Things That Go Bump in the Night [PG-13, NDE, Easy-Medium]

[Deleted]

Coming to a screeching halt, Luke narrowed his eyes together in annoyance as he came face to face with the asshole himself after rounding the corner. Sure didn't take long for him to find trouble now did it? Grinding his jaws together and curling his fingers into fists, Luke could feel anger bubbling up inside of him. The people that he knew and somewhat cared about how gotten themselves hurt because of this smug fuck. Seeing that grin began to push Luke over the edge, and a familiar heat began flooding through his veins. Luke's, unbeknownst to himself, body was instinctively pushing spirit energy throughout his body in preparation of what his body felt was about to happen. "Gargle my cock you piece of shit!" Luke spat back, not intimidated by Alestar and having to keep himself from rushing the Bount like a street punk. What he said was what kept him back. He had a Doll as well? Like Jäger? Or did he have something completely different?

Quickly shielding his eyes from the shinning light being emitted from the crystal Alestar tossed into the air, Luke felt a ping of panic when he suddenly felt the massive surge of energy being released by the Bount. It was similar to how Luke had exploded with energy back in the store, though this time it was his enemy who decided to put on a light show. Alestar was strong. He was much much stronger than Luke was...and Luke felt retarded for running off to try be a hero on his own. He actually felt...afraid. But, regardless of his fear, Lukes will remained strong. Though he realized now that his chances of actually doing anything to Alestar had become even smaller now that he was releasing his own Doll.

The Doll in question was interesting in appearance. It was like a big dumb crystal golem. A big dumb golem whose body was split into a few crystals that only roughly looked humanoid. But seeing this Doll, Luke realized something. Each Doll was different between people. This thing was much different than Jäger. And...well...that must have meant it had some weird powers itself. Blinded by a flash of light from the crystal creature, Luke would suddenly find that the crystals that made up the creature had not only surrounded him, but a beam of energy was wizzing around him going from crystal to crystal. "What now?" Luke questioned, his gaze following the beam of light as best he could. Of course he noticed that Alestar was also gone. Gritting his teeth together, Luke decided to make a jump for a gap between the crystals when the beam of energy passed.

[Kiera Bright]

"You killed him before I could get here…” Keira froze only momentarily as the gloomy voice met her ears. How could anyone have gotten this close to her without her noticing!? She quickly turned around to face a man before her. She could not see anything that would identify the man. The white mask he wore completely hid his face, and his cloak covered his body. What worried her more was that she could still not sense anything from him. She could usually tell what race a person was based on their reiatsu signitures, but this man had none. What the hell was he? Where did he come from, and how was he able to mask his reiatsu so well? Most questions for later, for now she needed to prepare for anything. 

”That wasn’t necessary, you know?” The sheer blood lust radiating from the man made her raise two reiatsu arms in front of her expecting him to go on the attack. She always hated fighting in her lab, but sometimes that cannot be helped. Then she saw his eyes. She felt herself laid bare before him. It seemed that she couldn't hide anything from him. The longer this man stayed near her, the more scared she became. If he was capable of all this, what else was he able to do? What other secrets was he prying from her? "Get out...get out" She would mutter putting her hands to her head trying in vain to block the probing man from her thoughts. 

As soon as it began, it ended. It took Keira a few seconds to regain her composure. Her heart beat quickly inside her chest. A cold sweat glistened from her forehead. ”I see…you killed him for his information, but…” Keira was barley paying attention to him for the first couple of words, but collected her thoughts and began to focus again. ”You’re looking in the wrong place. If you want to know what happened to you and about your condition, ask the Shinigami. They know what creates Failures like you.” Anger filled the small woman. Again someone else was telling her what she already knew. "I already knew that fool. That wasn't the only thing I was looking for." She snapped.

”You wanted to know what he was doing here, right? I was searching for answers too. Now that he’s dead, I only have one lead left.” The man turned his back to her. He was just going to leave like nothing had happened. She glared and moved one of her arms to intercept him hoping to cause him to stop in his tracks. She formed another one underneath her relaxing into the fingers. "What is your business with that bount?" She questioned. It was her turn to ask the questions around here. "And what do you know about his origins?"

[Jin Yamada]

The cloaked figure stopped in his tracks upon seeing that large hand manifest before him. The figure stopped there in his tracks and remained silent. There was a pause after the Failure’s question, almost as if the figure was deciding on an answer to give her. The figure remained silent for a few more seconds. Then, the cloaked figure spoke again, ”What is my business with him? Or should I say…what was my business with him?” It was then that he turned around to face her. This figure…the aura he was emanating was incredibly dark. It was a dark and suffocating aura which spilled off of him in waves. This figure…was truly frightening.

Keira might find herself having regrets about holding him. Did she really want to be in a room alone with this mysterious figure she knew nothing about? He had already shown himself capable of prying into her mind. Did she want him to show her more of his power? Did she truly understand what kind of force she was dealing with? That even was hard to discern, given his lack of a reiatsu signature. No matter how hard she tried, she would sense nothing from him. So then what made him so intimidating? Was it just his presence alone?

”I have business with all Bount…not just this one.” the figure responded cryptically. He did not appear as though he would reveal more than that. His response was ambiguous and brief. He appeared not to be the talking type. The modulated voice and his succinct manner of speech added to the intimidating presence he had. ”I don’t know where he came from,” the figure stated quickly in response to her second question. Then he lifted a hand, pointing to the table where the dead Bount lay. ”I was looking for that Bount and his comrades to find that out…but because you killed him I have to look somewhere else…”

It was with that statement that the figure decided to turn and leave. There was no more to say. There was no more business to conduct there. Keira had killed his source of information and had been unable to discern anything from the Bount herself. If she wanted to find out more about the dead Bount, she would need to find some way to locate the others the figure mentioned. Akira had also mentioned that there were others that he had been attempting to meet. It was possible that if she headed towards the town she might be able to find them herself. It was an option, if she wanted answers.

The figure lifted a scroll as he walked and let it unravel before him. Suddenly, blue flames burst into existence in front of that reiatsu hand that had been used to block the way. ”I have other business to attend to…” the figure said with irritation. And just like that, before Keira could stop him, that masked figure stepped forward into the blue flames and was gone. The flames continued to burn for a few seconds but it was apparent that it would not burn for long. It flickered slightly, hinting that it would only remain there for only a few more seconds. If Keira wanted answers, now was her chance to find out more. She could either follow the mysterious cloaked figure or find her own way to the Bount’s comrades. It was her choice.

---

Luke had been able to safely evade the beam of light shot by the doll. The beam passed over his head as he ducked and jumped through the gap between the crystals. The doll took note of this and moved the crystals so that they would once again circle him. Again, that glow of light moved from crystal to crystal, bouncing around as if being reflected. It continued this way as the crystals flew around Luke and trapped him within. It appeared that it was all over for the young Bount. The crystals began moving faster, so much so that there was little space between them this time. The doll was smart, and had taken the necessary precautions to prevent Luke’s escape a second time.

If Luke remained focused on the crystals and the light that was continuously reflecting between those crystals, he would be caught by surprise at what happened next. Hands suddenly grabbed him from below, gripping tightly to his ankles. Those hands began pulling his legs by the ankles so that Luke was off balanced. The hands kept pulling, taking the young Bount’s legs out from underneath him so that he would fall. Eventually, the young Bount was going to fall and when he did, he would see Alestar standing there before him once again. ”I got you…” Alestar taunted as he rose from Luke’s own shadow, still holding the young man by his ankles. How was that even possible?! Luke would be surprised and even confused as to how the man had been able to appear out of Luke’s own shadow. For someone like Luke, who knew nothing about the Bount or the spiritual world, it would come as a shock to him. First, Alestar had been able to turn himself into mist and now he had risen out of Luke’s shadow. Just what else could he do?

”Now then,“ Alestar began, a big smile forming across his face as he spoke. ”Why don’t you just g-“ ”Temperatur Streak!” a familiar voice called out, interrupting the Bount as he spoke. Alestar was in the middle of speaking when suddenly, his crystal doll shattered before his eyes. There was a loud shriek that came from the doll and then Alestar dropped to one knee, letting Luke go in the process. He was clutching onto his chest and had an incredibly pained look on his face. ”Worry not…for I am here!” came the voice of the man who had saved Luke earlier. Don had arrived!

Don stood above Luke with his left hand outstretched. He grabbed Luke and leapt away from Alestar and the shards that remained from the doll that had been destroyed. Luke would note that Don’s right arm was noticeably frozen. Ice could be seen covering the arm up to the elbow and the cold it gave off could be felt just being within inches of him. ”Argh….what…?” Alestar muttered to himself in shock, unable to even complete this sentence. He continued clutching at his chest and even fell down onto his second knee. ”What…how…impossible…” he stammered. Don’s gaze turned from Luke back to Alestar, who was still in pain. ”I hate destroying another Bount’s doll…but I was left with no other choice,” Don said disappointingly. As he stepped towards Alestar, he motioned with his left hand for Luke to stay behind him. ”Now tell me who you are working with.” the older Bount demanded.


Alestar’s Reiatsu: 950/2000


Don’s Reiatsu: 2400/3000 (-400 for Doll Summon, -150 for Temperatur Streik)

Temperatur Streik: 1/3

---

Meanwhile, in the warehouse where Vesta and Sakura fought off Yusei and his mercury doll, Sakura was beginning to prepare her trump card. Reiatsu flared from the woman, brightening up the warehouse with a deep purple glow. There was a sudden increase in the pressure within the warehouse as the woman’s reiatsu continued to release from her body. Then, just as soon as it had come, the pressure disappeared. ”Resound, Chinmoku no ekō.” the woman stated calmly. As soon as she uttered those words, her reiatsu died down and in that instant, her wakizashi began to change form. The blade suddenly turned black as its shape curved ever so slightly near the tip and finally, four holes opened up along both sides of the blade. ”I’ll buy us enough time with my Shikai…” Sakura stated confidently.

She launched forward, moving towards the mist which Vesta had just escaped from. When she neared it, and was just about two or three feet from it, the petite woman cut across the air. Vesta would probably be wondering how the woman expected to cut a cloud of mist. In that form, the Bount was untouchable! That was why what happened next would shock everyone within that warehouse. At first, nothing happened after her initial slice and Sakura quickly backed off. But then, instantly, with a boom almost like thunder crashing down, a hole was ripped through the mist, parting it down the center where she had slashed. ”ARRRRGGGGGH!“ came Yusei’s disembodied voice, shouting from the mist that was spread out in the air around them. It no longer spread out after Sakura had cut into it. Instead, the mist actually started gathering at one central point. It was at that point that Yusei’s body began to form again. ”Now, Vesta!” Sakura shouted, indicating for Vesta to attack Yusei as he was reforming his body. It was up to Vesta to determine what the Shinigami had meant by the command. Sakura’s command could have also meant for Vesta to take that opportunity to run away and flee to safety. Whether Vesta capitalized on the opening was her decision.

Meanwhile, Yusei reformed from the mist with his face contorted in unbelievable agony. He was clutching his left arm, which was now bleeding profusely. It had somehow been ripped off near the elbow. This was an indication that he could indeed be injured in that mist form of his. An attack with sufficient enough force like that shockwave of sound could hurt him. ”What…the…HELLLLL?!!!” Yusei screamed in frustration. His once calm, cool demeanor was gone, replaced only by this furious uncontrolled state. His mercury doll was soon by his side once again and began stretching its arms out in preparation to attack the two. His reiatsu also exploded from him and took on the appearance of of blue flames surrounding his body. ”You fucking traitor…and you stupid Shinigami…I’m going to kill you both!” he threatened. His good, right hand reached down to where the knife he had thrown earlier had landed. ”Quecksilber, kill…“ he said through clenched teeth.

”No, that’s enough.” a menacing voice suddenly called out, stopping Yusei from finishing his command. Yusei froze at the sound of the voice. His face was no longer filled with fury and pain. Now, that fury and pain was replaced by fear, and a look of desperation. It was the look of someone in the presence of a superior. Yusei, who had initially come off as a powerful predator, was now in the presence of a much greater predator. The figure that had suddenly appeared before them without a sound was no doubt the one whom Yusei feared. There was no doubting that the figure cloaked in dark clothing was of a much higher position than the Bount they had just been facing. The figure before them, was incredibly more powerful than what they had been up against.

”Who are you?” Sakura questioned. Though she too felt fear in the presence of this more powerful enemy, she did not waver. Her voice remained powerful and her tone commanded authority despite her fear. The figure that had appeared before them, standing in the damaged doorway of that warehouse turned his gaze towards Sakura and Vesta. The figure was dressed in all black in an outfit that appeared almost militaristic. The top jacket opened up at the bottom and flowed out behind him, separating at his back into two parted ends. The jacket was also sleeveless, and revealed muscular arms that were heavily bandaged from his shoulders down to his hands. His black pants were complimented by the light black shoes he wore. His eyes could not be seen under the dark hood that covered his head, but his piercing gaze could be felt from within the darkness of that hood’s shadow.

”I am Hayato,” the figure said, introducing himself. His gaze turned back to Yusei as he addressed the wounded Bount. ”He is not impressed with your actions tonight. You failed to lure out the Bount Leader, so this is the end of your mission.” Hayato’s piercing gaze returned to Vesta and Sakura, threatening them to stay back and not to try attacking him or his Bount ally. The murderous aura he gave off was indication that he had no intentions of letting them live if either of them attacked. ”Our business here is finished. We will be leaving now…” Hayato stated . He was challenging them. He was telling Sakura and Vesta that he would be leaving no matter what they tried to do. His murderous aura continue to wash off of him, blanketing the room in those feelings of death and destruction. ”What?!” Sakura asked incredulously. ”After all of this, you’re going to leave just like that? Reinforcements are on their way. You won’t get far.” Sakura bluffed. ”Don’t be naive, Shinigami. You and I both know that even if reinforcements were on their way, they would not be able to stop me from leaving. As I said before, we are leaving.” His aura became greater at that moment, and his power suddenly began crushing the two of them. They would be forced to the ground under his power, forced to surrender and allow the two of them to leave. ”Let’s go, Yusei…” Hayato commanded once more.

Yusei stood begrudgingly and made his way over to the cloaked figure. His doll followed behind him, annoyed that it too was prevented from killing the Shinigami and traitorous Bount. ”Don’t get comfortable. I’ll be back,” Yusei threatened through clenched teeth. Then, his attention turned to the young Vesta, ”Especially for you, traitor…” he growled. Without another word, Hayato placed his hand on Yusei’s shoulder and then the two of them sunk into shadows and disappeared. It wasn’t until a few seconds after they left that the pressure which had pinned Sakura and Vesta down disappeared.


Sakura’s Reiatsu: 850/1200 (-200 for Shikai)

Shadow Post Count: 3/4


Yusei’s Reiatsu: 2425/3000

Quecksilber’s Reiatsu: 1400/1500

---

”Tell me who you are working with.” Don commanded. HIs powerful frame stepped towards the fallen Bount menacingly. There was a spark of fire and then his left arm suddenly lit up. Flames gathered along that arm and moved up to his shoulder, similar to the ice that had formed along his right arm. ”Tell me,” he demanded once more. ”Otherwise, I will do the same to you as I did your doll. It is unfortunate that it has to come to this, is it not? We are of the same dwindling race, and yet your choices will cause it to dwindle even further…” Don stated angrily. He reached down to grab Alestar, when a powerful pressure suddenly filled the alleyway. Don was forced down, yet with his power he was able to fall only to one knee. Luke, on the other hand, would be forced to fall onto his face. There, he would be pinned by the crushing pressure that had suddenly appeared. ”Wh-what is this?” Don questioned. ”Do not harm him any further.” a voice spoke from the shadows. It was then that two figures rose from the shadows blanketing that dark alleyway and the one who had spoken came into view. ”Our business here is finished.” the figure who appeared stated calmly. With him was a second figure who was clutching a bleeding stump which had been his left arm.

When Alestar heard the voice, his eyes widened in shock and he turned to look at the figure that had just appeared. Don noticed the fear in Alestar’s eyes and commented, ”So he works for you, I see…” Hayato’s gaze focused on Don, yet he did not speak. ”Causing a lot of trouble, he was. So, I had to step in to save this one here.” Don said, nodding back towards Luke when he mentioned the young man. ”Ah yes, Don. So it was you who stopped those two?” Hayato questioned. Without waiting for a response, he answered his own question. ”That was to be expected from the Bount Leader’s right-hand man.” Hayato concluded. His gaze beneath the dark hood moved from Alestar to Don and then to Luke. ”It looks like your partner Tyrell failed too, Alestar. I believe Akira has also perished, if he has not arrived yet.” Hayato turned towards Yusei who was behind him. ”You and Alestar appear to be the only ones remaining. He will surely be disappointed with this conclusion.”

At that moment, blue flames appeared behind Luke and Don. Those flames appeared before all of them, casting out the shadows and illuminating the entire alleyway. The flames grew tall and out from them came two black boots. Then, the figure who owned those boots stepped out fully so that all could see him. Behind him, Kiera would also be able to make an appearance if she had chosen to follow after the cloaked figure in her lab. ”So, you’re in charge of all this?” the new figure asked in a voice that sounded garbled and disguised by some kind of voice modifier. This one wore a long dark coat with a hood, black pants and black boots. Beneath the hood, a white mask could be seen with the letter A etched into the forehead in red. Luke would not know this man, but his presence was feared throughout the underworld of Karakura Town. The man before him, whose presence immediately filled up that alleyway was quite known indeed. ”Tell me, what was the purpose of sending these Bount to attack people throughout the city?” the figure asked.

Hayato now turned his attention to the one who had appeared, his interest piqued by the presence of this one who he could sense no reiatsu from. ”To prepare this place for the arrival of my master. The true Bount Leader.” Hayato answered. The cloaked figure with the mask cocked his head to the side, an indication of confusion. ”The true Bount Leader?” the figure asked. ”Yes, my master is the true Leader of the Bount race. He was given power to rule over the Bount directly from Kassen Oro.” At that statement, Don’s eyes widened and he looked over at the masked figure, who also looked at him. Then, Don turned back to Hayato. ”That’s impossible,” he stated confidently. ”Kassen Oro gave the power to Jin Yamada, who never passed it on before his death…” Yusei chuckled at the statement, which shifted Don’s attention to him. He was about to speak when Hayato cut him off. ”Tch…do you think we are fools? We know that Jin Yamada is still alive. If he were dead, my master would have been able to turn one of us into a True Bount like himself. There can ever only be two at one time. Haven’t you heard the legends? Since he cannot, we know that Jin Yamada is alive and well.” As Don’s eyes widened in shock, Hayato stretched an arm out and pointed at Luke. ”Their purpose was to kidnap that boy. We know of his ties to Jin Yamada, so by taking him to join us we would have lured Jin to our master. As it stands now, we must retreat and develop another plan to draw out Jin Yamada.”

”Who is your master?” the cloaked figure asked. ”You have no reason to know, Anarchy. You have no business with us and you have no reason to concern yourself with Bount matters.” Hayato spat. The pressure that had pinned Luke and brought Don to his knees lifted at that moment. Luke would be free to move now, and he would be able to see just why that pressure had suddenly disappeared. Before him, Hayato, Alestar, and Yusei were pinned down and gasping for air. Hayato was on one knee, and appeared less visibly disturbed than the other two. Instead, Hayato was even beginning to stand again underneath the pressure. For someone as powerful as him to be forced to a knee, meant that the one who Hayato had called, Anarchy, was leagues beyond even Hayato in strength. So that’s who you really are…” Hayato noted as he tried to force himself to stand. He was continuously being forced back down each time he tried to fight against the pressure, yet still he fought. ”Stay down and know your place.” Anarchy’s modified voice commanded. At that, the pressure lifted and once again the three Bount were able to stand. While Alestar and Yusei looked fearful, Hayato’s body language indicated that he remained confident. He had discovered something. ”Go tell your master that his time is near,” Anarchy commanded the men. ”Tell him that I will take his power from him…” the cloaked mercenary threatened.

Hayato stood and dusted himself off. Though it was uncharacteristic of what he had shown before now, a soft chuckle escaped his lips. He was amused. ”Either you are him or he gave his power to you. Ultimately, it does not matter. You cannot stand up to my master.” he stated boldly. At that, he turned and moved towards the shadows. ”Let us go now. This mission was not such a failure after all…” he stated with a chuckle. As their eyes turned red and their bodies turned black, Hayato chose to leave them with one last message before departing, ”Soon, my master will consume you and all of your followers. Then, he will have the power to re-populate this world with Bount.” With that last warning, the three Bount slipped into the shadows and disappeared.




THREAD ENDED

[Jin Yamada]

Thank you all for participating and completing the thread with me. I am glad you all were able to be patient with my slow posting. You are free to post reaction posts to the ending if you would like just to wrap things up; however I did not want to hold it up any longer. Here are your rewards for completing the thread:




Luke - 1000 TP and 1000 Ryo

Vesta - 1000 TP and 1000 Ryo

Keira - 1000 TP and 1000 Ryo

[Johnwaluigi]

+1600 TP and +3200 Ryo to Jin Yamada for 4 complete pages at Easy-Medium difficulty.