Weird Games: A BZPB SORAverse Story

<Warehouse, Pennymans District, Rockbay City, Connecticut Side>

Albrecht's eyes narrowed at the thief. "You won't get far in this business by being sensitive. Why don't you stop by the armory and help yourself to some of the new munitions? That way, if you meet that punk again, you won't be the one running away. Anyway, I have somewhere to be. Goodbye."

With that, Albrecht pulled up his collar and walked in the direction of the town. He turned a corner and disappeared into the night.

-----------------------

<The Submersible under the Warehouse, Pennymans District, Rockbay City, Connecticut Side
Ten hours after Kurt's accident - The same morning as the Protectors meet>

The blurred colours and shapes that made up Kurt's vision slowly began to come into focus as he groggily woke from his sleep. Upon opening his eyes, a bright light shined into them, causing him to recoil momentarily. When his eyes adjusted to the light, he realized that he was staring at the electric bulb on the ceiling, and that he was laying on the cold metal floor.

Suddenly, the events of the previous night came rushing back to him. He quickly got to his feet and inspected his surroundings; to his horror, the crate that he had opened was still open, but its contents were gone. The crystals, and the green light that they radiated, were nowhere to be found. Even the shards of the crystal he dropped had been swept off the floor.

Kurt panicked. He had failed the only task his brother had given him, and now he could expect the earth-shattering consequences of failure that his brother had warned him of.

No way in hell I'm sticking around for that, Kurt thought. He knew that his only option now was to flee before his brother returned. He tied his shoes, shoved several bottles of water into his backpack, and took one last swig of his favorite can of beer before pressing the button to lower the sub's ladder. Just as he placed his foot on the bottom rung, the hatch slid open to reveal the face of the last man in the world he wanted to see.

"Kurt," Albrecht said with a disapproving glare, "You weren't drinking on the job, were you?"

Kurt gulped and shook his head. "N-no."

"...Right. So are you gonna get off the ladder, or will I have to kick you off?"

Kurt nodded weakly and stepped off the ladder, backing away towards the other end of the room. While Albrecht climbed down, Kurt ran towards the now-empty crates and tried to cover them with his body, stretching out his arms and legs to cover as many of the gaps as possible. Unfortunately, the thud of Albrecht's boots on the floor told him that he was out of time.

"What... the... HELL?!" Albrecht screamed, barely able to contain his rage. Kurt guiltily repositioned himself in front of the crates, but it was no use: there was no way Albrecht would fall for such an obvious trick. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE CARGO?!"

"I-I, uh..." Kurt stammered, desperately searching for an explanation.

"I gave you ONE job, Kurt. ONE FUCKING JOB, and you couldn't even do that right. God, I should have put you down myself years ago. Would've saved everyone a whole lotta trouble. Now I have to clean up your mess yet again."

Kurt was approaching the verge of tears. The words of his brother, whose love and acceptance he secretly yearned for, stung hard.

"Well, better late than never." Albrecht muttered, drawing his pistol and aiming it at his own flesh and blood. "Any last words?"

Kurt was about to plead for his life, but first felt the sensation of air rising up his throat. Before he could react, he let out a burp the likes of which this world has never seen. A mighty torrent of stale air, with winds far in excess of 200mph, blasted out of Kurt's mouth and slammed into his brother. Albrecht barely had time to scream as he was launched across the room and slammed into the wall, breaking several bones and knocking him out cold. His unconscious body slumped against the floor.

Kurt grasped his throat, taken aback by his own erratic breathing. He ripped his backpack open and chugged one of its water bottles to try to calm down. Tears were streaming down his face as he realized that he had now fucked up harder than he had ever fucked up before. Not only had his own brother tried to kill him, but there was something very wrong with his body. Did someone put something in his drink? Just what the hell was going on?

The crystals did this. I have to get away. I need to get help.

Kurt drank the last of his water and took one last look at Albrecht's body. I'm sorry, brother... I'm so sorry.

And with that, Kurt fled.

-----------------------

<Unknown location - same time>

A man limped down a darkened corridor, the loose metal walkway clanging beneath his feet with every step he took. He supported himself with a black walking stick topped with a silver head. A thin beam of light emanated from a strange clockwork device embedded in his eye socket as he surveyed his environment.

When he reached the end of the corridor, a door swung open to reveal a luxurious room, adorned with a miniature library, an armchair, and a roaring fireplace. The man smiled, sat in the armchair, and picked up one of his favorite books to read.

About half an hour later, the door to the room swung open and a young woman wearing a naval uniform stepped in. The man in the armchair grimaced upon hearing her entry.

"You know, it's very rude to enter a man's private quarters without knocking."

The woman blushed. "I'm sorry sir, it's just that you wanted me to keep you updated about your son's mission?"

The man sighed and licked his index finger as he turned a page of his book. "And?"

"It was a complete success, sir! We've loaded the cargo through the rear port and into chamber 2, so that the Protectors won't be able to detect its energy signature, sir."

"Good. Were there any complications?"

"None at all. There was a man supposedly guarding it, but he was already unconscious when he got there so we just left him be."

"Very well. Tell my son he'll receive a bonus for his good work."

"Yes, Lord Silverwood. Are we returning to the Shetland Islands?"

"Not yet. I have one last errand to attend to."

The woman turned and exited the room, leaving the Lord to his reading. A satisfied smile spread across his face. Stage one of his plan was complete: he had the crystals, now he just needed someone to test them on, and he knew the perfect candidates: The Protectors of Rockbay City.

< Chowder Island >

Naraka and Domino were partway through their cross-country trek when Domino caught sight of the latest in a long line of mysterious onlookers who had been trailing them since they arrived at the docks.

"I take it you've noticed them too?" asked Domino. From behind, he could only make out the shifting outline of Naraka's hair as she nodded. "You got a plan?"

"Keep walking."

"Do you have any idea where we're headed?"

"Not a clue. But the fact that we're drawing so much attention tells me it's in the right direction."

"Well, little lady, you might just be right." replied an unknown voice, laden in a thick cowboy twang. Naraka turned, drawing her bow, as she caught sight of a poncho-wearing cowboy standing atop a nearby outcrop, smoking a cigar.

"Another one of Thule's goons?" asked Domino, smirking. The cowboy chuckled.

"I tried being reasonable." he replied, exhaling a puff of smoke. He clicked back the hammer of his revolver. "Didn't take to it."

"My name is Naraka Isthar." replied Naraka, sliding an arrow into her bow. "First Heir of House Aegaeon, son of Demon King Baal, commander of Legio II Aegaeas, inheritor of Vijaya, and former first Premier of the Kanos Jai. Holster your firearm and walk away if you have any interest in self-preservation, and if you are going to do so, do so immediately."

The cowboy smirked, pausing. "Well now - Why would I go and do that when..."

The entire scene froze, save for a gentle breeze flowing through the hills, which lifted up the cowboy's poncho, revealing a cybernetic left arm. Domino's eyes widened, and he rushed to Naraka, pushing her to the ground and shielding her with his body, as McCree raised his revolver.

"...It's High Noon."

<Chowder Island Coast, Chowder Island, Massachusetts>

Izzy Kandar: "My research tells me that Prohibition hasn't been enforced that well on this island, so we should be fine."

Zanny: "Your research?! My research!"

Izzy: "Potayto, po-tattoo! We're a team, Zanny. Anyway, I hope we don't run into any trouble inside the town in the form of protagonists!"

Izzy and Zephyr made their way to the town, and arrived at an inn near the town square. Everything around them was quiet. Too quiet. They went to the concierge desk and inquired about the "special guest program", code for a speakeasy. The attendant at the desk led them down a flight of stairs hidden behind a nearby closet.

They entered the bar and saw a flapper girl on stage. She had to have been in her 50s, yet she rambunctiously sang and twirled, showing off her gams to a group of men seated near the stage. Izzy Kandar ignored this and ordered a pint of beer. The bartender confidently poured the lager out for him, unaware of the fact that Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice agents were a few miles away.

Izzy Kandar: "Stop staring at her, she's too young for us! Er...too young for me."

He finished the pint in one gulp, and ordered another. The flapper girl finished her song and made her way to the bar. She slouched on the stool next to Zephyr and ordered a mint julep. She pulled out a cigarette, and the bartender lit it for her.

???: "Thanks, Sal. Another slow day."

Sal replied in a thick Bostonian accent.

Sal The Bartender: "Yeah, well, as long as none of those criminals are giving me trouble I'm fine here."

The woman puffed smoke and looked at Zephyr.

???: "Hey big lug, never seen you around here before."

---

<WDR's Office, Rockbay City, Connecticut>

Landa scratched his head. He was not sure what a "nuclear explosion" was. However, his worst fears had been assuaged. The Vedic Cannon would not be a threat to their plans.

Landa: "My sincerest gratitude for the explanation, Mayor Reed. Herr Doktor Zucker will be pleased once he is informed about this revelation. It fits into the grand plan of the American Thule Society, a key piece of the plan of our European benefactors."

Landa nodded, smiling.

Landa: "You know, Herr Doktor Zucker is a wise, resourceful gentleman who is studious and intelligent."

Mayor Reed grinned, puffing on his cigar.

Reed: "Of course."

Landa stood up and politely bowed. He smiled once again, an expression that stood in contrast to the words he was about to deliver.

Landa: "I am confident you understand the implications of this. You are useful, but do not overestimate your indispensability."

He turned around, facing the door.

Landa: "You can be replaced."

Before Reed could respond, Landa had disappeared into thin air. An aide burst into the room.

Random Aide: "Sir, the Citizens for Ray Ayanami's Recognition are protesting at the City Council meeting again. How do we respond? BTW it being High Noon and now are brothers."

---

<North Port, Chowder Island, Massachusetts>

Bravarius: "She just left?"

The Shadow Operative: "And so did Domino and Naraka. I suppose that means we're splitting up. Good plan, team."

Bravarius: "Evander, would you mind helping us figure out what's wrong with the man on the beach?"

The Shadow Operative looked at Evelyn and nodded.

The Shadow Operative: "Let's talk to the captain. A few of the Wisemen can come with us."

The Shadow Operative approached Captain Reynolds, and introduced himself, Evelyn (using her superhero name of course), and the agents.

Captain Reynolds: "I'm Captain Robert Reynolds, pleased to meet'cha. What brings you supers out here? I've heard of the Protectors from a few tourists and travelers."

The Shadow Operative: "We're investigating a crime."

Captain Reynolds: "Crime? Heh....it comes and goes. This place has many secrets..."

TSO: "So it seems. Mind if we ask a few questions?"

Captain Reynolds: "Ask away."

The captain lit his pipe and muttered "Ore wa...jigoku ni iru" to himself again. Evelyn noticed that something was wrong. She sensed that Captain Reynolds was slightly nervous, the same level of uncertainty a person would have if they were about to attack someone.

---

<Town Entrance, Chowder Island, Massachusetts>

A man span around, leaped into the air, and landed in front of Kara. He spoke in a French accent, and had dark circles under his eyes.

The Acrobat: "Hello, mon amie! What brings you to Chowder Island? Why are you carrying a gun?"

A middle-aged woman cradling a log passed by and made her way to a small cottage. In the distance, Kara noticed a boy spinning near some small buildings. An African American man with an eye patch walked up to him and started laughing at his games. He then placed his hands on his own face and made a distorted scream.

---

<Warehouse, Pennymans District, Rockbay City, Connecticut Side>

The Thief: "wh-wh-wh--???"

Albrecht was gone.

Thief: "MOTHERFUCKER!!"

The Thief muttered something about "anti-materiel guns" and started searching for new munitions.

[ Chowder Island Speakeasy, Chowder Island, Massachusetts ]

Smirking, Zephyr stood up and slammed a wad of cash onto the bar counter.

"Hey, bartender! Get me a screwdriver, heavy on the vodka, and keep em' coming. More beers for my four-armed friend here too!" Zephyr gestured towards Izzy before sitting back down and turning to the flapper girl. "And I guess I'll cover the lady's here as well."

"Yeah, was just in the neighbourhood after doing some business earlier, so thought I'd check around town and see if there's anything interesting going on." Zephyr began as the bartender slid a glass of screwdriver on the counter towards him.

Accepting the cocktail with a word of thanks, the Russian took a measured sip, seemingly testing the waters before nodding in appreciation and taking a bigger swallow.

"Gotta say, though. Not much happening in this town. Place kinda looks deserted. It's actually a bit creepy." Zephyr commented casually. "Seriously, what's up with that?"

< Reed's Office >

Reed shrugged. "That's a job for the police department; don't bother me."

Wesley pushed into the office. "You called, sir?" he asked, as the aide quietly left the room.

"How much money is left in our accounts?"

Wesley looked confused. "A... considerable amount, sir. Are you thinking of making a purchase?"

Reed shook his head, and stood up, taking a puff from his cigarette. "Actually, I'm thinking of parting with something." he replied, looking out the window at the sunset view beyond. "Sin."

"Sin?" replied Wesley, even more confused. Reed turned to him, smirking.

"The picture on the desk. Look at it." replied Reed, gesturing to his desk. Sure enough, a picture was laying on it; Wesley picked it up and inspected it. It depicted - in quite poor quality - a man in prison rags being escorted through a hole in a castle wall by a group of men in dark robes, wearing masks. At the fore of the group, firing a pair of shotguns wildly at a target out of frame, was a mysterious robed terrorist sporting a mask resembling a bird's skull. Wesley looked over to Reed.

"That's Landsberg castle, in Germany. A prisoner recently escaped after a sudden and violent raid by a team of mercenaries led by the mysterious terrorist known as Reaper, an agent of Thule." he added, walking back to his desk. "For too long, I have tolerated Thule - nay, benefited from their activities - but I can no longer turn a blind eye to their ambitions. Do you know who the prisoner they're helping is?"

Wesley nodded.

"Then you know what the ideology of Thule is. An ideology I cannot stomach... an ideology even one as unscrupulous as myself has a moral duty to fight. But this isn't a war that can be won with simple weapons. Even had I the Vedic Lunar Cannon, the dark religion of Thule is not something that can be leveled in a single strike. It is something that will take concerted effort - the concerted effort of hearts and minds, not rifles and grenades - to drive from first our great nation, and then the Earth." he added, extinguishing his cigar. "What Thule is proposing is a New Order. But it is not new, and it is not order. And I intend to use the oldest of weapons to fight it... democracy."

Wesley's eyes shot open. "Sir, you don't mean-?!"

Reed nodded. "Landa's poison words have cemented my position; I'm done with Thule. Too long have I cowered in fear of them. Too long have I helped them - too long have I sat idly by whilst their evil creeps through this city, this world, like a dark cancer. I will cleanse from myself the Sin garnered through willfully furthering their aims; I will open the eyes of this nation to this poison; I will reveal their treachery for what it truly is, and I will turn the people of this country into the righteous spear by which we may purge it - and all other evils - from the world. I will become the next President of our great nation; I will redefine our great nation, and I will restore civilization to a height not seen since the fall of Atlantis." he said, looking towards Wesley whilst smirking. "I will make America great again."

---

<Rockbay, Streets>

The Ray Ayanami protestors parted as a convoy of armored cars rushed through, sirens blaring. The convoy pulled up to a gun store and police officers poured out, charging in and arresting the store's staff, hauling them away. Meanwhile, in Pennymans, the remaining members of Golec Uorkiestra burst into a drug den, mowing down its occupants with sub-machinegun fire. The sound of gunfire filled the streets as the purge began; even in North Ridge, where Jay Gatsby was dragged into the back of an armored car and taken away. Reed, who had been complicit in allowing Thule to operate covertly within the city, had betrayed them, providing lists of its members and sympathizers to both the police, and the gangs that were in his pocket. News quickly spread, with panicked citizens wondering about what was occuring; how convenient, then, that Mayor Reed was on hand to give a speech. Hundreds gathered in the main square, which was under heavy police protection, to hear his words. He stood behind the podium, and cleared his throat, smiling as he looked out at the crowd.

'Your move, Zucker.'

---

<Chowder Island>

A staccato burst of gunshots rang out as McCree emptied his revolver towards Naraka and Domino. The rounds pinged off Domino's mask unexpectedly, much to the surprise of McCree, but as Domino turned to fire, the cowboy had already disappeared. Naraka climbed to her feet.

"You didn't need to block those shots." replied Naraka, her eyes scanning her immediate surroundings. "My armor's bulletproof."

"You don't have a helmet on." replied Domino, smirking. "That man's name is Jesse McCree. I fought him during the war. He's a crack shot; rumor had it that he'd never loosed a round that didn't hit someone between the eyes - that was, until he met me."

"That damned mask of yours... ruined my perfect streak." called out McCree, though his whereabouts were still unknown. "I see you've reinforced it since."

"You could say that." replied Domino, turning with his back to Naraka's. He elbowed her. "Materialize a god-damn helmet or something, unless your face is bulletproof too."

She shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't do that. It screws up my aiming."

"A helmet screws up your aiming? You are without doubt the worst Archer I've ever heard of." replied Domino, sighing.

"But you have heard of me." she replied, jumping into the air. From high above, she saw McCree crouched behind a nearby rock. He looked up at her and fired; she bisected his round with an arrow of her own, and the two repeated this exchange until McCree's revolver was empty. Naraka smirked, loosing a killing shot, but McCree rolled out the way, avoiding it. She fired again, but was caught off guard when McCree loosed another round in return. But... his chamber was empty! she thought, panicking as the round closed in on her. Did he really just... reload his entire gun during that roll?

"Well, don't just sit there, kid." said Domino, rapidly raising his pistol and shooting McCree's bullet out of the air. Naraka's arrow carried on and hit McCree through the chest, pinning him to the rock behind him. Naraka landed infront of him, the tip of a drawn arrow pressed to his neck.

"Any last words?"

"A few. But they ain't for you." he replied, weakly. He looked over to Domino. "I always knew you were a Super. Shooting that bullet out of the air... Even I couldn't do that."

"McCree... do you mean to say you're not a super?"

The dying cowboy smirked. "Had you all fooled, didn't I? There used to be a time where hard work and practice got you somewhere... but I reckon the American dream died in the fires of that damned war. If you ain't born a super... you ain't worth shit, anymore. You showed us all that, Baudouin... The German Empire's Crimson Fury."

"McCree..."

"Once the generals saw you... saw what you could do... all they cared about were Supers. Normal men like me... we were sandbags to keep you all safe. I hoped... if I could infiltrate Thule... Destroy them from within... I could show this world that there's more to life than being born with superpowers... that us oldtypes weren't going to die out so easily..."

Domino stuck his hand out. "Then let's fight together, McCree... Let's show this world the light of the human soul."

McCree shook his head, and reached for the barrel of his revolver. Naraka twitched nervously, but held off from executing him when she realized he was holding it out towards Domino, handle first. "I ain't long for this world, Baudouin... an' I suppose that's comeuppance, given what I've done and seen over the past few years. Take my gun - it's clear now that you're better suited to it than I ever was... and be sure to send Herr Zucker my regards when you see him." he said, handing the gun to Domino as he drew a final cigar and lit it. He looked out at the ocean wistfully, and took a draw from the cigar.

"Well... I guess it's high noon somewhere in the world."

Naraka loosed her arrow, finishing him off. She nonchalantly dematerialized her bow, before continuing on her original path. Domino turned to her, an expression of disbelief on his face."

"Naraka..."

"It's called a coup de grâce, Domino. You of all people should understand."

"You just killed a man... you could show a little more respect. We should give him a proper burial."

Infuriated, Naraka turned and loosed an incendiary arrow into his corpse, incinerating him. Domino jumped back, shocked.

"I'm sure his soul's at peace now." she replied, sarcastically, before dematerializing her bow and walking on. Domino looked down at McCree's gun, then to the back of Naraka's head.

"Save it for after we've beaten Zucker." she said, without looking back to him. "Unless you're confident you won't need the Vedic lunar cannon to take him down."

A shiver ran down Domino's spine. The pressure exuded by Naraka was dark and overbearing... and resoundingly sinister. He holstered his gun. He wouldn't fight her now, but he couldn't rule out the possibility that he'd have to in the future."

---

< Chowder Island, Town >

Kara looked around, surveying the situation. A look of confusion took hold of her face.

"Well, if you were venturing into this place for the first time, wouldn't you want a gun by your side? Infact, what's actually going on here?" she asked, fully aware that she wasn't going to get a straight answer.

<Rockbay City streets - present time>

A man shoved his way through the crowd that had gathered to hear Mayor Reed's speech. His oversized double-breasted jacket was covered in tatters that made it look like it had been found in the trash. He also wore grey pants, black shoes and a flat cap pulled down so far that it almost covered his eyes. The man kept his head down as he walked, as someone would if they were trying to avoid being recognized. His eyes were firmly fixed on the ground.

Judging from the sheer number of people the man found himself pushing through, he figured that Reed was addressing something important, but right now he had something else on his mind. Although he paid no attention to Reed's speech, the crowd's occasional cry of "Freedom ain't not free!" and "No more dead cops!" met his ear.

Soon, he heard someone else shouting in his direction. "Hey you! I'm talkin' to you, you ugly mug! Get over here!". He ignored it and continued on his way.

Seconds later, he felt a hand grab the back of his collar and yank him backwards, forcing him into a confrontation. The man grimaced and turned to face his aggressor, who was equally dishevelled. He was taller than him, with uneven stubble and a pained-looking woman on his arm. He raised a finger and angrily waggled it at the man in the cap.

"You should watch where you're going, buddy!" He said through gritted teeth. "You nearly sent my wife flying back there!"

"Stuart, please, it's fine," the woman on his arm pleaded as she gently tried to pull him back towards the center of the crowd. "Look at me, I'm fine. This is silly."

"Hell no it's not fine!" Stuart retorted. "This guy needs to learn some manners!"

I don't have time for this, the man in the cap thought as he broke away from Stuart and tried to walk away.

"That does it!" Stuart shouted as he shoved the man over. The man, who was not anticipating the attack, fell forwards onto a chair that wasn't there before. As the base of the chair collided with his belly, he had the wind painfully knocked out of him with great force. So great, in fact, that torrent that burst from his mouth was strong enough to scatter the people in front of him like bowling pins; with some even being blown several feet into the air before falling back down to earth.

Stuart's wife screamed as she witnessed this impossibility, and Stuart himself was simply dumbfounded. He stared in disbelief as the man in the cap slid off the chair, got up and staggered away, still doubled-over. He gave a panicked look at Stuart, knowing that his secret had been revealed, before stumbling around his dazed victims and disappearing back into the crowd.

-----------------------

OOS: More to come later, hopefully...

<Chowder Island Speakeasy, Chowder Island, Massachusetts>

The Flapper Woman: "It's a quiet place. Our population isn't that big, and we only occasionally get visitors...some of them less than law-abiding..."

The bartender rolled his eyes. The flapper woman glared at Zephyr and Izzy, as though she somehow knew they were involved in criminal activities.

The Flapper Woman: "But what do I know? I'm just a funny old bird."

She puffed out some smoke, huffed her cigarette and puffed again.

The Flapper Woman: "Films, that's what gets everyone excited. The Al Jolson talkie was, pardon the expression, the talk of the town for weeks, almost months."

OOS: In this universe, The Jazz Singer was completed and released several months earlier.

Izzy Kandar: "Well, we hope to bring excitement to everyone's life here, no matter how creepy your town is!"

The woman chuckled, and took a smoke again. She seemed to avoid following the train of conversation that called Chowder Island "creepy..." most as though she were hiding something.

The Flapper Woman: "You do that, Mister...??"

Izzy Kandar: "Izzy, Izzy Kandar. I have a great costume!"

The Flapper Woman: "And you, my Russian friend? What's your name?"

Zephyr: "Call me Zephyr."

Zephyr looked around and saw that Izzy had finished with all four of the beers that the bartender had just served. Only minutes had passed by.

The Flapper Woman: "Your friend there's a little thirsty."

She sipped again from her mint julep.

The Flapper Woman: "The puzzlemaker is like that, too."

---


<Streets of Rockbay City, Connecticut Side>

The crowd panicked as they saw the man in tattered robes take down Stuart.

Mayor Reed: "Calm down, everyone. Calm down! Now, as I had stated. The force behind all these evils, the scourge fueling all the mobs, gangs, and scoundrels that have plagued this city; the darkness that even has the Protectors in its po-"

For a second, Reed thought he had heard the phrase "ZA WARUDO" being shouted from the crowd. Time appeared to pass slowly, until it had apparently froze. Only Reed could move regularly. At least, that's what he thought, until he too froze. A decrepit figure wearing a cloak brushed past everyone in the crowd until he arrived in front of the stage. He did not look up the podium, merely staring at the ground while speaking.

((A theme starts playing)).


???: "Did you truly believe that you could defy us? Did you think we did not foresee this?"

Reed's eyes widened. The man slowly looked up at him, with a terrifying grin, and cold, blue eyes that pierced through the shadow of the hood of his cloak. His pupils were striking, for they were like those of a snake. He had a section of a mask that seemed to be fused to the upper left side of his face.

???: "You know nothing, William Reed."

Time accelerated. The man rushed away at speeds abnormal for a man of his apparent age. No one in the crowd noticed what had happened. Suddenly, an individual near Reed's podium pulled out a pistol and fired.

Wesley leaped in front of Reed, and collapsed. He was hit.

The policemen guarding Reed quickly covered their boss, protecting him. The Mayor noticed a pair of hands grab him, and he suddenly saw a series of images he had not seen in centuries: interdimensional space.

When he came to, he found himself inside of a limousine with none other than Landa smiling at him. That bastard...

Reed: "What is the meaning of this?!"

Landa: "Calm down, Mayor Reed. Everything is coming to fruition. You have played your part well."

It appeared that Landa did not know that Reed was rebelling against Thule, or at least was pretending he did not know.

Landa: "All of our criminal associates are currently escaping from their prisons. The mass breakouts will add to the brewing chaos. In the name of your fallen comrade, Wesley, and in the name of Rockbay City, you will stand and fight. You will join forces with your counterpart in the Rhode Island side of the city for a war on crime and booze. Perhaps you can get those investigators from the Department of Justice to assist you. After all, they were attracted to this city because of the activities of criminals, many of which were your associates."

Landa cleared his throat.

Landa: "We will make sure that your war is drawn out for as long as it needs to be. Do not allow all of the mobs to fall: take a slow, methodical approach to defeating each and every one. You will be asked to run for Governor of Connecticut, and there will be a growing movement of people hoping you run for President in 1928. But you will decline."

Reed: "What? Why?!"

Landa: "Outwardly, you will say that the job is not done in Rockbay and that you will run for reelection in your own city. Inwardly, you will know that it is because conditions will be more favorable to all Thule Societies in 1932. We have friends in Europe that also know that the way is present in them...it is our intent that they rise to power around that time. More and more countries will be brought forward into a new age, and America will be one of them. We have no friends in the Coolidge presidency, plus they all believe in 'civil rights'. None of the Democrats are appealing to us either. We need someone we know, and trust, in the White House. We will finally control the United States."

Landa smiled once again.

Landa: "We're taking you to City Hall. You will call journalists and make a radio broadcast, declaring your safety and your new war. Any questions?"

--

<A Prison, Rockbay City>

A couple of escaping criminals signal to Golec, trying to get him to squeeze through a narrow entry. Golec tried, and failed.

Golec: "It seems that Polandball cannot into this space."

The Queen of Spades, the Murphys, and many other affiliates escaped.

---

<Somewhere in Syria, c.1127 AD>

The vast battlefield was filled with ravaged corpses, of both horses and men. Tattered banners fluttered, signifying the factions of the fallen. Two lone knights, of unknown affiliation, clashed against one another. The clanging of their blades was heard across the vast expanse of a desert that surrounded them. They were the last two left. They suddenly began firing blasts of energy at each other.

The First Knight: "Kneel and surrender!"

The Second Knight: "Never, you traitor! You Judas!"

The Second Knight overpowered the First, and struck him down, knocking him unconscious.

--

Kingdom of Croatia, c. 1242 AD

A Mongolian rider slowly gained his advance towards a boy running away from him. He raised his bow and aimed...

--

<Somewhere in the South China sea, c.1810 AD>

A pirate swung his cutlass, nearly hitting a British captain. In the midst of this fight, their two ships fired volley after volley of cannon blasts at each other.

--

<Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1863 AD>

A Union soldier that was part of the charge towards the Confederate line slammed his bayonet into a Confederate he knew all too well...


----

<Hall of the Protectors>

As chaos erupted throughout the city, the few Protectors that stayed behind to guard the Hall were getting anxious. No doubt Lionheart's group was doing their best to stop violence. The Clockmaker wandered a few feet away. He stopped in front of a tree, and admired it.

The Clockmaker: "Someone's coming!"

---

<Naraka and Domino's Location, Chowder Island, Massachusetts>

Bravarius arrived, shocked.

Bravarius: "My word, I heard gunshots! Is everything alright?"

---

<Town Entrance, Chowder Island>

The Acrobat: "Oh, everyone is playing. The sun was rising! Would you like a dri-"

He noticed that Kara had a Wisemen badge.

The Acrobat: "Oh, no alcohol here, ma'am! None at all! Anyway, everything is safe. The sun was once rising, but now that you're here, it's setting! Put your gun away, and enjoy Chowder Island. We're glad to have you here! Take in the sights!"

He flipped away.

As Kara moved forward through the town, she noticed various normal people walking around. She then saw a woman digging a ditch in front of her shop.

Digger Woman: "Hafta dig. Hafta dig."

She looked up at Kara, and sneered.

Digger Woman: "Go to the inn. NOW!!"

---

<North Port, Chowder Island>

A Wiseman waved his hand in front of Evander's face, waiting for him to figure out what had happened with the person speaking Yàfarì.

Trooper: "Uhh, sir?"

Meanwhile, The Shadow Operative was waiting for Evelyn to say something.

OOS: Waiting on Nif and Paws for the rest.

< Landa's Limousine >

Reed turned to him, and smirked.

"Just one question. What makes you think I have any intention of going along with your script?" he added, striking a pose as his Stand, Heavy Metal Queen materialized behind him. Landa barely had time to react before the entire limousine exploded back into the nexus of inter dimensional time, Reed being shot backwards in time to his latest reset point, which was outside the Protectors meeting hall, just before Bravarius and co had set off for Chowder Island. He frowned; by using his Stand to prevent Wesley's death and his own kidnapping by Landa, he had also erased the possibility of him ousting Thule... they would remain in the shadows, for now. Still, there was still a way for him to work the situation to his own advantage...

< Just before Wesley's death, present day >

Reed pulled out his gun and shot Wesley's assassin dead, before he even had a chance to draw his gun. The crowd panicked, but Reed calmed them by walking back to the podium.

"Excuse me. Excuse me." he said, calling for calm. "I know you're all wondering what's happened over the past few hours. An attempt was made by various anarchistic elements of the Rockbay population to disrupt the rule of law and order in our great city. I know, it's sad, isn't it? These sad, sad people have even just made an attempt on my own life, but I will not be shaken. They have attempted to silence me, because I am about to name the criminals responsible for this corruption, and to reveal it for what it really is. The ringleaders of this anarchistic coup d'etat are 「Nicola Sacco」 and 「Bartholomeo Vanzetti」, and even as I speak our brave police forces are engaging in a manhunt to locate and bring them to justice." he said. The crowd cheered in response. "I know! Don't we just have the best cops? Our cops are the best, aren't they. But all I can ask is that you all comply with the relevant authorities in helping restore order to our great city - we will show these terrorists that we cannot be broken, and that the Rockbay spirit is one of co-operation and kinship. Together, we will all make Rockbay safe again, and we will all make Rockbay great again!"

The speech was a hit. Even if Reed had been forced to avoid naming Thule directly, he had still struck a blow to them, taking out many of their informants and operatives, even at the cost of throwing his own contacts under the bus. Just as in the previous timeline, criminals were already escaping from various prisons, but the crowd was now riling for justice, and would tolerate Reed sending in police squads with shoot-to-kill orders. The campaign for his presidency had begun today... even if the rest of America didn't quite know it yet. He turned to Wesley, and whispered into his ear.

"Prepare a plane. Me and my daughter are going to make a trip to Japan."

"Japan? You mean...?"

Reed smirked wistfully. "Sieg Shingen."

---

< Chowder Island >

"It was nothing." replied Naraka, defiantly. "Let's keep moving. Remy's not going to save himself."

---

< The Town >

Kara shrugged, and made her way to the inn.

<Hall of the Protectors>

The dishevelled-looking man from the square stopped in his tracks when he met the Clockmaker's eyes. Although they looked human, there was something distinctly alien about them, yet also reassuring. It was the 'reassuring' part that encouraged him to step forward and open his mouth.

"A-Are you the Protectors?" he stammered, ending his question with a gulp.

One of the Protectors, Fascinax, walked up to them and looked the man up and down with a suspicious gaze.

"Perhaps. Who might you be?"

"Lutz. Kurt Lutz. There's something very wrong with me. I can't explain it, but every time I panic, my chest hurts and-"

Fascinax rolled his eyes. "Mr. Lutz, we as Protectors will always do our utmost to protect the good citizens of Rockbay City, but it sounds like you are in need of a doctor instead of a crimefighter. That is, if you can afford one," he added, disdain starting to creep into his voice. Kurt certainly looked like a bum in his current get-up.

"No, you don't understand, I-" Kurt began, but stopped as he felt the swelling in his chest again. He doubled over in pain and waved his arm at the Protectors in an attempt to signal them to get back.

Suddenly, Fascinax's eyes snapped open as his heightened senses alerted him to danger. Whatever Kurt's game was, he now knew that it was real. He reached out with another one of his many senses and felt a great power within Kurt; a power similar to that of many Protectors.

"He's a super!" Fascinax shouted.

The Protector charged at Kurt, hoping to neutralize the threat. Unfortunately, it was too late: a powerful gust of wind burst from Kurt's mouth, blowing Fascinax high into the air. Kurt turned, hoping to steer the wind in a safe direction, but accidentally caught the Clockmaker in it too, who was also blasted away towards an expensive building.

[ Chowder Island Speakeasy, Chowder Island, Massachusetts ]

"Really now?" Zephyr casually tapped his empty glass, signalling the bartender for more. "And who is this...'puzzlemaker'?"

As he brought a new glass of screwdriver to his lips, the Russian's eyes narrowed as he noticed a new arrival to the quiet speakeasy. Leaning over slightly towards Izzy, he discreetly nudged his alien companion.

"Cop." Zephyr whispered as he subtly nodded his head towards the new arrival, a woman garbed in the attire of the Wisemen; complete with the jacket, khaki slacks and general serious demeanour that wouldn't look out of place on an OGPU agent back in Russia. "Stay cool. But be prepared for anything."

Picking up his glass again, the Russian calmly swished the liquid around for a bit before taking a long, measured sip as he assessed the possible threat.

<Atop A Cliff, Chowder Island, Massachusetts>

Landa appeared next to Heinrich Heyerdahl and other American Thule Society operatives, a smile decorating his face.

Landa: "The assassin failed."

The group gasped, believing that Zucker's plot had been foiled.

Landa: "Worry not, my friends. Herr Doktor Zucker plays a four-dimensional chess game, where even the fickle minds of Three Kingdomers fall into line."

---

<Speakeasy, Chowder Island>

Kara found that the attendant at the inn's desk was not present. Perhaps he was attending to other guests or something. She noticed that the floor behind the desk opened to reveal a stairway. She went down these stairs, and arrived in the speakeasy.

Sal the bartender was crouching, and he did not notice her arrival. Neither did the Flapper Woman. A slim man in a black vest, red shirt, black tie, and black homburg was sitting in a corner far away from the bar, quietly smoking his cigarette. Izzy Kandar eyed Kara closely, and seemed to nod at Zephyr.

The Flapper Woman: "Oh, that's right....you aren't here for him. The puzzlemaker's not on this island, anyway."

The flapper looked at Kara, and smiled.

The Flapper Woman: "Welcome, dear! Come, sit down! Have a drink!"

Sal the bartender stood up, and panicked when he noticed that Kara had a badge on. Apparently, he did not pay the Constable enough to keep the law away from his speakeasy.

Sal, The Bartender: "L-look, I don't want any trouble! I...I'll shut this place down! I promise!"

The slim man stood up from his side of the speakeasy, and sauntered over to Kara.

???: "Thisss broad giving you trouble, Sal?"

Sal, The Bartender: "Oh no, not you. I've had enough of your games too, Adam! Damn ruffian's just gonna make everything worse!"

The slim man grinned, put out his cigarette, and started flipping a penny.

Adam: "What say you and I settle this outside, doll?"

Izzy quietly reached for his gun. Trouble was afoot.

Izzy Kandar: "Let's all calm down and have some drink! I'm sure she can ignore this violation of the law, and he can stop being a threatening sap!"

Adam: "What did you call me, you palooka?"

The Flapper Woman: "You're futzing up, Adam."

Sal, the Bartender: "Get out, all of yah! I-"

Kara, Zephyr, and Izzy saw Adam speed around them. Before they knew it, he had somehow tied his snake-like abdomen all around them, constricting them. He looked at them while flickering his forked tongue, and smiled.

The Flapper woman calmly asked for another drink, and the bewildered Sal poured one for her, then chugged what was left of the bottle.

Adam slid up the stairs and out the inn, carrying all three of his prisoners with him (somehow). He constricted them further, then let them go. As they reeled from their pain, he smiled, revealing fangs. Adam, in full human form once again, flung himself towards Kara's neck to bite her.

---

<North Port, Chowder Island, Massachusetts>

The Shadow Operative sensed an unusual amount of Kø coming from the city. He looked at Evelyn.

The Shadow Operative: "Finish up here and meet me in the town. Hurry!"

TSO towards the town.

---

<Town Entrance, Chowder Island, Massachusetts>

Bravarius, Naraka, Domino, and The Shadow Operative arrived, witnessing Adam's emergence from the inn.

Bravarius: "What the blazes is that?!"

???: "Bravarius!"

They all turned to a nearby house. A grinning man leaped at Bravarius while making sounds a coyote would make. Bravarius punched him in the jaw, a disgusting cracking noise filling the ears of those nearby. The assailant crashed into a nearby building while the various weird townspeople ran away in fear.

A woman screamed, running towards the Protectors. She was severely mutated, with green ooze coming out of an enormous gash on her face. Claws emerged from her fingertips, and she lunged towards Naraka. The Shadow Operative pulled out his pistol and gunned her down.

The Shadow Operative: "It's an ambush."

Bravarius: "There are more!"

A group of coyote men came rushing at them, growling.

---

<Hall of the Protectors, Rockbay City, Connecticut Side>

The Clockmaker stood up, and brushed himself off. He realized he was near an expensive building, and laughed, despite his injuries.

Another Protector, Masked Angel, pulled out his gun.

Masked Angel: "Do you have any idea who you're attacking? You and your friends are dead!"

He shot at Kurt.

< Tokyo, Imperial Palace >

The experience of being escorted through the Palace's entrance to Emperor Shingen's personal solar was an utterly surreal one. What had once been a conventional industrial nation had now paradoxically flung itself back into a historic, nationalistic fervor, whilst also demonstrating a level of technological prowess far beyond that demonstrated in the rest of the world. In the span of a decade, Tokyo had risen from a city of wood to a city of concrete, its skyline dominated by ominous skyscrapers and military embarkation platforms for the empire's growing fleet of combat airships. The imperial palace itself had expanded to the size of a small city district, complete with its own streets and accommodation for the Emperor's personal guard and servants. Zeros - the towering mecha which were the pride and joy of the Empire's military - lined either side of the street leading into the palace's central reserve, each one carrying Sashimono emblazoned with the flag of the Greater South East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere.

Reed looked up at them in awe before the four Onna-Bugeisha who had been escorting him, dressed in Shinsengumi coats with close-fitting body armor underneath, stopped and gave him a final pat down, before signalling to an observer in the guard tower high above. The doors to the Emperor's solar slid open. Behind them was a tea garden, given over entirely to nature and forming a stark contrast to the mechanical metropolis sprawling outside its gates. Reed stepped in, and bowed.

"Emperor Shingen. You honor me with your presence."

Emperor Shingen stood up from his perch beneath a Sakura tree, and bowed in reponse. He was an aging man; time had left its mark on him, in crow's feet trailing from the corners of his eyes, and wrinkles lining his forehead like creases in old parchment. Still, he had strength and vigor about him, visible even through the armored robes he currently wore.

"Reed-san. To what do I owe you the honor?"

"I seek an alliance with your house."

Emperor Shingen raised an eyebrow. "Towards what end?"

"Revenge. I'm no longer working for Thule; In fact, I'm working against them. I require the assistance of the Shinsengumi - the only organization that can stand up to them."

"I have reformed them. They no longer operate beyond the borders of Japan... nor do they do so in secrecy." he replied, pausing. "After the disaster their assassination of Franz Ferdinand caused, we realized they could not be allowed to continue as a secret society. We had to bring them into the light; legitimize them. They no longer have the disposition to take part in your shadow conflict."

"We both know all you did was bury their covert operatives even deeper - you ruled over them when you were still Hirohito's chief of intelligence, so it's not like you could throw your pet project under the bus. I'm not asking for you to publicly come out in support of my war against Thule; Just that the remaining American Shinsengumi cells come to my aid."

"You ask a lot of someone who most ask nothing of."

"I ask a lot of an old friend. Besides; if it weren't for my DNA, you wouldn't have been able to get the Yamato up and running. That has to count for something."

"I am indeed grateful for that. But we made an arrangement, and you did not take me up on my offer of a Japanese citizenship. Why should I offer you a further reward, when the previous one is still unclaimed?"

"Because it benefits both of us. You know war's coming - you've heard what's brewing in Europe, and it disturbs you. Just as your empire begins to grow in Asia, a mysterious storm looms above it, threatening to wipe it all away at a moment's notice." he said, clearing his throat. "You wouldn't have fortified Tokyo so heavily if you didn't think the threat was that severe. Help me take out Thule, and stop this madness before it ever happens."

Emperor Shingen stroked his chin. "There... will be a heavy price."

"I'll pay it."

"Your daughter."

Reed stumbled. "Ex... Excuse me?!"

"As you know... my son was recently taken from me during the Nationalist uprising on Hokkaido. He died fighting valiantly, and his spirit shall live forever on. But it leaves me without a successor."

"You want to adopt her?"

"She would never truly be my daughter. You may see her as often as you wish, and she would be safer here in Tokyo, far from the reach of your enemies. Her presence would inspire renewed faith in my rule; after all, no-one wants to commit to an Emperor who's legacy lives and dies with them. After the civil war, the people of my country crave stability... something I currently cannot promise."

"...and because she's a Three Kingdomer, she'd give you access to the Vedic Lunar Cannon."

Shingen smirked. "There's also that. I know it's a question you'll need time to ponder, so-"

"No. I'll do it." replied Reed, looking over to Shingen. "I couldn't give her mother a good life. She died at the hands of the very men I later came to work for... I was pathetic, hoping that Thule's dark magic would one day be able to bring her back. I even made sure Sefer kept her mother's surname, as if that'd change anything... as if she'd somehow be proud of that. Everything I've done, I've done for Sefer... and I need to do this for her, too. I'll destroy Thule, cleanse their evil from this world, and create a new one she'd be proud to grow up in... even if it kills me. And even if she hates me for it. Give me the names of the Shinsengumi operatives in America, and get them to swear their allegiance to me. And then you'll have your successor."

Shingen smiled. "Do you know what the flag of our Empire represents?" asked Shingen, looking wistfully to a banner hanging down from the castle wall. His question caught Reed off-guard. "The three segments in the centre?"

"The three great unifiers of Japan." replied Reed, recovering form his dazed state whilst remembering the answer from a book he had read on the flight over. "Oda Nobunaga, Totoyomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. What about it?"

"Originally, it was intended just as an emblem of nationalistic fervor, but it's actually part of a trend I noticed. Oda Nobunaga, Totoyomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu. Melchior, Balthazar, Caspar. Octavian, Marc Anthony, Lepidus. Arc Blair, Kanos Jai, Naraka Ishtar. This world is cyclical; it's something I realized in a dream, once. At various turning points throughout history, humanity's passage into the next stage of its evolution has always been heralded... by the arrival of three wise men."

Reed's eyes shot open. "You mean, Domino's working for-?!"

---

<Chowder Island>

Kara slid a revolver resembling a Mateba from her jacket and thrust the barrel into Adam's mouth as he neared, denting the back of his throat. She thumbed back the hammer.

"Boom."

---

Naraka smirked, folding her arms. A series of Narayanastra pods materialized around the group, unleashing salvos of micromissiles into the approaching Coyote men, decimating them in a wall of golden flame. Domino smirked, adjusting his mask.

"I like you a lot better when you do cool stuff like that." he said, readying his pistol.