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Chapter Text

Apartment in HL, A Week After Part 4, 8:30 AM...
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Girika: I'm telling you, it's weird. We've been staying here for almost a week now, and we still don't know who the third person living here is. They just come in and go out without a trace! You can't say that doesn't weird you out.

Girika had been talking none stop with Leo, who was currently drinking coffee and getting for the day in a similar fashion as Girika. She was wearing her usually style with a black sweater dress with the sleeves pulled up and thigh high black boots. Leo was wearing a set of black jeans with an equal in style black sweater sweater that went up to top of his neck along with a pair of reading glasses. He didn't really need the glasses, but his eyes ached sometimes when he looked at things with detail and they helped process that. The two of them had officially been invited out of the blue to join Libra during the time they spent in recovery at the Phantom Ward, a short stay mind you. After they were discharged, they ended up dealing with another problem. A place to stay. Girika couldn't return to the other Elder Blood Breeds for personal reasons, and Leonardo didn't have a single clue on where he even lived originally thanks to his memory loss. They thought about returning to the 13 King's Main base, but broke the dimensional key that led back there. But, that doesn't mean they didn't have resources, which came in the form of a Black Card that Femt gave them before sending them off in the first place. Even with the absurd amount of money in the card, they both decided it was best to conserve it for later needed use. As for accommodations, Klaus had gained the permission of one of Libra's agents to stay with them in their apartment. They thought there luck couldn't get any better, and it didn't. The apartment they were staying at was a MESS. It took the two of them an entire day and half a night to throw out all the trash and clean the whole place. And to make matters stranger, the never even saw the Libra agent they were staying with. They heard the occasional front door opening and hurried to even see a glimpse of them. Sometimes they heard the windows open. Nothing. And that was the past 4 days for them.

Leo: To be honest, Im just glad we're not out in the streets. And it is nice for the person to let us stay with them at all.

Girika's eyes narrowed as she took a sip of coffee.

Girika: I still think the situation is a bit too strange.

Leo looked at her with a surprised face.

Girika: What?

Leo: That's my mug.

Girika: So?

Leo was about to speak, but just thought to leave the situation at that before he made the morning stranger.

Leo: Never mind. Anyways, it's not that bad.

Girika: Im literally working with the same people who sealed me in a crucifix of blood while living with you in an apartment that was full of trash only a few days ago and has another resident that literally seems to appear and disappear out of thin air.

Leo: First off, they apologized for that since they didn't know all the facts before. Second, am I really that bad to live with?

Leo made a pained look which was responded by Girika who looked at him with a surprised look.

Girika: No no, I didn't mean it like that Leo! What I meant was, um, well...

She started to stutter which made Leo chuckle.

Leo: Im just kidding Girika. Anyways, I do understand your concern but there are worse situations to be in, like you described.

She sighed.

Girika: Your right. But I still plan on looking into who this other resident is.

Leo smiled.

Leo: I won't stop you. It's your decision.

He then looked the clock on the wall and before screaming out in surprise.

Leo: Oh crap!

Girika looked at him, surprised by the sudden outburst.

Girika: What happened?

Leo proceeded to grab the mug off the counter in the kitchen, chug the room temperature coffee, and grab his keys.

Leo: We're late for work!

Her face then mirrored Leonardo's.

Girika: Oh crap!

The two then quickly ran out the door and locked it behind them as they hurried down to the parking garage in the building. Leo was given a scooter by a guy named Zapp, who acted like a total uncaring dick half the time. For some reason, the scooter had a sense of familiarity to it that bugged Leo in the back of his mind, but paid no attention to. Leo mostly drove it as Girika held on behind him. The two ended up on a red light in traffic half-way to their destination.

Girika: So I know you don't like talking about it, but why haven't you contacted your sister lately?

Leo was quiet. There were a lot of reasons why, ranging from a lack of understanding of what happened the past nearly two years to the fear of what he might have done when he was the King of Vendetta. He only ever met his alter-ego in a single dream, and that was enough to chill his spine any time he thought of the guy. His lookalike was the embodiment of the power Femt had given Leo, and he had no control over it. What had he done in the time period he spent as Vendetta? He knew he hurt some of the members of Libra, from the strange glances he got from a girl named Neyka, to the cold stares from a tall man named Patrick, and then the sad eyes from Klaus. But this time was different. He was determined to try and make things better. But it did beg the question. Just how much did Vendetta plan ahead? And then, back to the original question. Why hadn't he contacted his sister. At this point, it was fear and cowardice. Right now, he was sending some money through Gilbert, the butler of Libra. He was planning on sending a fixed amount every week back home.

Leo: I guess Im just a little bit worried on what'll happen. What about you? Why haven't you returned to the other Elder Blood Breeds?

Girika's expression changed to a bit of sadness as she lay her head on Leo's back and looked at the cars around them that also had come to a stop at the red light..

Girika: Not all of the Elder Blood Breeds are good people Leo. Even I wasn't originally. I killed both good and evil people. Sometimes, I start to think Im a bit thankful for both being sealed and being freed. It was like I was following an instinct I had no control over. It made me think I was indestructible when I knew I wasn't. Im starting to think there's a side effect to our abilities and I just need some time.

Leo: No worries. That's a lot to take in for anyone. Human, Beyondian, Blood Breed. We all have something that'll bother us.

Just then, the light turned green and the two resumed their travel.
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Libra Headquarters, 8:55 AM...

The two of them entered the office. Klaus was currently on the computer at his desk humming, Gilbert was holding a napkin over his arm right next to him, Steven was holding his head up while reading a few documents at his own desk, and KK was sitting on the couch drinking Tea until she noticed them.

KK: Morning you two. Cutting it a bit close aren't you?

Leo scratched the back of his head while attempting an awkward smile.

Leo: Yeah, we kinda got caught up on a strange topic back at the apartment.

Girika: It's not strange when the other person living with us leaves almost no trace of even being there! We can't even catch a glimpse of them, let alone what they look like!

Steven called out to them while still simultaneously working.

Steven: That's one of Chain's main skills. Their main abilities are more espionage based and infiltration so unless they want you to see them, you guys pretty much don't have a chance.

Everyone could see the visible frustration and anger on Girika's face. It was like someone gave her a difficult job and said it was much more difficult than it was originally.

Leo: Hey, at least we know they're named Chain.

Leo didn't know why the name felt familiar or why his heart numbed a bit. He decided to sit on the couch opposite to KK before grabbing a book off the coffee table titled "Cultures of the Beyond". Girika sat to his left.

Leo: By the way KK, how's Cain?

She smiled at the fact that Leo would be considerate to ask.

KK: Fine actually. I still can't thank you enough for what you did when you saved him.

Leo blushed before adjusting the glasses on his face. The two of them became similar to friends in the past few days. KK enjoyed Leo's stories about his childhood with his sister, and he enjoyed hearing about KK's family. He was extremely relieved to hear that Cain didn't die in his arms.

Leo: It's no problem, really. Im just glad we all made it out in one piece.

Steven: True, not counting the assailants we weren't able to interrogate, thanks to a certain someone.

KK: Oh shut it scarface. I would have done it again anyways.

It was then that the doors to the office suddenly opened and Zapp ran in with a crazy look in his eyes as he jumped in the air.

Zapp: I GOT YOU THIS TIME! CHIEEEEEEEEEE-

But he didn't get to finish as Klaus swerved his office chair to the right, grabbed Zapp who was about to fall in front of him, and then proceeded to knock him out with a chop at the back of his head with only one hand while keeping the other on his keyboard. Klaus then handed Zapp to Gilbert, who dropped the unconscious Zapp next to Leo.

Leo: Why does he even try that?

Steven and KK groaned at the question.

KK: At this point, we can all just admire his perseverance.

Then, Klaus unleashed an intense aura which made everyone, excluding Gilbert, look at him nervously.

Klaus: Incredible! A well fought match indeed!

Leo and Girika both wore confused expressions which KK noticed.

KK: He's playing a game of Prosfair.

Leo: I heard about that. It's like a Beyondian version of Chess, right?

Girika: Technically, it's more than that since it's existed even earlier than chess itself.

Leo: Huh. Sounds like it'll go over my head though.

Gilbert left the room and returned with two cups of tea that he set in front of Girika and Leo. The day went by smoothly.
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8:20 PM...

Leo and Girika were currently heading back to the apartment on Leo's scooter. The day went by without anything really happening.

Leo: Told you this wasn't so bad.

Girika: Give it some time, I guarantee you it won't last in this city.

A bus then passed them with fully black windows. Leo couldn't make out what was inside of it but noticed that a strange red liquid had leaked from one of the windows as the bus pulled over to one of it's stop. Leo pulled over in front of it to get a better look.

Girika: What's wrong?

Leo: Nothing, I thought I saw a-

But Leo's sentence was cut short as the bus doors opened and blood poured out and emptied from the bus onto the bystanders. One of the beyondian screamed and asked if this was blood. Girika and Leo looked at the scene with faces of shock and fear. Looks like they got their first mission.

Leo: Why'd you have to be right...

End of Chapter 1...

Chapter Text

Unknown State in the US, 3 Hours before the Noctova Smile Bus Incident in Hellsalem's Lot...
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In the middle of a desert in the US sits an underground structure used as a research institution for items confiscated by the National Security Council. Top levels store nuclear and experimental weapons made by HUMANS in other countries. Middle levels stores mythical and magical impued tools from the BEYOND and ones that have mixed with the tools of HUMANS. And finally, the bottom floor stores hellish weapons, tools, and creatures. All of which were captured or contained with little to no success rate. And something escaped. More specifically, the "Eternal Compression Clock". A fiendish item capable of accelerating time of both living and non-living things. It first showed it's power when it accelerated time in 10 towns by 200 years. Its user was aged to that of an elderly man as he attempted to control it's power and succeeding at a cost. When the US Government invaded the country and retrieved the tool, they shot the user to pieces. It was originally stored behind a meter thick wall made of different metals. But it escaped. And in the horrifying footage of it's escape, as 32 staff members and guards lost their lives as the damned clock aged them down to their bones, in the center was it's original user being grown from the cells stuck to the clock during his death.

This Humanoid "thing" was now being intercepted a few miles away by military personnel alerted by the alarm from the facility. As they all stopped and aimed their guns at the user, the man ignored them and completely thought nothing of it. His left arm turned into clockwork gears as the soldiers shot at him, to no avail. Soon, the area's time accelerated as the soldiers watched with dread as their comrades and themselves withered down to the bone, still conscious of their demise. Only one vehicle was left not fully damaged by the incredible age. The user thought to himself that he'll need some time to get used to his new found abilities, but it was good to be back. He then took a coat from the back of the vehicle and drove to a familiar city as he sensed the presence of a VERY important item...
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Hellsalem's Lot, Noctova Mask Crime Scene, 9 PM...

When the authorities were first alerted of the mask, it took them 10 minutes to mobilize a small army, 5 minutes to secure the area, 5 minutes to move the horrifying relic out of there, and the remaining 20 minutes to investigate what happened to the passengers on the bus and how it got filled with blood in the first place. Let's just say their efforts proved less than fruitful in the investigation. It wasn't until 10 minutes earlier that news of Noctova Smile's descent spread throughout social media. At that moment, both the Black Guard and Libra sent their representatives. Deldro Brody as the second command of the Black Guard in his lookalike Dog Hummer body, and Steven A. Starphase as Libra. And of course, the chief investigator in the whole situation is Daniel Law, who appears to be completely done with his life the minute he saws Deldro and Steven.

Steven: Hey, afternoon!

Law was already getting nervous. Whenever Steven shows up, it's either for trouble or to help. Usually both...

Daniel: One, it's not afternoon, it's night. Two, don't waltz in here. And three, your a dick.

Steven didn't give the last one an answer. But Deldro picked up on the conversation.

Deldro: *Whistles* You guys picked things up quickly as ever.

Daniel: When do you two even have time to sleep.

Steven and Deldro both looked at each other before looking back at Daniel.

Steven: We could say the same to you.

Daniel grunted and began to walk away.

Daniel: Well, unfortunately for the both of you, I have nothing to show you.

There was a slight silence between the three of them that Steven was "kind" enough to break with a goofy smile.

Steven: "Noctova Smile" has descended, right?

Deldro grinned at Steven's cockiness at announcing that information as Daniel Law paused right in his tracks, his expression remaining calm. It was then that Daniel swiftly turned around, closed the distance between the two, and grabbed them both by the collar of their shirts and looked them in the eye.

Daniel: Shall I throw both you bastards out myself? Tell me where you got that information, since it's getting circulated around.

Steven: Don't worry, I got this information from two of our members who were at the scene.

Deldro: And we mostly followed the social media posts before you guys took them down. You were pretty quick though.

Daniel processed both information as he thought of an idea.

Daniel: I'll let you both help with guard duty.

He then proceeded to walk back towards the scene.

Steven: Doesn't that give us twice the work?

Deldro: I gotta agree with scarface here.

Daniel: Both of you shut it! And you, Steven, make Klaus V. Reinhartz speak to me directly. If you can't do that, I'll use both of you.

Deldro: You don't trust either of us.

Daniel: Don't feel bad, it's my general policy to not trust anyone. And besides, isn't one of your bosses suffering for amnesia and working for the other?

Deldro got shot down by that fact. They had to inform any of the public law enforcement about their leader's current "predicament" and medical problems. Not to mention, he gave strict orders to all members of the Black Guard to not interact with Leo too much due to the chance of him getting a backlash of memories. As for Steven, he was just annoyed. The two of them decided to meet Daniel Law back at the HLPD headquarters to plan their strategy to transport Noctova Smile with their respective teams.

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HLPD Headquarters, 11:50 PM...

Daniel: Noctova Smile. As you know, it is described in the "Book of Demise" as one of the gravely important tools to aid in the world's collapse.

Currently, the members of Libra in the room were Leo, Girika, Zapp, Zedd, Steven, and Klaus. As for the Black Guard squad, it was mostly made up of Jack, Artemis, Donovan, and Deldro. Deldro had already briefed most of the Black Guard on the info behind the "Book of Demise" and while the King of Vendetta Leonardo would have known what it was in great detail, Leonardo before arriving in Hellsalem's Lot didn't have a clue and was stuck with a confused look on his face.

Leo: One of the tools to aid the world's collapse?

A vein popped on the side of Daniel Law's face.

Daniel: Hey, someone kick out this uneducated amateur.

Zed, Zapp, and Girika were kind enough to fill Leo in.

Zed: The "Book of Demise" is the oldest divine archive, containing ever possible way one could end the world. Around two and a half years ago, it was delivered to us like this from the deepest part of the Beyond.

Girika: What was judged from the quality of the paper was that it originated from 10,000 BC at the latest. And Noctova smile is one of the 45 items noted in that book. Each and every one of them can quite literally function as the key to end the world.

Zapp: 45? I think you got your facts wrong cause there's only 42 listed in it.

Zed: Actually, while 42 of them are listed in the book, 45 are mentioned to exist. From what we've gathered, the 43rd one is the book itself. 44th is an item we're all familiar with.

Zed took out a small box unrecognizable to Leo, but well known to every other libra member as one of the pairs of contacts connected to the All-Seeing-Eyes. They swore to make sure Leo didn't find out about the contacts yet. And if he did, they'll tell him they were made from only a small fraction of what was studied in the past. It was a crude excuse, but hopefully one to fool Leo.

Girika: And finally, the 45th item. The white heart.

Zapp scoffed.

Zapp: The white heart? It sounds like a band name. What's the worse that it could do?

Zedd: Well for one, it functions as the ability to go against destiny itself. Whether they save or kill a person against what was planned, gain or lose something they shouldn't, or even think or feel in a different way then the god's had planned. Another fact about this is that it's not an item that descends like the others, but it's gained or created by a person's pure will. Those who have been recorded to be owners of a white heart are Noah, Moses, and even the Son of God himself. Any rumor or myth you hear about someone going against fate, a lot of them will be true. And a lot of them have been recorded to dethroning and replacing some of the god's themselves.

Leo and Zapp actually were sweating from fear. Whoever owned this "white heart" sounded like they could tear the world apart! Luckily it sounds like the item itself is hard to get. After all, who in the hell could go against destiny itself? Unbeknownst to any of them, someone in the room already has a white heart. But that's a story for another day.

Leo: It's amazing that they could decipher all that from such an old archive in only two years.

Zapp: Ya see, they were polite enough to attach a supplementary reading. The book has translations written in modern English, Spanish, and Chinese, as if it was written today.

Leo: Eh? But in that time period, human civilization didn't exist. Right?

Nobody answered as Daniel Law continued.

Daniel: Well, anyways, it's been placed under the control of the US Government in absolute secrecy. We'll transport this "outside" of Hellsalem's Lot tomorrow.

Deldro interrupted.

Deldro: What's our destination?

Daniel: The opposite shore of the New Hudson River. Any information beyond that will pretty much cost you your life.

Zapp acted like fool, like always, and butted in.

Zapp: Questioooon.

Daniel: What do you want, you hoodlum.

Zapp: What was that, you public servant!

Zapp was about to attack Law if it wasn't for Zed holding him in a headlock, Girika turning her right arm into a whip of sorts and tying his arms down, and Leo pushing him the opposite direction of Law. He continued with his question as he tried to break free from the three of them.

Zapp: What will you do about those old farts at the two-fold barrier?

Daniel: Ah, regarding that, we'll be able to pass by without getting checked.

They let go of Zapp, who was talking through gritted teeth.

Zapp: Well your awfully confident. And what makes you say that?

Daniel: Usually, when given minimal information of things, they had validated the "outflow" of a "world collapse tool" two times in the past. And judging from their usual work, it's highly unlikely they'll check us. That, and there have been plenty of world ending items that have also gone through. One theory is that they're personally overlooking things because of a command from "an even higher being". The god's, for arguments sake I'll call them gods for now, are usually to always bored. You all at least want to occasionally throw a rock into calm waters, right? Same concept with them. When you think that all troubles happen for their amusement, everything seems like a poorly written story.

(*Ironmonger Spits out his cola.**Ironmonger: Why does it feel like someone's talking shit about me?*)

Steven: By the way, has any of this information been leaked out?

Daniel: Currently, no. Can't say that none of you would leak it for pocket change.

Deldro: Can you please stop that? I mean really, you gotta start trusting us more.

Daniel gave Deldro a cold stare.

Daniel: Your dating the Queen of Monomania after she liquified you. You've had crime sprees in both worlds since you were a child. And your sentence in prison was paid out by cash that scares even me. So "Ha ha ha". Anyways...

Law took out a cigarette box and lit one as he set it between his teeth.

Daniel: Even if anyone gets a hold of this info, they'd never be able to mobilize fast enough to take us on. At best, they'd be nothing but a damned bother since we're living in 10 Minutes. They won't even have time to brush their teeth.

And then, in a cruel twist of fate, an officer barges into the room.

Officer: Inspector! This is...

The officer handed Daniel an envelope that seemed to have pissed him off.

Daniel: The Interdimensional Thief of Mystery, Veneno! Seriously, that damned piece of-!

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Transport, 11:55 PM...

Everyone had to mobilize quick. They never accounted that Veneno, a master thief capable of stealing anything any manner of fashion would target Noctova Smile. Currently, Zapp, Girika and Leo were currently sitting by the scooter. Girika was capable of adjusting her own weight so she was light as a feather. She planned on holding onto Leo as Zapp would drive the scooter. As for why they weren't going by car or in the surprisingly normal truck guarding the mask, Steven's a prick and Daniel Law is a dick.

Leo: Hey Zapp.

Zapp: Ah?

Leo: The Book of Demise. Why is everyone taking it's contents so seriously? I mean, something like ways to end the world sounds like a novel written by a crazy person.

Zapp: From 10,000 years ago?

Leo: I guess that's true but...

It was then that Girika propped her elbow on Leo's helmeted head.

Girika: This isn't the first time one of the tool's to aid in the world's collapse appeared. Originally, one of them ended up in some royal guy's collection. It managed to even kill a couple of elders, but it also cost the lives of 10,000 humans in some of the towns in the country.

If Leo wasn't scared shitless before, he was now.

Leo: What happened?

Zapp: Well, according to the reports, the area around the towns alone had aged 200 years.

Leo: Huh?

Girika: He's saying time accelerated in the towns causing everything to age faster.

Leo: So, what happened to the user?

Zapp lit a cigar and blew out a cloud of smoke.

Zapp: The US government invaded the country to try and take the clock back. They found the guy weakly carrying the tool. They originally lost 5 men. And they riddled the guy with bullets.

An alarm went off in Zapp's phone.

Zapp: It's time.

The three of them got on the scooter. Leo was behind Zapp and Girika was holding onto Leo since she adjusted her weight that if they hit a bump, she'd go flying off since she turned herself light so the scooter wouldn't be weighed down. Blood Breed abilities are strange in some sense. They started to follow the truck as it moved out.

Zapp: Anyways, I still can't believe Im stuck taking along two newbies.

Girika: Watch it moron. Im an Elder Class Blood Breed capable of taking you well on. And Leo here took down a group of assailants by himself.

Zapp started laughing.

Zapp: Nice try. I already know your having trouble with your Elder Class abilities ever since you got out of Klaus' seal. And Leo took those guys out, sure, but he wasn't conscious and can't use his abilities at will. Anyways, if any of you end up getting cut in two, you write "Mr. Zapp is not at fault, the blame lies with me alone" in your own blood before you die, ya got it?

Leo: Isn't that sentence too long?

It was when they were heading under a bridge with the transport that Leo noticed something off. He adjusted his glasses to see if it was his vision being off again, but that was far from it. From the top of one of the buildings they were about to pass stood a man in a suit holding what appeared to be a sword as he proceeded to draw it. With a feeling of dread, Leo grabbed Zapp's shoulder and directed him to the side, causing the scooter to move to the left AWAY from the transport.

Zapp: Oi! Watch it pubehead!

Girika: What's gotten into you Le-

But their screams were cut off as half a building toppled in front of the path of the transport. Venemo had literally cut the building in half and blocked their original path. Danial Law shouted orders to change their course to a backup they planned ahead. Meanwhile, Leo, Zapp, and Girika watched in awe the ensuing chaos. The three of them were shaking from the fear and the surprise.

Zapp: Hey guys, wanna go back and play Mario Kart?

Leo and Girika couldn't nod their heads fast enough while shaking from the fear.

Zapp: Please stop shaking...

End of Chapter 2...

Chapter Text

Brooklyn Bridge, Outside of Hellsalem's Lot, 12 AM...
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The user was currently stuck in traffic just outside the mushroom cloud that covered the city. He was mostly patient since he could sense where Noctova Smile was and where it was going. Although, he did feel strangely nervous when the mask suddenly changed directions. It was then that the vehicles in front of him started to move.

???: Finally. I'll soon be closer to collecting another form of ruin...

And so, the Jeep the user was driving slowly entered the fog as Hellsalem's Lot gained another threat.
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Leo was awestruck. Between the fact that half a building was cut and launched right in front of his eyes by a single man, a truck was moving faster than a sports car, and a strange mechanical "tiger" missing the top half of it's head sped right past them and jumped between buildings right the Veneno, who stood on top of the missing half of the building he cut. He then planted his left foot on top of where the mechanical beasts head should have been. Both then crashed into the ground and chased right after the transport, which was also being attacked by hulking man made brutes. Tactical Attack Ogre: Orangutan to be more specific. These things were terrifying, but not as much as the guns that came out from the back of the truck that ended up riddling them with holes and launching their corpse at Zapp, Leo, and Girika. And the Ogre's still weren't going down. Zapp and Girika had to stab any of the ones landing near them to make sure they were dead.

Zapp: Crap! At this rate, Im not gonna have a chance against Veneno.

Klaus was currently organizing everyone to the best of his abilities over the comms.

Klaus: Zapp, you mustn't be negligent. Veneno is fast approaching from behind. You'll need to be on alert for his Long-Distance Decapitation attacks.

Zapp: Don't worry about it. Thanks to that building his so flashily dropped, the road is blocked off. There's no way for him to make it out of there.

Leo looked back as confusion covered his face. Girika noticed it as she looked to where Leo was facing and her face mirrored his.

Leo: Uh, Zapp..

Girika: Turn turn turn TURN TURN TURN!

Zapp: What are you all yammering abou- HOLY SHIT!

Veneno and his mechanical beast of a creature jumped right over the three of them as it chased the convoy. No one could even believe how he managed to maneuver through that rubble so quick. Zapp started to warn Klaus that Venemo was fast approaching them from behind. It was then that Klaus and Steven opened the doors to the car they were riding behind the truck.

Steven: Be careful Klaus, there's nothing he can't slice in two from this distance.

Klaus: Im aware.

The two got ready to both attack and defend. And of course, Steven went offensive without a second thought.

Steven: Esmeralda Blood Freeze Style, Plane of Absolute Zero!

The ground froze over from under Veneno as Mechanical Beast went full speed. Leo felt the area around his eyes ache as the inside of his skull felt like pins and needles. It felt familiar to Leo, and that's what scared him. Girika and Zapp noticed Leo's pained look but they couldn't do much about it as they noticed Venemo's beast start to slow down. As if reading Veneno's mind, the creature jumped over the ice as Veneno prepared to draw his sword while aiming straight for Klaus, who looked Veneno right in the eye.

Klaus: Brain Grid Blood Style Technique. Pattern 15 Sniper Pattern, Single Pierce.

Klaus launched a piece of his blood thin as a sewing needle and fast as a sniper rifle bullet. It wasn't to hurt Veneno, but it was enough to alter the course of his Interdimensional Decapitation Technique. Unfortunately, a few buildings were cut in half but the transport managed to escape and speed away. Zapp, Leo, and Girika had hid behind one of the many ruined.

Zapp: Alright, he gave up. Only 7 blocks straight ahead till they reach the two-fold barrier bridge. Running and Gunning actually worked.

Leo: Yeah...

The three of them started laughing.

Zapp: I wonder if they're crying?

Girika: They probably are. Leo, come check this out!

Leo: Wha..

It was then that Veneno suddenly turned to their direction as the three of them quickly ducked.

Leo, Zapp, Girika: EEEEEEHHHHH?!

Zapp: Oh crap, you don't think he heard us, do you?

The three of them then heard the sound of roaring engines as the TRANSPORT WAS SUDDENLY COMING FROM BEHIND THEM!? They could see Daniel Laws pissed off face from behind the tinted glass of the truck. Klaus and Steven started to pass them too.

Steven: You three...!! Quit standing there idly! There's some kind of illusion or spacial organization going on here! Find the caster and get rid of them!

Suddenly, black arrows made of large steel bolts went flying past their heads. The Black Guard seemed to have finally shown themselves. Daniel Law ordered them not to get involved until they were absolutely sure they were needed. What was bad enough was that Veneno was countering the thick steeled arrows. The arrows looked like they'd leave a large gaping hole in you if they hit and this guy was slicing them like sushi. Leo's vision suddenly turned bright red. He recognized the feeling to something similar to the All-Seeing-Eyes, but stranger. He could still use the abilities of the eyes, even if he didn't have them. He noticed a figure with silver gelled hair starting to appear out of nowhere behind Veneno. The figure had to daggers and it seemed like he was going to stab Veneno from behind. But then, one of the abominations under Veneno's command went and attempted to tackle the invisible man, but passed through him as if he was made of smoke. Just as Veneno drew his sword, a young man with brown hair jumped down from one of the buildings with a rapier of blood and move with inhuman speed as he hit the sword away from the target with incredible force. Leo, Zapp, and Girika just watched in awe before the slice from the sword reached them and cut the rubble behind them a few inches from their heads. Zed jumped out from the car and ran straight toward them as he tackled the three of them down to avoid another slash from Veneno's blade. That pissed off Zapp, who chased the three of them away from the scene. Or so they thought, before the transport appeared again out of nowhere just as it left the scene. They could see Daniel Law getting angrier, and worse, hear him.

Daniel: GOD DAMNIIIIIIIIIITTTT!

Once again, the car with Steven and Klaus passed them.

Steven: YOU GUYS HURRY IT UUUUP! Zapp! Help us with this!!!

Zapp: Eh?

Steven's face turned ice cold and menacing. That sent a shiver down everyones spine as Zapp obliged and "happily" jumped in to help them fight against Veneno. Zed whistled cheerfully.

Zed: Goodness Gracious! With this, we can function as a proper team!

But Leo felt like something was wrong. He looked back at the ensuing chaos. A small bit of black smoke was starting to emitt from his hands. Girika and Zed both noticed it.

Girika: Leo, is that you in there?

There was a sight pause before Leo realized what they were asking.

Leo: Yeah, it's me. Im here. And I think I just realized how I can help.

He then used the corrupted abilities similar to the All-Seeing-Eyes as he looked for something, anything. He found radio waves coming from the literal sky.

Leo: Do we have anyone with an overview of the whole block?

Zed put his index finger on the side of his head where it appeared to have been where his communicator was held. Leo couldn't make out what he was saying, but he guessed he was talking to an agent in the area.

Zed: Alright, Chain says she see's a drone overlooking the situation. It's not one of ours.

Chain, Leo thought. There goes that name again. What was this heavy feeling whenever he heard that name.

Leo: Ok, you mind if I talk to her?

Zed went back and started talking before replying.

Zed: She says to keep the messages through me.

Leo thought it was weird for a second, but maybe it was trust issues. He gave to location on where the drone was connected from as Zed ran toward the address. Girika stepped next to him.

Girika: Shouldn't you go with them?

He thought for a moment before replying.

Leo: No. For some reason, I feel like there's something Im meant to do here. Besides...

Two small daggers with cross hilts attached to chains that seemed to be tied to his wrists formed from the black smoke coming from his hands. His right eye turned completely black as his left eye's iris turned emerald green. A similar color to Klaus' own eyes, except the whites in Leo's eyes were black instead.

Leo: I feel like this will be good practice for what Vendetta gave me.

Leo then jumped with strength that mirrored Klaus' at the battle with Veneno at the center. He then sliced at the air in front of him as he copied Veneno's own technique. He barely managed to dodge it. It wasn't as strong as his, but it did surprise him. And piss him off, strangely enough. He then went straight for Leo as he drew his blade. This time, Leo was prepared as he sliced vertically to cancel out Veneno's horizontal Decapitation technique. And that pissed him off even greater as their blades clashed.

Veneno: Who the hell are you?

Veneno's blade moved with incredible speed. Leo managed to block but barely was able to attack, even with Klaus' strength and speed added to his own. Then again, he wasn't aiming to kill Veneno. It didn't feel like what he needed to do.

Leo: My name is Leonardo Watch! If you can just give me a second to explain...

But he wasn't having any of it. Small cuts started forming on Leo's body. He started getting "flashes" of images in his head. A bloody scalpel, some doctor, a man in a suit in the dark, his eyes...

Veneno: Are you an inter dimensional traveller? Are you using illusions? Or is your technique just similar to mine? Answer me!

Leo snapped back to reality. He crossed his blades to block Veneno's latest strike as he put the two in a stalemate.

Leo: I don't know what your talking about! Please, just calm down and list-

And once again, the roaring sound of the transport truck came again. The dimensions were altered another time, but Klaus managed to launch the truck in the air to keep it away from Veneno, or so he thought. Although Veneno commended Klaus' quick thinking, he was still a step ahead. He sliced the truck apart, including the case with the mask, but managed not to destroy the mask itself. Just as he jumped to grab it, Leo turned one the daggers blades blunt and launched it at Veneno's leg, hooking it and pulling him away from the real danger. "He" came. The user of the other key to the world's collapse. With one of the man's arms turned to clockwork gears of a clock, he tore apart and aged there remaining fragments of the truck and Veneno's steed as he grabbed the mask. It was then that Veneno's fate was changed. Originally meant to die by that man, Leo pulled him away from that fate. But no one knew that yet.

???: Moderation is quite difficult. I ended up overdoing it.

Klaus jumped out of the car he was in.

Klaus: You bastard... What are you?

The figure grinned.

???: I've heard a lot about you. Carve this into your heart.

As the figure rose, holding the mask in his hand, he smiled a terrifying smile. One that chilled the heart. The figure was wearing a full white trench coat. Most of his body was covered in something dark but the top of his head was pale white as it covered his frontal lobe. His eyes, pure red.

???: Carve this into your heart. My name is Curious. Im the man who obtains all form of ruin...

End of Chapter 3...

Chapter Text

Hellsalem's Lot, 12 AM...

_______________________________

Curious stood among the wreckage of the transport truck, bathed in his terrifying glory. His entrance into this battle was unaccounted for, as was his ability to speed up time and turn things to dust. It was unnatural and it fit the title of "Key to the World's Collapse". If this man wanted, he could just simple walk around the world and slowly decay it to dust. And god knows who could stop him. Right now, Leo and Veneno were up against a wall from one of the ruined buildings. Leo didn't what drove him to save Veneno, but it felt like he changed something. As for Veneno, the "Interdimensional Thief of Mystery" was completely dumbfounded. First, he didn't sense Curious coming in, but this kid next to him did? Second, this new opponent had incredible speed that would have turned him into minced meat that would've soon decayed. And if that wasn't bad enough, he was surrounded by members of Libra, The Black Guard, and the Hellsalem's Police forces were recovering from the whole mess now. And the most worrisome thing of all was Curious and Noctova Smile. No matter what, he needed to retrieve that mask. It's no longer about the profit from it, but making sure this lunatic didn't have it. Klaus stepped forward.

Klaus: Klaus V. Reihnherz. Im in charge of Libra, a society which preserves the world's balance.

And just like that, the mood that was set in place was completely brought down. Zapp was trying to stop himself from laughing. Veneno looked dumbfounded at the exchange, and Curious just looked at Klaus blankly.

Curious: Im not listening...

Suddenly, the situation became tense again as everything went silent...

Curious: Only my name needs to be engraved here. There's 7 billion of you, so what worth is there to the individual names of you lot? Although...

His eyes then moved to face Leo, who half his face was covered by his hand with a pained expression. The green and red iris' were starting to fade back into a pale white-gray mix, and he was gasping for air. Curious' personally accelerated his own time and was ready to chop Veneno into decaying bits, but this "kid" managed to get him out of the way. Then again, he still had Noctova Smile in his hand, and it looked like the kid's actions were a one hit wonder.

Curious: Perhaps one of you could have posed a threat.

As Curious started to move away from the scene of destruction he caused, multiple red dots appeared on his body.

Daniel: Wait!

And there stood Daniel Law, next to all members of the police force who were transporting Noctova Smile had their guns trained on Curious.

Daniel: Hand over Noctova Smile. It falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Federal Government.

Curious looked disgusted at them. He then looked at the many beams pointed at every inch of his body. Steven was arguing with Daniel.

Steven: This is dangerous, assistant inspector...

But Daniel wasn't having any of that bullshit right now. In the hand of a maniac was an ancient and powerful relic.

Daniel: Don't give me that! I can't just shut up and watch, so Im going boldly instead. If he's even a little bit human, then he'd surely hate be hit with multiple bullets at once.

He grinned.

Daniel: We'll strike the chinks of your armor and recover that tool no matter what! Did you really think we'd let a maniac like you walk away with a tool to aid the world's collapse?

Curious' body slouched. He just blankly stared at them.

Curious: The US... Federal Government... huh.

His hands started shake slightly.

Curious: Hearing that name makes me sick. I ended up recalling THAT.

His thoughts flashed to a scene with multiple soldiers unloading bullets before coming back to the present. He took a deep breath as he brought the mask close to his chest.

Curious: Listen up. This right here is mine.

A murderous aura spread from him.

Curious: In just the same way you steal treasures from others.

Everyone shook. They could feel the danger emanating from him. Something resonated in Leo from it. The pain from his body eased up, but not enough to use his powers. And then there was a strange feeling of "understanding" that built up in him. Girika moved to him to make sure he was ok.

Curious: You invade someone else's property and do as you please, and then leave as if nothing happened. Who the hell would forgive you for that? You must know what your doing, but the world's police is still as conceited as ever. What you do is a violence that pushes your world into the individual world of others.

Girika: Leo, you are you ok?

Leo: Hm?

Girika was asking him this because Leo was grinning, and he didn't know he was doing it. Only one name came to mind as Leo could feel his mind start to fade as he fought the process. Vendetta.

Curious: Your backed by the greatest national power on Earth. I had once given in to that violence. However, things will be different this time.

And Curious smiled a terrifying smile that sent a chill up everyones spine. And that was the final push for Vendetta to come out.

Curious: Instead, the State will be the one to lose to violence!

Daniel Law: Shoot!

Many things happened in that moment. Vendetta had taken control of Leo's body, knocking Girika and Veneno away from him as a weapon manifested from a black smoke in his hands, charging right at the center of the commotion. Curious tapped his foot on top of the truck he was standing on and made a small crater completely decay, leaving a smoke screen of dust to cover him and keep their aim off. He then proceeded to tear their vehicles apart with his arms turned into large claws of clockwork. Hitting left and right, until he touched something and the dust cleared away. It was Klaus with a large Red Cross defending him. Whatever he was doing was working, since the moment Curious attacked Klaus, the cross stopped and sparks flew from the impact as the "unbreakable" cross shield shattered and Curious' arm returned to a somewhat humanoid shape.

Curious: Oh?

He then turned quickly behind him as Leo appeared. His clothes leaking black ink as they formed a suit with a vest. And he swung the horrifying weapon he summoned. A scythe as black as night. Curious turned his opposite arm into a clockwork blade of sorts as he blocked Leo's attack and a small crater was formed under their feet from the force. Curious swung with ferocious speed as he cut Leo's arm off from the elbow down, the severed arm decaying down to bone. Leo jumped right next to Klaus, holding the sickle over his shoulders with his arm. His messy hair seems to have turned darker, and no blood came from where his arm was severed. Klaus looked at him with wide eyes.

Klaus: Leo?

Vendetta/Leo grinned as he looked at him with condescending eyes yet disgusted eyes.

V/Leo: Guess again, you big oaf.

Klaus glared at him.

Klaus: King of Vendetta...

Then, a circle of black symbols formed, floating around his wounded area as a black spike of ink suddenly popped out from it and slowly formed a bud of a hand and then fingers. The ink then fell off the newly formed hand, identical to the original.

V/Leo: Good, you not as idiotic as you look. And while I am happy to have control over MY body again.

He then glared at Steven behind Klaus, who started the have a cold sweat the side of his head. Daniel had his sidearm out, but couldn't bring himself to aim and shoot. A chill went through his whole body. Curious launched himself while Leo's guard "seemed" down. It wasn't. In a swift motion, the blades crossed with each other. Curious turned his other arm into a clockwork blade and attacked Klaus, who countered with with more crosses. The whole time, Curious was smiling.

Curious: So even bastards like you like to meddle every once and awhile.

Klaus took his stance.

Klaus: Brain Grid Blood Battle Technique: Form 117, Unbreakable Cross Shield.

Curious: So your technique mixes with hand-to-hand combat.

He looked at Leo.

Curious: And your just something unnatural.

Leo smiled at him.

Leo: That's a compliment coming from you.

He paid no heed to the comment.

Curious: Initially, I thought I ought to crush the both of you quickly. But unfortunately, I've got this important treasure to take care of.

Unknown to Leo and Klaus, a small blade formed behind the heel of Curious' foot. They were waiting for him to make his move. But, he simple stood there, waiting till he felt it. The small rumbling down their feet. And then, a small thin hole decayed right under his feet. He then fell and fell until he landed through the top of an underground subway. The civilians around only looked at him as he got up to his feet.

Curious: Ah. Um, sorry for the fuss. Sit, sit. Don't mind me.

Everyone sat back down and went back to their daily actions as Curious looked at his hands. Small pieces of clockwork were retracting much more slowly.

Curious: Hm. My landing wasn't graceful at all. I'll have to start training when I return.

Meanwhile, Klaus and Leo simply looked down at the hole. Vendetta was still in control though. And then, the shock of using his abilities and controlling Leo's body began. He felt Leonardo drag him in his mind and lock him in the back of their head. The black suit Leo wore slowly melted off him as it turned to ash, along with the scythe. His regenerated arm was what remained. And just when it felt like he was gonna collapse, Girika managed to grab him in time. Steven and Zapp ran toward them.

Steven: Klaus!

Klaus: The line below leads up town.

Steven then noticed what he meant as he saw it.

Steven: So he escaped from that hole?

Zapp: You won’t fit, right chief? I’ll go after him.

Zapp proceeded to climb down the hole, despite Klaus telling him to be careful. Zed appeared suddenly from the smoke that was left from the battle.

Zed: Are you alright?!

Zapp: Ah, perfect timing! Your coming too fish face, you can be shield.

That comment annoyed Zed, who proceeded to kick Zapp down deeper into the hole Curious left. Steven proceeded to call in help from any Libra members nearby that were undercover. They could track Curious if he gets off the train. Meanwhile, Klaus was informing Daniel Law on where Curious might try and escape from. It wasn’t long before they realized it...

Daniel: WHERE THE HELL DID VENENO GO?!

Klaus and Steven looked around. Veneno wasn’t the only one missing.

Steven: Klaus...

Klaus only nodded.

Klaus: Tell our members to keep an eye out for Leo and Girika. This whole night’s going to turn into a blood bath.

________________________________________

Veneno escaped in the confusion and was following the path of the underground subway. Much more difficult without his beast transporting him, but enough so that he can atleast outrun their vehicles. He wanted to help them, but chances were that they would try and arrest him first. Then there were the two following him side by side. The young man he came to know as Leonardo had his eyes’ iris turned red and was following Veneno at his pace, even though he looked pale and was sweating. The other, Girika, he didn’t know what she was. All he knew was that every time he looked at her, his blood ran cold. He turned to Leo.

Veneno: I would like to apologize for my outburst earlier.

Leo didn’t respond at first, but then realized he was talking to him.

Leo: Ah, that’s ok.

Veneno: I have to ask though, how did you use my abilities?

Leo: That’s...

He looked at Girika to see if she would argue for him saying information about himself.

Girika: Don’t look at me, it’s your choice to talk about it. I just guard you, remember?

Leo sighed.

Leo: I don’t have recollection of most of my time in HL, but I do know some things about my ability. From what I’ve gathered, my body adjusts itself to use the abilities I’ve seen others use. It’s mostly limited to techniques involving their abilities. I’m using enhanced physique from my body adulterant to similar strength with Girika there. Although, that ability was already a part of me to begin with when I woke up. When I copied your abilities, it mostly wore me out since it was my first time seeing it and I didn’t have practice or time to adjust before hand. I also used my bosses physical capabilities to handle it, but mixing copied abilities takes a toll on my body for some reason. As for when I fought you with those daggers. my other ability is to materialize my shadow into a 3D form of sorts. I can make small weapons out of them, but that’s as much control as I have currently.

Veneno paused to ponder what the young man just said. His abilities are impressive, but a double edged sword. He was about to ask how he was able to create that scythe and fight toe-to-toe with Curious when the three of them stopped dead in their tracks. In front of them was Curious, both arms turned into clockwork blades as he tore apart the army of monsters in front of him. And the one leading them was just as sinister. The self proclaimed king of HL. The King of Depravity. Femt. And so, Veneno couldn’t help but think how much trouble Noctova Smile has brought him.

End of Chapter 4...