Joker / Mortal Combat / Liza and Karen

– Claire-sama, apparently has been discovered in the subway of one of the apartments in the slum in the third district of Sangria, a laboratory that has been kept hidden with scientists who have restarted the?Homunculus. It is guaranteed that this happened recently.

– I see, it’s because this information comes from Gudenburg.

It was the Student Council President, in the underground of the school of the martial arts department of Little Garden, Claire Harvey, who received the report from the Vice President of the Student Council, Erika Candle. A couple of hours ago there was a report with the result of the duel from Gudenburg.

Along with the victory of Kisaragi Hayato, the information regarding the?Homunculus?was transmitted.

Dr. Charlotte analyzed the information obtained by the intelligence unit of Little Garden, and it is understood that the third Prince of the Wenz Kingdom, Douglas Edward Wenz, was the one who released the?Homunculus?in the city of Sangria.

The information obtained by the Gudenburg side was very large, coming from the three of them.

Homunculus?is a decisive weapon to fight against Little Garden, created by Vitaly Tynyanov, her [Trump Card] Joker. Its shape is similar to that of a human being, but inside, it is very close to that of a Savage.

And now, they had the location where the scientists who had unleashed Joker in the city of Sangria were.

– Is it possible to stop the?Homunculus?

– No, [Joker is completely autonomous, there is nothing that can be done] was informed to me.

That scientist says that Joker awoke in response to the Hundred of the Slayers, when Wenz’s troops entered to investigate inside the bases left by Vitaly. Then, they gave him the Hundred and went crazy.

He released a strong?Sense Energy?from his body to open a large hole in the sky of the cave where the laboratory was located, so he ran out of strength, and collapsed.

Then Douglas assured him, woke him up at the base he had already prepared, and in return for giving him Variable Stone, he would take revenge on Little Garden for murdering Vitaly, his creator.

Joker aligned with that proposal.

– That means that it’s Joker who’s hunting the Slayers and attacking Little Garden at the same time, and he’s giving his thanks to those who revived him and fed him with Hundred?

– No, I don’t think that is something like that.

Erika replied.

– There is a Slayer that survived when it was attacked by Joker, during that action, Joker said [My purpose is the origin of the power of Little Garden]. Claire-sama, the origin of power, is it some kind of Variable Stone, which gives?energy?to Little Garden?

It’s reasonable that Erika is thinking that. The power of the Joker and the origin of his?Sense Energy?are Variable Stone. It’s really clear that they have a resemblance, but she does not know anything about Liza. It should be the same for Douglas.

But what about Joker? He has heard about Liza from Vitaly, maybe he can know after all.

(Anyway, this has become in something very problematic)

Now he is hunting Slayers, although he is in a phase of stealing Hundreds and thereby accumulate more power, so that the day will come when he will come to Little Garden.

(Anyway, we have to deal with that before it gets much more power)

Claire concluded with that in her mind.

The President of the Student Council receives an <<Emergency Alert>>?Emergency Call, and the figure of Chris Steinbelt is shown on a giant floating monitor located on the wall, and is seated at the position of <<Strategic Responsible Analyst>>?Main Analyst, in the <<Council Room for Strategies>>?Briefing Room.

[Claire-sama, Joker has appeared!]

– Tell me its position!

[It’s in a building in the center of Sangria. One person is a civilian and the other is a Slayer from Liberia, who are wounded]

The figure of Chris that was projected on the monitor, changed completely to the one on the map. It was close to the same point of the day before yesterday and yesterday, it was close to where Joker has acted regularly.

[The civilian who is injured corresponds to Umino Aoi. Yesterday, together with Karen-san, they were attacked by Joker]

– Wait a minute, why is that girl there in Sangria!

[Yesterday, while they escaped from Joker, she lost her PDA, and the information says that she would go to pick it up, and that it was authorized by Fritz-san and Latia-san, who were patrolling the inspection area. As Joker only targets Slayers, apparently there would be no problem in which civilians could pass]

– There was certainly a notice from the Student Council in which, the general public was called to avoid making these trips, but did she really need to do it in this way? Well, how is her condition?

[The city of Sangria is revolted and the appropriate information has not arrived yet. I am worried about it, but..]

– We must wait for everything to return to normal.

[I think so. That has been the report from the headquarters]

[In that case, I’ll have to interrupt you]

Suddenly, Claire was surprised by the voice that interrupted the communication.

– Onii-sama!?

The image that has changed and that is shown on the floating monitor corresponds to that of Claire’s older brother, Judal Harvey, president of the Warslan Company.

[It should not be surprising, because this emergency communication is not private. All authorized people involved can listen to everyone, as well as interrupt a communication. The subject as of now has to do with Little Garden]

– And you want me to thank you for that.

Just now, she said something with total sarcasm.

Since what really matters is Liza―.

That is at least what she thought in her mind.

[.. now, going back to the subject in question. I understand that the enemy is an?Homunculus, left behind by Vitaly. It may be that now Vitaly is in a higher danger state than when she started attacking with the <<Artificial Models>>?Replicant. There will be minor damages, but we will stop progress, in one way or another]

– “Minor damages”, how can you be saying something like that, Onii-sama!

[What I have said does not mean that I am ready to give my own life. It would not be strange if a city disappeared, in the event that the fight between the Slayer and the?Homunculus?occurred in an inhabited place. What I want to say is that it will not hesitate at all to do harm. But, no matter how much damage is done, it is much better than leaving a city made nothing using missiles and nuclear mines to stop the dangerous?Homunculus. Well, no matter what, I will convince the United Nations that all responsibility falls on the anti-Slayer organization, so not everything is lost]

– That proposal is really appreciated.

It will sound sarcastically, but in fact, it isn’t sarcastic at all. The truth is that I don’t want a single person injured, and as far as possible, not even a single building, but I also know that this is idealism. This will really be a tough battle.

[Claire-sama, Judal-sama, if you allow me to speak, I would like to add a few words from me]

Opening his mouth, Chris joined the conversation in which they were both.

[What I thought while listening to the conversation that you were holding now is, how about using the third district of the city of Sangria?]

[Third district..? Is not that where the scientist who rebooted the Joker was?]

[That place is a slum, there will hardly be anyone there, due to the purification strategy that was carried out a year ago in the city of Sangria, there lived only vagabonds and the mafia in that sector. Since the redevelopment has not yet taken place there, I think it’s fine if some building is destroyed]

There is a large number of Slayers and Liberian soldiers who have been dispatched as bait. Attracting the Joker, having as final destination the third district, to then be captured by the members of the special team that has been waiting there, that was the plan devised by Chris to lock up Joker.

[Truly, the?Main Analyst, is a great strategist]

*PACHI* *PACHI*, made their hands, while applauding and saying those words in admiration.

Claire has no objection to Chris’s strategy.

– All right, let’s go with that plan. If the time comes when the enemy becomes very powerful, I too will have to enter the battle. Can I request if it is possible that Erika is left in charge at that moment?

[No, it would be best if Erika were also to fight]

There was a person who interrupted the communication. It was Charlotte Dimandius.

– Regarding my ability, is there anything I can do against Joker, the enemy?

Asks Erika to Charlotte that is shown on the floating monitor.

[I heard some information about Joker from the scientists who were captured. In order to defeat him, it is possible that your presence is indispensable. Therefore, I will take control of this strategy in conjunction with Chris. Is it okay with you, Claire?]

– Yes, no problem. Do you agree, Chris?

[Yes of course]

[Ok, then, could you leave me in charge of the strategy from now on? Liddy will also need to appear on the battlefield. Call me as soon as you get there]

Will Umino Aoi be safe?

Karen and Rebecca are still waiting in the cafeteria for information on whether Aoi is safe. Three people were there, they were Krovahn, Nesat and Nakri, who were in their Variable Suit.

– Hey you!

Nakri realized the existence of Karen that was there, opened her eyes completely and leaped closer.

– Wh-what is going on, Nakri-san?

Karen, who was frightened by the level of intensity, unconsciously stepped back.

– Yesterday, you were flying through the skies and you did it until you returned to Little Garden, right? Then, it’s possible to go to Sangria!

– Huh..?

She heard the conversation that was held in the classroom this morning. Nakri continues speaking with a certain enthusiasm.

– With what you had to fight yesterday, it was against the creation of our boss Vitaly,?Homunculus. But he isn’t ordinary. Before we can do more damage, we have to do something about it. So, please, take us to Sangria!

– But, if you talk to the president..

– That’s impossible.

The boy next to him answered. He heard from Charlotte that he was Nakri’s cousin, and that he was in the next class. His name is Krovan Olfred. The surname Olfred, it is said that they did not have surnames, but that they were given by Charlotte.

– I asked the president if we could go, but our?energy?is still not stable, and she didn’t give us any hope, since she rejected us because the formation for this operation is made up of the Selections. With the doctor it’s the same. But he is immeasurably powerful. Without a Variant, they will be easily killed. It will be impossible if we aren’t there!

No but..

If Dr. Charlotte says it’s useless, it’s because it’s probably useless.

So having thought of saying it would be impossible,

―― Let’s go.

(Eh..?)

The voice of a girl rumbles in her head.

―― Being here, I will protect you and everyone.

Again, the voice sounded inside her head.

It was Liza’s voice.

– I’m not telling you to fight. All you have to do is to take us. We will take full responsibility. We beg you!

– Keep in mind that your friend is involved in this incident! Don’t you think you should go and rescue her!?

Continuing what Krovahn said, Nakri spoke.

– .. Karen..

Rebecca stares at her, as if saying what she is going to do.

(If Liza says I should go, then it’s because I have to go)

Also, I have to get to Aoi as quickly as possible.

Because she is an important friend.

I have to save her.

– I understood, let’s go!

– For real!?

Nakri, who responded energetically when she heard Karen’s response, looks happily at Krovahn.

– ..Karen, will you really go?

– That’s right, leave Aoi-chan to Karen. I will absolutely bring her back home safely.

Karen declared, to Rebecca’s concern.

– Okay then. You are strong. If it’s Karen, then everything will be fine.

– Yes

– Please come back safely.

With that said, Rebecca extends her little finger.

– It is a promise.

The act of linking the little fingers.

– Yes

Karen also extended her little finger and crossed it with Rebecca’s little finger.

– Now, we’re leaving!

– I really hope that Aoi-chan is fine, but..

Fritz and Latia ran through the streets of Sangria. Of course, this was not a date. It was part of their duty as members of Selections. It is for that reason that the two were in their Variable Suit.

– It’s your fault that she has been involved in this type of incident. I wish I’d not let her go there...

– I really thought about it. That’s why I’m here looking for Aoi-chan.

Fritz and Latia went to the coastal side of the buildings of the third district, in the western part of the city, where the battlefield against the Joker would take place, along with other Slayers and transport helicopters.

This is where the point where the communication stopped is marked.

Right now, they are halfway from that point. When suddenly, the Vital Rings of both emit a sound.

[Chris Steinbelt speaking here from the?Briefing Room]

– Chris, is something wrong?

Fritz asks stopping his step.

[The status of Umino Aoi has been confirmed. She fell off the stairs and hit her head, there was loss of consciousness, but there is no danger to her life. It has been reported that the army of Liberia has it under its protection]

– I see..

When he found out she was fine, Fritz gently touched his chest.

– Since Umino Aoi is safe, what should we do?

Asked Latia.

[Yes, slowly return to the third district, please]

Chris answered, after a brief pause.

– In other words, we will be the bait to attract the Joker.

[Thank you very much for your cooperation. But in case a combat situation is triggered―]

– .. Wait, a moment..

Out of nowhere, she felt a chill run through her back muscles, and Latia’s face went rigid.

– Fritz, look for a presence in the surroundings.

Ordering him, Fritz decides to do it.

– ..But what is this..?

He feels a very unpleasant?energy.

There was also something like blood thirst mixed in that.

– Maybe that’s the Joker.

Latia murmured in a low voice, and continued her words.

– He has us in his sight.

[It cannot be, it is not possible that he already..]

Even Chris was upset.

If the combat were to develop here, then the strategy that has been set up, all this will be in vain.

[Most of the residents around that area have been evacuated to the shelters, so it is possible that these buildings are damaged. There are no traps, so please move quickly to the third district. Although it is impossible to know if we will succeed, we pray that you have managed to capture Joker’s attention]

– Understood.

Responding, Fritz looked at Latia’s face. Latia nods silently.

– Then, GO!

Therefore, with Fritz’s signal, both begin to run towards the third district.

But―.

They could not even run for five seconds when they had to stop.

A boy with a black hoodie appeared in front of them.

– Bu-, but what the hell―.

– I just jumped from the roof of the building that is there.

Fritz and Latia looked up at the buildings that were on either side, according to what the boy said. On both sides, the buildings, the buildings were fifteen stories.

– Haha..

Unexpectedly, a dry laugh escaped from Fritz’s mouth.

They had heard that he could deploy Hundred without any restrictions, and that his physical ability went beyond that of a super human―.

– Onee-san, you’re a Slayer from Liberia and Little Garden, aren’t you? I’d like to ask you something but, there isn’t anyone around here, right? So, what the hell are you up to?

Smiling with a grin that floated on his face, the boy approached.

– Is it that maybe you intend to take me to where it is full of Slayers, to try to surround me with all of them and defeat me? Haha, but even so, that will be useless―.

The boy creates something similar to a blade in his hand without using a Hundred. Both when seeing it, they were convinced of that.

This is Joker.

Latia quickly took the Hundred from her chest and screamed.

– Hundred On!

Fritz began at the same time to deploy his armament.

Hundred of the Martial Arts type, <<Beast King, God of Military Arts>>?Strike Beast,?and Hundred of the Long Shot type, <<Impenetrable Fortress>>?Stronghold.

Continuing, the Hundred of both were deployed.

– Hee .. So you’re determined? If you give me your Hundred, I’ll not take your lives. Since it really is useless for you to do something with the power you have.

– What are you saying, it’s you who has tried to anticipate the facts!

Moving first, to take the victory, Latia kicks on the ground, focusing?energy?in her fist, to strike with her Knuckle to Joker.

-!―.

As a result, it hits nothing, failing.

– Too bad, the level is very different from that of an ordinary Slayer like you.

That voice emerged from behind Latia,

– Kuh!

Latia managed to stop the blow of the blade that came from top to bottom with the armor of her arm.

With that, Joker turned his body, releasing a spinning kick.

– Guah!

Latia’s body was sent flying and hit a concrete wall that was in a nearby building ― opening a big hole, coming out the other side.

– Even though her armament has been cancelled, it doesn’t seem that she has reached the point of being dead. Now you come, Onii-san―

– .. tsu, bastard!

It is no longer a situation that may matter to him, even if it is about the whole town. Considering that he is still alive, he decides to take the enemy of Latia, Fritz lends his gaze to Joker, and makes use of his rifle, Shooting Star, in his right hand, firing.

But, Joker deploys a barrier just in front of his body― and with it, the?energy?shots that were released, are dispersed and disappear just before touching the body.

– Damn, to be able to perform such a trick without needing a Hundred!

– I didn’t tell you, I’m not an ordinary human being. That is why, I can do something?like this.

The boy creates two spheres of light, one on each side of his body, and shoots them at Fritz.

– Kuh!

Fritz contains the attack of the light spheres with a barrier. But, right there, Joker creates a tremendous sword in his hand, and attacks it.

– Die!

Fritz deploys a barrier, but it is in vain, since with the pressure of the sword he was sent flying, and hits against the wall of the building, just like Latia. The great impact that he receives in his back, causes that he collapses in the ground, and his armament ends up being cancelled.

– Hahaha, despite looking quite weak, you have a lot of courage. But, the Hundred of Onii-san and Onee-san, look dedicated, therefore delicious, I’m anxious for them. I will take them immediately.

Joker advances with his feet until he reaches Fritz, who is knocked down on the ground. But he noticed that two chakram were approaching, and that they were going in the direction of attacking his back. When he looked back, one of them, was about to touch his body.

– Guh!

One of the chakram, amputated Joker’s right arm.

The other chakram was also after him, but he dodged it with a jump.

– Hee, I didn’t think it was possible for one of my arms to be cut off. Who the hell dares to do such an action?

– It will not be just your arms! I will also split your body in half!

Hearing the voice as his consciousness fades, Fritz is convinced.

(Hehe, to think that they would be the ones to arrive..)

They are the three people of artificial Variant made by Vitaly.

If they have returned to a state close to the normal in which they were before, then they will be able to fight against Joker. This would make it possible to gain time until the reinforcements arrive.

– Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

While descending by a jump from the top of the building, Krovahn cut with his <<Double Rebel Leaf>>?Orthos Liberio?to Joker.

Nesat, who also jumped from the same building as Krovahn, also attacked Joker, copying the weapon possessed by Krovahn.

When supplicated by Krovahn, Karen deployed her Hundred, and created a wing type armor with a?thruster, and that Nesat had duplicated, thus taking Nakri and Krovahn, to cross the ocean and reach the city of Sangria.

Once she reached the city of Sangria, she parted ways from the three people with artificial Variant. They went in search of Joker―

In order to ensure that Aoi was well, Karen began to move around the city, checking until the very last building.

(How strange, there isn’t a single person..)

Karen kept running, although she is confused, since the state of the city is really different than it was yesterday.

What is happening on the streets of this city?

Beat, beat!

– .. huh?

When she was almost on the verge of arriving at the building mentioned above, incidentally, her PDA began to sound.

It was the alarm of an emergency call.

[Kisaragi Karen! Why are you in Sangria!?]

When she stopped walking, and took the PDA out of her pocket, a screaming voice spoke. The voice belonged to Charlotte Dimandius.

– Um, I think it was expected to be found .. sorry..

Karen apologized frankly.

[That’s obvious. Now why have you traveled without authorization? Is it because you were worried about Aoi’s integrity?]

– Well, there’s that too but, to be honest, that..

[What is it, you can say it]

Karen decided to answer sincerely, because she was intrigued by the strange situation that was happening in the city.

– To be honest, I got here because Nakri and the others told me if I could bring them here.

[So, that means that those three have also gone to Sangria..]

She heard how the mouth opened from the other side of the call to take a big breath.

[Anyway, you’ll soon return to Little Garden. Now we are preparing to fight against Joker. I think you could understand it when you see the situation in the city, isn’t it? It is dangerous to stay there]

– But Aoi-chan..

[Umino Aoi is already safe thanks to the Liberian army. So you can feel relieved]

– Really?

[Well, yeah it’s true. So you can go back. Understood?]

– Yes I understand!

Upon learning that Aoi was well, Karen lets out a long breath of relief as the call ended. She feels like seeing Aoi right now, but she already has a commitment to Charlotte.

Deciding that she must return to Little Garden, Karen takes the Hundred with her hand.

―― Wait a moment.

A voice sounds inside his head.

―― I am sorry.

―― You will not be able to return for now.

Her consciousness gradually disappears..

Until at that very moment, her consciousness was completely broken.

Those eyes, emitted a radiant golden color.

Joker’s movements were extremely fast. Not only he was attacked by Krovahn and Nesat with their double swords, but also by Nakri who was trying to cut him with her <<Double Victory Circular Sword>>?Dio Varga, considering that at first they had cut off his arm, they have not been able to hit an attack once.

Despite being outnumbered, Krovahn and the others were being pressured.

– .. Kuh, damn!

Krovahn’s body is pushed about five meters back, after receiving one of the spheres of light created by Joker with his body. Next, Nakri received a revolving kick. Although she did not fall to the ground, unlike the other two, it put up resistance with her sword in a clash of swords by ten seconds, until the body of Nesat also left flying backwards.

– I get it! Finally I remembered.

Joker, who has separated from the three individuals with artificial Variant, said as soon as he could, stared at them and shouted loudly.

– I thought I had seen you three before somewhere, and isn’t that perhaps you are the trio of artificial Variant, the group that were close to Vitaly? Why are you involved in this situation? Or is it possible that you betrayed Vitaly and liked Little Garden?

– Shut up, there’s no need for us to give you any explanation!

Krovahn shouted as he was getting up.

Upon hearing that response, Joker began to laugh with *Hahaha*.

– Apparently I hit the mark. So Vitaly was murdered by Little Garden, or am I wrong? And despite now you finally got your freedom, don’t tell me you’ll be a dog again. What the hell are you thinking? I really can’t understand it at all. Not that your goal from the beginning was to take revenge on the Slayers?

– Shut up, silence!

Nakri shouted.

As she got up from the floor, she continued talking.

– There are several Slayers who are friendly. Not all Slayers are bad. We learned that there in Little Garden!

– Yeah. That’s why we fight for Little Garden! We will defeat you! Because that is our freedom!

Nesat declared while preparing her Twin Sword.

– Aha, hahahahaha!

Joker received the emotions of the three people, and laughed.

– But what is that. It is’t that you have changed you boss for something of conciliation. I think that is really very human. I feel jealous.

At the same time as when he finished his words.

The cross section that he had in his amputated right arm began to shine and then, his arm recovered the original shape that he had in an instant.

– But, what’s happening?

Looking at that, Krovahn remained with his look surprised.

Nakri and Nesat are the same.

– The arm that was cut is no longer..

Nesat, muttering that, could not see the part of the arm that was already detached on the floor.

– My body is like a concentration of?energy. That is why, I can do a regeneration of this type. Did you think I was a super human? To Begin with, I’m not even a human!

Creating a Twin Sword similar to the one Krovahn has in his hand, Joker kicks the ground.

He does it by pointing towards Krovahn.

– Unlike you who are good for nothing, I’m a?Homunculus, although my life is equal to that of a human being, I also have to eat. As for that, I feel very envious. But, there’s nothing I can do against that. That’s why I fight, because the power source is the Hundred, there’s no alternative but to obtain the Variable Stone!

– ,,, kkuh!

His attacks are much more intense than before. Even using all their strength, they cannot do more than stop his attacks.

– Krovahn!

Joker, who interrupted the attack of Nesat who came from the side to help Krovahn who had been pushed, threw his sword to the sky and reduced it to particles.

– What a nuisance!

Now he created a sphere of light in his right hand and threw it to Nesat.

– Kyaa!

The sphere of light hits the body of Nesat squarely. Due to the impact, it falls to the ground.

– Damn, nee-chan!

– This is not the time to be looking the other way!

Producing a sword again in his hand, Joker attacks Krovahn.

– For me to be able to obtain true freedom, I had no alternative but to attack Little Garden with the power obtained from the collection of Hundred, and thus achieve the source of power that exists there. If he was able to obtain the source of that power, then, he could obtain eternal life, practically. Or even, get enough power to be able to destroy the world.

Even if you do not believe it, it is possible to destroy the world.

– What the hell, why are you going to do it?

Krovahn’s eyes gleamed with a golden hue. It was no longer possible to face Joker, his opponent, in normal conditions. All that remained was to release the power of Variant.

– There’s no reason why. I just hate this world that created me. Should there be some kind of justification required to do that?

– .. Kuh!

He could not understand what Joker was saying.

It was not born naturally, but is more, it was dismissed as a failed experiment. You cannot even live like a human being. His hatred for the world was inevitable.

– The guys that woke you up a second time, do yo-->>

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