Cato

'There has to be something more to this thing than meets the eye. Why else would he design it like this?' I think to myself, grazing my hand across the entirety of my colossal weapon, trying to see if there's anything to interact with.

Like a switch or a gadget, or something like that.

If this is based on Cloud's fusion sword, there has to be something more to it...

If it's our own version of it, then it'd be a Composite Sword, so...

If he actually managed to do it...

After shocking my friends' worlds with the Catatumbo Lightning (pun intended) and upholding my promise of making it brief, I took haste in Warping back Shirou, to return to work, and Nazuna, to get a good night's sleep for when she begins her own work tomorrow.

Meanwhile me, Michiru, and Marie will be chaperoning Nina to that party she was invited to on the mainland.

I kind of wish that we could bring Shirou and Nazuna. After everything that's happened, it'd be reassuring to know they'd at least be relaxing and having fun.

Especially after what they've lost...

I'd imagine Shirou would be walking around the city for his patrols, as he can't run across the rooftops anymore without his strength, and Nazuna would only be using her human capabilities to look after the kids for now...

But they have their own lives, with their own time, and I must respect that. The same could be said if Michiru and Marie didn't have as flexible schedules, but I'd know at least they can handle themselves.

I'd accompany Nina on my own if I had to.

She's not even old enough to be normal Kin. She'd be a part of the Next of Kin, the division we have for kids under 18, who would be automatically Inducted into the normal Kin after they come of age.

All the more reason I have to protect her, kind of relating to how I respect Nazuna for undertaking the job to protect the kids at the orphanage. Someone must be the last line of defense for them, unless they get trained eventually.

On the note of Nina, however...

She wanted us to take a boat there.

She said it's because we have enough time, and it's also for sentimental purposes, but mainly because Nina and Marie didn't want to Warp again. They vehemently insisted on it, given that they were almost convulsing after I brought everyone back to Anima City, so I humored them. Marie apparently already had access to a boat and got that situated almost immediately.

Me and Marie are currently waiting at said boat, as we went ahead to procure it, and I'm trying to figure out my weapon as we wait for Nina and Michiru to catch up. Marie took the liberty of kicking her legs up and resting her head on the railing with her arms crossed above her head, trying to still recover somewhat from the sudden Warping from earlier.

Eventually, I notice something about the grip on my weapon.

There's a little, what could be described as, a safety on it. A little switch that when I slide it up, reveals a small button on it.

I press it.

SHNNK!

With a subsequent sound of a metal hinge being unlocked, I discover the very front of the sword somehow gets...

Loosened.

No...

Upon further inspection and curiosity, I take hold of it and pull it, realizing that the whole loosened segment can potentially be removed.

No...way...

There's a handle on the end closest to me and facing me.

HE DIDN'T!

With my right hand holding the sword and my left holding the handle on the released segment, I lift it above my head as I pull it apart.

He did....

The next thing I realize...

I'm holding 2 swords.

My wings almost flutter in shock at the mechanical masterpiece in front of me, and what it just demonstrated it can do.

It really is based on the Fusion Sword...

My main weapon in my right hand is slightly, but noticeably, lighter now, due to the weight of it essentially being divided among my two arms.

I look to the sword on my left.

It's somewhat trapezoidal in shape, like one of those one-sided razor blades, and the handle on the bottom seems segmented as if it were previously divided to fit in the whole structure of the weapon. When I tap it with the other blade, it sounds somewhat hollow, yet sturdy at the same time.

It's about the same length as the blade without the main blade's handle.

I get up from my seat and I rest the freed blade on it, soon returning to observe my main weapon more.

I find another safety underneath the first and disengage it.

SHNNK-SHNNK!

I notice it releases two blades this time.

They only separate when I pull on them, so I have to set my main blade down to hold them. They're mirrored, saw-toothed single-edge long swords with angular tips and long black hilts. They seem to attach to the main blade's sides with the saw-toothed edge side pointed toward the hollow blade, completing the sword's trapezoidal silhouette.

I'd say they're just a few inches longer than the hollow sword.

I set them down among the collection and discover yet another safety, this time above the first.

The main blade is still leaning against the seat, and my hands are free, so it was easier this time.

From the main assembly comes seemingly the most anticlimactic of all of them: Short swords.

Obviously significantly shorter and smaller than the others, these mirror image blades have gear mechanisms on them that make it seem like they can unfold and fold like pocket knives. It also seems that in this configuration they can attach to the main assembly.

I wonder...

With the handles being on the flat dull sides of the blades, I hold them almost in a reverse-grip position.

The blades are positioned like a Saw Cleaver.

But, upon flicking them...

WHOO-SHNK!

The whole blades rotate, and unfold to reveal that, what they lack in size, they can make up for in performance. (Giggity)

The perfect weapons for a dramatic entrance.

I set the last 2 unexpectedly cool weapons among its brethren.

'That looks like everything...' I think to myself, observing the arsenal in front of me, all of which was packed into the giant sword Kai made for me.

Wait, knowing him there's bound to be at least something else in here...

Curiosity getting the best of me, I go back to looking for any remaining surprises my friend might've hidden for me.

I gaze upon the currently naked sword right now.

It has a wide double edge with a thinner center section, and there seems to be more mechanisms in the center of the masterpiece that I'd assume are electromagnets that keep the other swords on it.

Strangely enough, with all the safeties' covers on right now, they all seem to act like a singular button.

I press it.

CLANG!

Taking even me by surprise, the weapon spontaneously opens up, bisecting down the middle and pulls apart slightly lengthwise. It now has a wider width, and even 2 points on the end. Looking inside, indeed, I discover the internal mechanisms/magnets.

Almost as if this is the sword's battle mode.

"Kai...you've truly outdone yourself..." I announce to no one in particular.

As I swing the now-double edge sword to get a feel for it, I turn to notice a certain someone who seems to have been observing the entire thing.

"Kin tech, I presume?" Marie asks, her eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, I've still yet to thank my buddy for making this." I reply, swinging the blade again.

"Impressive on his part." She compliments. "I would be surprised, but considering you guys can now manipulate gravity, I'm really not anymore."

"Better you do, less time for the enemy to exploit your surprise and get the drop on you." I say. "Unfortunately, it seems to happen anyways..."

I usually try not to be surprised, but even with my experience with unusual worlds and aspects, as I just said, it happens either way.

"What'd be the purpose of having more than one weapon in one?" She asks, pointing to my blade. "Seems more like a list of things for you to keep track of."

"Contingency, I'd say. Probably also a psychological aspect of taking your enemy by surprise with tricks."

She nods in response, gets up and walks over to where I placed the swords.

She picks up a short sword and gives it a feel, even going so far as to swing it a little as if she were a ninja.

"I wouldn't mind having something like this..." She utters to herself, seemingly liking the design, picking up one of the serrated swords and dual wielding both.

"Never hurts to have a piece." I add, walking over to stand next to her. "You know, if you'd like, I could probably commission a weapon for you."

She turns to me, eyes opening slightly more.

"Seriously?" She asks, shocked I made the offer.

"Yeah. We got tons of surplus weapons; I could probably even put in another work order." I suggest.

"You'd...do that for me?" She asks, touched.

"Why not? Besides, it'd be an upgrade from having to use your gift as a knife for now." I comment.

She puts her hand on her chest.

"That'd...be very nice...thank you." She nods her head, smiling.

"Welcome." I return the nod. "I'll see what we have available and I'll get back to you on that. Like I said, we've got a lot, going to need some time to look it over."

"Okay." She says as she sets the blades down. "Also what happens if you somehow lose these things?"

"Good question...knowing Kai, he likely has a backup system on here somehow." I reply, resuming observing the core weapon for any other secrets. I pace along the floor of the stationary boat as I continue to look.

"What's your relationship with this 'Kai' fella'?" She asks.

"Well, as of right now, he's probably one of my best friends. He was the one who sent this from the sky yesterday." I explain.

"Why the sky?" She asks, confused.

I show her the engraving on the main sword.

SKYFALL

"Wasn't that your-"

"Yes, it was what I called myself earlier." I explain.

"Fitting names all around..." She whispers to herself. "How do you know your buddy?"

"Met him through my first friend, Rick Voss. We ran together for a while as a team, actually." I admit.

"Guessing you kicked hide?" She raises her eyebrow.

"All of it." I chuckle. "Good times..."

Indeed...

But it only serves to remind me of what happened...

A mistake, a lesson, and an incident I never intend to repeat...

Marie notices this.

"You good, man?" She asks, concerned.

"As good as I'll ever be." I say, her not being convinced.

"Something happened?" She asks.

"I'd...rather not talk about it for now." I say.

"Hey, if you're ever ready for it, I'll be here." She reassures me.

I chuckle.

"You had faith in me, and I'll have faith in you. You can confide with me in these things when you're comfortable with it." She offers.

I laugh again.

"Thanks, Marie. Means a lot." I say, she smiles.

It's good I've made friends like her I can have the privilege of being around, especially coming from her.

The dark-skinned, emerald-eyed woman goes back to where she was and sits back down as she watches me go back to figuring out my weapon like a grandfather getting frustrated at using a smartphone for the first time.

I push the same button that engaged the battle mode to disengage it, closing the blade into its original form.

Eventually, as I wind up next to her, I absentmindedly grip the handle harder in slight frustration at not finding anything.

Suddenly, the weapons on the seat begin to move and clatter, even glowing a slight electric blue on the handles and the parts that attach to the main sword, which also hums and glows.

MMMMM-WHOOOO!!!!!!

Something that takes me by surprise once more, and proving my point from earlier, as if they had minds of their own, the weapons all fly towards me.

I instinctively put up my sword to defend myself, but from the serrated longswords, the shortswords, and finally the hollow sword...

WA-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG!!

Almost like a god of thunder summoning his weapon, or a great captain recalling his shield, or how like mighty warrior's fragments of a hammer all realign themselves, all the segments of my blade flew BACK into their original positions, the assembly almost seeming more ferocious and magnificent than before.

When the hollow sword ends the spectacle with it reuniting with its brothers, I'm left in not shock, but in pure awe at the paragon of a weapon in my hand.

Never before had I ever wanted anything so much to happen until the day that it did...

Without any words, I just turn to the dark-skinned woman, her eyes wide as dinner plates, but soon it calms down into a smile that just screams 'YES!'.

"Okay, now that's awesome."

I nod in response, my wings fluttering once more.

"How...?" I hear a new voice from the side.

I turn to see Nina and the still-human Michiru, who seemingly have just arrived in time to watch me mimic the god of thunder, their eyes even wider than that of Marie.

"Just got here?" I say.

"Yeah..." Michiru replies.

"Saw it, didn't you?" I ask.

"Uh, hell yeah!" She nods, smiling as they board. "Since when could you do that?"

"Beyond awesome." Nina smiles. "Was that the thing you got from the sky?"

She must've seen the news footage of the fight.

"Yeah. My buddy sent it to me." I reply, looking back to my weapon. "I'd have to assume it's something with the electromagnets that allow them to do THAT."

"You're already making me jealous of you Kin. Getting to have all the cool stuff, and cool powers." Michiru pouts in her human form. "Even got the cool house..."

"Obviously you HAVE to be Kin to have them." I reply like I'm talking to my child as I put my sword back into my Pocket Dimension. "And you have to be responsible to use it."

"I can be responsible..." She mutters as if she were talking to her dad.

"Hey, grownups, as much as I'd like to keep watching you argue. Don't we have a party to get to?" Marie sarcastically asks.

I audibly laugh. "Okay, spitfire, we'll get moving."

Surprised she and Nina didn't comment on how I made my sword disappear, they probably already took the advice of not questioning everything.

Marie closes the gate and walks over to the driver's part of the boat, starting and revving up the engine, and soon, we shove off.

Eventually we find ourselves riding across the dead light sky, only being illuminated by the twinkling stars and the somber full moon. The lights we follow are that of the mainland, still seemingly bustling even after the day has fallen and night has risen. We seem to be heading towards a town that looks more reminiscent of Malibu. When I turn around, I witness that we're leaving behind the urban Anima City, still also brightened by their near-countless lights.

The salty sea air being accompanied by the cool breeze only serves to complete the atmosphere of us living life in the night.

"It's nice out here." I say, semi-standing on the front of the boat.

"Yeah. Always liked this." Michiru replies, smiling. "Brings back bittersweet memories."

I can only imagine what those memories are...

"What kinds?" I ask as I sit down across from her.

"Lots. Could involve the first time I hung out with Nina, or when Mom and Dad would occasionally take me out on vacation, and we'd rent a boat. I lived near the countryside, but I always loved it when we rode on the water." She smiles as she reminisces. "We'd fish, wakeboard, swim. You name it."

"I can respect that. My parents would do the same for me and my siblings if they could when we were younger. Probably some of the best memories I ever had." I say. "I liked when we did anything outdoorsy. Kind of like with you and the water activities, which we did too, we also went to mountains to do snow sports, we could skydive, even anything adrenaline-inducing we would do."

Michiru chuckles. "Clearly you had a lot more to work with when it came to activities."

"Yeah, we did. And I'll forever thank them for being a part of mine and my siblings' lives." I reply.

"Only wish my dad was the same..." Nina pipes up, her head resting on her hands.

"Why?" I ask.

"Why do you think?" She asks, eyebrow raised.

"House arrest." I say, remembering.

"It's a nonstop issue with him. What kind of business is The Family that requires me to be out of the public eye? Is he a high-profile industry man? Michiru, you've been out there, do you know anything about my dad?" Nina asks.

Michiru's emotional signature suddenly fires off in what could be described as getting nervous, more so because she's probably thinking what he'll do to her without her powers now.

"Not...exactly as much as I think I should..." She replies slowly, seemingly trying to think of what to say.

What DOES Michiru know about Mr. Flip?

I keep forgetting if I've heard of The Family before Nina talked about it.

"Nina, has your dad said anything about what he does?" I ask.

"He says what he does is important business. That I also need to be protected at all times. The Family is supposedly, as the name says, part of 'the family'. But he's never gone into detail." She explains.

He's hiding something from her, and I'm starting to think Michiru knows something about it.

"But, it's a question I've learned not to ask, because I know I'll just get no answer." She says sullenly. "While we're on the topic of Dad, Cato, what did you do to him? When he tried to attack you, suddenly he was shaken. As far as I've seen, beyond the idea of me being in danger, NOTHING scares him."

The time when I-

I facepalm myself, hard.

"Forgot to mention that when I was talking to Mom and Dad earlier." I say through my hand.

"Wait, you're still in contact with them? Your parents?" She asks intuitively.

"They were actually the ones who sent the Gravity Chamber. They may still be semi-retired, but they're part-time right now so I can still consult them for work orders." I say, relaxing. "It's what I did while I was preparing for earlier."

"Talk about a family business..." The girl leans back in her seat, seemingly somewhat jealous, the emotions radiating off her.

"Certainly better than mine..." Nina adds.

"You still haven't contacted your family yet, have you, Michiru?" I ask.

"I don't know what to say to them..." She says, shaking her head. "Imagine how they'd react. How do you talk to someone who, as far as you know, has been missing, if not dead, for over a year? Having faced false gods, nightmares, you name it?"

"I guess you just do." I bluntly say. "It's never too late to make amends. Nazuna's already doing it by protecting the orphans."

"Maybe." She says.

"What happened to you, by the way?" Nina asks Michiru.

"Long story short, Nazuna and I, back when we were full-fledged humans, got into a freak accident that nearly killed us. We had a blood transfusion that saved us, but eventually we transformed into Beastmen because of it, and we were separated. She was first, when some government-looking guys took her, and after I transformed in the middle of basketball practice, I had to run away to find Anima City. Couldn't even face Mom to say goodbye." She reveals, the topic of which still somewhat sensitive to her.

"Oh..." Nina utters.

"Next thing you know, I'm wrapped up in a plot that could've ended all Beastmen kind as we know it, and I wind up helping save the entire race." She summarizes. "After we saved our world, suddenly another reveals that we're in danger once more, and we're soon fighting beyond our world as well."

"Still can't even believe these past couple days have happened..." Nina says, looking to the ground.

"But, if none of this happened, I never would've met you guys." She says, looking to us, trying to cheer up. "I guess it's just in life, you take the good with the bad."

"Regardless, I'm happy you're here Michiru. I'm glad I had the chance to be friends with you." Nina says, smiling.

"Thanks Nina."

"I'm happy to have the privilege to know you too, Michiru." I reiterate to her. "But though you have your friends here, you can't keep your family in the dark. Remember, even if you don't know what's to happen if you contact them, you never WILL know until you do it."

She sighs.

"Leap of faith."

"We're here." Marie announces, ending our conversation.

We turn to see we're preparing to moor with a relatively hidden pier. After Marie gets the docking procedures situated, we disembark the boat and make our way to the mainland. With a little guidance from Nina, and following the distinct musical beats, we don't have to go very far as the location of the party is only about a football field's length away from the ocean.

Eventually, we end up at a somewhat classy house with cars lined up outside, the multicolor lights inside showing that people are having the time of their lives.

"This the place?" I ask.

"Yup." Nina says, looking to her phone for confirmation.

"So do we just walk in, or?" Marie gestures to the house. "Never been to an actual party before."

"I think." She replies.

I look at Michiru for some reason...to see her...

Only human.

I don't know why, but it feels somewhat normal being able to look at a regular person for once, despite this being forced upon her against her will...

I know Marie, Rose, and some of the other people I've met are kind of exceptions, but it's a nice change of pace.

Michiru rubs her hands across her arms.

"Been so long since I've been in my own skin, without my abilities" She utters, whispering at the last part to not confuse Nina. "Only reminds me of last time."

"Hey, regardless, you look good." I give her a thumbs up.

"Oh, thanks." She slightly blushes, but she straightens herself out. "Let's go."

Nina soon takes the lead and knocks on the door, soon being opened by someone (signature says teenage female, about middle to high school age) with dirty blonde hair and wearing one of those pink cheap Halloween bunny masks.

"Nina! You made it! You normally show up so early!" The girl hugs her.

"Yeah, sorry about that, Chrissy. I guess I was kind of crushed under the pressure a little." She says, likely referencing the gravity incident earlier. I raise an eyebrow at that as she continues. "Is Eddie here by any chance?"

"Yup! He's just inside." She says, but soon points to us. "These your friends?"

"Yeah." Nina replies with a smile. "Guys, this is Chrissy. Chrissy Cunningham. She and Eddie are exchange students from America I met online after the whole Lisa incident."

"Hello, Chrissy." I shake her hand as my friends bow.

"I am Michiru."

"Name's Marie."

Chrissy then looks to me in observation and scans my face.

"Not trying to be rude or anything, but you look vaguely familiar..." She comments.

"I guess I have one of those familiar faces." I play it off. "I'm here as one of Nina's friends and to chaperone her."

"Well, any friend of Nina is a friend of mine. Come on in!" She invites us.

Guess she's being at least somewhat courteous, but it never hurts to probe about people's names.

We all pile into the house and observe what could be described as a stereotypical laser-lights, upbeat music, everyone jumping to the rhythm kind of party.

"Nina!" A teenage boy calls out, barely audible among the music.

We turn to see a boy with scruffy dark brown hair about half a head taller than Chrissy approaching Nina with what I'd describe as the biggest smile I've ever seen on anyone in a long time.

"Eddie!" The blue-haired girl jumps and embraces her friend. "It's so good to see you in person!"

"Good to see you too Sky-Blue!" The rowdy kid releases Nina as he turns to us, holding his hand out to me. "Name's Eddie, Eddie Munson."

I greet my second fellow Westerner with the reciprocating handshake as my friends bow and introduce themselves respectfully again.

"Michiru."

"Marie."

"Pleasure to meet you, Eddie." I say courteously, still shaking his hand.

"Yo, you been here before or something?" He asks with a classic punk-rock smile.

"Not sure, I guess it takes a while for people to figure out if I have or not." I reply with a raised eyebrow and a little smirk.

"A mystery...I like it." He says, then suddenly puts on a dramatic voice while putting his hand over his chest. "I shall discover thou true identity by night's end!"

"O-ho-ho-kay, Eddie, you DND lover!" Chrissy laughs and hugs her friend.

Haven't even known this guy for 5 minutes and he's already more entertaining than the entire party so far.

"So, what do we do here besides just dancing to the music?" Michiru speaks up.

"Honestly kind of hungry right now..." Marie adds, rubbing her stomach.

"Well, we got food, drinks, sweets, sounds, grooves, you name it! Anything you'd like, help yourselves!" Eddie gestures to the complimentary provisions that are provided throughout tables, coolers, speakers, etc.

"Thank you." We all say as the two go off and do their own thing.

Funnily enough, the very first thing we do, unanimously, is venture over to the food and drink table...

Observe the vast mix of handheld American foods like pizza, hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, (strangely mostly diet and zero) sodas, snack foods, a good selection of sweets, even cans and bottles of Firebull (surprisingly no alcohol)...

It looks like a high school party, so that'd make sense.

And we soon go, respectfully crazy.

We don't turn into ravaging savages like we semi-did back at Kim and Kuro's, but the effects of us fighting, going through hell, and the minimal training we got in today still makes itself known.

Me and Michiru, because we exerted the most effort today, pile up our plates like Shaggy and Scooby and begin stuffing our faces.

I'm helping myself to slices of pizza and burgers while Michiru chows down on some loaded hot dogs and fried foods.

"Never had American food before." She mumbles in between bites. "Greasy as all get-out, delishish, though!"

"Michiru. Catch!" I exclaim, holding a piece of hot dog I got from my plate and toss it for her to land in her mouth.

"Omph!" She muffles as she succeeds in catching her aerial food, shooting her hands up in excitement. "WHOO!"

"Yeah!" Nina and Marie cheer her on.

Speaking of...

Though they, compared to all of us, didn't do as much, aren't as hungry, but still.

Nina arranges a cute little array of sandwiches and munches on them like a hamster finding a bunch of crackers to chew on.

Marie seems to overtly enjoy about 2 or 3 burgers and stuffs some fries in her mouth as she does, probably for the extra flavor, also looking like a chipmunk shoving acorns into her cheeks.

All the while we get some confused looks from the occasional passerbyers, only serving to make our miniature scene that little bit funnier.

This ought to be a fun night.

We all eventually find ourselves seizing cans of Firebull after finishing our food, Nina included.

"I never knew you liked this stuff." Michiru comments.

"Honestly, I just picked it 'cause you guys were." She blushes.

"Ever had it?" I ask.

"Not really, more or less just heard of it." She observes the can.

"Well, it's kind of spicy, as a warning."

"I'll know when I try it." She looks to me.

"Hey, before we do, however..." I hold everyone up before they drink.

I pop my can open and lift it to them for a toast.

"Viva." I say. "It means 'For life'."

"Normally I think you'd say toast, or 'To friends', but okay." Marie shrugs her shoulders as everyone pops their cans open.

We tap our drinks together.

"Viva!" We say in unison, washing down everything we've eaten so far with the spicy ginger-orange beverage.

Nina only barely manages to get a couple gulps down before she exhales semi-forcefully.

"WHOO-HAAAH!!" She starts fanning her tongue slightly before looking back at it. "Man, that stuff is strong!"

Michiru bursts out laughing, much to Nina's confusion.

"That's exactly what I said!" She blurts out.

"Seriously?" Nina asks, eyes wide open.

"YEAH!" She exclaims again, nodding.

Nina doesn't say anything else before hugging her first friend, sharing a laugh all the while.

They soon release each other.

"What should we do next?" Nina asks, looking around.

As she asks that....

"A-ha-ha! Alright everyone! Ready to see some funkin'?!" I suddenly hear the distinct sound of Eddie on the speakers, and people erupting in cheers.

I turn to see him up on the DJ stand wearing headphones that are disguised by his uncontrollable hair, turning up the beat on the music all the while, the audience beginning to jump to the rhythm more so.

You know...learning to play instruments and singing aren't the only things my parents taught me how to do...

"Ladies?" I ask the girls, gesturing to the dance floor, and giving a courteous bow. "Might I have this dance?"

"Oh, my dear friend, you shouldn't have." Michiru teases me before chuckling. "Such a gentleman..."

Nina leans up to me.

"She's always like this?" She asks.

"She's had a long day, probably wanting to decompress, let's just let her have this." I tell her, she nods.

We make our way to the illuminated dance floor as the song gets groover and funkier, bobbing our heads all the while.

Marie seems to be keeping a close eye on Nina and grooving with her like she's her sister, so that's alright.

More than likely we'll switch partners as we go, so we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

All that's really left is Michiru for the time being.

"Honestly, I, don't really dance." She sheepishly admits among the crowd, pushing her hair aside.

"It's alright. Never hurts to know how to move. I'll show you. You can mimic things, right?" I say, referencing to her abilities, she nods. "Just do what I do and follow your instincts."

We at least have a degree of trust, but let's see what our nonverbal communication can do.

As I finish saying that, and dramatically disappearing into the crowd as the lights suddenly focus a little more on Michiru, a distinctly funky song fires up.

It's a song that'd make even you want to funk with me...

Perfect.

She recoils a little with the sudden attention, and confusingly watches as the crowd slightly separates to provide her with more room.

I shoot my hand up, the lights extending to me, and I make my way across the animal-masked audience as they separate like the Red Sea, soon emerging to join Michiru on the new dance floor.

I tap her on the shoulder, catching her immediate attention, and when we lock eyes...

It's almost as if we join in instant sync.

She begins mimicking everything I do and improvising while she's at it, though not without her poker face trying to hold back her nervousness of trying not to screw up all the while.

We shoot our arms diagonally up and down; she glides her head to the side allowing me to hold her extended hand with both of mine. We quickly realign ourselves facing each other, holding our hands outwards, swinging them inwardly and we turn opposite ways. I grab her hand and we ballroom-spin and high-five each other as we cross and separate from each other, going through the motion of rocking ourselves back and forth with an invisible rope.

We sideways-walk towards each other and throw our hands out, shoot them out, and Michiru does a little outwards step with her leg, which I push to continue the sync. On opposite ends, our hands go up crossed and then down to our sides, as we step in time, we do a little rhythmic shake and reapproach each other. I gesture for her to switch places with my finger, giving a theatrical look, and we do a down-up motion as we swap. We soon turn around, putting our arms upwards, left hands on the back of our necks and our right arms extended outwards, causing some whoops and hollers to erupt from the crowd.

"WHOO!" Nina screams with a smile.

"You're stars!" Marie eggs us on.

Michiru seems to get a little more confident now, as evidenced by her, admittedly adorable, human smile.

The lights soon slightly dim, the mood and music gets more smooth than upbeat.

It starts off slowly, almost artistically with smooth wave-like movements from our arms and extend our legs forward slightly, dragging our arms up from our legs and snap our bodies up. We do a flurry of coordinated arm movements, twirl 180 degrees, give yet another shake, and we soon break into our own freestyles. I go for a kind of breakdance style and Michiru uses her flexibility to pull of some absolutely insane moves. While I'm just enjoying some smooth moves and using my enhanced strength to easily lift my body, Michiru's just going at it with cartwheels, somersaults, and even continuing to mimic my own moves while we're at it. Eventually we regroup, I stand behind her and she stands in front of me, we do an almost robotic Egyptian sequence with us mimicking the first arm movements we did earlier, overlapping them and moving them on opposite ends respectively, but doing it more slowly and coordinated. We break the combo and separate elegantly once more as the crowd erupts yet again.

"YOU CAN DO IT GUYS!" Nina cheers us again.

"WORK IT!" Marie calls, moving her hand in an upbeat circling motion.

Me and my friend look to each other in coordination once more in preparation.

Her smile gets bigger.

The music then gets more upbeat yet again, me and Michiru quickly run to each other and side flip as we cross each other and backflip like parkour masters. We cartwheel past each other, I throw my finger to her and she busts out a quick movement with a sidestep and a spin, throwing it back to me to which I semi-mimic, but I do a drop kick, catching myself on the ground and doing a push-up as I regain my stance. We face away from each other and do a bend-down bend-up move as we move our hands to the back of our heads, shooting them up. We turn to face each other once more, and do an almost Gangnam-style hands-on-knee stance, launching ourselves up and down, walking towards the crowd and extending our arms out dramatically before doing a quick point-to-you-and-you sequence. We cartwheel across each other once more and do one more dramatic spin as the song begins to end. As the tune rises, and the last moment is upon us, I slide towards Michiru and grab her by the torso, tossing her into the air as she does an elegant barrel roll with me sliding along her path

In a flash of the song ending, like a camera taking the picture of this moment, all anyone can see is me underneath Michiru as we both smile, with her still mid-air.

I catch her bridal-style in one arm with her head upside down facing the audience, and the crowd goes even crazier than they've ever done so far tonight, allowing us to have this moment of glory and applause.

"NICE MOVES!!" Nina shouts, clapping.

"LOVE IT!" Marie calls, also joining in.

Michiru is currently trying to catch her breath, as she's never used this much energy in her human form in a long time. I look at her in her brown eyes and she looks at me in mine.

I think it's safe to say we got our coordination down.

I let her go as she regains her stance, straightening out her jacket while she's at it.

"I guess 'I don't dance' doesn't have the same meaning as 'I can't dance', apparently." I tease her.

"Okay...I admit. I've been shown some stuff." She dismissively says.

"You did good." I pat her on the shoulder.

"Thanks. You too." She compliments me.

"I probably said this before, but you know that when you go into battle with someone, it creates an unbreakable bond." I say. "Guess it kind of showed itself here."

"Imagine if Nazuna or Shirou were here." She says, smiling contently. "Would've been awesome."

We face the crowd and give a dramatic bow to end our show.

I just so happen to notice a few people with their phones out, either photographing, videoing...

Or livestreaming.

I get a little smirk on my face.

"I think they're enjoying this pretty well." I say, us leaving as people begin to reoccupy the dance floor.

Nazuna, in her new room in the Orphanage

"You go guys!!!" I semi-shout while holding my phone in my bed, having seen the show on Facelook.

Lucky...

Shirou, on a dimly lit rooftop

"Nice moves." I say to myself, using my phone to watch the spectacle online.

Impressive.

Cato

"You guys were so awesome!" Nina congratulates us.

"Talk about Friday Night Funking, and it's Saturday right now." Marie says.

Michiru and I chuckle.

"Thanks." Michiru hugs Nina.

"Should've just said 'Might I have this dance, Michiru?'" Marie teases me.

I laugh a little at her antics.

"Didn't wanna pick favorites, so I just went with whoever wanted to go." I say.

"Damn, I knew I could fight. Never knew I could funk." Michiru says energetically, bouncing up and down.

"Already making me jelly that I didn't dance with you..." Marie utters.

"Hey, it's better you chose to look after Nina, and I appreciate you for that." I assure her.

"Thank you." She replies, nodding.

"Honestly kind of surprised you didn't...go dolphin...while we were dancing." Michiru points out to Nina. "You normally do so if you get excited."

"After last time, I decided it isn't worth the risk next time I got out here. So, I've kind of been working to control that. I guess it's kinda paid off." She explains.

"Hey, you learned from your mistakes, that's always good." I point out.

"Thanks."

"Kinda hope they have a recording of our show." Michiru comments.

"If they livestreamed it, then it'll be essentially effortless to get it." I say.

"Hey, you guys are already trending." Marie says, looking to her phone.

She shows us the video of our dance on Facelook.

Not even wildfire can spread as fast as news on social media, dang.

Marie scrolls through the comments, mentioning that most people are speculating who exactly we are, and that we seem vaguely familiar.

Given that the news only briefly saw my face earlier, that I'm known for my wings and Michiru is known for her Beastman form, it'd make sense that'd be the reaction.

"They're also pointing out how strong you were in being able to throw Michiru that high." Marie adds.

"I haven't even needed to use my abilities beyond that. Sooner or later, they'll be bound to figure it out." I comment, gesturing to my back.

"Guys!" We hear Eddie call out to us, we turn to witness him and Chrissy approaching. "You guys were aweso-no...spectacular!!"

"I haven't seen moves that good since, well...ever!" Chrissy smiles.

"Thanks guys." I say.

"Means a lot." Michiru adds.

"Hold up, what time is it?" I randomly ask, the thought suddenly popping up in my head.

"It's about 11 pm." Marie says, her phone still out.

"Oh shoot, we might need to start getting ready to take Nina home." I say.

"Why's that?" Eddie asks.

"It's curfew." Chrissy explains. "She said so online."

"Oh." He replies. "Well, can you guys at least stay for a little encore? People are loving you!"

"Well, what kind of encore are you talking about?" I ask.

"Would you be able to do little solo for us?" He asks, pulling out a guitar he had on his back.

"What kind? There's too many to count." I point out.

"Anything you can think of!"

"Hmm..." I utter, pondering about the selections.

Suddenly one comes to mind.

I whisper to Eddie about if he knows the song or not.

He nods in enthusiasm.

"Alrighty then. Follow me." He says as I do.

"I don't know how to play any instruments, so I'm gonna hold back this time." Michiru says, standing by Marie and Nina.

"That's alright." I say.

Eddie leads me up to the stage, handing me a microphone as he gets his guitar ready, and makes sure the, as I now notice, other band members wielding other various instruments are ready.

He offers me an electric guitar, of which I graciously take.

Okay, Mom, let's see if your guitar practice paid off...

"Alrighty everyone? Who's up for one! More! Song?!" Eddie asks over his own mic.

The resounding cheers from the audience say they're ready to end this party with a banger.

I put my mouth up to the microphone, making eye contact with all the people of the party.

"This one's for my friends, family, and the memories we've made, are making, and will always make. To my best friend. And to those responsible, if you're seeing this..."

The lights dim, and the stage is currently in darkness, but the spotlight quickly turns back to me, showing my challenging face.

"You will know us...by name..."

BONGG!!!!!!

The sound of the bell is the first note, and the sounds of raging embers soon emerge from the speakers.

BONGG!!!!!!

I start off with a 6 note sequence, the bell rings again, the trumpets sound...

BONGG!!!!!!

Soon, the drums join in, with the perfect sync of the rapid, rhythmic, bass drum taking on the mantle of carrying the song so far, the trumpets continuing to play.

Eventually, I take hold of the song, starting with a dramatic entry, I resume repeating the same 6 note sequence as earlier, louder this time, and in sync with the bass, and the snare and high hats working alongside them.

I continue the riff, preparing myself for the first verse...

Here we go...

I take the deep breath...

(This is for all of you Origins lovers.)

Let's take a moment and break the ice!

So my intentions are known! See I pity in watching you suffer,
I know the feeling of feeling of being damned alone!
I got a storybook of my own...

Don't you see I am your pride!

Agent of wealth!Bearer of needs!And you know it's right...I am your war!Arming the strong!Aiding the weak!Know me by name, SHEPHERD OF FIRE!!

Well, I can promise you paradise,

No need to serve on your knees,And when you're lost in the darkest of hours...Take a moment and tell me who you see,Won't tell ya' who not to be,

Now you know I am your pride!

Agent of wealth!Bearer of needs!And you know it's right...I am your war!Arming the strong!Aiding the weak!Know me by name,SHEPHERD OF FIRE!!

Eddie joins in with probably one of the greatest guitar solos I've ever seen before, hitting high notes and riffs I could never hope to play at my current skill level, I play alongside him, helping to amplify his masterpiece of a performance.

This goes for a good 30 seconds before we both go into quick diminuendos of our guitars, and allowing the bass drums to continue the beat...

After about 10 seconds, I put my lips to the microphone again...

Disciple of the cross and champion in suffering,

Immerse yourself into the kingdom of redemption. Pardon your mind through the chains of the divine,
Make way, the shepherd of fire.

Through the ages of time,

I've been known for my hate,But I'm a dealer of simple choices,For me it's never too late!

I am your pride!

Agent of wealth!Bearer of needs!And you know it's right,'Cause I am your war!Arming the strong!Aiding the weak!

I am your wrath!

I am your guilt!I am your lust!And you know it's right,I am your love!I am your stall!I am your...trust!

Know me by name!

SHEPHERD OF FIRE!!

The echoes of me holding the final note resounds across not only the entire house, but that of potentially the entire world through the livestreams, ending the show and encore with the banger far superior than what anyone could've wanted.

As the applause erupts from the crowd, and we're standing in this moment of glory, I can only think to myself...

Well Mom, I guess you can say I did that solo you always wanted.

Even though there wasn't any call for me to play any instruments, but I'm not complaining.

I breathe in and out after exerting my vocal chords this much in a long time, still savoring the moment.

Here I was thinking I'd never have to mimic a rockstar, yet Mom and Dad proved me wrong once again.

Funnily enough...I think that might've been one of Rick's codenames at one point...

The Shepherd of Fire...

I look off to the side, witnessing my friends whooping and hollering at my performance, Nina looking almost as elated as she did when I took her for that flight.

Jumping off the stage I find myself rapidly approached by them, giving me high-fives and shoulder-pats.

"Man, you were awesome!" Michiru exclaims, smiling.

"First you can funk, now you can rock. I've seen it all." Marie gives me a fist bump.

"It's been forever since I've seen someone sing like that!" Nina elates in awe.

"Ah, it's nothing. Just wanted to do everyone here a little extra service." I reply humbly.

"Bro, you could sing, play, AND dance. How many people you know can do that?" Marie raises an eyebrow to me. "Most would kill just to have ONE of those talents."

"Okay, fine. I can be awesome if I need to be." I admit.

"Hey, it's alright to toot your own horn every now and then, man. Nothing to be ashamed about there." Marie assures me. "Just because you can do something cool isn't anything bad."

"Huh...that's good advice, Marie." I reply, looking to her dipping into her bag of tips. "Thanks."

"No prob." She brushes it off with pride. "So, I'd guess we'd be heading out?"

"Yeah, it's getting closer to 11:15 now, better get to the boat before anything else happens." Nina says, looking to her phone. "Lemme just say goodbye to Chrissy and Eddie."

As she says that, and us finding ourselves right next to the exit, the two of them near-instantly show up.

"Man, you rocked so hard out there!" Eddie throws his hands up in the air, mimicking him holding up and playing his electric guitar.

"Hey, you honestly did better than me in the strings department, man." I say, giving him a high five as he smiles.

"Nice way to end the night, huh?" Chrissy asks, also smiling.

"Looks like it." Nina says, looking around. "Wanted to say goodbye to you, gonna head back home."

She hugs her friends who return the embrace.

"Hate to see you go." Eddie says.

"Can we hope to see you again?" Chrissy asks.

"I hope so. Assuming my dad doesn't put me in solitary confinement." Nina replies.

"That would not be good news grizzlies." Eddie adds.

I just about hear Michiru chuckle at that line.

"But hey, if you're ever open again, we'd love to have you back to another one of these gigs. Maybe perform another masterpiece again?" He turns and asks me suspensefully.

I nod.

"I'd very much love that. I might go for an instrumental solo of my own next time." I offer.

"And I'd very much love to take you up on that..." Eddie points to me and squints his eyes. "Familiar friend..."

"Oh yeah! We never got your name." Chrissy says.

I look to my friends, who give a bit of a devious nod of approval.

Looking around and making sure no one else is looking, even though eventually people are going to figure it out.

Let's give them a little present, as a show of good faith.

I lean closer to them, much to their confusion...

I flick out 2 of my peace offerings, holding them like playing/greeting cards and even spinning them like so.

Their eyes instantly widen as I hold them to each of them respectively, they both hesitantly take the gifts, seemingly from rumors they now know to be true.

"The name's Cato, or Skyfall, if you might've heard." I dramatically announce, slightly pulsing my power, letting them feel it as confirmation, letting it dissipate as I back-walk go to join my friends as we depart, leaving our friends with that dramatic ending.

The last thing they hear from us is "Bye, guys!" from Nina as they wave, thunderstruck at the reveal and Eddie managing to discover 'mine identity' by nights end.

The next thing we know, we're shoving off from the same dock we moored at, soon riding back into the night against time to bring our little passenger home, leaving the lights of the mainland behind.

As we continue to cruise, the only thing beyond the silence is the sound of the engine running and the water brushing up against the boat.

"Yunno, that was the first party or event I've been to that hasn't ended in disaster." Michiru says aloud, the wind brushing her hair back.

"Love it when that happens." I casually say.

"Party going wrong, or right?" Michiru asks for clarification.

"Right. Just means you have nothing to worry about for once. You can decompress, at least to a degree."

"Glad I was able to have at least one of those days, or even moments." Michiru exhales in satisfaction. "Feels nice."

"Preach."

"So, Nina. Did you enjoy yourself?" I ask.

"Yeah. I was able to talk with some of my friends I made online throughout the party. Eddie and Chrissy included." She says.

"Nice." I say. "Glad you had fun."

"Thanks to you guys." She says, looking to all of us. "I honestly feel kind of safer being around you..."

We all turn to her.

"Really?" Michiru asks, shocked.

"Seriously, kid?" Marie peeks her head up from the driver's seat.

"Oh! Did...I say that out loud?" She asks, throwing her hands to her mouth.

"Yeah?" I reply, confused that she'd be surprised from her own words.

"I-uh...well...guh..." She fumbles with her words before hanging her head in defeat. "Can't believe I actually said that."

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask.

"Not sure if I'm even ready to." She admits. "I'm torn."

"If you don't want to, or can't, that's alright. We can talk when you're ready." I assure her gently.

"Thanks." She says.

"Let's enjoy the last moments of this night, huh?" I ask.

"That'd be nice." She replies contently with a smile.

We continue riding the dark starry-illuminated sea as we begin to approach the artificially illuminated Anima City, having the silence for us to reflect on the very recent events that have just unfolded today.

And to think, all of this happened in less than...I'd have to say...about 15 or 16 hours?

It's flabbergasting to know how much can occur within a time frame like such...

Regardless, at least we still have this time within this day to return home (temporary home in my case) to soon reunite with friends and family.

Because in the subsequent days...

No more will be held back with our training...

Scout

"Say what? An anomaly? There?" My superior asks me over the chatter.

"Yes sir. Without a doubt." I respond. "I was planning to fight him to lure out the natives to gauge them, but he soon appeared. He engaged the Angel and the natives, but he surprisingly, somehow, NEUTRALIZED their powers. They're just normal humans after they do."

"Interesting...VERY interesting..." He says ominously. "In between your surveillance assignments...MAKE CONTACT. See if we could utilize his services..."

"Sir?" I ask. "We know not if his interests align with ours."

"It's why you will be the one to make ourselves known to him. To see if he's worth it, or just a means to an end. He would not be the only one..."

I sigh, hard.

"Yes...sir. It will be done." I reply as the transmission is cut off.

Here I was FIGHTING the Angel, and not dying straight up. This MOFO was able to take on an ANOMALY and survive.

I pick and choose my battles, this right here is not something I now know I'm not strong enough to make a discernable difference.

For the time being, I shall serve the purpose I am given...

I turn to look further into the unilluminated mainland, knowing I'll have to go there to begin my search, as I leap down from my sniping position to start my journey, brandishing my sniper rifle all the while...

And do my damn job...

???

N...no....

It's...

It's not possible...

It can't be possible...

I...it's been so long...

I've had to attend therapy to even remotely heal the wounds it inflicted upon me...

I cried, so many nights, thinking that she was gone, friends and family had to convince me to let her go...

We ALL cried, me more so because it was my direct loss, my husband hasn't been faring much better, far as he's told me...

But...

How...?

I'm just standing here, frozen, my eyes currently not believing what I'm seeing on social media...

After a year of nothing, heartbreak, and trauma, and suddenly I see, dancing...

My baby...

My sweet, little girl...

Our daughter...

With the biggest, adventurous, fun-loving smile I've ever seen her have...

Alive and well...

All in the reflections of my dilated, nonbelieving eyes...

"MICHIRU??!!"

Chapter End
Edit almost a year later: (It's...the next one is almost done.)