Guilty Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being used in this fanfiction without permission.  This fic is rated NC-17 for violence and sexual content, and it contains yaoi material. 

 

Special big happy hug thanks to Ed, and his fabulous plot FAQ!  I could have done the story without it, but then…it’d be wrong ^^;; .  So thanks!  We all appreciate the work you put into educating us (it’s up over at gamefaqs for anyone interested in reading it—definitely worth checking out, especially for fic writers).

 

Also, I’m having fun exploring Johnny’s character, so I hope you’ll forgive me for that (especially in the next chapter…)

 

 

 

Culmination

Chapter 7

 

 

Ky sighed quietly to himself as he and Testament moved away from the bar they had purchased a simple lunch from: turkey legs and some kind of flat bread which was smothered in any number of spices and what might have been cheese.  Rather than eat inside the bar and continue to gather attention from a few of the more drunken patrons, they’d taken their meal back to the streets, where they could watch the people pass by.  It was almost casual, the way the stood together in the shade of a small shop awning, making quick work of the food.  But it didn’t lighten Ky’s mood.

 

Ky hadn’t expected being in Rome again to affect him as much as it was.  Though he had never spent enough time in the city to remember the layout of street corners and toppled buildings, just the knowledge of their location was enough to make his skin crawl.  A few times goosebumps rose across his skin when they passed a landmark he did recognize.  Testament glanced at him once, and Ky had explained his ill ease away by blaming it on the cold, and his unfamiliar lack of covering attire.  It was one of the very few times they had spoken to each other in the past few hours of their search.  They must have looked like quite a pair, wandering the streets in their leather, Ky with a sword at his hip and Testament baring the large black raven on his shoulder.  The bird, which had fluttered to its current perch seemingly out of nowhere when they first entered the city, Testament referred to as “Rael.”

 

“She’s a creature of real magic,” Testament’s explanation floated back from Ky’s memory as he watched the Gear feed her a few small crumbs from his bread.  “We’ve been together for a while now.  I didn’t think it wise to keep her aboard the ship, though—she gets restless.”

 

Ky wasn’t sure what that meant, but in looking at the bird now with its dark feathers, long beak and gleaming red eyes, he knew better than to question.

 

They had come far through the city, with only a few rumors to their credit.  By now the entire city seemed to know about the incident with the robots a day previous—again Ky realized his error in judgment when he learned that, despite his carefree appearance and nature, Johnny was regarded in high respect among many of the citizens dwelling in Rome’s outskirts.  He visited often and always did good, honest business, and everyone they talked to expressed their relief in his well being.  Not that any had expected a few robots to be able to harm him.  Ky had never really been able to think of Johnny as respectable, and was beginning to wonder if he had any talent for reading a man’s character at all.

 

“We’re going to have to go further in,” Testament said abruptly, plucking a piece of meat off his drumstick to offer Rael.  The bird gulped it down eagerly.  “Anyone that knows anything will have holed themselves up in the interior during the day.  We won’t learn anything out here.”

 

“Yes, you’re right,” Ky replied.  His appetite was already failing, and he discarded the rest of his own meat long before it had been picked clean.  The bread, too, was too spicy for his liking, but he forced himself to take a few bites, if only for the energy it might provide him.  “Johnny and Bridget said they would stay further to the north, so that leaves the entire South District for us.”  He pursed his lips, not entirely pleased by that prospect.

 

“Have you been there?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Testament didn’t press him any more than that, remaining quiet as they finished the remains of their meal.  Ky was finding it not as difficult being with the Gear as he imagined it might be; Testament’s focused demeanor helped to calm him somewhat, while at the same time granting him the space he needed to work through his thoughts.  This place held special significance for Ky, and Testament respected that, and though it appeared by their lack of communication they were displeased with the other, Ky was beginning to think that they didn’t make too poor of a team.

 

They started off again, their path taking them toward the South District.  Ky’s fingers curled slightly in want of Thunderseal’s familiar grip.  Unwillingly his mind jumped again, and for a moment he thought he had spotted among the crowd of people a familiar, straight-backed figure.  But he knew better, and he shook his head, turning his gaze forward.  His memory was playing tricks on him, here in this place that had once been his battleground.  One of the last they had shared.

 

“Sol….”

 

Testament glanced at him out the corner of his eye, but he didn’t speak as they continued.

 

On nearly the other end of the city, Johnny and Bridget were having a similar lack of fortune in their search.  Though everyone was familiar with the rumors surrounding the increase of shady robots running about, no one seemed to know anything concrete.  They received more comments about Johnny’s latest “male” crewmate than anything else, and though Bridget seemed to be doing well by the attention, it was of little help to their investigation.

 

Johnny spoke to Testament briefly through their shared radios shortly after noon, when both parties were nearing the outskirts of what was considered to be Rome’s inner section.  The pair similarly had nothing to report, and with brief warnings passed between them Johnny led his partner deeper into the city.  There was no sudden change of scenery to indicate they were no longer in friendly territory; it was still light out, and shops were still doing what appeared to be respectable business.  But there were less people on these streets, and those they did find would not face them when speaking.  They were a different sort of city folk, some nervous and distracted, others silently menacing.  Johnny noticed with some concern that despite this Bridget appeared to be gathering more attention than ever, in the form of half-concealed, leering eyes.  He was sure to keep the boy close to his side whenever they paused to speak with someone.

 

“Damn, this whole thing must be even more hush hush than I thought,” Johnny complained.  The hour was progressing far ahead of them, and they’d soon have to start back toward the ship—empty handed.  He didn’t expect Ky and Testament to have had any better luck, and the idea of facing a frustrated police officer was not encouraging.

 

“Let’s try one more place,” Bridget suggested brightly, ever the optimist.  “You said the really bad people don’t come out until late—maybe they’ll be waking up now.”

 

Johnny cocked an eye doubtfully, but he’d learned early on in their acquaintance that arguing with Bridget was a useless venture.  He shrugged.  “I guess it can’t hurt.  But after that we start back.”

 

“All right.”  Bridget scanned the street they were on, taking particular care in choosing their last attempt for the evening.  “This way,” he declared suddenly, heading for bar across the street with a neon sign bearing the words, “Good Beer.”  It seemed as good a place as any, and Johnny shrugged again as he followed his companion inside.

 

A few heads lifted, drawn doubtlessly by Bridget’s bright attire and light gait, and then again by the appearance of Johnny.  Though usually he appreciated his fame, Johnny wasn’t sure he liked the dark gazes he received.  Even being something of a celebrity on Rome’s outskirts, that meant very little this deep in the city, and he was almost expecting someone to make a fuss.  These kinds of criminals didn’t always take well to people out of place.

 

“Bridget, stay close,” Johnny warned him, setting a heavy hand on the boy’s shoulder.  He scanned the bar, trying to assess which of the patrons might best help them.  The bartender didn’t look promising.  In his search, however, his gaze fell on a much more familiar pair seated at the back of the bar.  Relieved, he guided Bridget across the room to where Baiken and Anji were sharing drinks.  “Looks like you picked a good one after all,” he complimented his young partner.

 

Ky’s anxiety was starting to get on Testament’s nerves.  He understood the reason for it—Ky had fought here at the time of the city’s collapse, defending a righteous cause, and now was forced to walk its thief-laden streets alongside a murderous Gear.  Though at the moment Testament couldn’t imagine a scenario of equal disquiet for himself, he respected that Ky’s reactions were normal and warranted.  They didn’t, however, contribute well to his own state of mind.  Having Rael once more on his shoulder was a comfort, but it was difficult to concentrate on their search with Ky glancing about nervously, his posture straight and steps hurried.  This city carried enough for them to worry about without him attracting attention.

 

“Calm down,” Testament said at last, trying to keep his voice calm and even.  “You’re standing out.”

 

“I can’t help it,” Ky replied quietly.  “It’s this place.  There’s so many people who—”

 

“You’d like to arrest?  I can imagine.”  When Testament glanced to his left, he caught a glimpse of a shop window displaying government regulation weaponry—not the sort that should be going for cheap on the streets.  “But this isn’t about that.  So calm down.”

 

Ky sighed, and though he seemed to be making the effort, it only made his movements that much more strained.  Giving up, Testament turned his attention forward once more.  “We’ll have to head back soon, anyway,” he murmured, taking note of how low the sun had fallen.  “In a few minutes we can contact Johnny and tell him we’re­—”

 

Testament broke off suddenly when his gaze fell on a hooded figure standing off to the side of the road.  The man was almost perfectly motionless, no tremor of movement betraying even his breath.  It wasn’t so much that which caught his attention, however, as the description Bridget had given them earlier: a cloaked man, watching from the shadows…it may have even been one of the robots.  “Ky,” he hissed, though he didn’t halt just yet.

 

Ky glanced over, and though he didn’t see what Testament was talking about right away his body tensed.  “What?”

 

Ky didn’t receive a response.  Just then the man lifted a hand, drawing his hood back to reveal his face; the sight of which drawing a long, cold shudder from the Gear at his side.

 

Bridget’s eyes were wide as they made their way toward the pair at the far end of the bar.  He hadn’t seen either of them before, but he could guess at who they were: Baiken and Mito Anji, judging by the reports he’d gotten through his bounty work.  They looked like a formidable combination.  Surely they had to have some information on what was going on, especially as targets themselves.

 

“Hey, there,” Johnny greeted pleasantly enough as he helped himself to a seat at the far table, Bridget just beside.  “I didn’t expect to see a familiar face here, but I’m not surprised.  It’s been a while.”

 

“Not long enough,” Baiken sneered over her glass.  “You have some business with me, Pirate?  I’m in the middle of a drink.”

 

Johnny didn’t seem to hear, turning instead to Anji.  “You must be Mito Anji—am I right?”

 

“Yeah.”  Anji, at least, seemed relieved by the addition of some favorable company.  When Johnny offered his hand he took it whole-heartedly, and Bridget’s as well.  “And you’re Johnny of the Jellyfish.  We heard about what happened to you yesterday.”  His gaze leapt to Bridget.  “This a crew member of yours?”

 

“Bridget,” the boy introduced himself grandly.

 

“Pleased to meet you.”

 

“This ain’t a goddamn social outing,” Baiken interrupted them tersely.  Her skin was a little flushed, testimony to whatever she’d had to drink that afternoon.  “Tell us what you want or get lost.  You’re ruining my booze.”

 

Johnny chuckled, unperturbed by her rough manners.  “In that case, we won’t stay long.  But we were hoping you could lend us some friendly information, Ms. Wanted Criminal.”

 

Baiken’s sharp gaze snapped to him, but it was Anji who replied, “This is about those robots.”

 

“Bingo.”

 

“So…you’re wanted, too?”  Anji glanced at Bridget curiously.  “Even you?”

 

“Me and May,” Johnny corrected.  “And you, and Baiken, and Chipp Zanuff, and a whole slew of others.  We were hoping you two might know something about it.”

 

Though Baiken appeared supremely uninterested, Anji frowned down at the table, giving the matter careful thought.  “We have run into a bunch of them,” he admitted.  “But…Chipp’s wanted, too?  How do you know?”

 

Bridget perked up.  “We made a list—the robot told us everyone he was after.  You two are Japanese, aren’t you?  There were a lot of Japanese names on the list.”

 

This time Baiken did draw her attention back, and she and Johnny shared a significant glance that Bridget couldn’t interpret.  “Japanese,” she repeated dully.  “That’s nothing new.  The Bureau has always been after Japanese.”

 

“But why the others?” Bridget protested.  “Chipp, and Jam, and Wu Jin?  They’re not Japanese.”

 

“Because of their Ki,” Anji took over the explanation.  “It has to be.  I don’t know much about Jam, but Chipp trained under Master Tsuyoshi, who was an expert at using Ki magic.  And all Japanese are capable of using Ki.  Maybe they’re collecting Ki users for some reason…?”

 

“Really?  I never thought of that…”  Bridget pursed his lips thoughtfully, but when he looked to see if Johnny had been similarly enlightened the man was only smiling grimly, as if the information were nothing new.  He would have questioned but thought better of it.

 

“The Bureau is always up to something stupid,” Baiken was saying, drawing Bridget back from his thoughts.  “It’s not surprising if they’re after people that can use Ki—people like that are a danger to them.”

 

“You’re really that powerful?”

 

Baiken scowled.  “Of course.”

 

“That still doesn’t explain everything,” Johnny said, sounding far more serious than he had a few minutes ago.  “They can’t just be going after people who are strong.  Most of us have no intention of defying the Bureau.  There has to be something else.”

 

“Something to do with Millia Rage?” Bridget hazarded.  “She was on the list, too, but she’s not Japanese and doesn’t uses Ki.”

 

Baiken took another drink of her beer.  “Millia Rage uses one of the Forbidden Beasts—an anti-Gear weapon.”

 

Bridget frowned down at his lap.  That didn’t seem to be much help, and he fidgeted slightly as the table fell silent for a moment.  “Well…” he started slowly, “…so she’s an anti-Gear weapon.  Can….”  He glanced up at the others hesitantly.  “Can you use Ki as an anti-Gear weapon?”

 

Three blank stares turned to him, and Bridget squirmed self-consciously.  “You could, couldn’t you?  Ki’s supposed to be really special, isn’t it?  And if the Beasts are used to fight Gears, maybe…they want to use Ki, too…?”

 

He ducked his head, waiting for the others to proclaim him foolish, but then Johnny laughed.  “That’s actually not bad,” he chuckled.  “Something simple like that.  Using Ki to fight Gears….”  He turned to Baiken and Anji.  “Would something like that work?”

 

Anji lowered his head, looking suddenly troubled, and so Baiken took it upon herself to answer.  “It’s possible,” she affirmed.  “Most Gears can take a beating from really powerful magic.  But there isn’t exactly much Ki running around anymore, since you can’t just make it like you can most magic.”  She shrugged her one shoulder stiffly.  “You think the Bureau is trying to use Ki to fight Gears, it’s not hard to believe.  Though it doesn’t make much sense.”

 

“Why not?” asked Bridget.

 

“Because there aren’t that many Gears left,” Johnny filled in.  “Not many that are a threat to them, in any case.  Unless…they know something we don’t.”

 

“If this is all true,” Anji interrupted suddenly, his head still lowered, “you might be right, Johnny.  And even if there isn’t something going on now behind this all…there will be.”

 

Johnny and Bridget both looked to him questioningly, while Baiken’s expression hardened.  “What do you mean?” Johnny asked first.

 

“I….”  Anji took in a deep breath.  “I met him.”

 

“Anji,” Baiken hissed in warning.

 

“I met him,” Anji repeated firmly, facing them at last.  “I met the man who created the Gears.”

 

Testament didn’t react as quickly as he should have.  For a moment everything slowed around him—the crowds of people were suddenly no more than a dull blur, Ky’s fidgeting at his side a distant memory.  There was only the dark eyes of the man across from him, cold and deeply familiar, clawing at his uncovered skin.  Without the rain to mar his vision he could place them clearly.  It wasn’t until Rael began to screech that he managed to wake himself, just in time to see the man turn down another street.

 

“Testament?”  Beside him, Ky took his arm urgently.  “What’s going on?”

 

“I know him,” Testament said quietly, and all at once his expression contorted into one of wrath.  “That miserable….”  Before Ky could stop him he was running, Rael giving a tiny squawk as she took off from his shoulder to fly ahead.  He was barely aware that Ky was following him, that his heart was pounding faster than it should have been.  He was only desperate to catch up to the man who was fleeing several meters ahead of them, to kill him if given the chance.

 

They didn’t have to run far; another turn brought them abruptly into a wide, unlit alleyway, and Testament skidded to a halt at the sight of his quarry standing, straight-backed and unmoving, directly in front of him.  “You….”  His fists clenched at his sides as he stared the man down, giving no notice when Ky entered the alley as well.  “What are you doing here?”

 

“I’m not here for you, if that’s what you mean,” the man replied, his voice echoing hollowly off the stone.  It was a low, chilling sound that grated against Testament’s ears.  The man himself was tall, a match for Testament’s own height, with dark brown hair cut short around his round face, and wide, almost black eyes.  “Though I do have some questions for you.”  He glanced at Ky significantly.  “And whoever your little friend is.”

 

Ky straightened, and when Testament glanced back slightly he could see that Ky had realized; this was the unseen enemy that had attacked him in the rain those several days ago in Genoa.  Thankfully, the officer knew better than to speak; he kept his jaw tightly shut, not wanting to give away his identity.

 

“He has nothing to do with you and I,” Testament countered, another cold shudder running through him.  He suddenly understood how Ky must have been feeling all afternoon, old memories clawing at the edge of his brain….  “You shouldn’t be here.  You should be dead.”

 

“I saw you with Kiske that night in Genoa,” the stranger continued as if he hadn’t heard.  His posture was still unnaturally erect, even more so than when Testament had known him those years ago.  “And I know the Jellyfish Pirates picked you up.  Where is Ky Kiske?”

 

“You should be dead!” Testament raged, his fists tight and trembling at his sides.  When he started to take a step forward, however, Ky took his arm to halt him.  He glared at him, but the officer’s expression was firm, and he managed to regain his composure.  Heated eyes turned back to the stranger before them.  “You’re the one behind all this.  Why?”

 

The man blinked slowly, his own stern expression unchanging.  “Where is Ky Kiske?”

 

“Dead,” Testament snapped at last.  “I did take him to the pirates, and he died the next night.  Now tell me why!”

 

“He’s…dead.”  The stranger sighed quietly, lifting his hands to begin undoing the small fastenings on his cloak.  Both Ky and Testament held their ground cautiously in expectation of an attack.  “I don’t believe you—Ky Kiske would not have died as easily as that.  It appears I’ll have to discipline you.”

 

Testament took a step back as Rael began to screech upon his shoulder, her thin claws digging into his skin and drawing thin trails of blood.  By now Ky was thoroughly confused, and in light of Testament’s sudden retreat he drew his sword, preparing for whatever this crazed stranger had in store for them.  “Whoever you are,” he murmured lowly, “you cannot intend to defy the both of us.”

 

“And whoever you are,” their enemy returned coldly, “I think it’s time you understand what you’re dealing with.” 

 

He swept his cloak off in a ripple of thick fabric, letting it flutter to the ground in a heap so that the attire he bore beneath was finally displayed.  This time it was Ky who stepped back in alarm.  The stranger bore the uniform of the Holy Order, tattered but clearly recognizable, trimmed in red in contrast to the blue worn by his robots.  For a moment Ky was thrown off guard; combined with the man’s dark brown hair he almost resembled Sol.

 

The hesitation was more than enough, and without word or warning he leapt upon the pair, sword drawn and arching.

 

“Met him?” Bridget echoed incredulously, glancing between each of his three companions in confusion and alarm.  “But…isn’t that impossible?  He’d have to be over a hundred years old!”

 

“Keep your voice down,” Baiken hissed, and he quickly fell silent beneath the intensity of her glare. He was thankful when she turned it upon Anji instead.  “And you, shut up.  This isn’t the place for—”

 

“They have a right to know what he told me,” Anji protested.  “Everyone does.  This isn’t just about me—or you—anymore.  Not if he’s right and it could lead to another war.”

 

Johnny and Bridget both stiffened in their seats, turning wide eyes on the man.  Even Baiken shrank back a little with the gravity his words implied.  When Anji realized that they were all taking him seriously he sobered somewhat, leaning back. 

 

“Tell us,” Johnny instructed grimly.  “Everything.”

 

Anji licked his lips, and when he glanced at Baiken as if for reassurance she turned away.  “He told me that he had never intended to create Gears for destruction,” he explained in a hushed tone.  “And I believe him—there’s so much their technology could offer us, without leading to war and suffering.  He never wanted things to…end up this way.”

 

Bridget lowered his head slightly.  He himself had not lived through much of the war, as his home, nestled in rolling, distant countryside, had never fallen victim to the cruelty of Gears.  He had never even seen a Gear until meeting Dizzy aboard Mayship, and Testament soon after.  He had grown up with the stories, however, and those were more than enough to make him wonder about what Anji was saying; to know that the possibility of another war terrified him.  “What’s going to happen?” he asked, unnaturally quiet.  “Is there really going to be…another war?”

 

Anji regarded him quietly a moment, as if fearful of saying too much in front of the young boy.  “I don’t know,” he admitted.  “But he told me that part of why the Gears were created was to…deal with a threat.  That he did it for the sake of our world.”  He lifted his gaze with a quiet sigh to the ceiling, as if reliving the memory of that short exchange.  “I believed him, and I almost joined him.  I…could have even killed Baiken, if not for—”

 

“You,” Baiken interrupted tersely, “could not have killed me.”

 

A faint smile curled his lips.  “No, maybe not.  But what I’m saying is the truth.  And if whatever the Postwar Administration Bureau has to do with that reason, I’m sure that man will respond.  He’ll do whatever he can for what he believes is best for this planet.”

 

Johnny tipped his head slightly so he could stare at Anji over the top of his sunglasses.  “And do you still believe him?”

 

Anji returned his gaze with some trepidation.  “I do,” he replied softly.  “I won’t go back to him, if that’s what you’re worried about.  I just…I don’t know.”  He escaped Johnny’s eyes once more.  “Something’s going to happen.  And if Gears go against the Bureau again, it won’t be anything that will end easily.”

 

“I see.”  Johnny straightened, adjusting his glasses so that none of them were able to read whatever expression he might have really been making.  “It’s a problem, isn’t it?”

 

“That’s an understatement,” Baiken scoffed.  “We’re talking about a second Crusade—even you should understand what that means.”

 

“More than you know.”  Johnny started to push to his feet, and when Bridget noticed he quickly followed suit.  “If there’s nothing else, we should probably be going—the others will start to wonder.”

 

“Oh…yeah.”  Bridget gulped, and suddenly remembering his manners turned to nod to Baiken and Anji.  “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

 

Though Baiken only snorted and turned away, Anji returned his farewell.  “Take care of yourselves.”

 

They turned to leave, but just then Baiken was on her feet as well, snagging Johnny by the elbow.  “One more thing.  Come’ere—adult talk.”  And with that she began to drag the man away, toward the bar, three pairs of curious stares on her.

 

Anji sighed once she was out of earshot.  “That Baiken.”

 

Bridget smiled slightly.  “She’s pretty cool, huh?  But why didn’t she want you to tell us?”  His shoulders drooped a little.  “All this talk about war…it’s really scary.”

 

“Yeah.  It is.”  Anji was silent for a moment, watching Baiken’s turned back as she and Johnny spoke.  He then returned his attention to Bridget.  “There’s something else she probably wouldn’t want me to tell you,” he said with a lighter tone.  “But maybe I will, to get back at her.”

 

“Oh yeah?”  His spirits lifting a little at the prospect of a secret, Bridget quickly leaned closer.  “What is it?”

 

“You’re not the only one tracking these robots down,” Anji told him conspiratorially.  “Sol Badguy is here.”

 

 

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