Gaea's Locket Ch. 22

“Obviously, not anymore.” he spoke. “Thanks... to this little ability I have. I can finally have my revenge.” Akiyama glared, “Your parents... your cousins... my mother... you killed them?! They were good people! What the hell did they ever do to--” Before he could even finish, Ryuichi had moved so quickly, grabbing his throat.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about little boy-Ah!-” He was cut off as a tiger had pounced on him. It growled at him as it quickly ordered to everyone, "Run! Now!!"

"Kaori--" Rini tried to call out to her sister, but Kota held her back, "Don't. We have to have our guards up. He turned to Satomi, "Leave this to the powers--"

"Oh hell no." She stopped him. "We're gonna back you guys up, whether you like it or not."

"But it's danger-"

"Obviously." Ryutaro added. "And that's why we need to stick tog-"

"Yuto! Don't!" They suddenly heard Chiharu scream as Yuto tackled the shadow down, as he knocked Kaori away.

"Take this, you murderer!!" Yuto growled as his entire body began to glow with electric currents as Ryuichi let out a cry of pain, "Aaah!!"

"Stop him!" Yuki called. "Yuto won't be able to handle that level of electricity for long!"

"We can't even get near-" Ryosuke groaned.

"Ryuichi, don't fight it." Rena moved forward, ordering him. "You'll stay where you are. And Yuto, calm down. Stop with the electricity." He did as he looked at her, not releasing his hold on Ryuichi, "How the hell are you doing--"

"Impossible!" Ryuichi growled, obviously trying to get up. "Powers are unable to be used against each other!" Keito questioned, "And how would you even know that?! You've never even actually communicated with any of them!"

"Heh, well that's the difference between you all and me." He smirked, "I was given the gift of knowledge. Why we have these powers... Why the gods placed it within Gaeas care... Even..." He beamed maliciously, "... How to get rid of the power." Silence went around as he suddenly got up and everyone tenses up surprised. Rena panicked, but shouted, "Get back down!"

"I don't think so...." He scoffed. "I won't let you order me around, my dear Aphrodite... I WILL finish what I started." He suddenly darted for Akiyama as he was then lifted into the air, by Kaori, now in the form of an eagle.

"You're really becoming a thorn in my side." Ryuichi growled as she landed on a rooftop of a building. She returned her normal form as she said, "Funny. I was thinking the same thing about you." She returned into a bird as she picked up Akiyama, "You wanna have your revenge, then come and get it!" She began flying off as Ryuichi turned to the others, "As much fun as this has been, I got a boy to kill."

"Gonna be hard, especially when we got you backed into a dead end." Hikaru said confidently as Ryuichi laughed, "Heh. I’ll get out the same way I kill.... Through the shadows." He faded into the ground and shot off up the wall of the dead end, and vanished over it.

"Come on!" Rini said, beginning to head out. "We gotta help Kaori-" Daiki held her back, "And we will... First things first-"

"Kaori's getting chased by a murderer!" Yuto yelled annoyed. "That should be our priority!"

"And it is. But we're not just gonna be running into what he wants." He said strongly. "As soon as he gets rid of Akiyama he’s gonna come for us. We’ll be screwed if that happens. Kaori knows this and that's why she ran off with him."

"To give us time."Yuki realized. "To put together a plan." Hikaru looked around , "She won't be able to distract him forever."

"Then I'll help distract him." Yuto said confidently, "Kota. Come with me. Ryosuke, you Shirika, Rena and Hakufu watch over them. Not having powers makes them easier targets."

"We can protect ourselves you know?" Yuya pointed out. "We'll stick by you." Yuri nodded, "Besides... Just because you have powers, doesn't make you invulnerable to him."

"We have a higher advantage. And if you help then that could make you all a target." Shirika pointed out sternly, gazing at Yuri, "What if one of you gets killed? I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let that happen."

"But you all could get killed too!" Satomi argued, grabbing a hold of Kota's arm. "We couldn't live with that either!" Yuto groaned, "We don't have time for this! If Kota and I don't help Kaori now, we just might lose her!" Kota moved Satomi’s grip on him, holding her hands in his, "Satomi. We were given these abilities for a reason. This is it. Putting an end to Hades' abilities. If we can't stop him, no one can."

"That's not very comforting." She pouted as Shirika answered, "He's right. Everything happens for a reason. This is up to the powers to complete."

"... Then that also means...." Kei stated. "We were meant to help to." They looked at him, "Everyhing happens for a reason. It could have been anyone's best friend who got Artemis' power, but it was MY best friend who got it. It was Ryutaros brother who got Demeters power."

"It could've been any other restaurant where a giant eagle flew in bring all the powers together, but no. It was mine." Yuri sighed, still a bit annoyed by it.

"His point is... We were brought into all of this too. So we have the reasons to help just like the rest of you." Yui gave her boss a look. Hakufu sighed, "Then we'll all just have to make sure we're watching each other's back."

"Right." Everyone cheered as they were about to head off when they heard, "Daiki? What are you doing?" Keito leaned over the quiet Daiki as he scribbled something in the dirt. Everyone crowded around as he answered, "A plan... That will stop Hades power."

"... All I'm seeing is scribbles." Chiharu stared confused. Daiki began to explain, “We just need to set a trap.... and take his power.”

“How the hell are we suppose to do that?” Keito wondered. “We don’t know how to take the powers.”

“Don’t we?” Daiki smiled to him as he motioned to his scribbles. Everyone eyed it in surprise as Yuto said, “What are we waiting for?! Kaori won’t be able to run forever.” They quickly rushed off.

~

“What the hell are you doing?!” Akiyama shouted. “You don’t need to keep saving me. I’m not some damsel in distress.” Kaori responded, “I beg to differ...” He groaned and looked around the ground, “I can’t see him...”

“And that’s what he wants.” she replied, speeding up.

“Why are you doing this? You could’ve just let me die back there.”

“No I couldn’t.” she said immediately. “Like I said before, you’re my bait.” He glared, “Just bait... Well, geez. Thanks.” She was silent as he noticed, “That’s not the only reason.... is it?” She didn’t reply. He looked at the ground again and realized, “Those people. They’re your friends. He’s targeting them too?”

“No. At least not yet.” she finally explained. “You know what I can do... animal transformations. Some of my friends have abilities like mine too. If I were your uncle, they would be my next target.”

“So, by keeping me alive, you prolong their chances of surviving.... how do you know he hasn’t killed them already?”

“Because you’re his main priority.” Kaori answered. “He’s murdering your entire family. I don’t know why, but he intends to kill you all off.” Akiyama sighed, “Well... he’s real close...” She realized, “... You’re the last.... of the Watanabe family....”

“... he murdered them all....” he said. “Every single relative I had. Even my dad.... the only person I had left.”

“... what does he have against you guys anyway? He’s family.”

“He was the black sheep of the family.” he reminisced. “Never got along with anyone, he was always off on his own... at least that’s what my dad told me.... He was Uncle Ryu’s brother.” He sighed, “To think... if I had ditched my friends that night and gone with him to my grandparents... I would’ve been dead already too....”

“Something traumatic must have happened. Not all black sheeps end up becoming serial killers.” Kaori thought as he shrugged, “He’s been in jail for the last twelve years. I barely even knew the guy.”

“Well why was he in jail--”

“MOVE!” Akiyama shouted as she made a sharp left, avoiding getting her shadow caught by Ryuichi. SHe gritted, “Crap! He’s already caught up! HOLD ON!” She speed faster away, as fast as she could go.

“You have to move faster! Through the shade!” Akiyama pointed as she nodded, “I’m on it!” She sped off, Ryuichi still close behind.

“Hey... look over there...” Akiyama pointed as she saw someone waving to her from afar. She stared surprised, “Daiki? How the hell did he get in front of me--AH!” Ryuichi had managed to grab her wing’s shadow, making it difficult for her to stay up in the sky.

“Kaori!” she heard as a bright ray of thunder hit Ryuichi, releasing his grip on her. She took off as she soared next to Yuto, who was running to keep up to her,“What the hell are you guys doing?!” He answered, “Just follow Daiki! He’s got a plan!”

“Are you sure?!”

“Yes! Trust me!” he said as he took off in another direction.

“They could get hurt...” Akiyama pointed out as she nodded, “But I can’t just keep flying in circles. Daiki, this had better work.” She quickly went towards him as he vanished around the corner. As she turned she caught up to him running.

“What’s the plan?!” Kaori called to him as he said, “Leave Akiyama with me. Kota, Ryosuke, and Satomi should be finishing a decoy of him. Hurry.”

“What are you guys doing in the meantime?” she wondered as she inched closer to the ground as Akiyama landed on his feet, soon running alongside Daiki. He answered, “You’ll see. Akiyama, give her your jacket. Kaori Just distract Ryuichi for a little longer.” He tossed it to her as she transformed into a cheetah, catching it in her teeth.

“I’m on it.” she rushed off ahead, separating from the two as she finally spotted them. She tossed them his jacket, “Where’s the decoy?!” Ryosuke, quickly put the jacket on and jumped on her back, “That would be me. Go!”

“What?! If you get caught--” she began as Kota shouted, “If you don’t get moving, we’ll all be caught! MOVE!” She quickly took off as she groaned, “What the hell are you guys up to?!” Ryosuke took a glance back as he said, “Good, he’s still following us... he’s catching up. Can you go any faster?”

“I’m moving as fast as I can!” she glared. “Now would you please fill me in on what’s going on!” He nodded as he explained what Daiki had in mind.

~

“Everyone in position?” Chiharu questioned as they all nodded. Akiyama, now with the rest of them, questioned, “What exactly are we doing?”

“All you need to do is stand right here. And stay there, got it?” Rena told him as he nodded, hearing her seriousness in her voice. She looked and said, “Yuto, send a signal to Daiki letting him know we’re set. He’s still leading Kaori and Ryosuke right?” Yuto nodded as he shot a ray of thunder into the sky.

“... how did Daiki figure all this out...” Keito thought as he and Yuki stood in position. She asked, “What do you mean?”

“He never told us... how did he know... about how to take away the powers or where his sudden strategical skills emerged from?” he pondered the very many questions swirling in his mind. Yuki answered, “We can worry about that later. Right now... our priority is stopping Ryuichi.”

“You’re right....” he sighed. “He really thought this plan through.... I’m really impress--”

“Thanks.” he jumped as he heard behind him. Daiki stood there as he said, “Kaori and Ryosuke are on their way. Ryuichi is close on their trail. And he is not a happy camper.”

“Figured as much.” Yuya sighed. “How much time do we have?”

“At least a minute.” he replied. “Powers into position. The rest of you, you guys know what to do." Te powers stood around Akiyama, a large distance between them as everyone else hid around the area. He grasped Gaea’s Locket, which was hanging around his neck as he looked at it. “Let’s settle this." He got into position as Kaori and Ryosuke slid in, Ryosuke quickly leaped off getting into his position as Kaori returned to her normal form, taking in breaths of exhaustion.

"Right here, Kaori." Daiki said as she quickly stood by him. She looked at Akiyama, right in front of the opening were they had entered through. "I hope you know what you're doing Daiki..."

"Relax. Don't you trust me?" He smile at her as they turned, just to see Ryuichi rush in, grasping Akiyama by his throat.

"Urgh!" Akiyama gritted, grabbing his arm, trying to get a breath. Just as Daiki was about to react, Akiyama was pulled in, a knife, held at his throat as Ryuichi said, "Move and I kill him now." Everyone froze. He smirked as Daiki moved forward, "what's the point? You're gonna kill him anyways."

"Heh, that may be true. But seeing as you brought me on a wild goose chase, you must have prepared something."

"Impressive." He smiled as everyone looked at Daiki. "I wouldn't expect anything less." He smirked, clearly liking the compliment, "I’m not one to underestimate.”

“What the hell Daiki...” Kaori gritted under her breath. He ignored her as he said, “You realize though, that you won’t get what you want.” He laughed, “Completing my revenge is literally in my hands.” He looked at the scared to death Akiyama as he said, “And you believe I won’t finish it?”

“You’ll attempt it.” he stated as Yuto gave him a look, “Daiki what are you doing?” He answered, “Just stating my thoughts. Nothing wrong with that.”

“Then let me prove you wrong.” he said as Kaori quickly reacted, “NO!” Just as the knife creased his neck, something hit Ryuichi’s hand causing him to drop his knife, “Ah!”

“Not on our watch!” Hikaru said tossing a pebble up and down in his hand, ready to throw if needed. He looked around, the others all holding items to fight, bats, pipes, stones, anything. He sighed, “So even the mortals stuck around. They will be the first to go--” A flock of birds flew at him as Kaori growled, “Over my dead body!” The birds continued screeching at him, clawing at him as he tried to hit him away, “HOW?! You can control the animals too?!”

“The Olympians powers improve as they get closer.” Daiki explained. “The stronger our bond... the stronger our power.” Ryuichi growled, “Then I guess I’ll have to get rid of you annoying pest first!” Suddenly, the powers turned as they heard screams.

“AH!” Rini, Ryutaro, Mai, Satomi, and Yuki were caught of guard as the shadows around the area began acting up and caught them. It wrapped around them, lifting them off the ground as the others tried to help them, only to get trapped as well.

“Ryuu!” Kota called in worry. “Satomi!”

“Don’t.” Daiki stopped him from running over. He panicked, “They’re in danger!”

“Okay, screw your plan! My sister and best friend is in trouble and I’m helping them!” Kaori growled at him as she rushed towards them, only to be caught in another shadow. “Damn it!” She changed into a mouse as she fell back to the ground, returning to normal.

“Kaori... get back here.” Daiki said as she looked, “But--”

“Kaori...” Yuto called to her. “Trust me.” She groaned and moved back as Ryuichi smirked, “So much for a strong bond....all I see is a dysfunctional group of idiots." Ryosuke clenched his fist in anger as Daiki said, "We'll then it must be pretty embarrassing if you get your ass kicked by a group of dysfunctional idiots."

"Big talk for a mortal. You're the weakest link." He answered throwing Akiyama down to the ground. "I guess that means I'll start with you." Before anyone could react, he charged.

"Daiki!!!!" Everyone panicked as Ryuichi stood in front of Daiki and swung at him.

"No! Daiki!" Mai called, worry filling her face.

"What?!" Ryuichi said in anger as speechless expressions appeared on everyone's face. Where Daiki once stood... Was now empty. Everyone looked around as they heard, "Right here." Ryuichi turned right into Daiki's fist.

"Ah!" Daiki pulled his hand in, holding it tender. "Damn it! That hurt!" Ryuichi had fallen to the ground clearly surprised as he gritted, "Impossible... Could it be..."

"Daiki... How did you...." Hakufu questioned, the words barely escaping her mouth. He smile to everyone, Mai sighing in relief, clearly knowing what had just happened. He stated, "Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you...." He held out the locket for everyone to see, showing the newest and last symbol."The power of Hermes is the eighth power. Guess that makes me your last teammate."