Trump Card

[Shinku Kamogaya]

South City. Once a bustling city, now a huge chuck of lakeside property. It was quite nice how the sun shimmered off the water. He had been here before when the city wasn't flooded with water. Back when he was more sane and had black hair. He had only one thing to do here. He wasn't here to tour. He wasn't here to enjoy the views, or the bazaar, or the water parks. He was here for the most important individual this side of Amestris. Who she was wasn't a mystery. It was very well document and televised that the man he sought to ruin first, Spade Aeries, had decided to put a ring on a woman. And that was the greatest mistake ever done. General Shula Brighton, Keeper of South City, would be a great psychological tool against Spade, and the whole damn nation for that matter. The cards were in his hands now, and he held them all.

As he pulled up to headquarters, he was stopped at a security checkpoint. An amestrian security officer came out and greeted him at his car's window. As he rolled the window down, he peered over to the man through his shades, as he handed the guard a photo identification badge. The forgery this time? Today he was a colonel of the Cretan Task Force here to make friendly relations with Amestris. Today his name would be Nicholas Denmere. A facade to hide his true intentions. As the guard surveyed the card, he signaled for the gate to open, as Shinku was given back his fake card. Letting off the brake, Shinku entered, as he found a parking spot to the front of the building. It was't out of sight, but it would do. As he brought the monster to a stop in the spot, he set the transmission in park and removed the keys from the ignition. He sat there for a moment, as he gathered his thoughts. One man infiltrating a military headquarters? He had done it before, but the thought of what was at stake made his head spin. Reaching over to the glove box, he popped the lid to remove a flask that had seen its fair share of use. Taking a sip of the whiskey he put in earlier, he sighed. It was time to begin.

As he pulled the door handle, he swung the door open slowly and carefully, as to not hit the car next to him. Coming to a full standing position, he reached a hand up to take off his sunglasses, the other closing the car door with a thunk. The parking lot was full of cars, which was good for him. Sighing, Shinku reached under his duster and pressed his car keys to lock the car. However. Not only did this lock the car, it primed a large amount of C4 plastic explosives in the trunk, about 20 pounds worth. It would be enough to easily injure anyone who resided near the front of the building, not to mention the close proximity of the cars that resided in the parking space. This car was just another part of his plan, and he would surely miss it, but he could always get another.

The pistols on his lower back in their holstered seemed to weigh tons, as they most likely do a lot of maiming today. He casually walked up to the main entrance of the building, as his hand reached for the door handle. His hand glimpsed at the chimeric arm that had taken over for his long lost human arm, and while he was still getting used to it, it had its benefits. Swinging the door open, he was greeted to a lobby. There was a receptionist behind a desk that stood near the corner, along with to other military police officers. His eyes scanned the two discreetly, as he noticed they only had sidearms. Shinku could only contain his excitement, as it seemed that South had thought they were far from harm. Walking up to the secretary, he gave a warm smile to her. Noticing him there, she smiled, pushing her glasses up some. " Hello mister. Do you have an appointment with us today?" Shinku gave a small nod as he kept a smile. It was hard to tell there was a murderer underneath it. " Yes, ma'am. My name is Colonel Nicholas Denmere of the Cretan Task Force. I'm here to see General Shula Brighton. It's of utmost importance." Shinku's eyes discreetly glanced back over to the two military guards, as he looked back at the secretary.

" Alrighty then " Pressing a small button on her phone, she spoke into it. " Ms. Brighton, you have a visitor" Looking back up at Shinku. She smiled, directing him over to the lobby. "The guards here will lead you back." Nodding, Shinku strode over guards as he followed behind them. The clanking of their military boots was unnerving to him, but nonetheless, he had to keep a level head. The guards lead him to the door, as Shinku motioned for them to leave. As he was sure they were gone, he gave a few knocks on the General's door, as he would keep up his act to the very end.

[Shula Brighton]

To say that the warmer days were blanketing on South was a rather silly thing; much of the year, South was warm, except during the peaks of winter and some nights where the desert chill would bring the arid temperatures down drastically. Crater Lake was both a blessing and a curse, the man-made lake's waters nice and cool, and the water park probably doing booming business now that the season was officially on, but the way the sunlight reflected off the water did a lot to add to the heat. The good news was that no matter how toasty it got outside, inside of South HQ the air conditioning felt amaaaaaazing~

Shula sat at the desk in her office, sipping casually at the chilled tea in her glass, bits of raspberries sunken at the bottom as frozen strawberries served as ice cubes. Sweetened ice tea with mint and berries- trulty a treat beloved by South, and something that never ceased to taste like Meissan to Shula. She leaned back int the black spinning chair behind her desk, letting herself take a long, well-deserved sip of her iced tea and drained the glass. It had been a productive day. The stacks of paperwork fore newer recriots had finally all been sorted, and South wasn't seeming nearly as backed up. If conditions continued, it had the promise of being a slow week, and slow weeks were a good thing- they meant Shula could devote her attention to any of the other ninety million things that at any given point demanded her attention. There were new recruits to find appropriate departments for and their paperwork, new information passed to her from her lovely pirates, planning things for herself, and, discreetly, seeing what else she could do for her fiance, Spade.

Hans had left January's investigation in her hands since she was the one to report it initially to the Chancellor, but the Ishvallan had left out the very important detail of the dossier and PDA that had linked the Amestrian General to the bomb that could have been. Hans still wanted answers, of course, because people didn't just plug a bomb to new technology at a public fair where multiple national figureheads were meeting for no reaso-- well, okay, maybe they did, because some people were sick like that. But that was all the more reason to get to the bottom of things, and clever as Shula was, she wasn't one to tell the Chancellor to just move past it and not worry about it. Someone had tried to pin an awfully big accident on Spade, and though he'd prevented it, Shula knew he'd been worried by it too. She couldn't blame him. Sometimes the skeletons in closets were far too terrifying to ignore. True to her word, Shula had been doing everything she could to deflect all attention from Spade, but secretly she was worried that sooner or later they'd run out of ways to skirt around things to tell their boss.

She sighed tiredly, putting the now-emptied glass down and pushing heavier thoughts to the back of her mind. She'd just have to sit down and have one of those really uncomfortable, unfun talks with Spade sooner rather than later and hope to Ishvalla she could do it delicately enough to not send the man into a sour mood. They'd figure something out, though. Nothing would hurt her beloved; of this the little Ishvallan was determined. With a soft clack and a roll, Shula pushed herself away from her desk, walking over to the little mini fridge and cabinets as she pondered more tea and what else needed doing today. The planning meeting first thing that morning had gone well, and then her luncheon with Dr. Hosenfeld had been... well, he gave her a mixed drink, so that helped as she tried not to visibly squirm uncomfortably around his... darlings. Or argue with his damned computer. But those were the only big things since she'd finished up her papers for the newest soldiers, which meant that.... her afternoon was quite possibly... free. Shula beamed to herself. A free afternoon!! Maybe... she could duck out early and head all the way up to Central and surprise Spade with dinner at his office. She smiled. Yup. Solid plan.

As she spun to head back toward her desk, the long silvery-white braid whipped around before landing back against her body, the blue ribbon tied at the end of the long braid fluttering. Her altered uniform made life so much more comfortable, and if she hurried she'd have just enough time to dash home and change out of the Amestrian blue and silver tunic and pants and into something more comfortable. Bracelets over her wrists and fire bracelets on her hands jingled as she nearly bounced, picking up the phone, about to tell Rose that she was leaving for the day when her line rang. Well... That was ironic. "Flame-broilers Anonymous," Shula said, her tone teasing. The line lit up indicated that it was from Rose as she passed on the call. "You kill it, we grill it." Rose giggled softly into the line.

"Ms. Brighton, there's a call from first floor reception for you." First floor reception? She hadn't ordered pizza. Shrugging to herself, Shula told Rose to patch it through, the hold music suddenly clicking as Adele's voice caught Shula's ear.

"Ms. Brighton, you have a visitor." A visitor? At this time of day? Well who could that be? Part of Shula really hoped it was Spade and he'd had the same thought she did about sneaking away from work early to have dinner together, but knew that was slim most likely. So who it could be this time of day that wasn't sent right up to her office? She shrugged to herself, telling Adele she'd be down in just a few. Maybe she had some appointment and forgotten about it entirely... Shula wouldn't put it past herself at all some days. There was still plenty of sweet tea in the little fridge, so whoever her visitor was, if she was meeting with them it couldn't hurt to invite them up to the office. Bracelets jingled lightly on the air as Shula left her office anad made her way down to the first floor, waving in the opened doors of offices she passed to the soldiers she kenw and loved so much. They were her family and she loved them all. All of South was her family.

A few moments later the elevator door opened to the lobby's main hall, the tiny General stepping out onto the marbled floor with a light bounce as she continued to greet people on the way to the front desk. There was Adele, sitting at the main desk, and two from security, and... a white-haired man Shula had never seen before, in the waiting area. He was taller than her, but few men weren't. Adele pointed toward Shinku as Shula walked past, and stood in front of the man, reaching out her hand. "General Brighton of South, at your service. What can I do for you?" Even as highly-ranking as she was, Shula's first feelings toward people would always be those of service.

[Shinku Kamogaya]

Hook. Line. Sinker. His prey would fall into his domain, a black abyss that can't be seen, but surely felt. He was going to leave a very gruesome first impression today, one that would cost many lives. There were only five people in the lobby, two of which he could see were armed, although pistols wouldn't do them good. The saying usually went as, "If you're good at something, never do it for free." Today's actions wouldn't be rewarded by monetary gain, or material possession. This today.. would be pure self indulgence.

Looking away from the window, Shinku stood up in a gentle manner as he locked eyes with the general. Giving a false smile, he took note of her extended hand. Shinku never shook hands, due to the fact that it was a free invitation for death, and that was what that was before him. Taking the woman's hand, He shook it firmly. "" Ah, General Brighton! Such a pleasure to meet you! This is such a wonderful facility you have here..!" Shinku chuckled some as he could feel his animal instincts take over. Two men. He could easily quick draw on them. He was very skilled at the draw. When he was a child, he always wanted to be a lone ranger out west. When his father was away, he would sometimes sneak into his room and steal his pistol and play with it. He couldn't recall how many times the safe code had been changed, just for a child to crack it. Of course, he was only a child with a feeble mind. Now, his mind was honed with years of death.

As he kept her hand gripped to shake, his smile twisted into a more sinister look as he let out a laugh. ""It's a shame that I'll have to burn it to the ground, you stupid bitch." Without hesitation, Shinku pulled the woman towards him, his leg sweeping her feet out. He could only have pity if she didn't react fast enough, or else her head had a date with a floor. His free hand easily whipped back around to draw the pistol from his back, as his duster fluttered as he drew on the two guards. He fired a shot into each, one a direct head shot between the brow, the other in the throat. The man clutched his throat as he tried to reach for his pistol, but he soon joined his dead colleague on the ground. The wall and floor was spattered and stained crimson, and the gurgling and gasping for air could be heard from the guard. The receptionist let out a shocked reply, but his other hand had drawn his second handgun in the fray of the killing, as it was trained on the receptionist. His boot had positioned itself on top of Shula's abdomen, as he applied a good bit of pressure to provide pain and keep her in place.

As he kept his eyes trained on the receptionist, Shinku cackled, as he tilted his head with a coy smile." You think security here would have been a lot tighter for a place that was blown into oblivion once before!"" Unlatching the safety from pistol number two, Shinku now had his pistol that killed the two guards slowly maneuver its way to aim at the hall way that Shula had came from. "Say goodbye to your lovely secretary, Shula the whore!" Squeezing off two rounds, the secretary took a round to the cheek and forehead, as she was dead before she even hit the ground. As the smoke from the barrel wafted gently, Shinku looked down at his spoil of war. He began to dig his boot into her abdomen, letting the treads grind her skin."I figured Spade would choose a witch like you. I've always heard that when two people gave their hearts to one another, there was no such thing as secrets!" His one gun still trained on the hall way, he took pistol numero dos and pressed it to her temple."So why has Sakuya Aeries, one of the greatest heroes ever, not even mentioned my name to YOU! IS HE SCARED?! When that man sent me, A CHILD, to a maximum security prison, I knew I would make him suffer, and take away everything he had, just like he did to me!. I've already mailed the Former Emperor of Xing's head into a box to him, so what should I do with you, dear?!"

Smiling, he pressed the gun harder against her head. He KNEW she would fight. He wanted her die trapped like a rat. He had done it to Ace, now...

It was her turn.

[Shula Brighton]

As the white-haired man stood up, his smile was natural as he took Shula's hand to shake. He looked her in the eyes to speak- something Shula oddly appreciated in anyone, working for her, above her, or as a stranger. Shula always liked being seen as someone's equal and seeing them as such, and it as the little gestures like that that really cemented the feeling. "Ah, General Brighton! Such a pleasure to meet you! This is such a wonderful facility you have here..!"

Shula couldn't help but beam a little; South was her pride and joy, after all. "Why thank you," she returned happily. She'd never spoken to him before, and was about to ask what it was he needed at South HQ that he'd asked for her specifically but as she withdraw her hand from Shinku's, his grip on her little brown hand only tightened. He wasn't letting go.

Shinku's smile changed effortlessly from something calm and polite to something much more sinister and reminding her of the same sort of smile she'd seen soldiers inDrachma bear before making the killing move. "It's a shame that I'll have to burn it to the ground, you stupid bitch."

A faint gasp passed Shula's glossed lips in surprise, eyes wide. Without a moment to register, Shula was yanked forward toward him and then suddenly backward and down as his leg swept her downward toard the hard marble. She twisted, catching herself hard on her arm and shoulder to avoid cracking her head, but felt panic stir within her heart as the distinct sound of shots being fired echoed in the lobby. The guards. He'd shot the guards. Instinct and training kicked in, and but in the breath it took for her to rise to strike back, the man's large boot came down hard on Shula's stomach, sending her back down against the marble floor. Her shoulders took the brunt of the fall, but there was a soft pained yelp as the back of her head met the large, glossy stone. "You think security here would have been a lot tighter for a place that was blown into oblivion once before! Say goodbye to your lovely secretary, Shula the whore!"

South HQ was under attack. By a single man. She could hear Adele cry out in fear as the guards toppled down, her cries echoing the pain that hadn't yet fully registered with Shula. Shinku kept his weight firmly aginst Shula's stomach, keeping her in place as two more bullets ripped through the air, the woman struggling beneath the killer. Her back curled as much as Shinku's weight would permit as Shula's leg moved to strike upward as hard as she could, her own black boot aiming squarely for one of the few universally tender points of a man. And as a woman and dancer, all of Shula's strength was in her slender legs.

The alarm had been sounded, but Shinku had already killed the guards and receptionist, and very quickly the hot barrel of the smoking gun was placed to Shula's temple as Shinku's foot dug in harder, making breathing less than easy. Breaths came in ragged in panic and rage. "Who the hell ARE you," Shula demanded, seething. Her kicking and attempts to tkae out his leg with her own ceased as the metal burned against the skin of her temple. "What do you think you'll get away with?!"

"I figured Spade would choose a witch like you. I've always heard that when two people gave their hearts to one another, there was no such thing as secrets!" Whore AND witch?! Who the fuck was this nutter?! "So why has Sakuya Aeries, one of the greatest heroes ever, not even mentioned my name to YOU! IS HE SCARED?! When that man sent me, A CHILD, to a maximum security prison, I knew I would make him suffer, and take away everything he had, just like he did to me!. I've already mailed the Former Emperor of Xing's head into a box to him, so what should I do with you, dear?!"

Shula gasped as realization hit her. Shinku. "You... You're the one who killed Ace!" Her hands... if she could just move her hands fast enough to cause a spark she could set the bastard on fire.. But was fire faster than a bullet through her brain? She growled. "This is your ONE chance: Let me go and surrender. NOW. The fear had left her eyes and voice, leaving only a very pissed little General.

[Axel Belial]

It had been a while since the time he had woken up in a ditch on the south highway butt naked. Where shu had kindly picked him up and driven him home with her sari covering his...well his rod. With promises to return the item to the soon to be ball and chain he gotten it dry cleaned and finally an opportunity to fly his precious helicopter to south had presented itself.

The beloved helicopter landed in the field by south headquarters silently. Stepping out he was quick to lock it. Not that anyone could pilot the thing. It was set to Axel's personal firewalls and locks. No one could out hack the king hacker.

The box containing the freshly washed and pressed silk item under his arm as he flicked his ponytail behind him with a sassy swish. Tossing his head set on the pilot chair and tugging on his jacket Axel clicked his tongue and walked to south. His emr rod resting against his leg giving a light smack with each stride. As he walked in his flashed his badge not noticing no one was at the greeting desk a nd whistled to himself as he headed to Shula's office. It was not till he stepped into the corridor his senses were assaulted with the smell of gun powder and blood he froze.

What...Green eyes went straight to the door. Slumped were two guards. Even from the stair door Axel could tell they were dead. A woman was there crying...until a shot hit dead center and she fell. Axel gritted his teeth. Creeping closer as the alarm went off and the voice of the man inside could be heard. Axel slipped on the wrist lock for his emr. He would get Shula out of this...Get her to Spade even if it killed him.

Pressing himself to the wall by the door he listened in. Accessing the situation out of eye site. His breathing almost still.

"I figured Spade would choose a witch like you. I've always heard that when two people gave their hearts to one another, there was no such thing as secrets! So why has Sakuya Aeries, one of the greatest heroes ever, not even mentioned my name to YOU! IS HE SCARED?! When that man sent me, A CHILD, to a maximum security prison, I knew I would make him suffer, and take away everything he had, just like he did to me!. I've already mailed the Former Emperor of Xing's head into a box to him, so what should I do with you, dear?!"

He ground his teeth again in anger. He would murder this bastard. Sorry Spade there was no promises there would be a piece left.

"You... You're the one who killed Ace!"

Now was a chance. Moving off the wall face cold like ice loosing all the normal idiotic joy it normally carried. EMR in hand While Shinku's focus was on Shula Axel slipped to the door.

"This is your ONE chance: Let me go and surrender. NOW."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Knocking the rod on the door like a person knocking Axel's lips curled into a smirk. Not a smug one but a dangerous one. Though it was hard to believe Axel had a reputation of his darker side. The side that left horribly beaten bodies on the door step as a reminder. The kind of a man who owned a helicopter more supped up then the army's version of the same model. A man who hacked into the main frame of a hospital and pulled the plug on a drachma spy from the the poolside of his hotel.

"So Shinku...Not very gentlemanly of you to have our dear ball and chain so roughly pinned to the floor." Flicking his eyes to the poor Secretary on the ground he tutted again. "And that girl...how cowardly..." His usual carefree yo's were dropped. But instead he tapped the rod against the door. Turning his murderous eyes to Shinku he gave a cold smile. "How about taking on someone who can actually put up a fight or doe's that make you piss your pants?" And with that question he flicked the rod's switch the ominous sound of high volts curling around its metal filling the room.

[Shinku Kamogaya]

[Sorry for my tardiness. Life has gone to shit. Also, this conflict is now taking place in Shula's office so no confusion arises. End OOC]



Shinku grimaced at the fact that the fear had left her eyes. He didn't like when people didn't cry for mercy. He could feel his teeth grit together, ready to pull the trigger and save the hassle until he heard a voice. An Esparian one to bat as well. This esparian fellow threw insults, like calling him a coward. A switch flicked in his head, at the realization of what was to come.

Slowly turning his head around, he saw the red haired man before them at the entrance to the office, holding what appeared to be a sort of fancy cattle prod. He could hear the volts crackle, ready to shock anyone in their way. Tilting his head, his body rotated to face him, as he chuckled. A coward? That was what he was? This man would sing a different tune after this building was ash. Keeping one pistol aimed at Shula behind him, his eyes lit up with revelation. He had read through numerous files that the Xingese had voluntarily provided him. Seeing an esparian sounding man in Amestris was awfully strange, had he not read his file.

He smiled as he holstered the extra pistol, giving Shula as hard kick in the gut to send her sliding back with his heel. He would then holster the other pistol, a single gloved finger coming to point at the man with a chuckle. "You.. You're Spade's star pupil, aren't you? I'm sorry I don't remember your dumbass name, but with two prizes now to gather, you just made a real fucking mistake, asshole." Throwing aside his duster, only to now where a weathered tank top. Holstered on his back was something else completely.

At first glance, it looked like a very large and thick broadsword. No ordinary man could be able to effectively wield 200 pounds of steel, but Shinku's beast blood helped him enough to the point it felt like a fencing rapier. It was strapped to his back by a leather cuff. As he reached his hand over his shoulder, he swiftly drew the blade, swinging it in a downward arc, as the large blade had cleaved into the ceiling like butter as he brought it down to rest on the tip before him. He had also cut the sprinkler main that ran through the ceiling, as water began to rain throughout the room. No drenched, he smiled at the man. "Piss my pants? You're sadly mistaken. I don't kill just to look for a worthy fight. I kill to slaughter the weak! I hunt without discrimination!"

Using his foot to kick up the end of the blade, he swung it in an arc towards the man. He didn't intend to kill the male, so the most he would get from the range he stood was a large laceration in the torso. He would spill blood.

And at best, the bomb in his car had about ten minutes to spare.

[Shula Brighton]

Shula knew that look in Shinku's eyes. That one that said he was already bored with her responses and decided he'd kill her out of irritation. Sadly it was a look the tiny Ishvallan had grown somewhat accustomed to over time; Raistlin had given her the same look as she simply restated her name and rank over and over when they were alone on the battle field and a gun pressed similarly to her body. She was really growing rather to dislike guns if for no other reason than how often people liked aiming at her with them at close range. She winced beneath his foot- Shinku's weight was incredible, and if he'd wanted to, Shinku could have easily crushed her ribcage.

He was about to blow her brains out. Fine. Shinku still wouldn't get very far, the whole of South HQ could take one man, and as soon as Spade got the news... Shula growled slightly, and of all the random moments when Spade had a knack for showing up at the last second, this would have been ideal. But Spade didn't come through the door, and his wires didn't shoot out from his watch to wrap around Shinku like a spindle. Instead, a very serious Axel came in. Axel? The upwards kick had been enough to get Shinku's boot off of her body, but certainly not enough to take him down, and now that his eyes were trained on Axel, Shula didn't wait to roll away and onto her knees, giving a small gasp and a cough. Shinku's gun moved around speedily to point itself right back at her head, even though his eyes were on the Esparian. Shinku said he now had two prizes to claim. Shit.

Burning red eyes looked from the gun to Shinku to Axel. "Axel, get out of here!" she barked, watching the killer as Axel assailed him with insults. He was armed with his EMR, and the voltage was crackling off the end of the prod. A tiny thought in the back of her head really hoped Shinku didn't do a really douchy thing and throw her at the rod because that would really hurt like a motherfucker. The duster was pulled from Shinku's body and carelessly tossed aside, only to reveal a sword that should have only existed in comic books. Okay, that was it. Shula knew her vows, but this was about to become a rather desperate situation. The sword was the easiest target. It was metal, and metal was a conducter. It would heat up, and he'd drop it and that would hopefully give Axel an opening to zap this guy into a stupor.

The backs of Shula's hands brushed against each other, metal against metal of her bracelets, friction igniting the saltpetre and creating the spark. Her alchemy ignited, oxygen in the room feeding the fireball, the temperature in the room suddenly escalating as it rushed forward toward the metal blade. She should have aimed it at the man. But Shinku was a man who needed to be tried for his crimes; he needed to be taken alive. Shinku's blade arced upward effortlessly, Shula pulling the oxygen to make her flame hotter in hopes of making him drop the sword when the unthinkable happened: it began to rain in the office. The sprinkler line had been cut, and now water was coming down all over the office. The temperature dropped back down quickly. Flame extinguished. In just a few seconds, Shula's quick plan was soaked and ruined and the situation had gone from bad to worse. Now really would be a perfect time to magically find Spade's garrot watch just conveniently hiding in her office, but the odds of that were slim to none.

Chancing it, Shula scrambled to her desk for her gun in the top drawer, annoyed with herself that she didn't usually holster it. She didn't usually need to. Shinku seemed preoccupied with Axel for the moment, but there was still a good chance he'd be able to shoot her without even trying. Safety off, Shula pulled the hammer down and aimed as Shula saw the great blade move upward once more toward Axel's chest. [color=green]"Axel!![/i] White hair matted down Shula's face, water running off her forehead and chin. The gun went off, the bullet sailing through the cold water toward Shinku's back, aimed for his heart. She was aiming to kill and would have to deal with the reports later. For now, her only goals were to try and keep Axel from becoming sashimi and for them both to get out of the office alive, entirely opposite anything Shinku had in mind as a goal for himself.

[Jay Furor]

~BUMP~

[Shinku Kamogaya]

Shinku had lost track of Shula's movements in his blood haze. The annoying esparian dog was prodding him to no end and he wanted to stop his little mouth from running off. He was Spade's prodigy after all. As far as he was concerned, with Spade out of the picture, there weren't many able bodied protectorats to stop his cleansing and establishment of his kingdom. Before his blade could strike home into the very vessel of Axel, a loud bang awoke him.

That's right.. There were two of them. Shinku swiftly tuned his animal senses and twisted around. The blade swung with him, but even a beast has to bow before logic and physics imparted by the universe. He felt the bite of metal in his shoulder, but he kept going, using the flat side of his blade to smack the pistol from her hand to the side of the room, in the process throwing his blade to stick in the wall. His targeting perimeters had switched.

Easily leaping over the desk, Shinku's hand took on a chopping configuration, Shinku then thrusted his fingertips into the woman's shoulder. His chimeric arm had stabbed her good. He made sure to miss her vitals, but he real horror was to come. His new arm that formed from the painstaking process of melding beast and man had the skin similarity like that of a poison dart frog. It was a vivid blue color, easy enough make it look serene. His fingers were in her warm flesh down to his knuckles. His tank top was soaked in water, shula's blood, and his own from the seeping wound. He thrusted his stabbing arm to pin Shula against the wall, as his other hand reached into his wound. His claws easily dug out the bullet, but around the wound, the skin flaked off ever so slightly.

His eyes were beyond comprehension. Picking at the skin around the wound, there was a good fist sized patch of green skin with amphibian qualities. It was smooth and rubbery to touch, just like his arm.

Was.. He going to lose his humanity forever to kill Spade? To get revenge on Aerugo, to build his paradise? Clenching the bullet in his fist, he turned to look back at Shula, his hand  ever so gently brushing her cheek as he chuckled. "You should start feeling it anytime now, princess. I have gained abilities beyond your comprehension. Right now I have just injected you with a good dose of neurotoxin. But dont worry, you've got a good 24 hours. First you'll feel hot... Then, you'll start to hack and cough your own blood and start to feeling searing pain. Following that will come numbness and hallucinations, followed by coma and sweet, everlasting death. I can't wait to see how Spade decided to spend his final moments with you.. "

He pulled himself in closer. His lips touching her ear as he whispered softly but menacingly. "I'll give you the antidote free of charge Shula. Though, you've only have a 30% chance of living." reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a vial of a watery substance with a pinkish hue. He placed it in her hand, as he made her hand close around it."None of you can stop me.. Sakuya is your only hope.." tossing her aside as he withdrew his hand, he turned back to face Axel.

"You have 7 minutes left, Axel. One of those cars out there has enough plastic explosives to decimate the parking lot and everyone in the front of this building. Not to mention you'll have a lot of gasoline fueled cars to deal with. You better stop me quick you spick!" leaping back to his blade, he quickly pulled it out of the wall and resumed fighting stance.

[Axel Belial]

As the blade swung down Axel dropped his body to the ground with a loud thump. Rolling to the side and raising his leg sending his boot into Shinku's jaw before rolling onto his shoulders and springing onto his feet. As the water fell he snapped of the electric charging through his weapon. Damn his best weapon would kill them all now...

But he didn't get time to think as shula took the chance to fire a shot at the guy. It didn't take seconds for gthe msn to stab shula with his nails. Ouch...

He growled as he stood watching ready to move. "You should start feeling it anytime now, princess. I have gained abilities beyond your comprehension. Right now I have just injected you with a good dose of neurotoxin. But dont worry, you've got a good 24 hours. First you'll feel hot... Then, you'll start to hack and cough your own blood and start to feeling searing pain. Following that will come numbness and hallucinations, followed by coma and sweet, everlasting death. I can't wait to see how Spade decided to spend his final moments with you.. " The guy whispered to shula before turning to him, A dark smirk on the mans face. Axel raised a finger to his right ear playing with one of his earrings. Pressing down on it before dropping his hand. Secretly having turned on his wireless mic......directly feeding it to his phone....shifting a hand in his pocket he pressed a button on his phone which fed his mic feed to his phone...to the pa system in south. What a smart little hack.

"You have 7 minutes left, Axel. One of those cars out there has enough plastic explosives to decimate the parking lot and everyone in the front of this building. Not to mention you'll have a lot of gasoline fueled cars to deal with. You better stop me quick you spick!" Letting out a whistle Axel grinned as the slight echo of Shinku's voice reverberated round the hall's wall.

"Sounds like the whole building knows now, Yo." He smirked as he flicked his hair and twirled his rod. The water wasn't so heavy now so maybe he can use the rod properly now. "So while they get there sniffer dogs to search the cars...I have plenty of time, yo." In moments he rushed forward. Ducking from the sword aiming to elbow the chimera's nose. If the aim was right he could break it and if he was lucky...maybe kill the man at the right angle.

(sorry for the delay,. Also shout if you want something changed)

[Shula Brighton]

Shula hadn't really screamed out before now, not really; even as Shinku unleashed his wrath upon her floor, and even as he pinned her to the floor, Shula hadn't given the chimera the satisfaction of her screams. No fear. No cries for help or mercy. He didn't like it one bit, she'd noted. But whatever he had lacked she now generously made up for. Wet metal sailed from Shula's hand to across the room, far from her reach as the sword that was easily as big as she was went with it and impaled the wall mercilessly. There had been no crimson splash from Axel's body, no crumble of his person. Instead, the man-beast turned and leapt, bullet lodged firmly in the thick meat of Shinku's shoulder. The recoil from having her gun ripped from her hand stung, sending sharp tingles up Shula's drenched arm, eliciting a sharp yelp from her as she stepped back.

The step back and even the wet desk in the way proved to not be nearly enough of an obstacle, rather seeming to aid Shinku as his body sailed up and came down, fingers thrusting in together like a spearhead into the body of the tiny woman. Whatever precious screams Shinku had wanted before came now and rang out sharply over the steady hiss of the water. Watery crimson sprayed, staining the blue of Shula's sari and coating Shinku's hand. Blue against darker blue and bright red, so vivid and clear even as the world zig-zagged around Shula's vision, her body reacting to the sudden invasion and pain. Knuckles deep, soft flesh yielded to the chimera even as she tried to push him away. Twice now. Twice now Shinku could have killed her, but didn't. He wanted to drag this out. He wanted them both to put up a fight and really try to stop him, or call out for help, call to Spade.. and watch them fail. Shula gasped and writhed, and howled in pain all over as her body was thrust roughly against the wall, shaking and feeling ill. Each beat of her heart made the ache in the open flesh that much more raw, the cold water stinging, her body cold and hot all at once.

What... what was he? What was fueling Shinku to go to such measures? Hate? Revenge? But didn't they have their limits? Hazy red eyes widened, watching him pull the bullet from his arm, not caring about the pain or flesh that pulled away and flaked from his body. Smooth, oddly-colored skin glistened in the water. She gasped and shuddered, trying once more to pull away, only to feel her body reel in protest, the room spinning once more. As he leaned in close, something hot burned deep in the pit of Shula's stomach, her little hand pushing against his chest even harder, to no avail. Bullet in hand, wet, rubbery fingers brushed up and down Shula's cheek in a gentle way that mocked tenderness. It was the same sort of soft gesture she'd felt many times from those she'd loved, and someone like Shinku touching her cheek that way... It made her feel ill. Her breaths shook as Shula did her best to glare needles at the beast, unnerved and quickly becoming rather frightened by his grin and otherworldly eyes. "You should start feeling it anytime now, princess."

Red eyes burned darker, her glare seething. "Don't you dare call me "Princess," she hissed. Even Spade wasn't allowed. Her words had no effect, and her body was starting to grow hot, despite the frigid water. Anger? Was that making her feel hot and the wound making her feel ill?

"I have gained abilities beyond your comprehension. Right now I have just injected you with a good dose of neurotoxin. But dont worry, you've got a good 24 hours. First you'll feel hot..." .....Well fuck. Of all the times Shula had ever wanted to think well of Raistlin, now was it, if for no other reason than the array he'd given her. She had been invulnerable to poisons and toxins, and anything impure that would alter her body. Had been. He'd set her free, and the array was nullified within her now, leaving Shula defenseless to Shinku's toxins. And that was called a cruel irony. "Then, you'll start to hack and cough your own blood and start to feeling searing pain. Following that will come numbness and hallucinations, followed by coma and sweet, everlasting death. I can't wait to see how Spade decided to spend his final moments with you.. "

Finally. Finally the fear was beginning to seep back into her eyes as what Shinku said sank in. This... This really was to make Spade suffer. It wasn't personal against her, or Axel, or even Ace. This was just to unravel Spade by taking away everyone who made him strong. 24 hours to live? That couldn't be. She'd promised him her lifetime! The irony was harsh- she'd been born weak, coughing and fighting to live. She'd nearly died many times, but eventually was healed, and won. Everything had changed. Destiny altered. But now it was back to coughing and bleeding, and spending the remnants of life in agonizing pain and begging to die....? Maybe... that was the price for selling her soul and treading forbidden ground. Or maybe you really couldn't change destiny. Karma. Tears welled up and fell, undistinguishable from the water that dripped from her face but more than evident in the sheen of her eyes. She was shaking, biting her lip to keep from cursing Shinku and giving him any more satisfaction in her pain and growing fear.

Her body was fighting going into shock as Shula felt more and more ill with every passing heartbeat, Shinku leaning in even closer. What, did he want to give the bride a kiss for luck to rub it in? His lips brushed Shula's ear in the same gentle way that he'd touched her face, cruelly mimicking tenderness and making her want to wrest her head away from him. She wasn't his to lean in so close like that, not his to let his lips touch her skin. It was sacrelidge. "I'll give you the antidote free of charge Shula. Though, you've only a 30% chance of living." ...Well, that was awfully sporting of him now, wasn't it? Trying to take her breaths as slowly as she could, Shula felt something cold and smooth slip into her little palm, her fingers pushed closed around it. The antidote? Was... Was this a trick? Why on earth would Shinku poison her only to give her a chance to live? Shula didn't understand.. but she didn't know Shinku well enough at all, so how could she possibly understand anything that went through his head or his reasonings for things. "None of you can stop me.. Sakuya is your only hope.."

Spade... No. Spade might have been the only hope to stop Shinku's rampage, but right here, right now, Shinku was outnumbered. All of South was here and ready to fight to stop him. And Axel was here, engaged in the fight he hadn't counted on when he'd come to visit. And Shula was here, and she would try to stop the beast, no matter what. The antidote was in her hand; Shinku had given it to her. Sakuya wasn't her only hope for life, and she didn't need him to swoop in and save the day- she could do that just as well. With another pained cry, Shula was tossed aside, the pain registering fully now that she was away from Shinku and the wound left to bleed out through her clothes and into the wet carpet. The alarm was screaming, the water freezing, and security lining up at the door outside room, rows of guns pointed in.

"You have 7 minutes left, Axel. One of those cars out there has enough plastic explosives to decimate the parking lot and everyone in the front of this building. Not to mention you'll have a lot of gasoline fueled cars to deal with. You better stop me quick you spick!"

Shinku had retaken his sword and was ready to start up again against Axel. Soldiers of South seemed to be waiting for a clear shot in all the commotion, but at the moment this was something of a hostage situation; they wouldn't dare shoot. They were all hostages... Shinku's voice echoed out through the halls of the HQ in every room, loud and clear for all to hear as he announced the bomb. The vial slipped from her fingers as Shula pushed herself up onto her uninjured side, panting.  "Cut... Cut the water!" she barked. Very rarely did Shula give orders, and at the moment, that might help them get out alive, if only slightly. Men scrambled to get to the breaker, working to turn off the water feeds that were drowning them right now. "AXEL! Stand DOWN! Take security and go disarm the bomb!!" Cheeks flushed, Shula was dead serious. They were all in danger, and she wouldn't risk any more of her staff dying today. Men at the door hesitated for a moment only before scrambling off to go on an Easter Egg hunt in the parking lot in hopes of dismantling the bomb Shinku had made for them."That's an order!" Odds were the redhead wouldn't obey, but it never hurt to try.

The awkward tinkle of music rang out, the sitar and harp melody meaning just one thing: Spade was calling. Her phone still worked, despite her being drenched and tossed around, noting that the heavy duty case she'd paid extra for was worth it. Shula fell back against the floor to reach for the phone that lay on the floor amid the mess, just inches from her fingertips. "Spade--!" She tried to keep the desperation and fear out of her voice, suddenly torn and afraid to talk to him. Shinku had killed her. What could she possibly tell him that wouldn't be wrong, or what would even be right? They'd been in the hospital together before and she was dying then, by Riastlin's hands. Shula hadn't told him she was dying then, and yet he figured it out. Would he know now, too? What was happening here at South HQ was bound to hit the news stations all over Amestris in no time, if they weren't already filming outside and waiting to see the results of this situation. "..I can't wait to see how Spade decided to spend his final moments with you.. " Shula shuddered against the heat that was beginning to burn in her cheeks and chest. Swallowing it down, Shula made one of the most painful choices of her life, and let it ring. She didn't answer. Maybe Spade knew what was going on, maybe he didn't yet. But right now, letting him listen in on she and Axel trying to take out his enemy with all of them in danger wpi;d be just one more heartache to burden Spade with.

The water was dying down, and Axel seemed pleased with himself, reaching to his cattle prod once more. "Sounds like the whole building knows now, Yo. So while they get there sniffer dogs to search the cars...I have plenty of time, yo." Axel lunged at Shinku, confident as he moved to carry out his assault. Axel was impressive- he was graceful, and quick, and the trick with the PA system came as a nice surprise. Hell, for all she knew Azel was recording all of this and broadcasting it live right to Chancellor Reinhardt's office...

Her ringing phone was left on the carpet by the scattered and soggy papers, the vial of pink antidote somewhere nearby, temporarily forgotten. Something deeper than the pain in her chest or the sudden heat began to burn within the tiny General. She was the General of South for a reason, and even with her alchemy extinguished, Shula was far from helpless. Everyone seemed to forget that so easily and mark her off as eternally frail. With a gasp and biting back a pained cry, she stood. wet, bleeding, and shaking, blood-colored eyes locked on Shinku. Panting, she made a move to her gun with a surprising strength and speed, leaving crimson trails in the carpet as she dashed. She dropped, skidded to grap the gun, and slid along soaked carpet away from Shinku as Shula rose again, panting hard. Thin brown fingers pulled the hammer back, aiming at the beast once more as her other hand moved to try and put pressure on the wound, hoping to slow the bleeding. "You think I'm... out of goes, you bastard?" The sights lined up with Shinku's head between them, her body shaking. "If I can stand, I can FIGHT!" This beast intended to hurt the whole of Amestris by attacking, but Ishvalla help her, Shula would give him a run for his money and stop him or die trying. And if she died... she would at least try to keep Spade from having to watch.


(Same for me. Anything needs changing, I'll fix Modnay. Hoo boy Shula's piiiiissed XD)

[Shinku Kamogaya]

Shinku looked up to the intercom system on the ceiling. His voice only made his ego grow. Looking at Axel, Shinku gave a coy smile. "Good! It is so awesome to hear myself! It doesn't change anything! Your fates are sealed!" As Shinku's blade missed its target, Shinku's face was prone to an elbow strike. Dropping his blade, his hand intercept the elbow just an inch from his nose, using the momentum to launch him towards Shula. Killing two birds with one stone. Although he still had the guards to deal with at the door.

Using his foot, Shinku lift up the sword and flung it at the guards. He could always get a new one. One of the guards managed to fire off his twelve gauge, and while the man had to move his aim some the dodge the monstrous blade, a few pellets shaved off a part of Shinku's shoulder. Wincing in pain, his hand came up to grip his shoulder in some pain. He sure wasn't human, that is for sure, but even he had to bow before supreme physics and power. " Ahh fuck! That stings!!" He had to make a decision. His life was in perio for once. But there was literally one window of escape. There was no considering the height of the fall, or what was at the bottom. Barreling for the window, he lowered his head down and put his shoulder to the glass.

The glass cut him good. There was a reason you bled so much from a glass cut. One's body cant deal with such a precise laceration, and now, his tank top was completely crimson, with torn seams. Now that he thought about it, he would have to get a new coat. Shinku didn't have time to see what he would fall on, but he only managed to land on a metal bench. His eyes widened as he braced for the worst. His feet hit the bench first, causing his footing to fail him and roll forward. Regaining his composure, he looked out in front of him, clutching his shoulder as he was crouched. He was at the parking lot. Rows of red and blue lights alternating lit up his gaze. A barricade of police cruisers and a few elite special squad vans were present, with a couple dozen officers with rifles, pistols, and shotguns aimed to kill. Shinku looked down at the ground below his feet as he chuckled in disbelief. His own life blood was staining the concrete. Reaching into his pocket, he discreetly pulled out his cellphone and started dialing his phone. He kept a straight face, as he started the call. He ignored the threats and demands to lie on the ground. As the officers began to count from 3. "Goodnight, South.." The officers began to search around then as the ring of a cellphone was heard among the parking lot. It was a cheerful little tune, as shinku overrided the countdown and watched as his car erupted into a plue of ash, fire, and scrap metal towering fifty feet. The surrounding cars began to erupt from the catalyst bomb. Officers began to die left and right as the officers shielded themselves and had been trapped in an inferno. Shinku smiled as the parking lot had started to be evacuated and had been enveloped in flame and wrought steel. Shinku didn't waste time as he began to bolt for the water. He would find safety in the resevoir.

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