at this ungodly hour!" Moon shouted as she stomped her way towards me.

I quickly rushed over to Moon and placed a finger over her lips before I went back out onto the balcony and continued to listen for a few seconds before I snapped my fingers and was refreshed and in a clean set of clothes. I then teleported down behind Eli and continued to listen till the song ended.

"Black Donald's March to Harlaw," I said causing Eli to turn around to face me. "Been awhile since I last hear that one."

Eli stumbled back a few steps and his face was full of shock as he stared at me. Slowly he walked towards me and poked my chest a few times causing me to chuckle.

"So...yer alive," Eli said with an Irish accent.

"Yeah seems so old friend," I said.

Eli then drops his bagpipes before he wraps his arms around me in a hug.

"How?" Eli asked.

"Later first I want to know how exactly did you get here?" I asked.

"It was Akachi, he came to me and Rebecca and told us that the portal was open and that Equestria was in danger. Although he did leave out the part about you being alive and all," Eli said.

"Heh guess he just wanted to surprise you wait... Rebecca, is she here too?" I asked.

"Uh yeah," Eli said with a tone and look that meant trouble.

"Eli what happened?" I asked.

"What...nothing, nothing happened at all," Eli said causing me to raise an eyebrow at him.

"Eli I may have died three years ago but I can still tell when you lie to me," I said as I folded my arms across my chest causing Eli to sigh.

"Come on, it'd be better if I showed you," Eli said as he picked up his pipes and led me inside.

I walked through the castle following Eli while hundreds of scenarios rattled through my head before we stopped at one of the doors to a guest bedroom. Eli breathed a heavy sigh before he opened the door. Once I walked in I saw Rosa, Jabir and Akachi were here already and were nervous when they saw me. I then looked around and stared in shock at a figure on the bed. She had hair that reminded me of Roseluck, her face was young and beautiful with soft blue eyes and she was wearing a green t-shirt. This woman was Rebecca, another woman from Earth who was once a slave like me, but I wasn't staring at her in shock because of her presence. I was shocked because she was lying down on the bed, her arms wrapped in burn bracers along with one around her neck. looking around quickly I saw a wheelchair sitting in the corner of the room meaning this was more severe then I thought. Doing a quick injury scan I saw about fifty-five percent of her body was covered in third degree burns and she was also paralysed from the waist down. I pulled myself from my trance before I walked forward and kneeled beside the bed. I reached out to grasp Rebecca's hand but stopped afraid to touch her but she placed her hand in mine and smiled at me.

"It's good to have you back Ash," Rebecca croaked but I couldn't help but let a few tears fall down my cheeks. "Hey don't get all teary eyed on me, that's my job."

"Sorry it's just...been so long," I said.

"Indeed it has," Rebecca said before she began to feel my left arm. "Huh flesh and blood huh or is it some kind of upgrade?"

*chuckle* "Flesh and blood," I said with a laugh.

"Whoa I didn't know you got your arm back," Akachi said as he ran up to me and rubbed my arm.

"Long story buddy," I said as I ruffled the top of Akachi's head before I looked at Rebecca. "Rebecca I gotta ask what happened?"

"Oh...this...was wondering when you'd ask...I left a stove on when I was cooking, ended up burning my place down. Fire fighters pulled me out of the wreckage happened months ago but I'm paralysed from the waste down," Rebecca said causing me to hug her.

"We'll get you fixed up soon Rebecca I'll have Faust use Life Fire to fix you up later. I'd do it myself but...My magic is a little untrustworthy at this time," I said causing Rebecca to nod.

"Thank you Ash," Rebecca said before I left with a nod.

When I walked out of the room I closed the door before I looked out the corner of my eyes to the right and saw Rage leaning against the wall.

"You heard all that?" I asked.

"What a load, I could smell the lies from all the way down the hall," Rage said.

"Indeed which means she doesn't want us to get involved," I said.

"Know who did it?" Rage asked.

"Yes and apparently this guy has a grudge against me for killing his little brother," I said.

"Who was the brother you killed?" Rage asked.

"Johnathan Viper," I growled.

"Oh damn...well let's go reacquaint this brother with the other," Rage said before we began to walk through the castle and saw Elisa and Evan walking in the opposite direction.

"Hey you two," Evan said when he saw us.

"Whoa whose the guy who killed your puppy," Elisa said noticing our expressions.

"Walk and talk, we're heading for the mirror to my Earth," I said as we passed them.

I explained what was going on with Rebecca and the matter from the past as we walked to a room that was being guarded by four guardians who moved aside for us.

"That's pretty much the whole story," I said.

"Shit," Elisa said.

"So you want us to come along with you?" Evan asked.

"Ya don't have to but the company is welcome," I said before I pushed open the doors to the room and saw the mirror hooked up to several machines so it could be activated.

Suddenly I saw the surface of the mirror shift and change before something stepped out and I saw it was a caribou and I saw he had a mare who had yellow fur and an orange and red mane and tail. She also wore an aqua and gold dress with magenta leggings and a black jacket.

"Hurry up whore!" the caribou demanded as he dragged the mare through the portal.

"Sunset Shimmer?" I asked when I identified the mare causing the caribou and Sunset to look at me and the latter's eyes to widened in shock.

"What in Tartarus is going on, who the hell are you four!" the caribou demanded before he drew a knife.

Rage went for one of his axes but I held my hand out to stop him just as six new caribou came out of the portal each one holding onto the human counterpart of the mane 6.

"What the hey, where's the research center?" one of the new caribou questioned.

"Ash!" Rainbow yelled when she saw me causing the caribou to look at her then at me in shock.

"Mighty lord Ash Blade," the first caribou bowed causing me to narrow my gaze on him.

"Ash ya gotta get us outta here," Applejack pleaded.

"You'll speak when spoken to whore!" the caribou that was holding her yelled as he slapped her across the face. I then snapped my fingers making the heads of the six caribou holding the human mane six explode. I then used my magic to grab hold of the last buck before lifting him into the air by his neck choking him in the process. This forced the buck to release Sunset and start struggling to loosen my grip on his neck. My guess anyone would have thought I was using the force choke from Star Wars before I dropped him.

"Guards!" I shouted and the four guardians outside rushed in. "Have this one placed in the dungeons for questioning and dispose of the bodies."

The guardians bowed and went to work, one of them grabbed the caribou and put him in shackles while the rest began to get rid of the bodies meanwhile I escorted the...Mane seven out of the room and summoned some chairs for them.

"You lot alright?" I asked.

"Uh yeah just...shaken," Sunset replied.

"I'm awfully sorry you all had to see that," I said as I summoned a cloth to help remove any blood, brain matter and bone from a shaking Rarity and Fluttershy.

"Dude that was awesome you just snapped your fingers...," Rainbow started but was stopped by the glares from Sunset, Applejack and myself.

"Ash how are you here, I mean alive really. Last we saw you was your funeral," Sci-Twi said.

"Listen I know you all have questions but I'm afraid I have little time to explain because the four of us were heading to earth to sort something out, when we get back we'll talk," I said causing the group to nod before I instructed some guards to take these girls to Twilight and Faust.

With the girls being tended to I led my fellow harbingers through the mirror where we stepped onto the lawn of Canterlot High School or C.H.S. for short. I saw the sky was dark and knew that our destination wouldn't be receiving guests at this time but I got an idea. I then teleported us to our destination which was just outside the gates of the White House.

"Uh why're we in Washington D.C. Ash?" Evan asked.

"And outside the White House of all places?" Elisa asked.

"The guy who lives here owes me a favor, I just hope there hasn't been an election yet," I said.

"You do realise we're not gonna get in at this hour," Rage said.

"I know that and I don't plan to force my way in so we're just gonna have to sit and wait," I said as I sat down on a bench.

"So we're just gonna sit and wait?" Elisa asked.

"Yep," I said simply.

Soon the others sat down beside me and waited with me in silence for ten miniutes.

"Well this is boring," Rage said.

"Yeah ain't there any way to speed this up?" Elisa asked.

"Sure," I said with a wave of my hand. After a few seconds the sun began to quickly rise and we watched as people walked around faster then the average eye can track before I waved my hand again and everything moved at a normal pace once more.

"Uh what the hell was that?" Elisa asked.

"Oh I just speed up reality a bit...no big deal," I said as I got up and streched.

"No big deal he says," Rage muttered.

"Anyway you don't need to worry about any clocks on your person, they're all accurate now let's go," I said as I walked towards the gates and walked in.

We entered the White House and were immediately surrounded by the secret service, all of them had a gun aimed at us.

"Probably should have entered without weapons in plain sight or without any at all," Elisa said.

"If I did that we wouldn't have gotten their attention," Rage said.

"All of you slowly place your weapons on the ground and put your hands in the air right now," one of the agents demanded.

"Calm down guys we mean no harm, I wish to speak with the president," I said.

"If you're not here to harm anyone then tell me why the hell are you carrying those swords and guns around," the agent demanded.

"Fair enough, a mistake on our part but right now this is important," I said.

"I don't give a damn who you are now put your weapons down and surrender!" the agent shouted.

"Ash?"

I looked at the source of the voice and saw the presidents daughter Diana trying to squeeze between the agents.

"Lady Diana get back, these are dangerous people," one of the agents said.

"Wait stand down that's Ash Blade, he saved me and my family when the white house was attacked three years ago," Diana said causing the agents to freeze up again.

"It is a pleasure to see you again young lady Diana and I am happy to see you have not forgotten my face," I said with a polite bow.

"Come on," Diana said as she gestured us to follow and the agents stepped back and allowed us to follow. "So are you here to see my father?"

"Indeed I am and the matter is...severe," I said.

"Well daddy is in a meeting with the prime minister from Japan but I'm sure he'll see you," Diana said.

"Oh no it's alright we can wait," I said holding my hands up.

"No...you saved us and if your situation is severe then anything else can wait," Diana said causing me to smile before we stopped at the oval office door which was being guarded by several agents. "Wait here."

Diana then walked ahead and went inside while we waited for a few minutes before the door opened and Diana gestured for us to come in. We walked forward but the soldiers stopped us.

"Weapons please," one of the agents asked.

I then looked at my fellow harbingers with a look that said 'do as they say' before I looked back at the agents.

"Of course," I said as I removed Hingure, Whispering Wind and both Salvation and Damnation and handed them to one of the agents while the others did the same.

"I better be getting those back and how I left them," Rage said as he gestured to his twin axes and Blood Ruin which the latter was now leaning against the wall.

Now Elisa and Evan were carrying more weapons on their body then was physically possible and each of them was now placed on the side while the agents just stared in shock. When they were done I raised an eyebrow at them.

"Really?" I asked while the two simply shrugged.

Shaking my head one of the agents opened the door fully and we walked in. I saw the president sitting at the presidential desk and in-front of the desk were a pair of couches. Sitting at one of the couches was a middle aged Japanese man who I assumed was the prime minister of Japan and behind him stood, what I assumed, where his two bodyguards while around the room were several secret service agents.

"Ash," the president greeted as he stood up.

"Mr President...Kon'nichiwa misutā shushō," I greeted as I turned to the man sitting down and bowed from the waist as a form of respect which my fellow harbingers did the same.

"You speak our language?" the Prime Minister asked.

"I'm familiar with all of Earth's languages dead and current in the modern day," I said.

"Prime Minister this here is Ash Blade, the one who rescued not just me but the Pope and the Queen of England along with one of my agents, Derick Burrows," the president said.

"Ah yes I heard some rumours about you that you're now the strongest soldier for America," the prime minister said.

"I'm afraid those rumours are partly false, I served America as a solider once a long time ago as I once served an emperor of Japan an even longer time ago. Now my duty is to no one country but to all to ensure peace and if one goes to disrupt that peace then I'll be there to end it," I said.

"A noble pursuit...I wish there were many more who would stand up for peace but like many, I sadly learned, will only say things but will not use actions to back those words up," the prime minister said.

"I agree Mr. Prime Minister. I agree the world may not go the way we want but I learned something a long time ago that if no one else is gonna stand up and do something then what's to stop me from standing up and doing something? Is it fear of others looking up to you that'll stop you...perhaps what about the weight of the responsibilities...again that might stop some but the main thing that would stop most...Is where to start," I said causing the Prime Minister to stare at me with widened eyes.

"Ash," The president said drawing my gaze to him. "Diana here said that the reason your here is a grave one."

"Ah yes I apologise that I have interrupted your meeting gentlemen but if you prefer I can wait for you both to finish," I said.

"Prime Minister?" the President asked while looking at the Japanese Prime Minister.

"I wish to hear what this matter is myself," the Prime Minister said

"You have our attention Ash please take a seat," the President said.

"Thank you both...Now where do I begin?" I asked as I sat down on the couch opposite of the Prime Minister.

"Well the last I heard of you Ash is that you had died in a battle," the President said causing the Prime Minister to raise an eyebrow.

*sigh* "Yes it is true for three years, actually and things have been...difficult for Equestria since I departed from it," I started.

"How so?" the President asked.

I then looked at Diana who was still in the room watching us before I subtly gestured to her with my fingers and the President turned to face his daughter.

"Sweetie I need to speak to Ash privately for a bit," the President said.

With a small grown Diana left and once the door shut I took a breath and told the tale with Rage filling in a few holes here and there. When we finished both leaders had looks of shock and disgust but their faces held awe, fear and worship when I told them of my god status now.

"It is...hard to imagine a race of intelligent beings like that," the Prime Minister said.

"Indeed," the President said.

"Don't forget this all started thanks to a mad king and his sick poisoned view on the world," I said.

"Ash you saved my life three years ago along with the lives of my family and more and despite you now being a god, which I am still struggling to wrap my head around, I want you to know that if you need anything my forces are at your disposal till your war is won," the President said.

"I thank you for your support Mr. President but respectively I will not ask your men to die in a fight that is not theirs," I said.

"And with all respect to you Ash these...caribou entered my country and started abducting my people. I believe that makes this our fight also," the President said.

"Fair enough I'll give you that one but you know I think there is something you can help me with...you see, before the mirror fell back into our grasp, I was concerned of how many caribou came to this world. So I figured if you can keep an eye out for any strange individuals around the portal then you can detain them. Naturally I'll have guards posted on my side but if in the unlikely event of a caribou slipping past my guards your troops can catch them, even alert us in the event anything is trying to get back into Equestria," I said.

"I see but how would we alert you?" the President asked.

"I'll work on something along with a pass of some kind to allow any Equestrians to come and go if needed," I said.

"Very well, now Ash I assume there is more to this story about why you are here?" the President asked.

"You are correct Mr President...You see a part from my most recent past has reared a second ugly head...tell me, do you know of a man called Johnathan Viper?" I asked.

"Yes a dead slaver from what I can remember. On the most wanted list for some time also I assume your the one who killed him?" the President asked.

"Yes I am and now his brother a man called Blake Viper wants vengeance and has targeted some people very close to me on this side of the portal," I said.

"Blake Viper?" the Prime Minister asked.

"You know him?" I asked.

"We've been hunting him for some time now acts of slavery and assault charges and mass murder. His last know sighting was in Ikebukuro," the Prime Minister said.

"Ikebukuro," I said rolling the name around in my head a few times.

"Yes it is quite an interesting place what with the color gangs and the destruction that happens on a daily basis and finally that urban myth of the headless rider," the Prime Minister said causing my thoughts to freeze on the last word and defiantly catching the attention of the others. "I do not know when this rider showed up but when it did continues reports say it rides on a black bike that has no headlights and sounds like a horse. Right now one of Japan's best high speed chase officers, Kinnosuke Kuzuhara, is on a mission to catch the rider as we speak."

"Prime Minister," I started gaining everyone's attention. "Please forgive my selfish request but I'd like you to call off your officer on the rider."

The two leaders looked at me in surprise before the Prime Minister regained his composure.

"Forgive me...um h-how should I address you?" the Prime Minister asked.

"Just Ash is fine and before you ask the reason why I asked you to call off Kinnosuke Kuzuhara is because I know the rider you are talking about from a long time ago," I explained.

"I-I see, very well I shall have it taken care of as soon as I return to Japan," the Prime Minister said.

"I have a better idea may I request that you create a letter and sign it and I shall personally deliver it to Kinnosuke," I suggested.

"Um Ash wouldn't that be...um beneath you?" the President asked.

"Nah we're going to Ikebukuro anyway to find information on Blake which reminds me, something tells me there's gonna be a bit of a 'commotion' while we're there which will involve guns and possibly explosions," I explained.

"You're planning on destroying a part of Ikebukuro?" the Prime Minister asked with shock in his voice.

"I wasn't done," I said silencing the Prime Minister. "Now I was also going to mention that this will all depend on how co-operative Blake and his followers are and whatever damage is caused I will personally pay for repairs and I will personally see to it that no civilians or victims of Blake are harmed."

This seemed to cause the Prime Minister to relax before he nodded.

---

Three Hours Later Outside Ikebukuro

---

As soon as the letters were written we left for Japan and now we were overlooking the city of Ikebukuro from a hill just outside the city's borders. Rage and Elisa's wings were hidden like before in Washington and our weapons were out of sight.

*whistle* "Big city," Elisa whistled.

"Sure is...C'mon let's go," I said as I got on Shadow Ranger and put my helmet on before I looked and saw Rage do the same while Elisa and Evan got into a '69 Nova with a red paint job before we drove off. A few minutes later we were in the city and I was looking around at everything but then there's all the stop lights and signs reminding me that traffic in Equestria was better then Earth's.

"So Ash what exactly do we do first?" Rage telepathically asked as the red light became green and we drove on.

"We need to meet with an information broker by the name of Izaya Orihara he lives in Ikebukuro. Said to be the guy if you need information on something or someone he's the guy to go to. He's the spider who controls the city wide web of information," I said telepathically.

"Sounds like a creep," Elisa telepathically said.

Suddenly I hear a whinny up ahead followed by the sound of dozens of different sounding horns and also sirens. When I looked I saw a black motorbike heading in the opposite direction of us and the figure on the bike was wearing a black jumpsuit that hugged the riders feminine body and a yellow and blue helmet with cat ears and a black visor was on her head. Behind the rider were a variety of different bikes and riders all cheering and hollering while sounding their horns and all of them were chasing the black biker. Ahead of the massive group of bikers was a squad of cop bikes who also seemed to be chasing the black bike. Soon the black bike and I crossed paths and during that time we both looked at each other and I sensed a familiar aura come from the black rider. When we passed each other I placed my right foot on the ground and spun around and drove off after the black rider and her pursuers.

"Ash, where are you going?" Rage asked.

"I just saw a friend who needs help you guys keep going and I'll catch up to you later," I thought.

I came up behind the pursuers and drove into the group. Before long I was at the front, I then cracked my neck and kicked the bikes to my sides knocking the bikes and riders over and causing the ones behind to crash and end up forming a heap behind me, leaving only the cops left. Reaching out with the shadows I grabbed the bikes bringing them all to a halt while the black bike drove off. The cops were stunned that they weren't moving till I drove in front of them and dismounted Shadow Ranger and started walking over to the cops bringing their attention on me.

"So a new monster has arrived in Ikebukuro," the cop ahead of the group said getting me to assume that this guy was Kinnosuke Kuzuhara. He was wearing an Ikebukuro police uniform and helmet with a red scarf around his neck and he also wore a set of aviators over his eyes and also had a scar shaped like an X on his right upper cheek.

I then pulled the letter from the Prime Minister out from my inner coat pocket and held it out for Kinnosuke who took it before I punched him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him, while the rest of the squad all pulled their guns on me but I paid them no mind.

"That was for the monster comment," I growled before I walked back over to Shadow Ranger and got on her before driving off.

I was more then a little annoyed at what that cop said but not to me, if he had said that to me right off the bat then I assume he's been calling my friend a monster for quite awhile now and that annoyed me. I quickly shook off my thoughts and drove to the address and saw the others waiting for me at the door of a massive building. I then parked Shadow Ranger and made my way over to my fellow harbingers.

"Took you long enough," Rage said once I arrived.

"I take it you meet the headless rider?" Evan asked.

"I wouldn't say meet just gave her a chance to slip away," I said.

"Wait the headless rider is a chick and you know her?" Elisa asked with a mischiefes smirk.

"It's not like that, I just owe her that's all," I said defensively.

"Sure Ash," Elisa said with a smirk.

"Arrgggh c'mon," I said before I walked into the building.

We entered the lobby and informed the person at the front desk about seeing Izaya and they gave us directions on how to get there so we took the elevator up and walked to the door we needed and knocked.

"Come in."

I opened the door and saw a lavish office filled with shelves some couches and a desk with a computer and at that desk was a lanky man most likely in his mid twenties. He had dark hair and eyes that seemed to hold a strange aura to them, one that spoke of seriousness and yet curiosity with just a hint of madness and childlike glee added into the mix. It's a feeling that I wasn't all that comfortable with along with the way he seemed to be studding us. I then saw the man was wearing a dark long sleeve shirt along with some dark skinny jeans and black shoes.

"Welcome I take it your the ones that are looking for Blake Viper?" the man asked.

"Yes and I take it you're Izaya Orihara?" I asked.

"Ding, ding, ding give the man a prize now please take a seat, like a drink?" Izaya asked.

"Just the info we need and then we're gone," I said simply.

"Right to the point then...Well to start off Blake Viper was here but he left the country just days ago heading who knows where," Izaya said while shrugging his shoulders.

"So he's in the wind," Rage growled.

"However there is a small group about with tattoos on their necks of a king cobra worming it's way through a skull, as if it were a worm in an apple. Those are his flunkies they'll tell you where you want to go," Izaya said.

"And what's the payment for this piece of information?" I asked.

"Oh not much just a story, a story of what you four want with Blake Viper, a slaver and murderer. I'm sure there's quite a juicy tale behind that," Izaya said with a smirk while resting his head in the palm of his right hand.

"Why the interest?" Elisa asked.

"I have a hobby of observing humans, they're such fascinating creatures to watch," Izaya said while shrugging his shoulders.

We stared at Izaya in silence just processing his reasoning till I spoke.

"Any normal human would question your sanity for logic like that but I agree with you about humanity being fascinating," I said.

"Oh a fellow admirer," Izaya said leaning forward while folding his hands in front of him.

"As for my story I doubt you'll find any interest in it just a tale of blood and vengeance," I said.

"Oh I still find that interesting," Izaya said.

I then reached into my coat and pulled out a pile of notes before tossing it to Izaya.

"Thats three thousand yen that should cover the info you gave us," I said before we left and exited the building.

"Wow he was something else," Evan said.

"C'mon let's split up and look around for one of those flunkies that works under Blake," I said before we all took off in different directions. I was on Shadow Ranger and looking for anyone with the neck tattoo Izaya mentioned till suddenly the sirens were going off behind me. I saw it was Kinnosuke again so I pulled over to the side of the road and let Kinnosuke come up beside me. "Something you need officer Kinnosuke?"

"The letter, how the hell did you get the Prime Minister to pull me of the mon-," Kinnosuke started but I turned my head toward him making him stop.

"Call her a monster again, I dare you," I growled.

*sigh* "How did you get the Prime Minister to take me off the Black Rider case and what does it mean I'm to leave you alone during your time here?" Kinnosuke asked.

"I can be...persuasive when I want to be as for the last part I'm looking for a wanted man and the end result may be messy...You've been on the Black Rider's case for awhile now officer tell me, you know where she might live or of anyone close to her that might know?" I asked.

"I'm a traffic cop pal not a beat cop not my place to know those details however there is one guy who might be able to help ya, guy called Shizuo Heiwajima," Kinnosuke said.

"Shizuo Heiwajima any ideas on where I can find him?" I asked.

"Your kidding, just follow the path of destruction. He's the one hauling the heavy crap around like it were nothing," Kinnosuke said before driving off.

I watched Kinnosuke drive off till he was out of sight before I went on my way keeping my eyes peeled for any of Blake's goons or really anything out of the ordinary when suddenly a vending machine comes flying past me causing me to hit the breaks and causing Shadow Ranger to let out an uncomfortable whinny before I calmed her. I then looked to where the vending machine came from and saw a crowd so I rode Shadow Ranger over before dismounting and pushing my way through the crowd. I eventually saw it was Rage and he appeared to be fighting a tall man with blonde hair dressed as a...bartender? Rage then landed a fist on the guy's face making the guy stagger back before he returned the hit with one of his own but Rage blocked the punch and was pushed back a few feet, which was quite impressive for a normal man to do.

"Geeze dude he just had to go and pick a fight," I said to myself.

"You talking about the american dude with the leather jacket?"

I turned to the source of the voice and saw a white skinned man with long dark hair tied into dreadlocks was wearing a business suit and glasses and next to him stood a young woman with blonde hair that reached her shoulders and covered her right eye. She was wearing a white button up no sleeve shirt, dark brown shorts, white, thick block, high heel boots and finally piercing light blue eyes like those of a predator judging their opponents strength. In those eyes I saw a lot of death but I returned my focus to the question.

"Yeah he's my brother you two know the guy in the bartender outfit?" I asked.

"Yeah we work together but I don't know anyone who hasn't heard his name before so that must mean you're new in town," the man said.

"Heh well you're right there my brother, myself and two others just arrived this morning looking for a certain guy for personal reasons but might I enquire who this guy is, he must be pretty famous if the whole city knows his name," I said.

"Well pal that's Shizuo Heiwajima strongest guy in Ikebukuro rule one around here is don't piss him off or he'll send you flying with whatever he can get his hands on," the man said.

"Shizuo Heiwajima huh just one of the guys I was looking for." I said.

"You were looking for Shizuo?" the man asked.

"I knew him only by name not by appearance or his legend," I explained.

"Your brother is well trained, do you wish to fight Heiwajima also?" the woman asked with a Russian accent.

"No but speaking of fights I'd better break this one up before things get too dicey," I said as I began to walk forward.

"This battle between strong opponents, you will be killed," the woman said simply but I just laughed at her words.

"I've broken up fights way worse then this miss but the concern is appreciated," I said with a smile before I reached the two battling men. "You both done?"

The two ignored me and continued to try and beat the ever loving crap out of the other so I grabbed the two by the back of their heads and slammed their foreheads against each other, ending the brawl and I swear I heard a knock out bell ring out from somewhere but shook it off.

"Have you both calmed down now?" I asked.

"Oh hey Ash," Rage said when he noticed me.

"Don't hey Ash me Rage what the hell you doing picking a fight with the locals?" I asked.

"Hey wasn't my fault this guy...," Rage started but I bonked him on the head with a fist.

"I don't wanna hear it numb nuts," I said.

"You've got some nerve!"

I looked at the source of the voice and saw Shizuo was getting up and he looked pissed.

"Just waltzing over here and slamming my head against this cockroach...You're Dead!" Shizuo roared as he reached for a vending machine, picked up with one hand and took a swing at me with it.

I stepped back, avoiding the swing but Shizuo swung at me again and again determined to hit me but I just kept dodging the attacks.

"Mr Heiwajima...I'm not here to fight you," I said while dodging his swings.

"Well you got a fight punk," Shizuo roared as he was about to bring the vending machine down on me.

"I want to ask you about Celty Sturluson," I said causing Shizuo's eyes to widen before the vending machine came down to my right, just missing me while the two of us stared at each other in silence.

"How do you know Celty?" Shizuo asked.

"I owe her a debt and I'm here to repay it, problem is I don't know where she lives," I said.

"Oh...sorry about that," Shizuo said as he looked at the vending machine.

"No worries I'm kinda used to things being swung at me," I said.

"Huh that a profession?" Shizuo asked.

"I guess you can call it that but I'll tell you more around a less public place," I said as I gestured to the on lookers around me.

"Hm fair point," Shizuo said.

"Hey Shizuo."

I looked at the source of the voice and saw a group of four heading towards us three young men and a young woman.

"Oh hey Kyohei," Shizuo said.

"We got word you were fighting someone and he was actually putting up a fight," the girl said. She was wearing a long-sleeved black dress with black ankle boots and a black newsboy cap. She also had a small silver bag going over her shoulder going down diagonally so it rested on her side. She had white skin and dark hair coming down the sides of her face while the rest was hidden beneath her hat, probably tied up in a bun I guess.

"Yeah that's him over there," Shizuo said as he gestured to Rage.

"Whoa dude you look so badass!" another guy said. He was wearing a pale sweat shirt with a bag on his back and grey pants and black shoes. He had a pair of fox eyes and his hair was a dirty blonde. First look tells me he's a bit of the mischiefes sort.

"Oh stop, your flattering me," Rage said causing me to roll my eyes.

"So how'd the fight go?" the second guy asked. He had brown eyes and chin-length brown hair parted down the middle he was wearing a white collared shirt, a dark red vest, jeans, loafers, and a chain necklace.

"It was a draw because this guy broke it up," Shizuo said as he gestured to me.

"Wait you broke up the fight wow you must be super strong!" the girl exclaimed.

"More like I have a way with words," I said.

"Well nice to meet ya I'm Kyohei Kadota but just call me Kyohei," the final guy of the group said as he held out a hand for a handshake. He was wearing a black beanie with a teal jacket and jeans with black shoes and the aura I was getting from this guy was giving off a big brother impression.

"Pleasure name's Ash Blade but you can call me Ash," I greeted.

"Ash Blade?' the guy with the backpack asked.

"Maybe it's a nickname people gave him?" the young woman said.

"Uh actually that's my birth given name," I said.

"Huh?!" the two exclaimed.

"Whoa dude you have an awesome name sounds like something from a book or fan fiction," the backpack guy said.

"This is Walker and the girl is Erika and finally our driver here is Saburo," Kyohei said gesturing to the backpack wearing guy to the girl and finally the guy in the red vest.

"Pleasure to meet you all now that you all know my name I'd like to introduce my little brother Burning Rage," I said as I gestured to Rage.

"Yo," Rage greeted with a wave.

"What...you're parents pick out the coolest names," Walker said but I looked away from the group with a sigh.

"Something wrong Ash?" Saburo asked.

"Hm oh no I'm good just thinking about something," I said shrugging off my emotions.

"Wow you pal, have got some guts," the guy with the dreadlocks said as he walked over to us.

"Like I said I've dealt with worse mister...," I trailed off.

"Oh sorry about that my name's Tom and this is Verona," Tom said gesturing to the Russian beside him who was still looking at me with calculating eyes.

"Nice to meet you but anyway Shizuo could you show me where Celty lives?" I asked.

"Sure," Shizuo said.

"Hey you all heading to Doctor K's," Walker asked.

"Can we come?" Erika asked.

"You can follow but going inside is up to Celty and Shinra," Shizuo said.

"Cool we'll meet you there," Kyohei said before he and his group walked off.

"Still a few places I need to visit today but why don't you take the rest of the day off Shizuo?" Tom suggested.

"You sure?" Shizuo asked.

"Sure why not, Verona here would be more then enough to handle these guys so take a break, you earned it," Tom said.

"Alright if you're sure," Shizuo said.

"Hey nice to meet you two," Tom said as he waved at Rage and me.

"Likewise take care Tom," I said before I turned to Verona. "Zabotit'sya o miledi."

Veronica's eyes widened in surprise before she simply nodded and walked away with Tom before I hopped on Shadow Ranger while Rage hopped on Bone Rattler and we started following Shizuo who started walking.

"I head the name Shinra get brought up with Celty who is he?" I asked.

"Hm well he's an unlicensed doctor and Celty's his roommate and I guess boyfriend," Shizuo said causing me to nod.

"You have quite a fascinating group of friends Mr Heiwajima," I said.

"That I do," Shizuo said.

We were like this for awhile before we arrived at a large building. I parked Shadow Ranger nearby along with Bone Rattler before we followed Shizuo inside but not before I contacted Elisa and Evan letting them know of where we are. We then took an elevator up before we walked over to a door and knocked.

"Coming," a male voice behind the door said before the door opened revealing a white skinned man with dark hair and glasses wearing a white lab coat with a collared shirt and blue tie with dark pants and shoes. "Oh Shizuo what brings you by...you got some injuries."

"Yeah one of these guys put up a good fight, honestly thought I met my match," Shizuo said as he walked in.

"You're no slouch yourself pal," Rage said as he followed.

"Hey wait a sec who are these two," the man said as he went to catch up with Shizuo.

I then walked in and closed the door behind me before I took my shoes off and looked around and saw I was standing in a hallway. I heard multiple voices coming from down the hall so I followed them and entered what appeared to be a kitchen/dining room/living room where I saw Rage, Shizuo, Kyohei and his group along with the man from before who answered the door along with a man that wore similar attire as the guy before and had matching dark hair, difference was his face was obscured by a white gas mask of all things. Next was a woman with blonde hair, white skin and she also wore a white lab coat with a green undershirt, she also had a gas mask resting on top of her head, and lastly were three kids wearing high school uniforms. One kid was male and had white skin with a baby face and short black hair while the the other guy of the group had white skin with light brown hair and finally the girl of the group, she had dark hair that reached her chin and had fair colored skin and glasses and yet I could feel a familiar and dark aura coming from her.

"And you are?"

I was broken from my staring and saw everyone was staring at me.

"Oh sorry my name is Ash Blade but you all may call me Ash, it's nice to meet all of you," I said with a bow.

"Well my name is Shinra Kishitani the guy in the gas mask is my father Shingen Kishitani and the woman in the gas mask is my step-mother Emilia Kishitani. You already know Kyohei and his group but the high schoolers are Mikado Ryuugamine, the one with baby face and black hair, the other guy is Masaomi Kida and the girl with the glasses and huge boobs is Anri Sonohara," Shinra said causing Rage's fists to tighten into fist when Shinra mentioned how big Anri's breasts are but a quick hand on his shoulder calmed him.

"Remember Rage things are different here this may be a normal thing for them," I said telepathically.

"Fair enough," Rage said back.

Suddenly I heard a door open and close behind me and when I turned around I saw a woman wearing a black jump suit and slippers walk out of the hallway but my main priority was not on the woman's clothing but on the lack of her head. It was a clean cut along the top of the neck while shadowy smoke oozed out of the wound kinda like what happened to me when I lost my head. I knew this person as Celty Sturluson the headless rider of Ikebukuro and she seemed shocked when she noticed both me and Rage before a phone slid out of her sleeve and she started writing on it before showing it to Shinra.

"Shinra who are these two and why didn't you warn me of them!," Celty wrote.

"Um well they showed up just now and I didn't have any time to tell you before they entered with Shizuo," Shinra explained.

"Shizuo?" Celty asked before looking at the man in question before the smoke from her neck became an exclamation point before she began to write something on her phone. "Sh-Shizuo what happened to you! Your injured, what happened?"

"Oh that, got into a fight with this guy but it's all good now," Shizuo said as he gestured to Rage.

Celty then looked at Rage before she turned to look at me and she seemed to tilt the smoke coming from her neck as if she were tilting a head.

"Hello Celty I'm glad you made it out of this mornings...incident," I said with a short bow.

"Wait I know you, you were there this morning when I was being chased by all those motorcyclists and traffic cops," Celty said.

"Heh indeed I was," I said.

"Excuse me but why are you wearing that helmet you're certainly not a Dullahan since you're talking and the most obvious place for it is in that helmet of yours," Shingen said.

I tilted my head to the side in confusion before reached a hand up to feel my head but only felt the surface of my helmet.

"Whoops forgot I was even wearing the damn thing," I said as I pulled the helmet off earning sounds of awe from everyone.

"Woah I figure you were good looking beneath that but wow," Erika said in awe.

"Uh...thanks," I said.

"So what are you doing here?" Celty asked.

"Heh well that's actually an interesting story and I wouldn't be surprised if you forgot but you see Celty you and I met over five hundred years ago," I said causing everyone to stare at me in shock.

"five hundred but that's impossible," Mikado said.

"No it's actually possible you see when a person dies their soul leaves for the afterlife where it stays for a time before it comes back to earth to live out life all over again and sometimes, just sometimes about 0.000000000000000000001% of a generation would remember fragments of their old life or if you were immortal or perhaps an inhuman like Celty here," I said.

"So which one is it?" Celty asked.

"Ah man that's much better," Rage said as he released his wings from hiding startling everyone.

"Couldn't keep them hidden could you," I deadpanned.

"Interesting, quite curious...despite having no muscle your wings are still able to move, tell me with wings like that can you fly?" Shingen asked.

"That and more," Rage said as he set his wings ablaze stunning everyone.

"Hey turn that off before you set off the smoke alarms," Shinra cried.

"Dude calm down these flames are smokeless, could't set an alarm off even if I wanted too," Rage said.

"And they still burn?" Shingen asked.

"Only if I will it or if the person who touches them deserves it. You see my flames aren't ordinary, these are the same flames that burn in the bowls of hell itself otherwise known as Hellfire," Rage said with a grin causing everyone to back up.

"Hold up a sec does that that make you a demon or something?" Shizuo asked.

"Not exactly I'm part demon part human but at first I was nothing more then the emotion of anger and hatred given flesh and blood," Rage said.

"So what exactly would that make you?" Shingen asked causing Rage to lift a hand to his chin in thought.

"Hm...Let's go with the embodiment of anger," Rage said.

"Fine...what about you are you another embodiment of something?" Shingen asked.

"Would you quit asking these two questions so I can have my own answered?" Celty wrote.

"Calm down Celty, now I believe I have a question that can help us here. Tell me Celty but do the words Demonic Angel ring a bell?" I asked causing Celty to tense up before she collapsed on a chair and began to shake slightly.

"Celty are you okay what's going on?" Shinra asked.

"I'm fine Shinra, it's just...been a long time since I heard those words put together, a very long time in fact. You see the Demonic Angels were creatures born from both Angels and Demons," Celty said shocking everyone.

"Wait Demons and Angels actually exist and...they lived together?" Walker asked.

"Whoa I never was one for believing in that stuiff but hearing if from Celty kinda makes you wonder," Saburo said.

"Amazing," Anri said.

"Anyway the Demonic Angels were legendary beings who's strength was unlimited and had brought about an age of peace and prosperity for all creation. Every single creature that's known as myth and fantasy lived under the care of the rulers, a Demon named Ronsihr who was the king along with his wife, an Angel called Agla. The king and queen even had a baby boy, a Demonic Angel and things were perfect...that is till an army of Angels and Demons who despised the kingdom attacked and slaughtered every single Demonic Angel, even the young prince," Celty wrote causing many in the room to look depressed.

"Wrong," I said causing the occupants to look at me. "The prince didn't perish that day at all Celty, thanks to the love of his parents the young prince was spirited away by an old friend of their family and he had taken part all through out Earth's history yet remained hidden to everyone."

"How do you that?" Kyohei asked causing me to smirk.

I then drew power into my arms and my left hand became demonic while my right became strapped in bright white armour that had a holy glow to it, stunning everyone.

"I know because I am the prince of that kingdom," I said.

Everyone was speechless before I halted my magic and turned to Celty with a smile.

"Now you may not remember Celty but five hundred years ago you saved my life. it was on a dark foggy night on an old road that we met. I had just been stabbed and robbed and was lying upon the road bleeding out when you came riding by. You saw me and climbed down from your coach and walked over to me and said 'you shall not die this day' before you used your shadows to seal the wound closed but when you turned to leave I gently grabbed the end of your dress and said-," I said but stopped when Celty wrote something.

"I owe you a great debt," Celty wrote causing me to nod.

"As a Dullahan it was your duty to send me to the afterlife, not keep me alive and yet you did it. Even though you were not bound to wait for the hourglass of life to run out you still saved me," I said.

"I-I just felt that it was both the right thing to save you and that you were important," Celty wrote.

"Well you have my thanks Celty because you not only saved me but you saved someone close to me also. A friend of mine was terribly sick with a deadly virus and I had gone to get the medicine to cure him. I was on my way back when I was robbed, they took my purse yes but not the medicine. So you have my thanks Celty," I said.

"So I assume your here to pay your debt?" Celty asked.

"That's right," I said.

"Well I'm afraid there's not much you can do for me Ash although it is a nice gesture," Celty wrote.

"Au contraire mon sans tête ami you know that traffic cop that has been giving you a hard time, well a letter from the prime minister of Japan that happened to arrive today has issued an order to leave you alone," I said causing Celty to tense up with an exclamation mark hovering over her neck which was made from the shadows.

"Wait you...?" Shinra asked.

"I managed to pull a few strings, I'm a very well connected guy," I said before Celty got up and hugged me before she started jumping for joy. "Well you seem joyful."

"You have no idea how good this is, that monster has been hunting me since he got here," Celty wrote.

"Whoa I'll admit he can be jerk but monster is going overboard," I said.

"Regardless you have my thanks," Celty wrote.

"There's more," I said as I took a pouch from my pocket and emptied the contents onto the table revealing gold and jewels and I saw Celty was trembling while Shinra inspected the gold and jewels. "I believe this now makes us even and my debt is repaid."

"Ash there's no way we could accept this, it's too much," Celty wrote.

"Pfft you kidding that isn't even a sliver compared to the fortune Ash has," Rage said.

"Yes well point here is I want you to have it. My friends's life was more to me then anything so this is my thanks," I said.

Suddenly the doorbell rang so I went to check on it and saw both Elisa and Evan were her so I brought them inside and introduced them to everyone.

"Hey guys I think we should head off if we're gonna find a place to grab some dinner before we go on searching," I said to my fellow harbingers.

"You all sure, we were planing on heading down to a place called Russia Sushi to eat our treat. Why don't you join us I'm sure the owners wouldn't mind the extra seats," Shinra said.

"Oh we wouldn't want to impose," I said.

"Yes we do," Rage said.

"Free food," Elisa cheered.

"It has been awhile since we had sushi," Evan said.

I let out a defeated sigh before I shook my head before looking at Celty.

"Sorry but I have no power over their stomachs and when free food is offered well...," I trailed off.

"Please you're welcome here besides it would feel wrong to kick you out when we're about to head off for dinner and not offer an invite to you," Celty wrote.

"You're very kind," I said with a short bow.

After that we left the apartment Celty brought her bike out from the small garage next to the apartment before taking the elevator down. Some waited for the elevator to return but I decided to take the stairs, power sliding down the rails till I reached the bottom. I then gave a whistle and Shadow Ranger drove into the underground parking lot and stopped right in front of me where I started petting her. Suddenly the elevator doors opened and Celty came out wearing her helmet and was surprised to see me before she took out her phone and started typing something.

"H-how did you get so fast?" Celty asked.

"I took the stairs," I said as I gestured to the stairwell which showed Rage, Elisa, Evan, Shizuo and Shinra coming out.

Suddenly Celty's bike drove forward and when it was out of the elevator it changed into a headless horse wearing armor and had a charnfron with long curved horns on it floating where the head would be. The horse then walked towards Shadow Ranger who also turned into a horse. Celty's horse seemed to be gazing at Shadow as if taking in her appearance before he started braying before jumping about. I then remembered this as a way a stallion would try to get the attention of a mare and convincing it to be it's mate but Shadow stayed silent, seeming to ignore the apparent stallion.

"Seems your friend has taken a shine to Shadow Ranger," I said with a smirk.

"His name's Shooter and it appears so," Celty said.

"Well then he's going to be quite disappointed Shadow was never that type of mare," I said.

"So what now?" Shizuo asked.

"Shinra I'm sure you'll prefer Celty's company, Shizuo your riding with me," I said when suddenly Shadow Ranger changed into a black on black 1969 Ford Mustang. I hopped in the driver's seat while Shizuo got in the passengers seat before we drove out of the parking area and onto the streets. Shizuo navigated me to a parking area where I quickly found a spot before we got out and walked to the sushi joint Shinra and Celty were talking about and standing out front was a big tall man with a muscular build. His skin was dark and he was dressed as a sushi chef and he was shouting something while handing out flyers and as we approached I heard a Russian accent come from the man.

"Simon," Shizuo greeted causing the behemoth of a man to turn to us before smiling.

"Oh Shizuo please come in try sushi it fresh and it cheap," the man said.

"We're here for the large gathering Shinra set up and we've got an addition of four, that a problem?" Shizuo asked.

"No, no trouble all welcome," Simon said.

"By the way Simon this is Ash he's one of the new additions," Shizuo said.

"Pleasure to meet you Simon," I said as I held out a hand for the man who accepted it. At first glance one could mistake this guy for a gentle giant with that smile of his but those eyes and that grip said otherwise, this man has taken lives before but I shook it off. As long as he doesn't cause me trouble I won't cause trouble for him

We made our way inside the restaurant and sat at a large group of tables. Soon the others showed up before we ordered and when the meal was brought out I used a set of chopsticks to eat. During dinner I found out Erika and Walker were huge manga fans and wouldn't stop asking Rage, Elisa and Evan questions. I also found out Shingen and Shinra were a pair of perverts and when certain questions and comments came up Celty would beat them up. I found out she's a transporter of sorts for the city and I discovered Shizuo is the muscle when it comes to some debt collecting gig. All in all things were pleasant till Mikado spoke up.

"Hey this has been bugging me for a bit Ash but you mentioned something about continuing a search was there another reason why you're in Ikebukuro?" Mikado asked.

"Very perceptive Mikado and yes there is a reason," I said as I set my food down on the coffee table while everyone looked at me waiting for my story. "You see me and my friends here are looking for a guy called Blake Viper."

"Blake Viper aw that dude is bad news pal," Masaomi said.

"I know he is which is why I'm here *sigh* this is a long story so you may want to get comfortable," I said before everyone did as suggested.

I then began my tale of exactly who I was and my history with the Viper Family. I even told them about Equestria and Celty seemed a little relieved when she heard about the alicorns. I then told them about the caribou so far as showing them the stumps on my back that held my wings.

Suddenly Shizuo snaps his chopsticks before growling like an caged wild animal that had it's cage rattled a few too many times before muttering the word kill over and over again.

"I'll kill them I'll kill every single one of those scum bags. First I'll start with the scum that are living in Ikebukuro then I'm going to Equestria and then let loose on those maggot eating shit bags who call themselves caribou," Shizuo said before repeating the word kill all over again.

"I like this guy," Rage said

"I appreciate your drive Shizuo and happy you wish to help but Blake and the caribou are my problem not yours after all this matter started between me and the Vipers and so this matter needs to be solved by me and the Vipers," I said.

"C'mon Ash I reckon we could use the extra muscle," Rage said.

*sigh* "Fine but you seem to be forgetting we don't know where these lowlifes are," I said.

Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder and I saw it was Celty before she showed me her phone.

"This group your looking for I remember doing business with them once," Celty wrote.

"So you know where they are?" I asked.

"Yep and I'll take you to them granted I get to pound some heads in myself," Celty said.

"Why?" I asked.

"I'd feel a little safer if I saw these punks get beaten off the streets not to mention your kinda my friend Ash," Celty said.

I just smiled before I stood up along with the others from Equestria and Celty and Shizuo before we left the restaurant and followed Celty to the place where she saw the goons we were searching for, which was a small cube shaped building with dark dirty walls, few windows and a door illuminated by a light above it.

"You sure this is it?" I asked.

"Positive," Celty wrote.

I gave a nod before I walked up to the door and knocked on it. I waited for a few seconds before I banged on the door and soon got a response by a view port opening in the door, revealing a gruff looking man with the tattoo I was looking for imprinted on his neck confirming it.

"Hey whose out there what do you want?" the man asked before I kicked the door off it's hinges and send the guy flying into the wall opposite the door and knocking him unconscious.

"I want Blake Viper," I growled as I entered the building.

Suddenly two goons with guns came round a corner and saw me before firing. Suddenly a red field of magic appeared before me and the bullets melted into slag when they came in contact with the field of magic.

"Allow me Ash," Rage said as he entered the building and drew his axes which then were set ablaze.

Freaking out, the two goons ran for it and Rage followed along with Shizuo and Elisa while Evan, Celty and I walked after them. We then went down some stairs and into a massive basement where I saw many people partying by consuming drugs or raping females who had collars on their necks. I then felt my fingers tighten into fists at the sight and before I could do anything, Shizuo let out a roar of fury before grabbing one of Blake's guys and hauling him into the ground leaving a human shaped indent in the concrete before going onto the next one, then Rage joined in followed by the others. I walked through the chaos disarming those who would cause harm to the ones that weren't as indestructible as others, asking any downed guards who was in charge but they died after refusing to answer till one pointed to an office door.

I walked over to it, kicked it down and was suddenly met with several gun shots coming from a man inside behind a metal desk shooting at me with a Desert Eagle. I then felt several objects impact my chest but other then that there was nothing. I then looked down and saw my shirt had several new hols in it and crushed bullets laying at my feet. Placing a hand on my chest I saw I wasn't bleeding before looking at the shell shocked man. Snapping the fingers of my left hand, the man's gun turned to slag causing him drop the gun and step back. I quickly used my magic to make sure the slag didn't melt through the desk and keep it heated before I rushed forward, grabbed the man and slammed him into the table. I held him by the head once I did that, grabbed his arm and held his hand just over the melted gun, just barely touching it, causing the intense heat to burn the man who screamed in pain and desperately tried to do anything but couldn't. If anything I could barely feel any resistance come from the guy, I guess I have my godlike strength to thank for that. I then dipped the tips of his fingers into the slag causing him to scream.

"Do you know why I'm hurting you?" I asked but the man stayed silent. "If you guessed if it was because I'm doing it to get you to comply and and say 'I'll answer any questions you have' then no I can get you to do that any time I feel like it. No my reasons are different one being you helped shackle other humans and turned them into slaves, kidnapped innocent people from their homes and families and don't get me started on all the bodies of people you killed personally because they stood against you or because you found it funny to watch them die. Well I'm curious on what you would look like when you die but first," I said before turning him onto his back and looked into his eyes. "Where is Blake Viper?" I asked slowly and with as much venom as I could muster but the man stayed silent not because he was scared but because he wished to deny me anything. "Have it your way," I said before I placed my left hand on the side of his head. Suddenly my entire left hand was encased in a silver field of magic. "Reveal your secrets."

Suddenly a flood of information flew into my head about Blake's operations. How much money he has in his own personal vault, locations of safe houses and everything, even where Blake was going when he left Ikebukuro. Once I had everything I needed I removed my hand and slammed the man's face into the slag and watched it burn him till he took his last breath before I left. I then walked out of the building and saw the others and I saw Celty talking to one of the freed girls before I walked over to the Harbingers.

"So?" Rage asked.

"Yeah this entire thing is one whole shit pile but I know where Blake was heading, a backwater place called Roanapur ," I said as I put my hands in my pockets.

"Roanapur?" Elisa said as she placed a finger on her chin. "I think I remember something about that before me and Evan where displaced."

"It was a city in Thailand that is full of the scum of the Earth." Evan said. "Should still have a friend that lives there if he hasn't been killed by either the drugs or gangs."

"So you guys know your way around that will suit me just fine since I could't grab the intel of where our prey was staying directly, but I know a few spots where he does business so we can ask them...By the way does this friend have a place where we can stay and also is this guy trustworthy?" I asked.

"Yea he should, and most likely we might have to make a deal. He works for a group in the city called the Rip-off Church." Evan said.

"The what church?" Rage asked as if he had been slapped.

"I already get the sinking feeling that shit is gonna hit the fan while we're there," I said as I brought a hand to my face.

"Well no use in wasting time, lets go." Elisa said with a smile on her face, as well as an unnerving look.

With a nod I turned to face Celty and Shizuo before saying goodbye with a promise to return before I teleported all of us to the edge of Roanapur which was a bridge with iron supports going over it and on one end of the bridge was a noose dangling from a support.

"Cheery," I thought as I looked at the bridge before turning to Elisa "Alright Elisa lead the way, Rage and I'll follow," I said causing Elisa to nod before she and Evan got back into their car.

I then got back on Shadow Ranger who had turned back into a bike and Rage did the same before we took off. The city was bustling with people but I kept my focus on following Elisa till we arrived at an old church made of stone and had a big circular stained glass window above the main door. If I didn't know about the darker stuff surrounding this place I'd've seen this as a regular old church. I got off my bike and looked around and heard the sound of a talking parrot before watching Elisa go up to the main door.

Knocking could be heard before I heard Elisa start yelling,

"Hey you old bitch, it's Christopher. I've come to ask a favor ya hag! Hello!" She continued to knock until someone came from the side. She was a nun with a golden crusafix hanging from her neck and she had a gun under her coat.

"Who the hell are you?" the sister asked.

"Edda take me to see Sister Yolanda." Elisa said.

"And why should I let a skank like you see her?" the sister asked.

"Forgive us, sister Edda was it, normally my friend here doesn't have such a mouth on her but the reason why we're here is to talk business," I said.

"That's the chapel, I don't know who you people are, but I can't let your kind walk through there. Over here," Edda said while jabbing her thumb to her right. "follow me."

With that she walked off and we followed behind.

"Edda's always been a bitch so don't worry." Elisa said.

"I heard that!" Edda yelled.

"You were meant to!" Elisa yelled back as she cupped her hands around her mouth.

"What the buck did she mean by your kind, she think we're demons or criminals?" Rage asked.

"Well you and I are half demon and technically we are criminals in Equestria because we're defying a 'king' Rage," I said wile I made air quotes with my fingers on the word king.

"Let's just go inside. I'd like to talk to Rico." Elisa said as she followed Edda inside.

We followed them inside and into a lobby before Edda held up her hand telling us to wait here before she walked away. She come back shortly with an elder woman with an eye patch over her right eye and also wearing the garbs of a nun.

"Welcome young ones to the church, how can I help you?" she asked.

"Sister Yalonda I've come to talk to Rico, and possibly make a deal." Elisa said.

"And whom is trying to talk to him?"

"It's Christopher, that little boy you took care of when his father had to deal with some of Ching's men before we left town. Some things have happened and now I'm a chick. I don't really want to explain how." Elisa said as she rubbed the back of her neck.

"And what do you have to tell me to have me believe that what your telling me is true?" Sister Yolanda asked.

"Is this proof enough?" Elisa asked before she conjured a ball of fire in the palm of her hand.

"Well there is nothing that gets passed my old eyes and that isn't fake. Follow me." she said as she gestured for us to follow when suddenly I heard a gun shot behind me and Rage let out a roar of pain while clutching his shoulder.

"Hey you old bitch get your ass out here!" a male voice called from outside and I saw a bullet hole in the door meaning whoever was out there was the one who shot Rage.

"Not these youngsters again." Sister Yolanda growled.

"Who is it?" Evan asked as Elisa pulled her guns out.

"Someone from the new crew in town thats been a nuisance to everyone, even Hotel Moscow." she answered as more bullets came through the door.

"That fucking Viper guy won't leave us alone!" Edda yelled while she fired back.

"Viper huh," I said quietly to myself.

Suddenly Rage stood up and I saw the irises in his eyes start to turn a bloody fire crimson before he summoned his armor along with his weapons before he then turned to walk to the door. The nuns were shocked by this and I saw Edda start to walk over to the door to go fight but I held an arm up stopping her.

"Trust me we've got enough guns at the door as it is," I said as Rage opened the doors to reveal five cars all with guys aimed at the door and they were surprised when they saw Rage at the door in his armor.

"Listen up," Rage growled causing the goons outside to re-aim their weapons at him. "I don't know what kind of beef you boys got with this place but any dumbass whose stupid enough to put a hole in me had better be ready to dance with the devil himself! Rage roared before he took out punisher and shot at the goons blowing up a car while the goons were consumed with fire

Rage then re-aimed his shotgun at another car before turning it into a smoking wreck before he put it away. Suddenly Viper's lackeys fired at Rage but did no damage while I created a shield in front of the group behind Rage just so we don't have to worry about stray bullets. As the shooting continued I could hear Rage laughing at the attempts to harm him and when the gunfire ceased and the punks saw the lack of damage, one of the braver or more idiotic ones ran up to Rage with a bat which broke upon impact against Rage. Slowly Rage looked down at the point of impact before looking at the guy who hit him who happened to be pissing his pants. Rage then grabbed the man by the face before hoisting him into the air and taking an axe out from the right side of his waist.

"Here let me show you how a real man swings a weapon," Rage said with what felt like a grin before he brought the axe along the guy's waist cleaving him in two in a single blow.

Rage then tossed the upper half of the body to his comrades before he charged in carving up his opponents in a bloody spectical destroying two more cars in the process. Suddenly the last car takes off but Rage sheaths his axes on his belt and takes the swords on chains off his back before flinging them at the fleeing car.

"Where do you lot think your going, I haven't given yours yet," Rage said before flicking the chains sending the car into the air and pulling it towards him. As it came at him the blades retracted behind Rage's back before he took out Blood Ruin and slashed the car in two with a single strike. When the two pieces fell to the ground Rage walked over the front half and looked at the still alive driver who was looking at Rage in fear while trying to escape but appeared to be trapped.

"Mercy," the man croaked.

"What's mercy?" Rage asked before swinging Blood Ruin through the driver's and passenger seat cleaving the roof of the car off from the bottom and tearing the driver in two, splaying his blood over the walls nearby before Rage sheathed Blood Ruin.

"Bloody hell Rage you overdid it again," I said as I deactivated the shield and walked out to get a good look at the carnage.

"Hey, got the job done didn't it?" Rage asked when suddenly I saw one of Blake's men making a run for it. "Oh looks like I missed a rat," Rage said as he drew Punisher once more.

"Hold on let that one go, he's going to deliver a message for us," I said as I placed a hand on Punisher and pushed it down.

"I know someone who gets extreme, but you took it to a whole new level." Edda said as she stared in shock at the destruction.

"Ehh thats the usual with Rage there." Elisa said as she shrugged her shoulders with her guns in hand.

"Kids these days." Sister Yolanda said as she shook her head.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side." Edda said.

"Well now that my brother has demonstrated that he is not afraid to use his weapons in the most gruesome way possible, I believe we should get back to the point as to why the four of us are here. Sister Yolanda, we are here because my friend here suggested that we request temporary refuge from you while we take care of some personal business I have with Blake Viper and his crew," I said while gesturing to Elisa.

"And who are you?" Yolanda asked as she looked at Elisa.

"My name is Christopher Sokolov. I stayed here at the church when my dad had to deal with some of Ching's men." Elisa said. "And I was hoping that a friend of mine, his name is Rico, could help us. Also judging by the annoyance in your voice when they first got here, you have been having trouble with them correct?"

"Yes you are correct in that regard." Yolanda said.

"Then why haven't you been able to deter them?" Evan asked.

"We have, on some occasions we would've had the Lagoon company help in dealing with something like this," Yolanda said

"But they had other business as of right now and they aren't on call for us like the sorry excuse for a police department in this city." Edda said as she spat the ground.

"Well how about we provide protection from any and all threats as long as we stay, and in return give us a place to stay." Elisa said.

"That sound like a deal? You guys okay with it?" Evan asked us.

"Works for me you both saw what I could do so you know you'll get top of the line protection," Rage said while I gave a single nod in response.

"Alright just follow me." Sister Yolanda said before walking inside.

We followed her inside and entered a plain looking room with three windows, two on one wall and the third on the wall opposite the door. There was also a pair of couches facing each other and in between the couches was a small table with a tea set upon it. There were also a few cabinets around the room. Yolanda took one couch while Edda remained standing while I took the second couch while the others stood behind me and when I sat down I caught a whiff of the tea that was brewing.

"So Ash since this is your business do you want to start off?" Elisa asked.

"It's only fair but first tell me sister Yolanda is that WNM I smell?" I asked as I gestured to the tea set.

"My you are very knowledgeable, aren't you? You remind me of another young man that guessed it right awhile ago. There is nothing better than a nice cup of tea." Sister Yolanda said before pausing. "Now why is it that you kids are here in this corrupted city?"

"Vengeance," I said as I poured a cup of tea for myself and Sister Yolanda. "Did you know Blake Viper had a little brother, do you have any cream and sugar with your tea sister?"

"No I did not know that he did, and no. I prefer it with nothing added. So what would this vengeance get you?" she asked. "Everyone that comes to this city seeking that ends up in the alleyways or at the end of Hotel Moscow's barrel."

"Hm let me tell you a story sister. Years ago a small boy was plucked from the streets and sold to a viper to fight against others in a similar position as he. This boy took his first life in this place on his first day there before he was tossed in a cell with other people who helped him when times were hard, even trained him to defend himself against those that would seek to claim his life. After a few years of this the boy grew into a man and managed to escape from the viper that held him captive for so long, yet the day of victory was not seized without sacrifice for the man lost his mentor and closet friend to the snake that held him who went and crawled into a hole. Years passed and the man and the viper met again but this time the man had an itch, an insatiable drive that would not rest until the viper that held him captive for so long and killed someone he cared for lay dead at his feet and when the deed was done the man thought it was over and it was...Until another viper appeared, the first's older brother and left another friend of the man's covered in burns and paralysed from the waist down. So the man has come to finish what he started all those years ago," I said.

"Mmm, quite the story. So you have come here to this city to finish what you started? Fine by me, just don't drag us into this. On the note of a place to stay; as long as you provide protection like you said you would, you are welcome to stay here as long as you like." Yolanda said as she sipped some of her tea.

"How do you know this place anyways?" Edda asked.

"Well that is a story for another time, but I doubt everyone wants to hear it. All you need to know is that I was here once upon a time." Elisa said as she pointed to Edda before turning to Yolanda. "Now do you know where we can find Viper?"

"No." Sister Yolanda said, she took another sip. "But if you go and talk to the Lagoon Company or Balalaika, they may be able to tell you something."

"Wait Balalaika?" I asked tensing up at the word that was mentioned.

"Well we best be on our way." Elisa said as she ushered us out of the room then the building before summoning a red 70 Pontiac GTO Judge. "Ash why did tense up at the mention of the name 'Balalaika'?"

"You got history?" Evan asked as he got in the driver seat of the car.

"Uh no uh well actually yeah but it's just I knew someone who shared that name a long time ago," I said trying to get my thoughts back in order before getting into the back seat alongside Rage.

"Well we have some time before we get to where we need to go." Evan said as he started the car, "Wanna talk about it?"

"...No there are somethings that should be left buried in the sands of time and those days would be one of them. Anyway Elisa you know a place to get a drink around here?" I asked as she got in the passenger seat.

"If I remember correctly there was a bar near the outer part of Roanapur, called the Yellow Flag. I wanna see if Bao still owns it." Elisa said as she propped her legs on the dash, rolled the window down and lit a cigarette.

"Works for me," I said as I leaned back and let out a sigh.

Our drive took us awhile and along the way I just managed to hear whispers about what happened at the Rip Off Church as we drove. Apparently news spreads fast in this place, I saw the sun was beginning to set before we made it to the Yellow Flag which was a two storied wooden building with a classic old western saloon doorway. Once the car was parked we got out and entered the bar and I saw the place had dozens of people sitting at tables and on each one was a gun of some type. We seemed to gain a few eyes when we entered but said nothing and we simply made our way to the bar and took a seat and I looked at the bartender who was cleaning a glass.

"Got any rum?" Rage asked as he sat down at the bench on my left while Evan took my right.

The bartender pulled out a glass and a bottle of what Rage requested and was about to pour a glass but Rage grabbed the hand before a drop escaped the bottle. He grabbed the bottle and started chugging it down causing me to shake my head at my brother's antics while the bartender and a few others stared in shock.

"Bao nice to see the place is still standing. How ya been?" Elisa asked as she sat down on Evan's right.

"I've been doin as best I can in this shit hole of a city. But who are you? Never seen any of you in my bar before." Bao asked.

"Who I am is unimportant we're just here for a drink." Elisa said as she placed one of her pistols on the bar.

That last action didn't slip past me unnoticed and that's when I remembered the gun placed on every table so I decided to roll with it. I pulled out Damnation and placed it on the bar before me before I ordered some rum for myself. After the glass was poured I began to drink slowly and while we sat and drank whispers floated about us but none of us said a word or reacted. We just ordered another drink and then suddenly I heard the main door open and I heard a woman shouting something.

"Alright time to get hammered! Bao give me your finest."

"Geez, Revy keep it down." A deep masculine voice said.

I turned to look at the source of the voices and was met with four indeviduals. The first was a Chinese-American woman of approximately moderate height in her early to mid-twenties. She had amber-brown eyes, a slightly tan complexion, and plum-colored hair tied in a loose ponytail, with rather large bangs falling onto her forehead. In spite of her slender frame, she had a slightly muscular build, which she doesn't conceal in the least. On her right upper arm the woman had a tribal tattoo, reaching all the way up to her neck and her wardrobe typically consists of a pair of Vietnam War-era US military jungle boots without socks, very short cut-off jeans, (turned into Denim Shorts) and a black crop top, leaving her belly exposed. She was also sporting a pair of brown leather cross-draw shoulder holsters which were holding a pair of twin Berettas and finally on her hands were a pair of fingerless black gloves.

Next to enter the bar was a compleatly bald heavily muscled African-American that could give Big Mac a run for his money, he was wearing a flak-jacket, military fatigues, combat boots and a pair of sunglasses. He appeared to be in his thirties or older but I didn't give it much thought.

After him was a tall lanky dude who happened to be a typical American. He had blonde hair tied up behind his head and a set of glasses on his face and I saw he was wearing a read Hawaiian shirt with cream colored pants and classic sneakers

Finally was something I couldn't have seen coming at all, he was a lanky Japanese man with fairly long black hair and he was wearing a tie, a short-sleeved dress shirt, and dress pants as if he was going to a business meeting.

"Hey look at da cute business man. Whatcha doin here in a place like dis?" Elisa slurred as she pointed at the Japanese man with a shaking finger.

"Umm," he said before he was interrupted by the girl who I guessed was Revy.

"Who the hell do you think you are, talking to us like that you asswhip!?" She yelled causing Elisa to get up and walk to her.

"Who da hell you callin a asswhip bitch!" Elisa responded as she got right in front of her. The two girls stared each other down before Elisa broke out laughing. "I like her."

"Wha?" Revy said with a confused look on her face as Elisa walked back to her seat and faced the bar.

"Bao give me some more rum." She said before placing a hand on her gun that was still sitting on the counter.

*Sigh* "I'm sorry about my friend she can't seem to handle the stronger stuff," I said as I turned to face the new arrivals.

"I can too." Elisa said.

"It's alright, no one was harmed." The Japanese guy said.

"So who the hell are you guys? You wouldn't happen to be the group of people that killed Viper's men back at the Ripoff Church would you?" Revy asked.

"Now don't go assuming things that might not be true Revy." The big guy said.

"Well I'd be lying if I said we weren't there but it was really this guy that did all the work," I said while pointing a thumb at Rage.

"Pfft they were runts compared to what I faced down," Rage said taking another large swig from a bottle he ordered.

"Right you are." Evan said.

"Anyways we haven't seen you four in town before, you new here? I'm Dutch by the way." The tall man said. "This is Revy, Benny and Rock." he said as he pointed to the woman then the man with glasses then the Japanese man.

"Pleasure I'm Ash the head of our little group you've already met Elisa and the guy chugging down rum is my brother Rage and the last one here is Evan and you'd be right about us being new here but tell me what do you four do?" I asked.

"We're the Lagoon Company simply put we're a delivery group that will sometimes break the law to put food on the table," Dutch said

"I see," I said.

"Y'know this city isn't known for having tourists, which I'm guessing you guys aren't." Dutch said as they all sat at the bar with us. "That begs the question as to why your here. I mean it's not any of our business but I'd like to make sure we aren't your business."

"Luckily for you no our business is with someone you might know, guy called Blake Viper," I said.

"Yea I know the guy." Dutch answered with a nod.

"Asshole's been bothering almost everyone in the city and no one can get close to where he is due to the fact he has basically a fucking army with him on the island he has right off the coast of the city." Revy said as a shot of rum was slid her way by Bao.

"Yes and anything that gets near, either boat, helicopter, or plane is shot down by a missile launcher they have on the island." Benny stated.

"Why do you want to know about him?" Dutch asked.

I was about to answer the question when suddenly the doors burst open and in walk a group acting like they own the place and I saw they had Blake's tattoo on their necks.

"Hey you four," the assumed leader of the group said.

"What perfect timing I was just talking about you," I said as I turned to face the new group.

"You four killed my friends at the Rip Off Church today," the leader growled.

"Hm hey Rage you remember killing anything at the church today?" I asked.

"Nope except a couple of fat pigs who squealed pretty loud as I carved them up," Rage grinned.

"Kill the men but the short bitch there will suit me just fine," the leader said but Rage, Evan and myself tensed up at a certain word while Elisa froze.

"Ah shit why'd you have to use the S word on her," Rage said as his hand connected to his face.

"Whelp nice knowing ya," I said as I turned around to drink some more before looking at Elisa.

Elisa slowly put her bottle of rum down on the counter before slowly turning around. "The fuck did you just call me?" she seethed causing their group to tense up.

"Uhh s-short?" he said before gunshot went off, nailing him in his left knee.

"There are a lot of things you could call me." Elisa said as she started to slowly walk her way to the guy that called her short. As she got near the group of Viper's men they backed away. When she was right on top of him she stomped on him in the crouch before pulling out her other gun from her holster and crouching down. "One of them you should never ever call me my soon to be dead compadre is short." she said right before unloading her magazine into the guy. As he coughed up blood she stood up and looked at the rest of the group, "What are you jackasses going to do?" she asked as Shi started to appear on her waist.

"You little bitch!" Another one yelled. I turned to take another swig from my drink and heard the sound of elisa's sword leaving the sheath before Vipers men opened fire on her. By the time they stopped all I heard was the sound of metal hitting the floor and when I looked over my shoulder I saw that all they had in their hands were the handles of their guns and magazines. The rest of the fire arms were on the floor of the bar in pieces.

"I suggest that if you value your lives you'll leave and not come back." Elisa said in a chilling cold voice. Like a packs of dogs with their tails between their legs, all of Vipers men left the bar, leaving behind their gun pieces.

"Holy shit..." Revy said as she looked at what Elisa did.

"Yeah that seems to be the effect she leaves sometimes but Rage here could have made this look like a bar from hell if we let him off the leash here," I said.

"Damn straight," Rage said.

Suddenly I heard the sound of two vehicles pulling up along with a few words being exchanged before I heard the loading click of a .50 caliber machine gun. Acting quickly I grabbed and threw Rage and Evan over the bar before I rushed to grab Elisa and ran back to the bar.

"Fifty Cal!" I shouted as I ran back to the bar.

No sooner did the words leave my lips, the MG's opened up spraying the building with bullets. My warning made it to Dutch and the others and they all moved for cover while both Elisa and I took cover behind the bar alongside Rock, Revy, Bao and the two I threw back here while Bennie and Dutch took cover in a doorway that most likely lead to the back as the guns continued to roar. I noticed that the bar seemed to be bullet proof which means this sort of shit must happen often.

"Dammit I just opened up a few days ago!" Bao yelled.

"Get over it Bao," Revy said calmly as she grabbed a drink.

"Yea we got better things to deal with!" Elisa yelled as she barely went over the counter of the bar and aimed outside with her pistols. "Like killing the gunners!"

"I'll handle them," I said causing everyone to look at me with a blank expression.

"What do you mean you'll handle them?" Rock asked.

"Watch," I said with a grin.

I then flipped over the bar and while I was in mid-air I drew Whispering Wind and changed him into an double ended blade. As soon as I touched the ground I rushed for the door, deflecting any and all bullets that were coming at me till I made it outside and immediately charged at one of the gunners slicing both him and the gun at the mount. I then pulled the gun off the truck and used it to gun down the others before I dropped the gun and looked around at the ruin I had wrought.

"Show off!" I heard Elisa and Revy yell. A few seconds later the rest of my crew and the Lagoon Company came outside from what was left of the entrance.

"Holy hell..." Dutch said as he rubbed his head.

"I still say that you need to stop showing off Ash. Let others have the spot light man, but nice job." Elisa said as she gave me a thumbs up.

"Who's gonna pay for my bar!!" Bao yelled as he came storming out of his bar, or what was left anyways. "I can't pull money out of my ass you know!"

Suddenly I heard laughing coming from inside before Rage steps out laughing like a maniac.

"What's got you in hysterics?" I asked.

"This place is freaking nuts, I love it," Rage said before he went on laughing.

"Okay then," I said before I looked Elisa and Revy," Alright first off Elisa, Revy I doubt you two are in any position to judge me when it comes to showing off," I said as I climbed on and then sat on the roof of the truck with my feet resting on the hood before turning to Dutch. "Second there is no such thing as a holy Hell Dutch and finally Bao calm down this is nothing a little divine intervention can't fix."

I then drew a circle in the air counter clockwise and suddenly the bar began to repair itself splinter by splinter, glass shard by shard till the whole place looked like new.

"And as for the drinks I think these deadbeats can pay for em since they shot the bar up in the first place," I said as I gestured to the corpses around me.

"Just who are you guys?" Rock bluntly asked, earning a slap to the head and a glare from Revy.

"Hm now that's a pretty good question but I'm curios to ask what do you think we are?" I asked.

"If you ask me you four seem like the type that think they are all high and mighty. Especially with the show of power. Well I'll tell you assholes somethi-" Revy said but was cut off as Dutch put her in a choke hold.

"Sorry for her way of talking, but I'll just say that you are someone who's strong and that we don't want to piss off." He finished as he released a calmer Revy.

"Hm well you're not wrong about us not being someone to piss off but in truth we're what you may call gods, but for Rage here he's the embodiment of anger, you piss him off he'll leave nothing behind to morn or bury," I said causing the group's eyes to widen.

"And I'm an aspect of death." Elisa said as she jabbed a thumb at herself. Then everyone looked at Evan, expecting him to say something.

"What?" He asked.

"What are you supposed to be?" Revy asked bluntly.

"Oh I'm just a really smart magic user, that's it." Evan said, being modest.

*cough, cough* "God of destruction and famine," *cough* Rage coughed causing Evan to slap Rage over the back of the head.

"Hang on a minute here now I got a question, why do a set of powerhouses like you guys want to be going after Blake Viper?" Benny asked.

"Vengeance," I said before pausing for a few seconds. "Blake's family and me have a serious problem with each other because we killed someone that was dear to the other. It started when Blake's baby brother both killed my mentor and tortured me for four years before I killed him and now Blake has paralysed a friend of mine from the waist down and half of her body is now covered in third degree burns," I said as I drew Damnation and showed the group. "I'm gonna end this story."

"Shit this is gonna be like that maid incident," Dutch said.

"Maid?" I asked.

"Oh couple of years ago we had a incident with a killer maid," Benny said.

"She was freaking nuts. She had enough ammunition to outfit a whole god damn rifle corp and is strong enough to bend metal. She was a fucking super terrorist," Revy said with a hint of awe.

"Really what was her name?" I asked as I holstered Damnation.

"Roberta but before that some called her The Bloodhound of Florenzia," Rock said causing my eyes to widen at the name

"So she's alive," I whispered.

"Sorry?" Rock asked.

"Nothing uh this maid, know where she lives?" I asked.

"What's it to you?" Revy asked.

"Personal reason," I said.

There was a bit of a pause between us before Rock spoke up.

"She lives with the Lovelace family in Venice Waiala, the head is a boy name of Garcia Lovelace," Rock said.

"Thanks," I said as I got off the truck and stretched my arms upward with a yawn. "Well this cluster fuck has tired me out let's get back to the church."

"You're staying at the church?" Dutch asked.

"Temporary till Viper's dealt with. We provide protection for the church and they give us a room simple as that," I said.

"Well with the rumours that are going about and from what I've seen, then those guys are getting top of the line protection," Dutch said.

"Aw your flattering us," Elisa giggled now back in her tipsy state.

"Hey Dutch how do you think old fry face is gonna react to when she sees these guys?" Revy whispered to Dutch but I could still hear her.

"Who knows group of four show up out of the blue with the power of gods in their hands, I'm kinda scared of how Balalaika would react to that but then again both she and Mr Chang would see this as an opportunity to get rid of a rival," Dutch said.

"Fine by me," I said causing the two to look at me. "As long as I can tear Viper's heart from his chest and feed it to hell hounds then I couldn't care less on who takes power in this place honestly."

"Well for a 'god' you don't seem to have a care for the well being of others. I thought you gods are all about that shit," Revy said as she put a cigarette in her mouth and went to light it but the lighter wouldn't light.

When I saw Revy wasn't getting anywhere with her lighter I placed my hand beneath the cigarette and snapped my fingers changing my hand to a demonic one and a small flame of hellfire appeared on the tip of my index finger before I lit the cigarette.

"Listen Revy I do care but the fact of the matter is no one will give a damn if I did when they're content with how they live. So who am I to stop them why bother with it and also for the record I'm much cooler then any god you'll ever meet because I'm not afraid to sin, cause if I did then I wouldn't be able to kill or drink or enjoy life," I said.

With that I changed my hand back to normal before my fellow Harbingers and I left back to the church. We were shown our rooms by a young kid by the name of Rico (Elisa's friend she's been hoping to see) where I went to sleep.

---

6:55 am The Next Day

---

I woke up to the sounds of people shouting before I looked around the room I was in. It was pretty plan with only a window a bed and a bedside table and that's it. I then looked down and saw I was shirtless because of how hot it was right now and from last night. Wiping the sweat from my forehead I got off the bed, walked out of my room and followed the shouting outside where I saw Revy and Edda were shouting at each other. I also saw Rock, Benny and Dutch were also here as well watching the spectacle.

"Will You Two Shut Up Already Your Too Damn Loud And It's Too Damn Hot!" Elisa shouted as she walked out behind me wearing nothing but a bra and shorts.

"The fuck are you two yelling for this early when people are trying to sleep," I said as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

"Sorry about that you guys it's just that Balalaika wants to see you four," Dutch said.

"You kidding me, at this hour?" I asked.

"Yeah but if it's any constellation we got woke up just as early," Benny said.

"Ugh...Alright but I'm getting something to eat before we go and I'm taking a shower," I said as I went and did those things but not before waking up Rage and Evan.

With everything sorted we left the church and followed Lagoon to a park where the entrance was being guarded by guys in black suits carrying standard firearms. I told the others to bring their weapons but keep them out of sight we then stepped out of the car and joined Lagoon at their car.

"Damn didn't think the Hong Kong Triad would be here as well this must mean things are more severe then expected," Dutch said.

"Hong Kong Triad, are they the group of criminals that run this city?" I asked.

"Not exactly you see the city currently has many different players scrambling for the top but the three major players would be The Hong Kong Triad run by Mr Chang, Hotel Moscow run by Miss Balalaika and finally The Snakes Den run by Blake Viper and now since you're here and trying to tip the balance in the favour of two of players well I guess it's only natural that the Triad would be here too," Benny said.

"Well let's get this shit done already I wanna be rid of Blake before this day is through," I said before we walked towards the park entrance and as I suspected we were given a weapons check but they didn't find anything.

We walked along the brick path heading for the center of the park. Trees covered everywhere we looked. I then saw the entrance to the center and when we entered I froze in place, the center of the park was a vast clearing and dead in the center was a fountain and before the fountain was several people. Some were with the Triad and some surprisingly wore Russian military paratrooper uniforms from the Afghan war and sitting on the edge of the fountain was a white skinned man with black hair wearing a suit and dress shoes, a set of shades over his eyes, and a long overcoat with a pale scarf around his neck. Now it may have cooled down considerably since this morning but how the fuck was this guy just standing there in this weather with that get up and not breaking a sweat is well beyond me but I wasn't interested in him the reason I froze is because of who was next to that guy.

She was tall and had very long blonde hair going down to the base of her spine, and done up in a huge ponytail. She had blue eyes with scars across her face, neck and breasts. She was wearing a wine red skirt suit with black stockings and black high heels. Her nails were long and painted pink and she was also wearing rose colored lipstick. She had a mole under her left eye and she was wearing a Russian military coat draped over her shoulders with the rank of captain upon it. When the woman saw me her eyes narrowed and her hands twitched.

"Balalaika," I said to myself.

Suddenly Balalaika reached for a gun that was in her coat and shot at me but the bullet missed my head by a few inches. I then pushed the others into the flora on the side of the path and I took cover behind a tree.

"What the fuck was that all about!" Rage shouted.

"Dammit sis you dumb bitch you trying to kill us!" Revy shouted.

"She's not trying to kill you seven...I'm the one she's gunning for," I said.

"So this is the Balalaika you mentioned, the one you said had history with?" Elisa asked.

"Yeah Sofiya Pavlovna one of the few people I know who shared the nickname Balalaika," I said.

"So what the fuck you do to piss her off?" Dutch asked.

"She ever tell you how she got those scars?" I asked.

"Ah fuck sake!" Revy yelled catching on to my meaning.

"Yeah...listen I'm gonna draw her fire you guys stay low," I said.

I waited till Balalaika was out of bullets and had to reload before I ran out of cover and that's when the men in the uniforms opened fire on me with their AK-74's. Not only that the Triad opened fire at me as well but I dodged and ducked and jumped the bullets and that was when I drew Damnation and Salvation and shot at the weapons of the shooters, disarming them. the Soviets decided to go against me in hand to hand combat but I decided to end this by just leaping over them but that left me open for Balalaika who had reloaded her gun and aimed at me before firing, forcing me to angle my body in mid-air to dodge the shots. When I touched down I rushed the man and Balalaika with a burst of speed with both Whispering Wind and Hingure drawn but stopped dead in my tracks right beside theme with the edges of both blades at their throats but the two also had guns aimed at my head.

"You seem to have gotten careless Ash, my bullets are faster then your swords," Balalaika said.

"That so?" I asked as I adjusted my blades and seconds latter both Balalaika's and the man's guns crumbled into bit's, slash marks clear on each piece. "You honestly think I wouldn't take the both of you being armed into consideration you never learn...Sofiya," I said as I looked at her and I saw her eyes narrow at me.

"Someone wanna clue me in her?" the man asked.

"Sorry my name is Ash Blade, an old acquaintance if you will of Miss Balalaika here or should I use her real name?" I asked.

"Ash you've already got a deep grave waiting for you are you sure you want to dig it deeper?" Balalaika growled.

"Last I checked Balalaika you're in no position to make any demands so do me a favour and stay quiet," I said moving Hingure closer to Balalaika's throat. "Now where was I...Oh yes, I'm a former military member for the U.S.A. during the Afghan war. Balalaika and I met a few times and on one of those times I gave her the scars she's got. Now that I've introduced myself who are you."

"Mr Chang I'm in charge of the Hong Kong Triad here in Roanapur," the man said.

"I see, now listen I haven't shed a drop of blood since you started shooting at me and I'd like to keep it that way so can you call off your boys and I'll lower by swords," I said and after a few seconds the two gave the order and I pulled back and sheathed my blades.

"You honestly think you're going to make it out of this city alive now that I know you're alive?" Balalaika asked.

"If you want Blake Viper gone then yes you will let me live," I said causing Balalaika to pause for a moment.

"Dude that was nuts," Benny said as he and the rest of Lagoon walked over to join us.

"So sis is this really the guy who scared you?" Revy asked while pointing at me.

"You told them," Balalaika growled.

"They wanted to know why you were shooting at us they don't know the details to it," I said.

"Damn this shit got turned up a few notches," Dutch said.

"Look let's get something straight here why the hell did you want to see us Balalaika?" I asked.

"There were rumours flying around town about all kinds of things your group can do so I decided to see for myself just wasn't expecting it to be you of all people. Last I saw of you, you were lying in the dessert with a hole in your head," Balalaika said.

"Guess I'm tougher to kill then you thought," I said.

"So why are you here?" Balalaika asked.

"I'm here to settle a score with Blake Viper," I said.

"That so?" Balalaika asked as she lit a cigar.

"It's a long story and I don't have time to tell you because I just want to get this done and go home," I said.

"Dutch, Mr Chang can I have some privacy with Ash here?" Balalaika asked.

"You guys too," I said as I looked at my group.

The group then left while Balalaika stayed. We stared at each other waiting for someone to speak.

"How did you survive that bullet I hit you with?" Balalaika asked.

"Really that's the first question you asked?" I asked.

"Wouldn't you ask that question if you were in my position?" Balalaika asked.

"Personally I'd probably try to think of a way to kill me with what I have on me," I said.

"So you understand I'm still angry," Balalaika said.

"Yes I realise that despite shooting me in the head, I understand you're still angry I'd probably be too," I said causing us to enter an uncomfortable silence.

"You still haven't answered my question," Balalaika said.

*Sigh* "In truth I didn't survive that, you see when you shot me that time of my life ended there and I was reborn without any memories and after a long road well...here we are," I explained.

"Well that's...quite a story," Balalaika said.

"Yeah I'd add more in but I want to get back to my family as soon as possible," I said.

"Family?" Balalaika asked.

"Yeah I'm a married man with two handsome sons," I said.

"You sure that's something you should say in front of me so casually?" Balalaika asked.

"I'm not worried Balalaika you don't target women or children when it comes to seeking vengeance against someone," I said.

"That bloodstain over there is a different matter," Balalaika said as she pointed to the ground before us and low and behold the was a large red stain of dried blood on the stone. "That blood is from a child who killed two of my comrades."

"I'm aware but I'm also aware that you killed them as a sense of mercy," I said before pausing causing Balalaika to look at me coldly. "You put up a good act but I know what you're thinking Balalaika you were just as disgusted as to what happened to those kids as I was and you did what was possibly the best thing for them ending their misery."

"Nothing get's by you," Balalaika said with a sigh.

"We've had a difficult road the both of us, one of bullets and blood that would reach our necks," I said before we paused again.

"If I'm being honest Ash...I have missed you," Balalaika said.

"Yeah...Me too and...I'm sorry about what happened," I said.

We sat there for a long time just listening to the wind blowing about us before I stood up.

"Well it's time I finish off what I came here for," I said as I began to walk away.

"Ash," Balalaika said causing me to turn around. "I want to join you in taking down Viper."

I gave a nod before I turned around and walked over to the group that was waiting for us before I told them of the plan to take down Viper.

---

8:10 pm Just Outside the Roanapur Gulf

---

I stood upon the stern deck of a World War 2 PT Torpedo Launcher looking at the giant defaced Buddha statue that stood at the entrance of the Gulf for the city.

"You doing alright up here?" came the voice of Rock behind me.

"They're fine you know," I said without looking back.

"I'm sorry?" Rock asked.

"The twins, the ones that went on that killing spree a few years ago they're souls have found peace just thought you'd like to know," I said.

"Thank you that's...that's a huge load off my shoulders," Rock said.

"You know you shouldn't blame gods or fate for what happened to you," I said as I looked at Rock "It's all about luck and one's timing."

"...Sorry," Rock said.

"Don't sweat it Balalaika told me that despite living in this city you still have ideals, like saving people is a hobby for you...Your an odd one Okajima living in a space between the night and the twilight, quite curious indeed," I said before I left for the front deck.

There before me was an island and I could make out a few lights on it meaning it was inhabited. Suddenly I saw something go up above the island leaving a trail of smoke behind it I realised what it was before I put a ear piece and mic into my ear so I could speak with the others.

"Alright guys we've got incoming, game time," I said.

"Kay Ash hang on Rock get inside things are gonna get rough," Dutch said.

I then summoned a length of rope and tied it to a handle on the boat and tied it to my waist before I created a shield overhead. The missile came down on us and when it hit the shield the shockwave knocked me down and rattled the ship.

"Shit that was loud. Ash any damage to my boat?" Dutch asked.

"Not that I can see but the shockwave knocked me down and took a beating on the shield best to avoid those missiles as much as possible Dutch," I said as I got up and looked the ship over for damage.

"Roger that, might wanna hang on for now Ash," Dutch said.

Doing as requested I held on tightly while keeping the shield up. More missiles rained down on us some hitting us the rest landed in the ocean making the water erupt threatening to tip us over but we continued on. We reached the island and I saw a Japanese fortress from the Cold War standing tall up on a hill surround by thick jungle with lights on all over the place including spotlights.

"Well that's gonna be a pain in the ass to get into," Revy said.

"Pfft brought down bigger," I scoffed before I turned to Elisa and Evan. "Alright you two get to work on getting those portals open for Balalaika and Mr Chang's group. Rage and me are gonna scout ahead."

"And what about us?" Revy asked.

"You're the delivery crew you're not needed for a gun fight," I said.

"Uh you're gonna be fighting two battles if you think I'm gonna be staying here," Revy said as she pulled out a gun.

*sigh* "Fine don't come crying to me if you get a hole in ya," I said.

"Benny, Rock stay at the boat we'll be back soon," Dutch said before I led Rage and Revy into the jungle.

We crept through the trees taking down any patrols we came across till we came to the entrance of the fortress but remained hidden in the trees next to a large boulder. There was a large clearing at the entrance along with a well used path. The entrance was made of thick looking concrete walls and large steel doors and two mounted MG towers on either side of the gate with spotlights on them as well. Suddenly I heard the rustling of leaves behind me and saw, Elisa, Evan, Balalaika and Mr Chang and their troops were finally here.

"I hope the trip wasn't that disorienting," I said.

"Nothing we couldn't handle, so how's it looking?" Balalaika asked.

"Got heavy defences MG towers and several inch steel gate and concrete walls. We so much as set a toe out there those MG's will cut you all down," I said.

"We'd even need heavy explosives to knock those walls down," Mr Chang said.

"What if we use this?" Elisa asked as she tapped on something metal.

When I looked at what Elisa was tapping I saw the boulder was actually a Japanese Type 90 Kyū-maru combat tank from the Cold War covered in vines and rust.

"Tch yeah good luck getting that rust bucket to work," Revy scoffed.

"Rage can you do it?" I asked.

"...Yeah I think I can work with this," Rage said before he climbed inside.

"Your kidding just how exactly is he gonna...," Mr Chang started but stopped when the tank's engine roared to life and changed to have a fiery, spiky appearance.

"Thing about Rage is that he can use his powers to resurrect dead war machines to fight for him. One of the many reasons why he earned the nickname War. Everyone you might wanna stack up on the tank," I said before I banged on the tank twice. "Rage, light em up."

The barrel of the tank then aimed at the MG tower on the left before unleashing a monstrous roar and turning the tower into a smoking wreck then doing the same for the other tower and the gate. The tank then rolled forward and everyone lined up behind the tank to avoid incoming fire from inside the fortress. I then noticed the missile launcher was atop the building and was taking aim at us.

"Rage, up top!" I shouted.

The barrel then aimed up at the building and fired at it, shattering the building and sending the missile launcher tumbling to the ground where it landed on Blake's men and exploded on them causing the men to cheer before running out from behind the tank to take on the remainder of Blake's men. Meanwhile I made my way over to the building with Revy, Balalaika and Mr Chang but stopped at the door before putting my headphones in to play a song.

"You guys find out where Blake keeps his slaves while I deal with the worm myself," I said.

"What ,you expect me to...," Revy started before I aimed Damnation at her.

"Listen Revy when I get into a mood like this it's best not to try and piss me off and let me put it this way if you don't rescue those people then you don't get paid so think of it as securing your money," I said with a growl.

Revy seemed like she wanted to argue but after gazing into each other's eyes she turned around and left Balalaika and Mr Chang going off into different directions while I faced the door and pressed play on my IPod.

"Let's roar," I said as I walked into the building guns drawn.

I walked through the building, my eyes scanning the hallways searching for prey till I stopped at a crossroad. I stilled my breath and closed my eyes when suddenly I felt movement from all around me before I prepped my guns and fired down the four hallways multiple times. Many bodies fell making large piles before I took off down a hallway gunning down any who got in the way. I was even running along the walls and when I was satisfied in shooting, I took out Whispering Wind and Hingure and carved through them. At one point I saw Revy shooting at some of Viper's men but was about to get attacked from behind so I sheathed Hingure and changed my left arm to a demonic one, appeared behind the attacker and thrust my arm through the guy's chest and that's when Revy turned around and saw the guy. I retracted my arm and pulled the man's heart out while doing so before I tossed it aside. When I looked at Revy she was absolutely terrified but I shoved that aside before I looked past her at the remaining guys Revy hasn't killed before I growled causing them to run so I chased after them. When I caught them all that was left was mince meat and a blood covered hallway. Suddenly I caught a scent, a familiar but different scent that reminded me of Johnathan.

"Found you Viper," I said.

I then followed the scent to a door before I kicked it down and saw an average tall man with blonde hair and a strong build. He was stuffing as many cloths and cash as he could into a suitcase before I kicked the door down and when I saw the guy's face I immediately saw the resemblance between him and Johnathan.

"So you're the one who killed my little brother," Blake said.

"And you left my friend for dead and you're little brother killed someone I care about and kept me in a cage for four years," I said as we began to circle each other.

"As you no doubt deserved," Blake said causing me to lift him in my magic and throw him into a wall.

"You know you remind me of another total little prick who thought he stood above others when in reality he was nothing but insect in a much larger game," I said.

"He was my brother and you killed him like an animal and for what, some nobody?" Blake said before I grabbed him and threw him onto his desk, shattering it.

"You know nothing about the people I care for they didn't have to help me but they did and you're brother died a coward pleading for his life with tears in his eyes, he tried to bribe his life from me but he couldn't give me what I desired...my friends life," I said as I kneeled down and got close to Blake's face.

Blake then pulled a shotgun out from the wreckage of his deck and aimed it point blank at my face but when he fired the most the shot did was knock my head to the side. I slowly looked at Viper with a growl before I grabbed him and tossed him through a wall. I was about to go after him when suddenly I saw something sitting on a shelf, it was a bone pale book and when I pulled it off the shelf I saw a familiar image on the cover.

"The Book of Solomon," I said as I brushed a hand over the cover.

I was confused as to why this book was here. Last I saw it I gave it to Jabir and Rosa to take care off before I died because Heartless was after it but why it was here? I could only assume it was stolen and ended up in Viper's hands. I then put the book away before I went after Blake but when I found where he landed all I saw was a trail of blood leading away so I walked on following the blood trail till it led outside and down a small path till it led to a concrete dock illuminated by a single light. It was also where I saw Viper prepping a speed boat for departure by trying to untie it from the moor but it was difficult to do with one of his arms hanging limp, most likely from when I thew him through the wall. I then drew Damnation before I stepped out onto the dock, my feet against the concrete alerted Viper of my presence before I showed Blake the gun.

"Recognise it...It's the same gun your brother used when he killed my friend and it's the same one I used to kill him kinda fitting that I'll use it on you now," I said.

"What kind of monster are you?" Blake asked.

I then changed my arm to become demonic and I felt the power spread to my upper arm and then the lower left corner of my face before I aimed the gun at Blake.

"I'm the devil," I said before I fired.

As I watched Blake fall I saw his body began to turn a very dark grey before he hit the ground like a rock and once that was done I turned around and left for the fortress. Upon arrival I saw Blake's slaves were being tended to by both the Triad and Hotel Moscow but I walked over to the Lagoon Crew (who had all assembled), Mr Chang, Balalaika and my group.

"Ah Ash I take it the snake is dead?" Balalaika asked.

"His 'body' is on a small dock at the northern end of the island, hard to miss," I said while air quoting the word body.

"So what happens now?" Rock asked.

"Now I pay you all," I said as I tossed everyone from Roanapur a small bag of gold and jewels and everyone was shocked when they saw the contents. "I also took the liberty of dividing up Blake's money from his own private account to both Lagoon Company, The Triad and Hotel Moscow all of you should receive a very healthy sum of money for you assistance here," I said.

"And you, what do you get out of this?" Mr Chang asked.

"I told you already Mr Chang, vengeance...But knowing my business with the Vipers is over is a huge weight off of me now oh and Revy," I said before tossing her an old glass bottle full of a dark liquid. "Little something from about earlier as an apology."

"Uh okay but what is it?" Revy asked.

"Best damn Jamaican rum in the world made during the Golden Age of Pirates," I said with a grin causing Revy's eyes to widen.

"Are you shitting me?!" Revy shouted.

"Managed to scavenge it off a wreck a long time ago figured you lot could crack it open on some kind of occasion," I said as I opened a portal back to CHS.

"Ash...will you be back?" Balalaika asked.

"...Who knows," I said before me and the others walked through the portal and onto the lawn of CHS.

"Well that was fun," Elisa said as she stretchered.

"Think Lagoon will keep their word in getting all those people to safety?" Rage asked.

"Dutch is a man of his word he'll do the job. They're gonna transport everyone who isn't from Roanapur to port where they can get back home. I left them a little extra cash for tickets and food so they'll be home safely but right now I need you all to head home and tell the other's I'm gonna be a little late," I said.

"Why?" Rage asked.

"There's one last thing I need to do here but I won't be too long and it doesn't involve fighting, just a visit," I said.

The others looked at each other before looking back at me with their answer.

"Alright Ash we'll see you later," Elisa said before she and the others left through the portal leaving me on the lawn of the High School.

Next Chapter: Chapter 32 Quality Family Time (Clop) Estimated time remaining: 23 Hours, 6 Minutes