Mine/Esdeath: "Tatsumi...?"

The two girls were amazed. Incursio was still alive within the armor and had evolved once again, giving Tatsumi a different appearance and newfound strength.

In a blink of an eye, Tatsumi disappeared from where he was standing. He was moving at high speeds, faster than what the normal eye could see, speeding off towards Esdeath. The brown-haired teen then stabbed the tip of Incursio's spear, dragging it along with him as he picked up debris, sending it towards the icy general. Esdeath simply grinned, backstepping to the side as she dodged, Tatsumi going right past her. 

However, he once again moved at breakneck speed, appearing right behind the icy general. With this power surge, she was surprised at the upgrade Tatsumi received, but this only heightened her excitement for the battle. She quickly turned her body around and blocked Tatsumi's attack with her rapier, their weapons grinding up against each other as sparks flew into the air. The two warriors were now locked in a deadly clash, neither missing nor hitting each other as they kept parrying each other's attacks.

Esdeath: "Ooh...!~ That's it, Tatsumi! For the first time, we're on the same wavelength!"

Tatsumi: "Quit acting like this is all a game!"

The icy general kicked off of Tatsumi's spear, using it like it was a stepping stone as she propelled herself backwards. He kicked off the ground and gave chase, watching as Esdeath skidded to a stop and erupted an ice pillar below her. With increased strength, Tatsumi arriving at the pillar of ice, he dragged his spear upwards, cutting the ice structure in half.

It soon began to fall apart, the icy general grinning down at the brown-haired teen. 

Esdeath: (thoughts) 'Such power...!'

Tatsumi: "Fire! Mine!" 

Mine: "Got it!"

The pink-haired girl took the chance of opening and began to charge up another spiritual blast. She pulled the trigger, her arms being pushed back due to the force of the firepower Pumpkin unleashed. With the spiritual energy bullet heading towards Esdeath, she was left with no choice to activate her Trump Card.

Esdeath: "Mahapdama." 

Time then comes to a halt, Mine standing where she was, Akira still up against the crater he was smacked into. Esdeath then landed onto the ground, making her way to the frozen sniper.

Esdeath: "It's been fun, but... This is checkmate."

She dragged the tip of her rapier along the ground, it leaving a small trail as she did so. From her distance, she was halfway near the pink-haired girl, Esdeath soon pausing and halting herself when she felt a presence nearby.

It shocked her a great deal, turning her head to see who it was and she saw it was Tatsumi, who was somehow still moving. He had suddenly come in with a flying kick, twisting his body as Esdeath raised her arm up to block it and defend. With Tatsumi striking her forearm, Esdeath staggered back a bit, skidding across the ground as her Trump Card's effects came to an end. 

There was only reasoning behind this. The Incursio armor was made from a high-class Danger Beast, which was capable of evolving and adapting to any environment it is in. In fact, when the armor evolved, it is strong enough to adapt to the frozen tundra. This evolve capability had basically rendered Esdeath's Trump Card useless, even if it's for a second. 

Her excitement only increased. With his current pace, Tatsumi was truly going to master the Incursio Teigu. He was truly divine in Esdeath's eyes.

Soon, Mahapdama ended, Mine's eyes widened as she found Esdeath soon speeding after her. 

Esdeath: "I'll start with you."

Mine: "Kuh!"

The icy general thrust her rapier forward, the tip of the blade just mere inches away from Mine's neck. It would've connected, had Akira not recovered from his brief wound and shoulder bashed her. Esdeath coughed up spit as she tumbled and turned onto the dirt floor, expected from the sudden attack from her former student. She soon got up and sent him a glare, the icy blue-eyed teen grunting as he took out the ice shard that was still lodged into his chest.

Akira: "That hurt, bitch."

Esdeath: "Tsk. Never realized how much of an annoying pest you are."

He didn't wait for her to retaliate, Akira quickly speeding off as he conjures a few ice daggers into his hands, throwing the three knives in Esdeath's direction. She bent her head back, dodging the three and lifting her body back up. But she grew surprised when Akira had suddenly drew in close, scythe in hand as he prepared to swing it, in hopes of decapitating her head.

Obviously, Esdeath wasn't going to make it easy for him, the woman dodging the swing and putting a hand on one of his arms, freezing it entirely. Akira let out an audible click of his tongue, jumping and bringing in his legs. He planted his feet onto her stomach area. Esdeath grunted in pain as Akira propelled himself off of her, putting as much power into his legs as he kicks off of her. Once he came to a stop on the ground, he felt something grip his hand. He was about to shake off and kill the person that had just grabbed him suddenly, but he let out a small gasp as he paused. 

There was only one person that was able to do that. To be able to calm him instantly in a single moment with just a touch of their hands.

Akira: "A-Akame...?"

The ravenette had said nothing, only keeping silent as the two continued to stare into each other's eyes, getting lost in them. While they were distracted by this, two figures had leapt out from the stands, it revealing to be Leone and Chelsea, the two of them grabbing the two respectively. The two soon regrouped with Mine, Akira looking at all of them surprised.

Leone: (sigh of relief) "Made it by a hair!"

Akira: "Why...?"

Before he could mutter out another word, he grunted in slight pain as Chelsea bonked him on the head with her sheathed sword.

Akira: "Ow! What the hell was that for?"

Chelsea: "You're a real idiot, you know that?"

Akira: "Huh?"

Chelsea: "You were making everyone worried, idiot. Especially Akame over there."

He frowned slightly when he turned to the red-eyed girl. She wore a disapproving expression on her face, mostly due to the actions he had done. But he could tell that just by looking at her eyes, she was relieved and happy to see him. Her red eyes couldn't hide the amount of happiness that were present within them. 

Akira could feel Akame's grip tighten on his hand, the icy blue-eyed teen reciprocating the same. He opened his mouth to say something but quickly grunted as he closed his eyes, the others looking at him confusedly. They didn't know this, but he began to a hear a voice in his head. It was the same and familiar voice that would always tell him to kill.

Akira: (mutters) "Shut up... Death requires... No! Shut up... Shut up..."

Akame: "Akira? What's wrong?"

He still didn't respond, despite the ravenette shaking him and asking him what was wrong. It wasn't until Akame looked down at his Teigu, the scythe pulsating a constant, sinister green. Like how it would glow every time Akira would consume a soul from a victim. 

Questions began to run through her mind. Was this the cause of his crazed behavior?

Tatsumi began to run over to them.

Tatsumi: "Guys!"

Leone: "Yo! Tatsumi! You had a makeover?"

While the Night Raid team were all together now, Esdeath had recovered from Akira's attacks. She crossed her arms whilst she grinned, her rapier now in her sheathe. They had worked together to dodge her Trump Card, something which thoroughly impressed her. But now she wished to test out a new move she had been working on, which was like something for Esdeath to do. Breaking limits. 

Just as the assassin team were getting ready to leave, now that they're objectives had been completed, an explosion from the hole that Budo was launched through occurred. Rubble and debris kicked up and were sent flying, the others on high alert as they heard Budo's thundering and heavy footsteps drawing closer. 

Budo: "You scoundrels. How dare you come here and wreak havoc."

Mine: (thoughts) 'He took a shot from Pumpkin... And he's still up!?'

Budo: "Even though the palace is fitted with defense barrier Teigu... That firepower is too dangerous."

Akame: "Budo!"

Budo: (looks to Akame and Akira) "...Akame."

The atmosphere between the two began to grow a little tense. In the past, Akame and the rest of the Elite Seven, what was left of them anyway, were trained by Budo himself after the battle with Merraid and the Oarburghs. Of course, Akira was supposed to train with them, had he not taken Merraid by himself not be considered dead. 

With his usual stern glare, Budo readied his Teigu that sat upon his guantlets. The crackling noise of electricity forming on the metal rods of his Teigu could be visibly seen as he walked up to the group.

Budo: "And... Night Raid. No matter what it takes. I'm going to execute you here and now."

---

Below the arena, the figure that had been wiring up the dynamite is currently seen finishing up the last one. He let out a heavy breath, exhaustion overtaking him as he leaned up against the stone wall. He had been doing this for more than a few hours, having to run back and forth and wire up everything.

???: "Looks like everything seems fine, now. Okay, just got to get to a safe distance." (thoughts) 'Just hold on a little bit longer guys. Almost have the escape ready. Then we'll all be going home.'

---

Black storm clouds began to form above the area, this being the result of Budo's Teigu. Night Raid knew that they would have to defeat their two adversaries quickly if they were to get out alive. The plan was after retrieving the two boys, they would have to last for as long as they could, waiting for Najenda to come in on a tamed Danger Beast to get them out. Akame let her Fenrir for protection.

Tatsumi was about to charge forward before he grunted. He looked down at his hand, clenching it a few times.

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'Shit! I feel like my body's being torn apart. But...!'

The Great General had charged up an electric ball off his metal rods, sending it towards the group while their guard was down. Mine was about to raise up Pumpkin again, but the Incursio user quickly dove in front of her, spinning his spear at blinding speeds like it was a barrier. 

While they were focused on the front, Esdeath took the initiative to flank them on their back. She first aimed for Akira, who was still holding his head, the ice user seemingly conflicted as the voice in his head kept telling him a multitude of objectives. Esdeath knew that if Akira were to recover, his and Akame's strength combined would be a problem. The icy general tries to attack his blindside, but a blade quickly parried her rapier. The blue-haired woman grinned as the person who blocked her blade was none other than Akame herself. She was impressed at the red-eyed girl's reflexes, the two backing off. As of right now, it was up to the ravenette to take down the ice general herself, Akira still vulnerable with holding his head. But this problem was quickly solved when Chelsea stood near him, her own sword at her side. It was time her training was put to use.

With this at ease, Akame could take on Esdeath without worrying about him. The red-eyed girl took a deep breath, keeping her gaze on the icy general. She then began to use her speed and quickly move around her, leaving after images to leave Esdeath distracted. But she couldn't get cocky, Akame using this footwork so she could draw in close. However, Esdeath couldn't get cocky either, knowing that if she let out the slightest bit of an opening, she could fatally lose. After all, just a single graze from Murasame would instantly kill her, if not, just in a matter of seconds. 

Esdeath: (thoughts) 'But that's what makes this so fun! I can really get a sense of how strong she is!'

She thought this with a grin, which only widened as the battle progressed. Intentionally, Esdeath left an opening, prompting Akame to go for the strike. 

Akame went to slash Esdeath in the side, but her eyes widened when the blade of Murasame was blocked by ice. At the last moment, Esdeath had frozen that area before Akame could graze her.

Esdeath: "You're not strong enough to shatter this ice!"

Akira: "But I am!"

Coming in and spinning rapidly while he held his scythe, Akira came in between the two. His scythe easily cut through the ice that protected Esdeath, just briefly grazing her clothes as it took off a few strings. The icy general clicked her tongue in annoyance as she backed off, topping it off on her to back off even more as Mine had shot a blast with Pumpkin. Akira did the same, catching Akame in his arms as he backed off.

Akira: "Are you okay?"

Akame: "I should be asking you that."

Akira: "...I'm fine. You shouldn't worry about me."

Akame: "Whether you like it or not, I'll always worry about you."

Akira: (sigh) "Let's just... Focus on the task at hand. We'll talk about this later."

He was right, obviously. They were in the midst of a battle, and if they really couldn't just stand around and talk. So she simply nodded, turning their attention back to Esdeath. The icy general kept looking back and forth between the two. She noted that there wasn't any telling when Mine's massive firepower would come and attack her again, it being wiser to avoid the shots rather than engaging her to get rid of her.

While she was internally monologuing to herself, Esdeath raised her rapier up again as she blocked two strikes from the two assassins. Akira had temporarily put away his scythe, hooking the key form onto his belt and used his ice sword to attack instead. 

Esdeath: "Two blades and a gun. You three make quite the team!"

Akame: "We've been through hell together!"

Esdeath: "I believe it!"

Putting strength into her arm, Esdeath forced the two off of her, the two assassins landing on the dirt ground of the arena. As soon as they did, they kicked off the dirt again, rushing in towards the Imperial general and slashing their weapons, engaging in a synchronized duel between the three of them.

The two of them couldn't let Esdeath get away or put distance between themselves. One or way the other, she had to die, whether she was killed by Akame or Akira. But they had a greater chance if she was kept in within Murasame's range. This was all so they could put Esdeath's life into mortal danger. 

Mine still hung back, watching the three go at each other. The metal clunking of Akame's and Esdeath's blades caused sparks to fly, ice shards adding into the mix as Akira's ice swords and daggers were broken, the teen having to constantly make more every time they broke.

The pink-haired girl kept her eyes aimed down sights. Chelsea was behind her, her sword at the ready as she stood as Mine's bodyguard in a way. Sure, she had been keeping up with her training, but it was pretty much useless if she were to go up against a person like Esdeath or Budo.

Mine: (thoughts) 'I won't fire unless I'm sure of a hit. I've trained my eyes to be those of a peak sniper in order to provide the backup they need at times like this. Trust in my genius. Akame, Akira!'

Amidst their fight, the two black-haired assassins had sustained a few more injuries, Akira taking the brunt of most of it by protecting Akame. He received cuts and other bruises on his arms and some on his chest. But this didn't let this stop them, the two continuing their onslaught of slashes of their blades, leaving Esdeath on the defensive.

Esdeath: (thoughts) 'They're completely on the offensive, but... The ace up our sleeve is really being developed as an anti-army measure! I find this situation so much fun!' "I've pretty much figured out both of your moves. Prepare yourselves!"

The blue-haired general raised her rapier above her head and slashed it down, Akame raising Murasame up to block it. From the side, Akira rushed in and thrust his ice sword forward, Esdeath using her free hand to create an ice barrier and block it. But this merely created an opening for the reaper, letting go of the sword and stepping on itself. The ice blade was currently lodged into the ice, and it was able to support his weight as he leapt off of it.

Just above the blue-haired woman, Akira roundhouse kicked her in the face, Esdeath grunting in pain as she was sent tumbling down to the ground. She then got up, leaning on her rapier a bit as she gave them a glare. Akira conjured another ice blade, this time being a longsword as he leaned it against his shoulder. Akame soon stood next to him, holding Murasame up. 

Akame: "Our blade work's not so easily sloppy that you could figure it out that easily. Don't underestimate us!" 

Esdeath: (grin) "I like the looks in your eyes. I want to make you both submit so badly now."

Just before they could make any more moves, Akira looked to the sky. His eyes widened and he soon grabbed Akame by her wrist. She looked at him and was about to protest, but she was soon dragged away as he jumped.

In a flash, a lightning bolt had intercepted and struck in between the three. Now at a distance from each other, their gazes were once again drawn to above them. 

Dozens of lightning strikes kept raining down from above, prompting the Night Raid members to keep moving to avoid being struck by the lightning. Well, Tatsumi was safe, his armor having adapted and now quite resistant to it. Esdeath gazed up at the sky with a delighted blush.

Esdeath: "You've pissed off Budo." (thoughts) 'You were able to drive Budo to the wall... Tatsumi!'

Speaking of Budo, his hair was disheveled and blood was pooling down from his scalp, all the way down to his face. Parts of his armor was cracked and worn, small specks of blood on him due to the ongoing attacks he received from the combined powers of Tatsumi and Leone. 

If this continued on, they would all lose eventually. Tatsumi crouched down, preparing to dash forward.

Tatsumi: "I'm the one you'll be taking on!"

He was about to dash forward if it weren't for Esdeath to come flying in and kicking him in his chest. Tatsumi was surprised and unaware of the attack that he didn't have time to defend himself. Esdeath peered over to the Great General.

Esdeath: "I was going to be the one to execute him in the first place, after all. Leave him to me!"

Budo: "Stay out of this, Esdeath!" (turns around) "And I can't be too careful around you two!"

By the time he turned around, he had raised his gauntlets up, using his Teigu to protect himself from the two assassins charging in. He descended his left arm down, quickly bringing it back up and punching Akira in his gut. His wounds from his torture session from Esdeath hadn't completely healed yet, dealing damage to him even more. The icy blue-eyed teen cried in pain as he coughed up blood, and was sent flying, Akame calling out his name in worry.

However, she couldn't put her entire focus on him. She resumed her gaze back to Budo, who used his gauntlets to push her off. Akame landed just a few feet away, still grasping onto Murasame tightly.

Budo: (anger rising in voice) "You... It's a shame that ones spirited as you have sided with the Rebel Army."

Mine: "What're you going to do!?"

The Great General looked to the voice, seeing Mine charge up Pumpkin again. This was in response for the storm clouds overhead that kept growing. Putting his arms up over his chest, crossing them like an "X," Budo blocks Mine's spiritual blast. He could feel the full force of it, but it wasn't enough for him to be pushed back, something that shocked the pink-haired girl.

Mine: "Huh!?"

Budo: "My Teigu and I are nothing like before! Now, we're mad!"

Slamming the two metal rods that rested on his gauntlets together, electricity began to crackle forth. He brought his arms over his head, Budo beginning to rain down lightning on everyone.

Budo: "Come, Lightning Emperor!"

Akira struggled to get up, the wounds on his chest and stomach area giving him a burning pain. Of course, they hadn't healed over the course of the night. But if he remained there any longer, he'd be killed.

Using whatever strength he had in his arms, he began to lift himself up. Akame prepared to look for cover to duck under until she saw her boyfriend struggling to get up, seeing him conjure an ice sword to help prop himself up. She sheathed Murasame and quickly ran over to him, looping her arm over her shoulder as she helped him up and the two quickly ran for safety.

The two regrouped with Leone, whom was carrying Mine and Chelsea in her arms. The lightning attacks soon subsided. But it wasn't long until they'd all fall to exhaustion as they were panting heavily, what seemed like they were fighting for hours.

Budo: (hums in admiration) "You were able to elude me by a hair's breadth... You must be the best Night Raid has to offer. But can you keep up for the next round?"

He was about to fire another ball of electricity, but soon stopped when he looked up. The sound of flapping noise could be heard as they see a Danger Beast coming in.

Atop it was Najenda and Fenrir.

Najenda: "Is everyone okay!?"

Akame: "Boss, no! Budo is still here!"

Budo: "Najenda! I'm really angry now! Adramelech!"

The Great General redirected his ball of electricity over to Najenda atop the Danger Beast. At the same time, Najenda orders the Danger Beast to shoot an orb of fire. However, he had to dissipate the ball of electricity and punch the flaming ball out of the air. Not only that, Tatsumi had landed a punch on Esdeath, rendering her immobile for now. Appearing in front of him, Budo charged up for an electrical punch, thrusting it forward as it struck Tatsumi's forearms. 

Tatsumi: "I'm not about to let you hurt the boss! It would be an insult to Lubbo's memory!"

Najenda was an earshot, her eyes widening. She was in disbelief, her most greatest and oldest comrade is now dead. 

Tatsumi soon landed next to Akame and Akira.

Akame: "Tatsumi. Where's Esdeath?"

Tatsumi: "I only managed to get one solid strike."

Akame: (thoughts) 'On Esdeath!?'

Tatsumi: "That should've bought us some time to get away. All that's left is to taking care of Budo without dying!"

Budo: "Not on my watch!"

Tatsumi: "Get on the Danger Beast. I'll hold back Budo!"

Budo: "Don't underestimate me!"

The blonde man once more charged up a blast of electricity, sending it out of the metal rod. Tatsumi raised up his arms, taking on the bulk of electrical power himself. Thanks to his armor, he would've been dead without it. 

However, he pushed onward. Budo was surprised, seeing Tatsumi tank through it. Clearing away the blast of electricity, Tatsumi put as much power as he could into his fist, the strike making a considerable impact on Budo's arm. The blonde man looked at Tatsumi in surprise. He hadn't been on the battlefield for years now, and he could feel the amount of force Tatsumi had put into it.

But he wasn't going to let someone younger than him take him down. So in response, Budo punched the side of his head, making Tatsumi grunt in pain as he felt the powerful blow. From the sidelines, Mine went to charge another shot of Pumpkin, but she couldn't. She had pushed Pumpkin too hard, as evident by some steam from the generator that powered it. 

Akame went to move, but stopped when she felt Akira grip her wrist.

Akira: "Take..." (grunts in slight pain) "Take me with you. I can still fight."

Akame: "You're hurt. If you go with me, you'd hold me back."

Akira: "Akame--"

Akame: "Stay here for me. Please?"

The icy blue-eyed teen wanted to protest, but he could see the pleading notion in her eyes. He had already made her worry enough, and he's already hurt her enough as well. He didn't want to hurt her any longer.

Reluctantly, he let go of her wrist and nodded. She nodded back and gave him a quick peck before she went to assist Tatsumi.

She rushed at the armored man and went to strike, Budo seeing her coming for him. The red-eyed girl slashed at him, her sword making a clinking noise as it struck his gauntlet. There was a slightly exposed bit of flesh that she aimed for, but she missed. Because of this, Budo had an easy opening, punching her as she was smacked away. Leone growled in annoyance and anger, rushing in after watching her best friend get handled easily.

The blonde lioness thrust a fist out, relying on her increased strength. She was quickly surprised when Budo easily caught her hand, the Great General following up with an electrified punch to her gut.

Akame watched as Leone coughed up blood, a look of horror as her friend was sent away like she was nothing. Like she wasn't a threat at all. She felt powerless and hopeless, thinking there was no way out. In pure rage, Budo yelled, an aura of electricity surrounding him, the shockwaves causing tremors. The ravenette was pushed back due to the force of the tremors, Akira moving slightly in time to catch her.

But in response to this move, Budo coughed up blood. He had suffered internal damage for doing it.

Budo: (panting heavily) "It may have been weak, but now you've got no way out." (thoughts) 'I don't care how much internal damage I take. They will fall here and now!'

Tatsumi: (weakly chuckles) "D-Don't make me laugh... We're all going to get out of here alive!"

Budo: (hums admirably) "...You show great determination even when the end is nigh. But you will meet your end. What awaits a murderer... Is the death penalty!"

Tatsumi: "Here comes the ace up of my sleeve!"

Ignoring any pain that was surging through his body, Tatsumi charged forward. He moved at great speed, the Great General looking at him surprised. But he had no time to react, Tatsumi soon coming in as he punches him in his stomach. The man puked up blood as he was sent back, crashing into the walls of the stands. 

With him out of the way, Najenda landed the Danger Beast onto the arena floor. She then began to help her up.

Najenda: "Nice fake, Mine!"

Mine: "I knew he felt threatened by Pumpkin!"

Najenda: "Okay! We're getting out of here! Everyone, climb on!"

Chelsea helped Leone onto the Danger Beast, then helping herself up. Akira and Akame were the next ones, then Tatsumi. Once everyone was on, Najenda ordered for it to fly up again.

However, as they flew up, Tatsumi collapsed onto the Danger Beast's back, him lying down as he was in great pain. Mine instantly went to his side, holding onto his hand as the brown-haired teen let out light groans. When Tatsumi had grasped the key of Incursio after being set free, there was barbed wire on it's handle. The barbed wire was also coated with poison, so when he touched it, the poison entered his blood stream. But thanks to Incursio evolving, which also fused with him, it reduced the effects of the poison.

But one thing's for sure. He was in no position to fight any longer. Once they were now airborne, Najenda turned her head around slightly.

Najenda: "Let's hurry back and tend to him. The Revolutionary Army has someone who's well versed in all things Teigu who can look at him. He probably exhausted himself from that rapid upgrade. Some proper tender love and care, and he should be as right as rain."

The pink-haired girl nodded as she tenderly hugged Tatsumi's body. He seemed to have softened up a bit, but he was still in a bit of a pain due to the poison.

Near the back, Akame had her head buried in Akira's chest, Fenrir nudging it's master's side. His arms were wrapped around her body tightly, the boy listening to her soft cries. When he was away, there were some moments where she really thought he was dead. But she was still very angry that she lied to him and his actions, but she seemed to have forgotten such things as she held onto him. She felt at ease, Akame hearing, "I'm sorry," from his lips. All that mattered now was that he was here. And they were heading home.

...But if it were only that easy.

Lightning struck the Danger Beast and it killed it instantly. Storm clouds were above them, just in the center of it was Budo. An angered glare rested on his face, the blonde man using his Teigu to float in the air as he kept calling down lightning upon them.

Budo: "I thought I told you you weren't getting away...!"

Everyone held on to any part of the Danger Beast. Akira had an arm wrapped around Akame and his other around his wolf companion. The Danger Beast soon crashes into the streets of the Capital, rubble and dust picking up.

The group coughed, dust having entered their lungs as they exited the dust cloud that had occurred. Najenda held Mine, Akame supporting her boyfriend, and Leone and Chelsea helping Tatsumi's body off the corpse of the Danger Beast. With a wide eye, Najenda stared up at the menacing Great General.

Najenda: "He's floating in midair...!? Is that the power of his Teigu?"

Leone: "How can he be so insanely strong!?"

Chelsea: "He just won't die!"

Akira: (cough) "So the old bastard is this resilient, huh?"

Akame grunted as she kept supporting Akira, noticing he was holding and applying pressure to a wound that was on his side. That was where Budo had punched him, an area that hadn't been healed yet due to a prior injury in his captivity. As things stood, they wouldn't make it out of the Capital alive.

Crackling noises were heard as Budo began to charge up his Teigu once more. He was going to put everything into this single blast, hopefully thinking that it would end them once and for all.

Budo: "Adramelech... Summon forth the thunderous lightning!"

The clouds began to swirl around him, electricity sparkling and crackling all around the blonde man. Below, Mine had retrieved Pumpkin and stood over Tatsumi, who was breathing heavily. She gritted her teeth, tears running down her cheeks as she readied Pumpkin one last time, knowing this would be the last.

Mine: "As if...! No matter what, we're all going home...!" (thoughts) 'I'm going to show him what I'm made of too. So don't give out on me, Teigu!'

Budo: "It's judgement time! Solid Shooter!"

Mine: "Pumpkin!"

The two unleash their attacks, their beams moving through the sky like streaks of light. The two attacks then begin to converge and collide, Mine and Budo able to feel the force of the blasts coming off each other. It was just a matter of whether of who's attacks would overtake the other's. 

Budo: "It's no use! All will cower before the thunderous lightning!"

Mine: (grins while chuckling) "Sounds like I'm in a real pinch, then." (thoughts) 'This is my final attack! All of my mental energy...is going into one shot!' "Go, Pumpkin!"

While also depending on the danger level the user is in, the Teigu also increases it's firepower based on it's mental fortitude and the feelings of the user. The sniper Teigu responded to Mine's feelings, it beating out the pillar of electricity. Budo was shocked, seeing that his attack was being inched closer to him, as well as Mine's. 

Budo: "What!? I'll push you back with an even greater electrical attack! Gnh...!?" (thoughts) 'My remaining charge...! I must've used too much in the battle with the boy and his friend...!'

Finally, Budo's attack was overtaken, the Great General yelling in pain to the top of his lungs. Mine's spiritual energy blast was so powerful that it shot through his whole body, even going through the clouds as if it was reaching the heavens. 

Her attack subsided, Mine panting heavily as Pumpkin began to crumble and fall apart. She soon began to sway, the pink-haired girl falling backwards.

Mine: (thoughts) 'I did it... Tatsumi...'

The girl's vision faded to black. The last thing she heard were Najenda and the others voices, minus Tatsumi, calling out to her. The running footsteps of her comrades drawing closer.