Chapter 39: Unexpected Change of Plans, The Show Must Go On!

Mischief's P.O.V.

By the time we made it outside the city's limits and transverse into the outskirts, the sun was high above the sky, signaling the afternoon. Time was running out, only a few hours until sun set, but, what I was more concerned about was facing Kira. That bastard needed to pay for killing Rain and I am the only one who will make him suffer! There was absolutely nothing that will stop me!

"Mischief…" Jinx spoke after a long period of silence. "Are you sure you want to go through with this alone?" she asked.

"I've never been so certain about anything else. I have to do this… for Rain," I replied. As we continued onward, I looked back at Jinx, she seemed worried. "Please, don't worry about me, Jinx. I'll be fine," I tried to assure with a slight smile.

"I wish I could believe that," she whispered to herself.

Before I had the chance to ask why she had said that, the sound of the enemy stalking from the shadow became evident. Everyone had stopped dead in their tracks, waiting for them to reveal themselves. My patience began to wear thin, if this was Kira he would be my opponent and no one else.

"Show yourself!" I finally screamed.

"My, aren't we impatient?" giggled a voice. From the shadows appeared Rantou. I eased my nerve; this annoyance was not going to be my opponent. "Aww, what's wrong? You seem disappointed. Were you expecting someone else?" she asked in her annoying, taunting voice.

"We don't have time for this!" muttered Damien.

"Damien, you guys go on ahead, you don't have much time to reach Akaotome," I said.

Damien, Death and Raven quickly ran around Rantou. Surprisingly, she allowed them to pass. What was her game?

"Mischief, you should go ahead too. Make sure they don't run into Kira," says Koumori.

"Alright, you two better take care of Jinx," I said as I began to take my leave. I quickly dashed toward the same path Damien went, but before I could pass Rantou, she quickly conjured orbs of her explosive energy and tossed them at me! I swiftly backed away, avoiding the blasts.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, where do you think you're going?" she teased as he wagged her finger at me.

"What the hell – what are you doing?" I shouted. Once more, I tried to make a break for it but again, Rantou kept me at bay with her explosives!

"I'll let everyone but you pass, Mischief," she giggled.

"I don't have time for your stupid fucking games!" I cursed, but before I could say more, Kane, Koumori and Jinx began to advance without Rantou's interference. "What are you doing?" I shouted.

"We have to keep moving!" called back Kane.

"We'll handle Kira!" added Koumori.

"Jinx!" I cried. She stopped and turned back to face me. "Don't you dare take another step! Do you hear me?" I screamed.

"I'm sorry, Mischief, but I have to, for you," she said before she left. I saw the three of them advance, my blood began to boil. Kira was supposed to be mine! I was the only one to kill that fucking snake!

"What's the matter, Mischief? Don't you want to play?" she said tauntingly in that annoying voice!

"You – I'll make you wish you'd never had interfered!" I growled as my rage began to overflow!

Third Person P.O.V.

Kane, Koumori and Jinx quickly caught up with Damien and the others. Damien was surprised to see them, they were supposed to fight Rantou, not Mischief.

"What happened?" questioned Damien.

"There's been a slight change in planes," replied Kane.

"Rantou let everybody but Mischief pass through," added Koumori.

"There was not much we could do, we had to move on," said Jinx sounding a bit uneasy.

"Alright, so that means you three will handle Kira," replied Damien.

The group quickly continued onward, deeper into the outskirts they went. The day was starting to wane. The blue sky grew dull and weary, signaling the late afternoon. The group grew cautious as they heard the enemy approach once again. They stopped as they say Kira awaiting them ahead.

"The rest of you may pass through, only you three stay," hissed Kira as he pointed to Koumori, Jinx and Kane. Damien became hesitant, why were both Rantou and Kira so yielding on letting them pass? He thought somehow this was a trap! He turned to Jinx to tell her this thoughts but she immediately smiled in assurance. "Go on, Damien," she said.

"Come on, we got to get going," said Raven.

"The twilight draws near," comments Death as he looks at the sky.

"Fine, just be careful you three," sighs Damien, ignoring his thoughts. Damien and the others continued onward without Kira stopping them. Kira turned to face his attention towards Koumori, Kane and Jinx. His cold snake like eyes fixated on the last person Mischief cherishes the most… Jinx!

Koumori's P.O.V.

I glared at Kira with such disdain; he knew all along of Akaotome's betrayal and merely went along with the deception! I saw that he was staring at Jinx; something about his gaze made me uneasy… he seemed fixated by her. Just then, he grinned and licked his lips in that sadistic manner of his.

"Well… should we get started?" he hissed as he motioned towards Jinx. I immediately laid my hand in front of her and stepped forth instead. "Step aside, you're not the prey I seek!" he hissed angrily.

"I don't care, you sadistic snake! You'll have to kill me before you get to her!" I shout.

"Kill you? Heh, I'd be insulted if it were no so amusing," he laughed. "You're pathetic, Koumori, a weakling! But if you truly wish to die before your little girlfriend, then come at me. I promise to make it quick!" Kira grins evilly. I'm so tired of being weak; I have to be strong, for Jinx!

"Koumori, please stay calm," whispers Jinx.

"Don't be stupid, he's just trying to trick you!" adds Kane.

"Why don't you run along and let Kane fight your battle? Honestly, you don't have what it takes to fight me, let alone anyone else for that matter! You're just an infant bat in the midst of a snake. Like the prey, you hide in the dark, terrified of your predator!" laughs Kira.

"I'm not afraid of you… I'm not afraid of you!" I finally cried. Despite both Jinx and Kane's concern, I charged at Kira! I'm tired of the ridicule; I'm tired of people like Kira! Who think they're superior and take prey on the weak! I wanted to prove to him, to everyone, that I am not weak! I will protect that what I cherish!

Third Person P.O.V.

"Heh, you're such a fool, Koumori," Kira grinned. Koumori charged right for Kira. Kane quickly noticed something off. He remembered Kira's style of fighting. Kira was the kind of person to wait for an opponents' attack and counter it, but as Koumori charged for Kira, Kira immediately went on the offensive! He lunged at Koumori once he was in range and continued a barrage of endless punches and kicks! Kira launched his fists at him, either each blow connected or missed, Kira kept on. Forcing Koumori to only block and evade! Kane realized that Kira's technique has completely changed!

"Damn idiot! You had to play the hero," Kane muttered bitterly.

"Why's he doing this?" asks Jinx.

"He's trying to prove something," answers Kane.

"What's he trying to prove? You have to help him!" cries Jinx.

"I can't, he'll never forgive me. He wants to prove his strength," he replies.

Kane refused to interfere unless it was absolutely necessary. He knew that this was Koumori's moment, to show what's he was made of. Suddenly, Kira's relentless attack broke through Koumori's defense! Kira managed to trip Koumori, completely attacking him off his guard! As Koumori was falling, Kira sent him flying with a powerful jab to the face! Koumori was helpless on the ground as Kira lunged at him!

"Kane, please stop this!" cried Jinx.

Kane reluctantly stayed away. "Come on, Koumori, do something!" Kane muttered impatiently to himself.

As Kira came in range of striking distance of Koumori, Koumori closed his eyes and opened his mouth, releasing a cacophonous screech hitting Kira head on and blasting him away! With the pressure of Koumori's ear-splitting screech, Koumori stumbled to his feet and saw the aftermath of his attack. The strain was starting to set in.

Koumori saw that his attack caused the ground to crack and break from the pressure of his screech. He saw Kira lying motionless on the ground a small distance away. Koumori was gasping for breath and the strain of using that attack started to set in, but he walked over to Kira anyway. Koumori wanted to see with his own eyes that he had won. Koumori was soon standing over Kira's lifeless shell. His eyes were wide open and blood dripped from the corners of his mouth. Koumori almost couldn't believe it. He'd won, he killed Kira!

Jinx began to sigh in relief. Kane couldn't believe it either. How could Kira, one of Akaotome's strongest subordinates, die of just one attack? It just didn't make sense! Suddenly as Koumori started walking back to them, Kane saw Kira's hand twitch!

"Koumori! Look out! It's a trap!" screamed Kane but it was too late…

Before Koumori had the chance to turn around, Kira drove his hand through his back and torso! Jinx and Kane watched in horror as Kira pulled out of Koumori's body and dropped him carelessly on the ground.

"Heh, don't worry. I didn't hit anything vital. I wanted to watch him die slowly and witness his suffering as he completely bleeds out," hisses Kira as he licks the blood from his hand.

"You bastard, I'll make you pay!" growls Kane.

"Now that the weakling is taken care of shall we get down to business?" taunts Kira.

"You – you've caused so much pain… It's time that you pay the price!" cries Jinx.

"I see… you've come to avenge her as well. All your efforts are a joke! If you want to carry out your threat then come," Kira hissed.

Mischief's P.O.V.

"Why are you so angry? I just wanted to play?" asked Rantou.

"You stupid bitch, you ruined everything!" I finally screamed. "Kira was supposed to be my opponent! I was supposed to kill him! But you had to interfere! You had to ruin everything!" I shouted. I was just blinded with erupting rage, my fists shook with anger, but what finally pushed me over the edge was seeing a smile spread across Rantou's disgusting face!

"Is that why you're so angry with me, because I ruined your little revenge against Kira? I see, you want to get back at him for killing that little girl. Aren't you worried Mischief? That other girl, Jinx, she's fighting Kira in your place. Aren't you afraid that the monstrous snake is going to eat your sister?" she grinned.

My mind finally snapped. I clenched my hands and covered my ears. I wanted to be free and far away from that voice! I needed to silence her! "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up, you fucking bitch!" I screamed.

Rage fueled my drive, I immediately charged for her. I had to silence her; her voice was driving me mad! I could see her expression was one of fear. Rantou quickly conjured some explosives and threw them my way, hoping to keep me at bay. As the explosives activated and exploded, the shockwave pushed me back a distance, but I kept on, a couple of blasts weren't going to stop me! Before she had the chance to conjure anymore explosives, I managed to capture her. As if gripped her arms, I looked deep into her eyes: she was terrified. Suddenly, she grinned and started to glow! I quickly realized that I was holding a substitute made of her explosive energy! Unfortunately, I realized too late… The imposter exploded in a fiery blast, sending me hurdling to the ground!

As I lay writhing on the ground, I gasped for air. My chest took the full impact of the blast and knocked the wind out of me. At least I was still in one piece, though my limbs were cut and bruised. I couldn't get up; I was lying helpless on the ground. Though I was momentarily incapacitated, what angered me the most was seeing Rantou coming from her hiding place and approach me!

"My, wasn't that a pretty explosion, huh, Mischief?" she smiled.

"Just shut up already! Don't you get it? I want you to shut up!" I screamed.

"You're still mad about the whole Kira thing, huh?" she asked. This imbecile! This fucking annoyance! I'm beyond "mad", I was furious!

"You ruined everything! I'll make you pay!" I growled. At my threat, Rantou merely smiled sadly.

"At least you're paying attention to me now," she said. What the hell does she even mean?

"What the hell are you rambling on about?" I questioned.

"All you care about is getting back at Kira!" she cried. "You never once acknowledged me, I did this because I wanted you to see me, to notice me," she explained sadly.

I didn't care for anything else she had to say, the only reason I allowed her to speak was because at the moment I was disabled! With every word she said, seemed to drill deeper into my brain and allowing that annoying voice to resonate in my head!

"All my life… I've been cast aside. I was abused by full-fledged demons and shunned by humans. I've always felt… alone – like it I was nothing. Until one day, I saw you… I saw you among the crowd of other half-demons. You had a kind yet demanding presence among us, but, it wasn't until I saw you with those two girls you take care of, Jinx and Rain, that I noticed something."

"Don't you dare speak Rain's name!" I screamed. She didn't listen, she continued on, as if piecing something in her mind.

"I saw you with them. Something about those two seemed fake. As if they were masking something…"

"You shut up!" I screamed.

"Their smiles seemed obligated. But yours, it was natural, kind, and benevolent – like as if you weren't a demon…"

"Shut up!" I screamed trying to tune out her voice!

"You seem just like – an angel… You're not a demon, are you?"

Before she could speak anymore, I found the strength to tackle her! I got up on top of her and started bashing her head in! "Shut up, shut up, shut up!" I continued to scream as I started beating her to a bloody pulp! I had to get away! I had to silence her! That voice! That voice was consuming me, suffocating me, driving me insane!

Suddenly, Rantou managed to free one of her hands and placed an explosive onto my shoulder! As soon as if was activated, the blast separated us, sending me flying off her. I hit the ground hard and saw a huge gash in my shoulder pouring out blood! Rantou managed to compose herself and stand. I glared at her and saw her cry streams of tears.

"I just wanted you to notice me… I just wanted you to finally see me! The reason why I wear makeup like this was to be like you. I thought you do it because you also wanted to get peoples' attention, to be noticed. I just wanted to see how it feels like to have people see you and maybe be cared about," she cried.

This girl, this idiotic, stupid, foolish girl. She wanted me to care for her! I grabbed onto my arm and staggered onto my feet. I began to laugh as hard as I could. I was going to make her pay and finally erase her voice from existence!

"What are you laughing at?" she questioned hesitantly.

"What a sad clown you are! You wanted people to see you as you are; you've already accomplished that, people see you as a worthless half breed! And that's all you'll ever be an abomination, a worthless spawn! Rejected my humans and cast aside by true demons. Who could ever love or even acknowledge someone like you? You're nothing but an insignificant spec, you're nothing! You're only to be seen as a pathetic idiotic fool, a mockery to be laughed at but never remembered!" I laugh.

Rantou began clenching her ears and crying.

"The truth is hard to hear… you might as well die to finally disappear and be completely forgotten," I continued to laugh.

Rantou began to cry hysterically, she got some of her blood and conjured an explosive. Her energy and blood began to mix and formed to a solid sphere. "If I'm going to die, then I'll take you with me!" she cried. She devoured the explosive whole and began to grin. "Heh, you won't be able to escape. I've just turned my whole body into one big bomb! Everything within a six mile radius will be annihilated! If I'm going to die, the only thing I can take solace in is that you'll join me in death!"

She began to countdown. "Ten, nine, eight," I began to chuckle and began to teleport. "What? That's impossible!" she screamed. Before I had completely disappeared, I managed to take delight in the look on her face.

"You stupid girl," I grinned.

I teleported to a high and safe distance and then saw the explosion. I remembered the look on her face: all surprised and distraught. She had thought I was still under Kira's snake venom. What a wondrous sight. To see that nuisance being wiped off the face of the earth in one big explosion!

I began to laugh…

Third Person P.O.V.

As Mischief indulged in his victory over Rantou, what he didn't notice was a figure watching nearby. The figure witnessed as he laughed, almost if he's lost his mind. The unknown stalker began to grin as he departed.

"The first of Akaotome's subordinates have been killed by Mischief," spoke the stranger. "I think you'll have fun with this one," added the figure, grinning wickedly.

Meanwhile, back with Kane and Jinx's battle against Kira…

"Honestly, do you really think you pose as a threat, child? The only interest I have in you is for further torment against Mischief," Kira grins devilishly as he awaits Jinx's move. As Jinx is about to confront Kira, Kane steps in front of her.

"What the hell are you doing?" questions Jinx.

"You can't fight this guy, you'll only get hurt. Just step aside and let me handle it!" says Kane as he goes for the attack.

As Kane begins his onslaught on Kira, Jinx quickly goes to Koumori to aid him. She manages to stop his bleeding and tends to his wounds. Jinx watched as Kira dodged Kane's massive blows, she remembered Kira's words, and how he said that he only wished to kill her to torture Mischief further. What began to infuriate her more was Kane implying her being weak. She wanted to help punish the snake. She had all the right to: Mischief, Koumori and even Kane, they were all saying to stand aside… Well, not anymore, this was her time, her time finally to be out of stand by and into the fight! Her time to prove herself of being able to help!

Kira manages to push Kane back from his attack. As Kane is stopped for a second, Jinx quickly steps in and goes into the offensive.

"I told you to stay back!" shouts Kane.

"I won't stand aside! Not anymore!" cries Jinx. Kane watches as Jinx fights Kira. Jinx could barely land a punch, even though Kira would merely block it, she kept on. Kira began to go on the attack, he would pound his fist into her face, stomach and head but she still refused to yield.

Kane realized she's the same as Koumori. Wanting to prove their strength and to protect the ones they care for.

Before Kira had the chance to completely finish off Jinx, Kane stepped in front of her. Avoiding contact with Kane, Kira backed off quickly. Jinx composes herself from Kira's beatings and looks up to Kane.

"Look, it's obvious I can't talk you out of fighting, but we can't win like this, we have to work together," says Kane. Kane looks down on Jinx and notices she's surprised to see him defending her. "You two are the same," he says to himself.

"Do you have a plan?" asks Jinx.

"Yeah, do you trust me?" he replies. Jinx begins to smile; she could hardly believe Kane was acknowledging her for help. Kane returns the smile and quickly whispers his plan.

"I grow tired of this! Whatever little scheme you have won't work against me!" hisses Kira as he charges for them. Jinx quickly goes for Kira. Kira sees that Jinx is about to strike so he prepares to block her useless attempt, but he is quickly caught off guard when Jinx, instead of attacking, jumps off the ground, grabs Kira's shoulders and flips him in the air. As Jinx runs to safety and Kira is still helplessly in the air, Kane quickly charges in!

Kira is barely a foot from hitting the ground when Kane comes in and impacts Kira, sending him flying with a tremendous blow! Kira is sent hurdling to the ground, tumbling on the floor like a rag doll! He lies completely unconscious on the ground, momentarily stopped by Kane's brute strength!

"Wow, Kane! You really knocked his lights out!" said Jinx in awe.

"He's out cold, all we got to do now is finish it," sighed Kane.

Before they had a chance to finish off Kira, their attention was turned to Koumori, who had finally awakened and approached them.

"Koumori! I'm glad you're okay," said Jinx in relief as she ran up to him and hugged him. Koumori grunted a bit from the pain but he smiled to have Jinx in his arms.

"How are you holding up?" asks Kane.

"I'm fine… I've been better," Koumori smiled in a nonchalant manner.

As the three conversed, Kira suddenly awakened and staggered to his feet. Their attention was quickly focused on Kira, who was coughing up blood and glaring with murderous intent!

"He just doesn't know when to give up!" growled Kane.

"You – you fools will not defeat me… you cannot kill me!" hissed Kira.

"Face it, Kira! It's three against one! You've met your match," argues Jinx confidently.

Kira merely begins to laugh at her statement. "Heh, let's see if the prey can face the likes of a true predator!" hisses Kira. Suddenly, his serpentine features become more evident. His form quickly morphs into a giant white snake, baring razor sharp fangs as he hisses at the three!

"This – this is Kira's true form!" gasps Koumori.

The massive snake towered over them and swung its tail at the three! Kane quickly grabbed Koumori and Jinx and swiftly leaped to safety. Kane lowered them on the ground, they were a distance away hidden but they could still see Kira.

"What the hell are we going to do?" questioned Jinx. Kane pondered for a moment and looked towards Koumori.

"I have a plan, but we only got one shot to do it. It's really risky," spoke Kane.

"Kane, you're not suggesting you use…"

"I have to; this may be our only chance to take out Kira. I'm willing to risk it," interrupts Kane.

"What is he talking about?" asks Jinx.

"Kane wants to use his true power. He can become invincible for a limited amount of time. Nothing can hurt him and his strength's magnitude is multiplied, but there's one weak spot. I'm afraid of what will happen if that spot gets hit," explains Koumori.

"I know you're concerned, but there's really no other way. Even so, I'll need both of your help," says Kane.

Kane quickly tells them his plan. While they were having their conversation, Kira is slithering about, searching for where they're hidden. As soon as Kira was close, Jinx ran from their hiding place and caught Kira's attention. "Hey, you slimy bastard! See if you can try and get me!" Jinx hollered as she ran.

As Jinx was distracting Kira, Koumori quickly began to morph into his true form. He began to change into a large gruesome man-beast. Koumori took on a form that seemed half man and half bat!

"Take me as high as you can," ordered Kane. Koumori screeched in response and began flapping his enormous wings! As Kane was preparing to execute his plan, Jinx had her hands full doing her part. Kira would lunge his entire body to strike Jinx, but she would skillfully maneuver out of his range. Koumori quickly took to the sky with Kane riding on his back. "Jinx, do it now!" shouted Kane.

"Alright! I sure hope this works!" cries Jinx as she throws her hands over the ground. Just as Kira was about to lunge himself at Jinx, the ground begins to shake! Suddenly the earth starts to fail under Kira, caving in and trapping half his body under rock! Kira desperately jerked his upper body in hopes in freeing himself from the debris, but it was no use. He was trapped.

By this time, Koumori and Kane were miles up in the air. Jinx quickly cleared the way to let Kane finish the job. "Koumori, start heading for a nose dive straight for Kira!" commanded Kane as he pointed the way. Koumori nodded in reply and stopped flapping his wings. They both quickly dropped altitude; Koumori dropped Kane off his back, allowing him to free fall. As Koumori flew off to safety, Kane began to unveil his true power. He began to glow a bright white hue as he hit terminal velocity!

Jinx and Koumori witnessed as Kane shot through the sky like a bullet! They saw as he came into impact with Kira and pierced through his head! Kane shot through and made impact on the earth, causing a huge crater in his wake!

The massive snake, that was Kira, collapsed dead and finally defeated! Koumori returned to his original form. He and Jinx waited for Kane to rise from the rubble. Once he did, he walked over to them in a nonchalant manner.

"Whoa, Kane! That was amazing!" said Jinx in awe.

"I can't believe it actually worked," commented Koumori.

"It was nothing… but I couldn't have done it without you two," Kane smiled at the two.

"What do we do now?" asks Koumori.

"We wait, I guess," answers Jinx.

"Yeah, and hope the others are as successful as we are," adds Kane.