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Culmination	By : Croik Category: +G through L > Guilty Gear Views: 2646 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Guilty Gear, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Guilty
Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being
used in this fanfiction without permission.
This fic is rated NC-17 for violence and sexual content, and it contains
yaoi material.

Some
of the information they�re about to get in the city isn�t exactly the same as
things stated in the game, and that�s intentional�it�s AU, but hopefully just
slightly. Just to avoid any confusion.

Also,
I�m having fun exploring Johnny�s character, so I hope you�ll forgive me for
that (especially in the next chapter�^^;;)

Culmination
Chapter
7

Ky
sighed quietly to himself as he and Testament moved away from the bar they had
purchased a simple lunch from: turkey legs and some kind of flat bread which
was smothered in any number of spices and what might have been cheese. Rather than eat inside the bar and continue
to gather attention from a few of the more drunken patrons, they�d taken their
meal back to the streets, where they could watch the people pass by. It was almost casual, the way the stood
together in the shade of a small shop awning, making quick work of the
food. But it didn�t lighten Ky�s mood.

Ky
hadn�t expected being in Rome again to affect him as much as it was. Though he had never spent enough time in the
city to remember the layout of street corners and toppled buildings, just the
knowledge of their location was enough to make his skin crawl. A few times goosebumps crawled across his
skin when they passed a landmark he did recognize. Testament glanced at him once, and Ky had explained his ill ease away by blaming it on the
cold, and his unfamiliar lack of covering attire. It was one of the very few times they had
spoken to each other in the past few hours of their search. They must have looked like quite a pair, wandering
the streets in their leather, Ky with a sword at his
hip and Testament baring the large black raven on his shoulder. The bird, which had fluttered to its current
perch seemingly out of nowhere when they first entered
the city, Testament referred to as �Rael.�

�She�s
a creature of real magic,� Testament�s explanation floated back from Ky�s memory as he watched the Gear feed her a few small
crumbs from his bread. �We�ve been
together for a while now. I didn�t think
it wise to keep her aboard the ship, though�she gets restless.�

Ky
wasn�t sure what that meant, but in looking at the bird now with its dark
feathers, long beak and gleaming red eyes, he knew better than to question.

They
had come far through the city, with only a few rumors to their credit. By now the entire city seemed to know about
the incident with the robots a day previous�again Ky
realized his error in judgment when he learned that, despite his carefree
appearance and nature, Johnny was regarded in high respect among many of the
citizens dwelling in Rome�s outskirts.
He visited often and always did good honest business, and everyone they
talked to expressed their relief in his well being. Not that any had expected a few robots to be
able to harm him. Ky
had never really been able to think of Johnny as respectable, and was beginning
to wonder if he had any talent for reading a man�s character at all.

�We�re
going to have to go further in,� Testament said abruptly, plucking a piece of
meat off his drumstick to offer Rael.
The bird gulped it down eagerly.
�Anyone that knows anything will have holed themselves up in the
interior during the day. We won�t learn
anything out here.�

�Yes,
you�re right,� Ky replied. His appetite was already failing, and he
discarded the rest of his own meat long before it had been picked clean. The bread, too, was too spicy for his liking,
but he forced himself to take a few bites, if only for the energy it might
provide him. �Johnny and Bridget said
they would stay further to the north, so that leaves the entire South District
for us.� He pursed his lips, not
entirely pleased by that prospect.

�Have
you been there?�

��Yes.�

Testament
didn�t press him any more than that, remaining quiet as they finished the
remains of their meal. Ky was finding it not as difficult being with the Gear as he
imagined it might be; Testament�s focused demeanor helped to calm him somewhat,
while at the same time granting him the space he needed to work through his
thoughts. This place held special
significance for Ky, and Testament respected that, and
though it appeared by their lack of communication they were displeased with the
other, Ky was beginning to think that they didn�t make too poor of a team.

They
started off again, their path taking them toward the South District. Ky�s fingers curled
slightly in want of Thunderseal�s familiar grip. Unwillingly his mind jumped again, and for a
moment he thought he had spotted among the crowd of people a familiar,
straight-backed figure. But he knew
better, and he shook his head, turning his gaze forward. His memory was playing tricks on him, here in
this place that had once been his battleground.
One of the last they had shared.

�Sol�.�

Testament
glanced at him out the corner of his eye, but he didn�t speak as they continued.

On
nearly the other end of the city, Johnny and Bridget were having a similar lack
of fortune in their search. Though
everyone was familiar with the rumors surrounding the increase in shady robots
running about, no one seemed to know anything concrete. They received more comments about Johnny�s
latest �male� crewmate than anything else, and though Bridget seemed to be
doing well by the attention, it was little help to their investigation.

Johnny
spoke to Testament briefly through their shared radios shortly after noon, when
both parties were nearing the outskirts of what was considered to be Rome�s
inner section. The pair similarly had
nothing to report, and with brief warnings passed between them Johnny led his
partner deeper into the city. There was
no sudden change of scenery to indicate they were no longer in friendly
territory; it was still light out, and shops were still doing what appeared to
be respectful business. But there were
less people on these streets, and those they did find would not face them when
speaking. They were a different sort of
city folk, some nervous and distracted, others silently menacing. Johnny noticed with some concern that despite
this Bridget appeared to be gathering more attention than ever, in the form of
half-concealed, leering eyes. He was
sure to keep the boy close to his side whenever they paused to speak with
someone.

�Damn,
this whole thing must be even more hush hush than I
thought,� Johnny complained. The hour
was progressing far ahead of them, and they�d soon have to start back towards
the ship�empty handed. He didn�t expect Ky and Testament to have had any better luck, and the idea
of facing a frustrated police officer was not encouraging.

�Let�s
try one more place,� Bridget suggested brightly, ever the optimist. �You said the really bad people don�t come
out until late�maybe they�ll be waking up now.�

Johnny
cocked an eye doubtfully, but he�d learned early on in their acquaintance that
arguing with Bridget was a useless venture.
He shrugged. �I guess it can�t
hurt. But after that we start back.�

�All right.� Bridget scanned the street they
were on, taking particular care in choosing their last attempt for the
evening. �This way,� he declared
suddenly, heading for bar across the street with a neon sign bearing the words,
�Good Beer.� It seemed as good a place
as any, and Johnny shrugged again as he followed his companion inside.

A
few heads lifted, drawn doubtlessly by Bridget�s bright attire and light gait,
and then again by the appearance of Johnny.
Though usually he appreciated his fame Johnny wasn�t sure he liked the
dark gazes he received. Even being
something of a celebrity on Rome�s outskirts, that meant very little this deep
in the city, and he was almost expecting someone to make a fuss. These kinds of criminals didn�t always take
well to people out of place.

�Bridget,
stay close,� Johnny warned him, setting a heavy hand on the boy�s
shoulder. He scanned the bar, trying to assess which of the patrons might best help
them. The bartender didn�t look
promising. In his search, however, his
gaze fell on a much more familiar pair seated at the back of the bar. Relieved, he guided Bridget across the room
to where Baiken and Anji were sharing drinks.
�Looks like you picked a good one after all,� he complimented his young
partner.

Ky�s nervousness was starting to get on Testament�s nerves. He understood the reason for it�Ky had fought here at the time of the city�s collapse,
defending a righteous cause, and now was forced to walk its thief-laden streets
alongside a murderous Gear. Though at
the moment Testament couldn�t imagine a scenario of equal disquiet for himself
he respected that Ky�s reactions were normal and
warranted. They didn�t, however,
contribute well to his own state of mind. Having Rael once more on his shoulder was a
comfort, but it was difficult to concentrate on their search with Ky glancing about nervously, his posture straight and steps
hurried. This city carried enough for
them to worry about without him attracting attention.

�Calm
down,� Testament said at last, trying to keep his voice calm and even. �You�re standing out.�

�I
can�t help it,� Ky replied quietly. �It�s this place. There�s so many people who��

�You�d
like to arrest? I can imagine.� When Testament glanced to his left, he caught
a glimpse of a shop window displaying government regulation weaponry--not the
sort that should be going for cheap on the streets. �But this isn�t about that. So calm down.�

Ky
sighed, and though he seemed to be making the effort, it only made his
movements that much more strained.
Giving up, Testament turned his attention forward once more. �We�ll have to head back soon, anyway,� he
murmured, taking note of how low the sun had fallen. �In a few minutes we can contact Johnny and
tell him we�re��

Testament
broke off suddenly when his gaze fell on a hooded figure standing off to the
side of the road. The man was almost
perfectly motionless, no tremor of motion betraying even his breath. It wasn�t so much that which caught his
attention, however, as the description Bridget had given them earlier. A cloaked man, watching from the shadows�it
may have even been one of the robots. �Ky,�
he hissed, though he didn�t halt just yet.

Ky
glanced over, and though he didn�t see what Testament was talking about right
away his body tensed. �What?�

He
didn�t receive a response. Just then the
man lifted a hand, drawing his hood back to reveal his face; the sight of which
drawing a long, cold shudder from the Gear.

Bridget�s
eyes were wide as they made their way toward the pair at the far end of the
bar. He hadn�t seen either of them
before, but he could guess at who they were: Baiken and Mito Anji, judging by
the reports he�d gotten through his bounty work. They looked like a formidable combination;
surely they had to have some information on what was going on, especially as
targets themselves.

�Hey,
there,� Johnny greeted pleasantly enough as he helped himself to a seat at the
far table, Bridget just beside. �I didn�t
expect to see a familiar face here, but I�m not surprised. It�s been a while.�

�Not
long enough,� Baiken sneered over her glass.
�You have some business with me, Pirate?
I�m in the middle of a drink.�

Johnny
didn�t seem to hear, turning instead to Anji.
�You must be Mito Anji�am I right?�

�Yeah.� Anji, at least, seemed relieved
by the addition of some favorable company.
When Johnny offered his hand he took it whole-heartedly,
and Bridget�s as well. �And you�re
Johnny of the Jellyfish. We heard about
what happened to you yesterday.� His
gaze leapt to Bridget. �This a crew member of yours?�

�Bridget,�
the boy introduced himself grandly.

�Pleased to meet you.�

�This
ain�t a goddamn social outing,� Baiken interrupted them tersely. Her skin was a little flushed, testimony to
whatever she�d had to drink that afternoon.
�Tell us what you want or get lost.
You�re ruining my booze.�

Johnny
chuckled, unperturbed by her rough manners.
�In that case, we won�t stay long.
But we were hoping you could lend us some friendly information, Ms.
Wanted Criminal.�

Baiken�s
sharp gaze snapped to him, but it was Anji who replied, �This is about those
robots.�

�Bingo.�

�So�you�re
wanted, too?� Anji glanced at Bridget
curiously. �Even you?�

�Me
and May,� Johnny corrected. �And you,
and Baiken, and Chipp Zanuff, and a whole slew of
others. We were hoping you two might
know something about it.�

Though
Baiken appeared supremely uninterested, Anji frowned down at the table, giving
the matter careful thought. �We have run
into a bunch of them,� he admitted.
�But�Chipp�s wanted, too? How do
you know?�

Bridget
perked up. �We made a list�the robot
told us everyone he was after. You two
are Japanese, aren�t you? There were a
lot of Japanese names on the list.�

This
time Baiken did draw her attention back, and she and Johnny shared a
significant glance that Bridget couldn�t interpret. �Japanese,� she repeated dully. �That�s nothing new. The Bureau has always been after Japanese.�

�But why the others?� Bridget protested.
�Chipp, and Jam, and Wu Jin? They�re not Japanese.�

�It�s
because of their Ki,� Anji
took over the explanation. �It has to
be. I don�t know much about Jam, but
Chipp trained under Master Tsuyoshi, who was an expert at using Ki magic. And all
Japanese are capable of using Ki. Maybe they�re collecting Ki
users for some reason�?�

�Really? I never thought of that�� Bridget pursed his lips thoughtfully, but
when he looked to see if Johnny had been similarly enlightened the man was only
smiling grimly, as if the information were nothing new. He would have questioned but thought better
of it.

�The
Bureau is always up to something stupid,� Baiken was saying, drawing Bridget
back from his thoughts. �It�s not
surprising if they�re after people that can use Ki�people
like that are a danger to them.�

�You�re
really that powerful?�

Baiken
scowled. �Of course.�

�That
still doesn�t explain everything,� Johnny said, sounding far more serious than
he had a few minutes ago. �They can�t just
be going after people who are strong.
Most of us have no intention of defying the Bureau. There has to be something else.�

�Something to do with Millia Rage?� Bridget hazarded. �She was on the list, too, but she�s not
Japanese and doesn�t uses Ki.�

Baiken took another drink of her beer.
�Millia Rage uses one of the Forbidden Beasts�an anti-Gear weapon.�

Bridget
frowned down at his lap. That didn�t
seem to be much help, and he fidgeted slightly as the table fell silent for a
moment. �Well�� he started slowly, ��so
she�s an anti-Gear weapon. Can�.� He glanced up at the others hesitantly. �Can you use Ki as
an anti-Gear weapon?�

Three
blank stares turned to him, and Bridget squirmed self-consciously. �You could, couldn�t you? Ki�s supposed to be
really special, isn�t it? And if the
Beasts are used to fight Gears, maybe�they want to use Ki,
too�?�

He
ducked his head, waiting for the others to proclaim him foolish, but then
Johnny laughed. �That�s actually not
bad,� he chuckled. �Something
simple like that. Using Ki to fight Gears�.�
He turned to Baiken and Anji.
�Would something like that work?�

Anji
lowered his head, looking suddenly troubled, and so Baiken took it upon herself
to answer. �It�s possible,� she
affirmed. �Most Gears can take a beating
from really powerful magic. But there
isn�t exactly much Ki running around anymore, since
you can�t just make it like you can most magic.� She shrugged her one shoulder stiffly. �You think the Bureau is trying to use Ki to fight Gears, it�s not hard to believe. Though it doesn�t make much
sense.�

�Why
not?� asked Bridget.

�Because
there aren�t that many Gears left,� Johnny filled in. �Not many that are a
threat to them, in any case. Unless�they
know something we don�t.�

�If
this is all true,� Anji interrupted suddenly, his head still lowered, �you
might be right, Johnny. And even if
there isn�t something going on now behind this all�there will be.�

Johnny
and Bridget both looked to him questioningly, while Baiken�s expression hardened. �What do you mean?� Johnny asked first.

�I�� Anji took in a deep breath. �I met him.�

�Anji,�
Baiken hissed in warning.

�I
met him,� Anji repeated firmly, facing them at last. �I met the man who created the Gears.�

Testament
didn�t react as quickly as he should have.
For a moment everything slowed around him�the crowds of people were
suddenly no more than a dull blur, Ky�s fidgeting at
his side a distant memory. There was
only the dark eyes of the man across from him, cold and deeply familiar,
clawing at his uncovered skin. Without
the rain to mar his vision he could place them clearly. It wasn�t until Rael began to screech that he
managed to wake himself, just in time to see the man turn down another street.

�Testament?� Beside him, Ky
took his arm urgently. �What�s going
on?�

�I
know him,� Testament said quietly, and all at once his expression contorted
into one of wrath. �That
miserable�.� Before Ky
could stop him he was running, Rael giving a tiny squawk as she took off from
his shoulder to fly ahead. He was only
barely aware that Ky was following him, that his heart
was pounding faster than it should have been.
He was only desperate to catch up to the man who was fleeing several
meters ahead of them, to kill him if given the chance.

They
didn�t have to run far; another turn brought them abruptly into a wide, unlit
alleyway, and Testament skidded to a halt at the sight of his quarry standing,
straight-backed and unmoving, directly in front of him. �You�.�
His fists clenched at his sides as he stared the man down, giving no
notice when Ky entered the alley as well. �What are you doing here?�

�I�m
not here for you, if that�s what you mean,� the man replied, his voice echoing
hollowly off the stone. It was a low,
chilling sound that grated against Testament�s ears. The man himself was tall, a match for
Testament�s own height, with dark brown hair cut short around his round face,
and wide, almost black eyes. �Though I do have some questions for you.� He glanced at Ky
significantly. �And
whoever your little friend is.�

Ky
straightened, and when Testament glanced back slightly he could see that Ky had
realized; this was the unseen enemy that had attacked him in the rain those
several days ago in Genoa. Thankfully,
the officer knew better than to speak; he kept his jaw tightly shut, not
wanting to give away his identity.

�He
has nothing to do with you and I,� Testament
countered, another cold shudder running through him. He suddenly understood how Ky
must have been feeling all afternoon, old memories clawing at the edge of his
brain�. �You shouldn�t be here. You should be dead.�

�I
saw you with Kiske that night in Genoa,� the stranger continued as if he hadn�t
heard. His posture was still unnaturally
erect, even more so than when Testament had known him those years ago. �And I know the Jellyfish Pirates picked you
up. Where is Ky Kiske?�

�You
should be dead!� Testament raged, his fists tight and trembling at his
sides. When he started to take a step
forward, however, Ky suddenly took his arm to halt
him. He glared at him, but the officer�s
expression was firm, and he managed to regain his composure. Heated eyes turned back to the stranger
before them. �You�re the one behind all
this. Why?�

The
man blinked slowly, his own stern expression unchanging. �Where is Ky Kiske?�

�Dead,�
Testament snapped at last. �I did take
him to the pirates, and he died the next night.
Now tell me why!�

�He�s�dead.� The stranger sighed quietly, lifting his
hands to begin undoing the small fastenings on his cloak. Both Ky and
Testament held their ground cautiously in expectation of an attack. �I don�t believe you�Ky Kiske would not have
died as easily as that. It appears I�ll
have to discipline you.�

Testament
took a step back as Rael began to screech upon his shoulder, her thin claws
digging into his skin and drawing thin trails of blood. By now Ky was
thoroughly confused, and in light of Testament�s sudden retreat he drew his
sword, preparing for whatever this crazed stranger had in store for them. �Whoever you are,� he murmured lowly, �you
cannot intend to defy the both of us.�

�And
whoever you are,� their enemy returned coldly, �I think it�s time you
understand what you�re dealing with.�

He
swept his cloak off in a ripple of thick fabric, letting it flutter to the
ground in a heap so that the attire he bore beneath was finally displayed. This time it was Ky
who stepped back in alarm. The stranger
bore the uniform of the Holy Order, tattered but clearly recognizable, trimmed
in red in contrast to the blue worn by his robots. For a moment Ky was
thrown off guard; combined with the man�s dark brown hair he almost resembled
Sol.

The
hesitation was more than enough, and without word or warning he leapt upon the
pair, sword drawn and arching.

�Met
him?� Bridget echoed incredulously, glancing between each of his three
companions in confusion and alarm. �But�isn�t that impossible?
He�d have to be over a hundred years old!�

�Keep
your voice down,� Baiken hissed, and he quickly fell silent beneath the
intensity of her glare. He was thankful when she turned it upon Anji
instead. �And you, shut up. This isn�t the place for��

�They
have a right to know what he told me,� Anji protested. �Everyone does. This isn�t just about me�or you�anymore. Not if he�s right and it could lead to
another war.�

Johnny
and Bridget both stiffened in their seats, turning wide eyes on the man. Even Baiken shrank back a little with the
gravity his words implied. When Anji
realized that they were all taking him seriously he sobered somewhat, leaning
back.

�Tell
us,� Johnny instructed grimly. �Everything.�

Anji
licked his lips, and when he glanced at Baiken as if in reassurance she turned
away. �He told me that he had never
intended to create Gears for destruction,� he explained in a hushed tone. �And I believe him�there�s so much their
technology could offer us, without leading to war and suffering. He never wanted things to�end up this way.�

Bridget
lowered his head slightly. He himself
had not lived through much of the war, as his home, nestled in rolling, distant
countryside, had never fallen victim to the cruelty of Gears. He had never even seen a Gear until meeting
Dizzy aboard Mayship, and Testament soon after. He had grown up with the stories, however,
and those were more than enough to make him wonder about what Anji was saying;
to know that the possibility of another war existed terrified him. �What�s going to happen?� he asked,
unnaturally quiet. �Is there really
going to be�another war?�

Anji
regarded him quietly a moment, as if fearful of saying too much in front of
him. �I don�t know,� he admitted. �But he told me that part of why the Gears
were created was to�deal with a threat.
Something that had to be contained through all means necessary.� He lifted his gaze with a quiet sigh to the
ceiling, as if reliving the memory of that short exchange. �I believed him, and I almost joined him. I�could have even killed Baiken, if not for��

�You,�
Baiken interrupted tersely, �could not have killed me.�

A
faint smile curled his lips. �No, maybe not. But
what I�m saying is the truth. And if
whatever the Postwar Administration Bureau has to do with that reason, I�m sure
that man will respond. He�ll do whatever
he can for what he believes is best for this planet.�

Johnny
tipped his head slightly so he could stare at Anji over the top of his
sunglasses. �And do you still believe
him?�

Anji
returned his gaze with some trepidation.
�I do,� he replied softly. �I
won�t go back to him, if that�s what you�re worried about. I just�I don�t know.� He escaped Johnny�s eyes once more. �Something�s going to happen. And if Gears go against the Bureau again, it
won�t be anything that will end easily.�

�I
see.� Johnny straightened, adjusting his
glasses so that none of them were able to read whatever expression he might
have really been making. �It�s a
problem, isn�t it?�

�That�s
an understatement,� Baiken scoffed.
�We�re talking about a second Crusade�even you should understand what
that means.�

�More
than you know.� Johnny started to push
to his feet, and when Bridget noticed he quickly followed suit. �If there�s nothing else, we should probably
be going�the others will start to wonder.�

�Oh�yeah.� Bridget gulped, and suddenly
remembering his manners turned to nod to Baiken and Anji. �It was a pleasure meeting you.�

Though
Baiken only snorted and turned away, Anji returned his farewell. �Take care of yourselves.�

They
turned to leave, but just then Baiken was on her feet as well, snagging Johnny
by the elbow. �One
more thing. Come�ere�adult talk.� And with that
she began to drag the man away, toward the bar, three pairs of curious stares
on her.

Anji
sighed once the pair was out of earshot.
�That Baiken.�

Bridget
smiled slightly. �She�s pretty cool,
huh? Though�why didn�t she want you to
tell us?� His shoulders drooped a
little. �All this talk about war�it�s
really scary.�

�Yeah. It is.� Anji was silent for a moment, watching
Baiken�s turned back as she and Johnny spoke.
He then returned his attention to Bridget. �There�s something else she probably wouldn�t
want me to tell you,� he said with a lighter tone. �But maybe I will, to get back at her.�

�Oh yeah?� His spirits lifting a little at
the prospect of a secret, Bridget quickly leaned closer. �What is it?�

�You�re
not the only one tracking these robots down,� Anji told him
conspiratorially. Bridget sat back down
in his seat so he could hear better. �Sol Badguy is here.�
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Culmination