Tsuki and Azumi were the first to emerge from their tunnels. Shortly after, Geo and Hatori appeared, then Knoxx and Danzo. Each bruised and beat up—but alive.
Danzo gathered his breath and steadied his heart. "Everyone accounted for?"
"Still breathing," muttered Geo.
Azumi spit blood with her hands on her knees. "Just barely."
"Danzo… he was there," Tsuki said, turning to him. He seemed puzzled by the statement.
"Who?"
"The Watcher guy from the alley. He's got some weird ghost controlling ability—tough dude."
Azumi raised her hand. "I second that."
Danzo put his hand on his chin. "Then we're deeper in than we thought," he mumbled.
One by one, the members regained their strength, and stood awaiting further command. For minutes Danzo stood silent—lost in thought. Eventually, he snapped with two fingers and turned to Judgment.
"Everyone ready?"
A collective nod gave him the go ahead. He stepped forward, sights on the continuous pits of the sewers. Behind him, five more pairs of feet mentally and physically prepared for whatever awaited them.
Deeper in, it grew quieter—the drip of water had stopped, and there wasn't a critter in sight. No echoes except their own boots against the moist stone. A dim light ahead caught their attention.
The tunnel had led to a large open chamber. It was massive and circular, with nearly a dozen exits along the curved walls. Rusted crates and chains dangled from the ceiling, only lightened by cracked lamps hung by wall-mounts.
Azumi grabbed the hilt of her sword. "This isn't suspicious at all…"
Knoxx followed suit, arming himself with his daggers. "Completely normal. Just the everyday villain lair layout," he said, entering a readied stance.
Tsuki slowed herself, scanning the room—something felt… off.
An eerie moment of silence, before her instincts kicked in.
"Duck—NOW!" She shouted, snapping her fingers. A group of shadows emerged from her position, instantly dragging the others downwards, as a massive burst of Solena cut through the room—right where they had been standing.
A moment later, giving no time to breathe, a large chain erupted from one of the ten tunnels, connecting with the wall on the opposite side. Maniacal laughter followed.
"Damn, what the hell was that," muttered Geo, rising to his feet.
"Now, how did you manage to dodge that, you sweet little thing?"
A menacing man stepped out of the shadows first. His frame was wide, and he stood like a mountain. He had a shaved head, and large eyebrows shadowing darker eyes—almost lifeless and unforgiving.
"Tokira, Lalo, you both missed!"
At the mention of the name Tokira, Tsuki's eyes widened.
A woman stepped out of another of the tunnels—taller, with long white hair and green eyes. Calm, cool and collected—someone Tsuki knew all too well.
"Tokira… no…" Tsuki whispered, loud enough for Geo to hear. He turned and saw her—panic filled.
"Tsuki?" He asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. She didn't respond.
I haven't seen you in years… but it's undoubtedly her.
She managed a quick smile at Geo, clearly for show. He gave a puzzled look, but left it alone.
"Who are you?" Hatori called. "You with The Lantern?"
"Might be, might not," Tobamako responded. "Won't matter either way—you've been marked for death, by The Lantern himself! Take that as an honor! Mushira doesn't order hunts for just anyone, you know."
Lalo glared at Tobamako. "How dense are you? Just tell them everything, why don't you!"
Lalo was a shorter woman, wearing an APC uniform that may have been too big for her. She had blonde hair, and an always-judgmental look on her face.
Tobamako only laughed. All three stood in a line with a confidence that didn't need spoken.
"You're not supposed to be here, you know!" Lalo's voice rung out, lighter and more childish than she appeared.
Danzo prepped one of his talismans, readying for the approaching battle. "Back off, all three of you."
"No can do pal," rumbled Tobamako. "We got our orders. And the APC—"
"Don't disobey orders, right?" Knoxx cut in, his daggers in hand.
"Oh look! The young one can finish sentences!"
Knoxx grit his teeth, nearly snarling. "Nice brows, freak! Bet you don't get a lot of sunlight under those bushes!"
Tobamako didn't handle it well. He shot forward in a burst, meeting Knoxx in a head-on clash.
He moves quick for someone so bulky, thought Tsuki. She readied her shadows, but stopped. Watching, seemingly diagnosing her, was Tokira across the opening.
Tsuki froze. Does she know? She will if I use Shadow Manipulation…
Meanwhile, Knoxx was inches from landing a dagger, before Tobamako disappeared in an instant. Knoxx flew toward nothing, landing on his feet. He turned to see a fist from Tobamako flying at him—he couldn't block in time.
Knoxx's body went crashing into the curved sewer wall.
"Knoxx!" Hatori called, before bolting toward Tobamako to take his attention. He was met with a swing which he easily dodged, slowing Tobamako's movements, before releasing a flurry of strikes into Tobamako's face. He didn't move.
In fact—he smiled.
"Not bad," he exhaled, before he vanished again. Hatori lost sight of him in half a second. Then, he reappeared, right in front of Hatori—with not enough time to react. Hatori was pummeled, and fell to his knees.
Blood dripped from his nose and mouth, but he rose again. Danzo stepped forward chucking a healing rune toward Hatori, which worked instantly.
"Thanks," Hatori nodded. "Now, I believe this guy's got a time stopping ability."
Tobamako's head jolted back in shock. "How—"
"Part-time genius, kinda my thing," Hatori joked while falling into stance. "Really came down to two things—a flash step, or a time manipulator. You weren't affected by Resonant Flow when using your ability, so the only option was the ladder."
"Doesn't matter what you know about me, if you can't stop it!"
He lunged forward, at Hatori again, fists raised.
Almost guaranteed to strike from behind, Hatori thought. Seems like his style.
He delayed his strike, preparing to swing backwards. As he planned, Tobamako froze time for a second, and maneuvered to Hatori's backside, but when time resumed, he was met with a kick to his side. A backs-strike from Hatori.
Tobamako grunted, sliding backwards. His hand rubbed the spot he had just been kicked, and he looked at Hatori in confusion.
"You're growin' on me cupcake," he rumbled, giving a wide grin. He launched forward, and Hatori anticipated a switch—but this time, Tobamako stayed in place, and when Hatori turned, Tobamako struck with a kick to Hatori's back.
He hit the ground hard, and a loud groan escaped his lips.
"Enough!"
Tsuki darted forward, summoning shadow tendrils all around her. They swarmed Tobamako, coiling with whip-like speed.
"Interrupting a duel? That ain't proper sweetheart!" Tobamako said, crushing a tendril with his fist.
"I don't give a damn for APC etiquette," Tsuki said, still moving. "Half their rules are lies anyways."
Tokira stood in silence. The ability, Shadow Manipulation had confirmed all her fears. Her best friend from the Stalker Academy now stood along Memento's cause.