Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 38

Chapter 38: Alpha and Omega's Kingdom Come
April 5, 2029
Karakura Department of Corrections. Just past midnight. Long after most of the inmates had fallen asleep.
Kyohei Ishimaru, Inmate #3471, was not amongst them. As one of the skinnier inmates in the prison, sleep was a hazardous practice. Even while locked away in solitary confinement. Never know when someone might slip a key away from the guards.
Unlike his younger brother, he hadn't been personally trained by their world-class wrestler mother in combat. After several beatings by men much bigger than him, he had begun to regret that decision.
So he sat in his bed. With no source of illumination, reading was out of the question. All he had to do was stare at the barren ceiling. Nothing to accompany him save for his thoughts and...
"Ya drawin' pictures in your head, Ishi? Betcha if you gawk long enough you'll start to see a squirrel."
Lying on the ground, staring at the ceiling, was Kerberos. "GAH!" Kyohei exclaimed.
"Wot? Didja forget that women existed for a hot second?"
"Who the hell are you supposed to be?"
"Aw, ya forgot about me already, Ishi? Guess Drongo Disease runs in the blood. It's me. You're old mate, the Reaper."
"The Reaper? So what, you died and you're a woman now?"
"Always have been, mate. Stopped needing meat suits to get around. I mean, if you still doubt it..."
Kerberos' suit dissipated. She was completely nude. "Oh for God's sake!" Kyohei covered his eyes.
"Can't make up a rack this good, can I? Unfortunately for you, Ishi, I'm not here for a naughty. Sorry to disappoint. I'm here to let you know what's what."
"Haven't you given me enough problems? I've got murder charges pending thanks to you--"
"Rinnie is gone."
Silence. Kyohei sat on the statement, not sure whether to believe it. "What do you mean 'gone'?"
"I mean she's part of me now, Ishi. Same with Rosie. And for the sake of being even, same with your kid bro."
"Kid bro--Kibō? What does he have to do with this?"
"They're all sittin' nice and snug in here." Kerberos poked at her jewel. "Cuz our bizzo was so good, I'm givin' ya an out. I'll even clear the way for ya." Kerberos kicked the door open. "Bout time I headed out. Got some old mates to check in on. Ya can come with if ya want, Ishi. Your call."
The guards all pulled their weapons. "Not another step, dirtbag!" one shouted.
"GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, AND FUCK THE POLICE!" Kerberos shouted.
Kyohei sat in his cell, listening first to the sounds of bullets flying, and then...a collection of the most horrid noises he had ever heard. 
Minutes passed. Silence.
After what felt like hours, he exited the cell.
He instantly regretted it.
He slipped and fell.
Blood.
So much blood. 
He got to his feet. He began to run down the hall. Even with how much blood there was, there was no sign of anyone. Nobody, living or dead. 
He made it outside. Kerberos stood in the street. "Good choice, Ishi. Watch this." Her jewel began to glow. The entire sky turned red. Clouds began to gather. Rain began to fall, but this was not water. What fell from the sky was as crimson as the clouds themselves.
"What...is this...?"
"Me kicking morons out that got no business bein' in our game. They don't got a connection to Rinnie and co., they don't gotta be here. But all them tasty souls ain't goin' to waste..."
Whoever was still outside, began dissolving with the rain. They were replaced by demonic creatures, of all shapes and forms. "Buckle up, Ishi! The Day of Reckoning for these dipstick morons has arrived! With my lil' rain show, the fun can finally begin!"
---
"...Kyoko. Come on. You need to get some sleep." Kabu said.
Kyoko sat in her bed, staring at her phone. "No way. Not until I know where my baby is."
"I know you're scared for Kibō, I am too. Wherever he is, he has to have his reasons for it."
"Keebie never ignores my calls. All of his friends are gone too, same with their Prof. I've got a bad feeling in my gut. This isn't a bunch of kids playing hookie."
A knock on the door. "Keebie?!" Kyoko exclaimed.
"Hang on. If it is, he's got some major explaining to do..."
Kabu went downstairs to the front door, Kyoko following him. He opened the door. The scene was surreal: crimson rain fell from the sky. Standing at the door was Jugo.
"What in the world...?" Kabu muttered.
"Folks, I'm gonna need you to come with me. If you've still got your brains in order, then I'll try to explain as best I can. Just know I'm a friend of Rin Kubo. I can take you somewhere safe, but we've gotta be quick. Things are getting...complicated." Jugo explained.
---
Busan. Kitty remained seated in the sand. Sakuya sat next to her. Ryōma approached. "So are you going to sit here moping, or are you going to actually do something?" he questioned.
"Don't, Ryōma." Sakuya bit back.
"Don't 'don't' me. We don't have time to just sit around and be angsty. You know where that monster is going to go next. Something's blocking me from opening a portal to Tokyo, meaning, in all likelihood, she's already there. We need someone who can get us there. And last I checked, only one person here can speak Korean. Aren't your parents rich? Don't they have a private jet or something?"
"Seoul's on the other side of the country, douchebag. Even if I called my folks up, how would I explain how we got here? 'Oh, me and my friends went to the moon to save our teacher but now they're all gone, probably, can you give us a ride to Japan?' What do you even care about what happens to Tokyo? Weren't you trying to disrupt everything so you could take it over? I'd call the murder maniac coming to town 'Mission Accomplished' on that front." Kitty retorted.
"None of that matters anymore with everyone else dead and gone, does it? I couldn't care less what happens to every other miserable soul in that town. But my son is still there with his mother. I need to get to them, now. So quit staring into the void and find a way to get us there." Ryōma replied.
"Hm. Now he feels like being a good father." Sakuya scoffed.
"And this is the thanks I get for saving you. Can we even afford to be bickering right now? You saw what that woman did to you and your friends. How long do you think the Kubo woman's friends can hold her off? This is a cruel, merciless creature we're dealing with. The longer we sit here, the more bodies are piling up. I don't believe that's what you want."
"I know, I know! But I don't know who can...hang on..." Kitty began. "Busan, Busan...I think...yeah, that could..."
"Do you actually have an idea, or has the madness finally set in?" Ryōma asked.
"A couple of my Pops' old band mates live around here. I remember one of them talked about becoming a pilot after his singing career ended. It's a stretch, but I'm out of other ideas."
"How long would it take to get us to Japan?" Sakuya asked.
"It'd depend on what kind of plane he has, but I've got a Haste spell in my book. If I use it on the plane, we could be home free in no time."
"Call him and pray that he's willing to fly on short notice." Ryōma said.
"He'll do it. For some reason Pops' band mates like me. Once I let him know how big a deal this is, he won't say no."
"Get to it, then."
Kitty dialed her phone. "Come on, come on...hi, Mr. Park! It's Wei-yin's little girl...yes, the good one...yes, I know it's late and kinda out of the blue, but me and some friends are in big, big trouble. Like, life and death kinda trouble..."
"Friends, now?" Ryōma questioned.
"We can have a shirt made for you in no time." Sakuya joked.
"Don't make me vomit."
"Yes...yes...oh, thank you so much, Mr. Park! We'll be over there in a few...and please don't let my Pops know about this...yes, I'll put a good word in with him..." Kitty hung up. "Never underestimate the power of retirement. Him and my old man are the same. Waaaay too much time on their hands. I'll put in the address for his place. I hope we can get there in time..."
---
"I'm sorry, what?" Kabu and Kyoko were in the back of Jugo's patrol car, pulling up near the main shopping district in Akihabara. 
"I know it sounds nuts...'cause it is, but I wouldn't be lyin' at a time like this." Jugo said.
"So, there's just demons and monsters running around now? And our Keebie's involved?" Kyoko asked. "And they went to the moon?!"
"Like I said, it's nuts. But I've been seeing this with my own two eyes for almost ten years. Now if this is happenin' here, that means somethin' crazy happened up there." Jugo stepped out of the car. "Now just wait here a sec." He walked over to one of the electronics shops.
"Isn't that Sarada-san's shop? Is he involved in this too?" Kabu asked.
"You think...you think this has to do with what Kyo got himself into?" Kyoko asked.
"If it's these people involved, it's more likely than not. God, it was raining blood a little while ago. What did you get tangled up in, Kibō..."
A large object landed on the hood of the car. It was a pitch-black creature, eyes glowing yellow, standing on all fours and bearing a serpent-like tongue.
"HOLY SHIT!" Kyoko exclaimed.
The creature began to growl, but before it could break the window, the sound of a rifle being cocked could be heard. 
"Hey, could you be a pal and not ruin my paint job?" Jugo fired his rifle and killed the creature with a shot through its head. The monster faded away. Jugo looked into his car and shrugged. "You believe me now?"
Kabu and Kyoko nodded.
"Good. Now get in there."
The couple ran inside the shop as more shadow creatures appeared. "'Come on home, Jugo. Reno's a hell of a lot more exciting than Tokyo'. Sure, Ma, sure." Jugo groaned, his eyes turning yellow as he cocked his rifle again.
Inside the shop, Shinji was at the counter. "Welcome to the exciting world of being associated with Ringo Kubo, friends!" he said sarcastically.
"Hey. Don't be shit-talking my sister, four-eyes." In the corner of the store was Tan.
"Hyōtan, language. Not with the little one present." Hana chided, sitting near Tan. Shizuka was sleeping in her lap. The Purrloin plush that Kitty had given to her was in her grasp.
"You're here too, Hana? Well, guess it's your kid in the middle of this craziness..." Kyoko said.
"As has become customary." Hana replied.
"How can you be so calm when everything's going to literal Hell out there?" Kabu asked.
"I've seen so many unbelievable things in this town. Most of them end up being centered around my apple blossom. I've become used to it. Plus..." She rubbed Shizuka's hair. "This one is so sensitive to what's going on around her. She can't see me panicking. Especially when she knows that Rin and Rose are in danger."
"If she manages to sleep through this, she'll be lucky as all hell." Tan said.
"Are we even safe in here? What's stopping those...things from getting in here?" Kabu asked.
"Two things in particular. One, I've had those doors and walls reinforced beyond industry standards. You could drop a bomb right next to those windows and they wouldn't break." Shinji explained. "And two..."
"A stubborn cowboy with a rifle and magical demon powers."
Outside, Jugo shot the last of the shadow creatures through the head. His phone began ringing. "Yeah? What is it, JoJo?"
"YOU SEEING THIS SHIT?!" 
"Yeah, JoJo. I have eyes."
"What'd Red and Rosie do?!"
"I dunno. I'm just taking it as it--" A monster leapt and Jugo, who shot it dead without looking. "--as it comes."
"I just pulled up to my place and these things were everywhere! All of my guards just up and vanished!"
"Hmm. How's Hiyoko doing?"
"Hiyoko's doing just fine." she interrupted. She was levitating a monster in mid-air, slamming it into the ground over and over, all while sipping a cup of tea.
"We're heading back out to Tenko's place. She's not picking up her phone. That girl can defend herself, no problemo, and she's got Mimi with her. But she's also got the baby." Shūjo said.
"Shit, that's right. Tell ya what, once you've grabbed everyone, head over to Shinji's place in Akihabara. I've got some people boarded up in here. Keep your eye peeled, man. This place is crawling with these demon things. I'll clear out as much as I can for ya." Jugo explained.
"As good a plan as any. We'll get there ASAP."
"Be careful, Jugo." Hiyoko said.
Jugo hung up. "Better get his ass in gear. Dunno how many of these things are--"
A sense of dread overcame Jugo. "What in tarnation...?"
He glanced up.
Crouched on top of a nearby building, masked, was Kerberos. 
"G'day, Juggo. Been a hot minute, eh?" she said.
"*sigh* Not this bastard..." Jugo groaned.
Kerberos got up and did a swan dive off of the roof, and landed squarely on her head. A cracking sound could be heard as she fell limply onto the ground. Jugo was speechless. "Did...did you just waste yourself?"
She immediately popped back up, unharmed. "Cripes! Sorry 'bout that, cobber. Ain't been hittin' the boozer or nuthin' like that. Swear on me mum."
"The hell's with that voice you're puttin' on? You table-dancin' drunk?"
"Ya got wax in your hearing hole or somethin'? Eh, whatever." She withdrew her mask. "So how's my main Seppo doin'? Still playing Johnny Law, I see."
"Okay, so you ain't the Reaper. You one of his fangirls?"
"Never said I wasn't the Reaper, mate. Well, I ain't...but I am. I wasn't the one pullin' the trigger, but I was givin' him the push. The name's Kerberos, by the by."
"So the Reaper was a Death's Hand flunky all along, huh? Shoulda figured."
"Hey hey hey, don't bunch me in with Pity Cup's band of yobbos. I'm my own Sheila, always have been. Heh. 'Sheila'."
"What are you mumblin' about?"
"'Snothin, mate. You've got bigger probos than my yabbering." Kerberos brought her mask back out. "Let's cut a rug, then!"
Kerberos teleported behind Jugo. In her hands, she summoned a pair of blasters. "These ring any bells, Juggo?"
"Persona!" Jugo summoned Sanjuro, who slashed at Kerberos. The Theban dodged it. 
"Cowboy's bringin' a sword to a gunfight? Laaaame." Kerberos fired several small beams, shattering Jugo's Persona and sending him into a building.
Jugo looked up to see numerous shadow creatures flanking Kerberos. "Forgot most of ya were one-trick ponies. I was hopin' you'd gimme a better scrap than the anklebiters. Then again, you're just one bloke. An' ya don't got Rinnie here to bail out your arse."
"...pfeh. Think we're one-trick ponies, do ya? Think we ain't been preparing for something like this to happen?" Jugo scoffed. "If it's a shootout you want...I'm more than happy to oblige."
Jugo dusted off his hat on his shin, then placed it back on his head. He opened his eyes, which glowed yellow.
"BAN-
-KAI".
Shadows began to appear on the ground near Jugo, and several spiritual figures rose from them. Altogether, twenty ephemeral figures wielding a combination of firearms and katanas appeared.
"Sanjuro: Nanashi no Ryodan."
"Oooh, brought a gang with ya, eh? I'm waitin' for a tumbleweed to come rollin' in any minute now." Kerberos joked.
"'Nanashi no Ryodan' is way more than just a gang, scumbag. Come and see for yourself."
A battle ensued between the shadow creatures and Jugo's gang. Though the spirits managed to destroy several of the monsters, the rapidly increasing number of them overwhelmed the spirits. They were dispersed one by one, all returning to Jugo afterwards. The gang now gone, they set their sights on Jugo.
"Buncha sound and fury signifyin' nuthin', Juggo. Just stoppin' what was commin' already. You gettin' to be me pets' early mornin' snakko."
Jugo smirked. "My gang isn't done, partner. They just made a little tactical retreat." Emerging from behind Jugo was a series of ephemeral arms, all wielding revolvers and rifles. "You taking out my backup was the worst thing you coulda done. Every one that returns to me just makes me stronger. And they're all fully loaded for one final 'Desperado' shot." The weapons all began charging. 
"Eat lead, Reaper-lite."
A hail of bullets fired upon Kerberos and the remaining shadows, obliterating the latter. The former was sent flying back.
Once the firing stopped, the arms withdrew. Jugo blew the smoke off his personal gun, and holstered it.
Kerberos rose back up from the ground. "Heh. I'll give ya this, Seppo: none of Rinnie's brats even laid a fingie on me." She wiped the blood from her mouth.
"How the...I unloaded everything I've got..." uttered a stunned Jugo.
"And it worked about as well as a can of mace on a Salty in heat. Now, what did ya just call me? 'Reaper-lite'?" Kerberos brought out a giant, mechanical scythe, pulsating with crimson energy. "Shit ain't cool, cobber. Shit ain't--"
Kerberos' rant was interrupted when a car came flying into her, smashing her into a wall. She cut it in two. "Who the bloody--"
"Would you like to know what is 'not cool'? Enjoying a peaceful, late-night stroll through my garden, and having your stygian monstrosities trample everything."
Hiyoko approached, still sipping tea from a cup. The wings of her Persona briefly flashed behind her. "I wish to vent. You will do nicely."
"Hiyoko...where're JoJo and Tenko?" Jugo asked.
"They'll be here soon. I insisted on providing backup for you. So, the source of our current debacle is someone in a red hood. Is she involved with who I think she is?"
"From what I picked up, our old pal Nobuhiro was a puppet. This chick pulled the strings. And I think she did something to Boss and the kids."
"Oy, Koko!" Kerberos shouted. "Haven't you become a spunky little sheila! Hey, how's your mum doin'? Ya ever find the rest of her? Or'd ya just put her head in a Cab Sav box and chuck it somewhere?"
"She certainly has the Reaper's penchant for being hateful and vulgar." Hiyoko took one more sip of tea, before gently placing the cup atop Jugo's car.
"Hey, think this through. Ya sure you can take her?" Jugo asked.
"Bushranger Juggo's got a point, Koko. Not your SOP to get your hands dusted. Ya might chip your mani. Or maybe you'll fall to bits cuz of that malfunctioning biter factory ya got." Kerberos scoffed.
Hiyoko sighed. "Apologies, Jugo. But I'll need to take this elsewhere. I don't want the little angel or anyone else getting caught up in this."
"Feelin' clucky, are we? Ain't that sweet--"
The pieces of the destroyed car smashed into Kerberos, were lifted into the air, and flung away.
The car landed near the entrance to the train station. Kerberos pushed the pieces apart. Hiyoko floated over.
"Don't assume because of my condition that I'm this delicate maiden that can't threaten you. I've trained myself to live with my afflictions. I am no helpless damsel." Hiyoko dictated.
"Hun, training don't change squat. You're still a sickie with busted insides. I could break you with my pinkie."
"Is that so? Well, then. Let me even the playing field. Titania!" Above Hiyoko appeared a green-cloaked fairy woman. The young woman's eyes turned yellow.
"Bankai."
The fairy began flapping her wings as dust spread from them. A dense fog descended upon the immediate area. Titania rejoined Hiyoko, who took on the spirit's wings, green garb and facial markings.
"Manatsu no Yoru no Zetsubō."
"Cute. You should do shindigs dressed like tha--*cough* *hack*" Kerberos collapsed to her knees.
"Vulgar, rude, and a stunning lack of spatial awareness."
Within the fog, outlines of trees came into view. On the branches of those trees, small fairies were seated. Particles of energy were being taken from Kerberos, and were absorbed by the fairies.
"This is why I wanted to keep you away from anyone else. My Bankai is indiscriminate in who it affects. Any creature that steps into the fog has their vitality taken by the fairy folk who dwell here. This is the risk one takes when stepping into the woods. You leave yourself at the mercy of its masters."
"*cough* Takin' me power, huh? Heh...hahahahahahahaha!"
"Did I say something funny?"
"Koko...my power is the last thing your wing dings wanna take! Have a look for yourself!"
"Huh...?" 
The fairies all showed visible signs of illness. Their transparent forms began to turn red, before all exploding into dust.
"You ever wonder why your pal Jinnie was always so nutso? It's cuz I had a few of me particles swimmin' around in his bloodstream. Just a few pieces and I made him nuttier than a roo's shit house. That's what I--"
Before she could finish, a shot rang out, hitting her in the shoulder and knocking her over. Jugo emerged, wielding his rifle.
"Sorry to barge in like this. I didn't like leaving you alone with this psycho." he said.
"It's alright. She's compromised my abilities. You shouldn't have any danger from me."
"Ahem. As I was saying." Kerberos got back up, unfazed.
"Damn. She's worse than a damn cockroach." Jugo said.
"When I got woken up, I was given one order: 'survive'. Right down to me cells, that's all I've done. Even when this body's spent, I can bring myself back with just a few little cells. Complete cellular dominance. Whether it's takin' control of a body or chargin' it to go boom, anyone that gets a part of me turns into my handpuppet." Kerberos dictated.
"Be that as it may, you aren't invincible. You said yourself that you've been killed before." Hiyoko said.
"Yeah nah, I ain't unkillable. Since I'm a real good sport, I'll even tell ya how to do it." Kerberos pointed at the jewel in her chest. "One good shot oughta do it. Break it into pieces and all that is Kirby will go the way of the dodo."
"Stupid fucker..." Jugo readied his rifle.
"Ah ah ah, one slight add-on. Aren't ya the least bit curious why none of your hoodoo's been workin'?" Kerberos' gaze grew darker. "Don't ya wanna know where Rinnie and co. are shacked up?" She pointed once more at her jewel.
"What...what did you do?" Hiyoko demanded.
"Jinnie was a useless sack o' turds 99% of the time, but when I needed him he came through. Got some of me cells on Rinnie and that was the end of that. It's her mojo I'm feedin' off of." She started counting off on her fingers. "Her, Jinnie, poor little Rosie...and all those precocious little younguns. Couple of 'em got away, but it's not like they ended up anywhere near here. Everyone else is ridin' the love express that is Kirby."
"You're shitting me...so if we destroyed that jewel..." Jugo realized.
"Exactamundo, Juggo! Blast a hole in me, and that'll be the end of your mates and all those kiddos. Ya can't hurt me cuz of their mojo, and ya can't kill me without killin' them."
Kerberos' aura began rising around her. "In other words...you bludgers are FUCKED!"
---
"C'mon, Cotton Eye Jerkoff, pick up your damn phone..." Shūjo griped while driving.
"Swear to God, JoJo, if Rina's first word is some kind of swear, I'm gonna find you and toss you into the first dump truck I find." Tenko griped back.
"Yeah like you're such a saint. I'd be more concerned with her possibly picking up a bottle of sake before she knows how to walk."
"You really do just see me as a raging alcoholic, don't you?"
"Well if the shoe fits..."
"Um, hey, morons?" Mimi piped up. "Is now really the time to be arguing when we're knee-deep in what could very well be the end times?" The baby in her arms began crying. "There, see that? Really want this seared into her subconscious?"
"Here, let me give it a go. I'm great with kids." Kaido, sitting next to Mimi, offered.
"You also think you've got something resembling a golf game. Thanks but no thanks, dude."
"Oh, come on! My golf game isn't that bad!"
"Tiger in his later years wasn't as futile as you, bro." Shūjo retorted.
"Sorry, Meems. Anything to keep my mind off of this hellscape." Tenko said. "Ever since the sky turned, I've had this awful feeling in my gut. Something's happened to Rin-Rin, and Rosie and..."
"Don't. I've had that same thought nagging at me and I'm not giving in to it. Not even gonna humor it." Mimi interrupted.
"I don't blame ya, but looking at things right now...it ain't encouraging." Shūjo replied.
The car pulled up next to Jugo's patrol car. "Well, I see Johnny Law's cruiser...but no Johnny Law. No Hiyoko either..." Shūjo pondered.
"You don't think they...?" Tenko suggested.
A crashing noise could be heard in the distance. "That'd be them, methinks." Mimi said.
"Oy, peanut gallery!" Shinji shouted out from the entrance to the shop. "I'd suggest getting in here before the Shadow Legion comes back for another late night snack!"
Tenko thought for a moment. "Mimi, look after Rina. Me and JoJo have business to take care of."
"Sure ya don't want me with? I've got powers too, remember?" Mimi replied.
"Exactly why we need you here, in case more of those things come around. If that's Jugo and Hiyoko in trouble, then we've got to get to them quick. Right, Mr. Gangster?"
"If that's my girl in danger, I'm there yesterday. Keep an eye on things, Kaido." Shūjo replied.
"Aye-aye, Boss man!" Kaido exclaimed.
Tenko held her daughter for a moment. "It's all gonna be fine, monkey. Just chill with Aunt Mimi for a while. Everything's gonna be fine..."
Near the train station, a bloodied Jugo was slammed into a wall. Kerberos was clutching Hiyoko by the throat. "Feels like I'm boppin' heads at the spina bifida ward here, peeps. Really that nervo about whacking me now?"
Jugo pointed his pistol at Kerberos.
"Ah ah ah, Ranger Man. Don't forget." She pointed at her jewel. 
"Bastard...!" Jugo grumbled.
"Hey, me folks were wedded when they had me, thank you. Now, where was I..."
"You were just about to let go of my lady, shit-for-brains."
Kerberos was kicked hard from behind. Shūjo caught Hiyoko before she fell over. "You alright?" he asked.
"I am now, love." she replied.
Tenko leapt in front of Jugo, light sword already drawn. "Sorry about the delay. But the hero always arrives fashionably late, right?"
Kerberos got back up. "Hee...heehee...HEEHEEHEEHEEHEEEEEEEEEEE~! The gang's all here, finally! And y'all made such a cool entrance, omigosh I'm DROOLING!" she exclaimed, now blushing.
"Who's this dumbass?" Shūjo asked.
"The Reaper, but not the Reaper...long story...she's got Boss, Rosie and the kids in that jewel of hers..." Jugo replied.
"You've got to be shitting me." 
"Holy dooley, JoJo! Where'd your other peeper go? Not that I'm complainin'. Chicks dig eyepatches." Kerberos said.
"Oh, zip it, will you? If you've really got our people hostage, I'll just have to turn you inside-out ass-first til' you give 'em back."
"AAAAAAH, and he's talking dirty~! Gawd, I can't...! So coooool...! I think I'm gonna c--"
"Keep it PG-13, asswipe!" Tenko interrupted.
"Ohhhh, and there's our new cluck, Ten-Ten! I'm actually bottles to see ya, girlie. I need your help with somethin'..."
"Whatever it is, I ain't interested."
"Oh, I think ya will be." Kerberos snapped her fingers, and Jin's unmoving body appeared in her arms. "I need ya to take this thingamabob off me hands." She chucked his body at Tenko, who barely reacted in time to catch him.
"What...Jin?!" she exclaimed.
"The fuck did you do to him?" Shūjo demanded.
"Got no reason to lug around that sad sack. Not like I need his body anymore. Sittin' around in that sucker for almost ten years was real sucko, I'll tell ya that much. Least I got a kick outta makin' him go ape every once in a while. And, not to brag or nuthin'... but that rack of yours was worth every second." Kerberos joked.
"Sick piece of--!" Jugo muttered.
"Jin...hey, come on...you're still there, right? You can't...come on, no...I...I promised I'd..."
Tenko's mind turned to that rainy night in Karakura Town, eighteen years ago, after she'd just saved Jin from being executed by an escaped convict.
"It's OK, Jin. I'm not gonna lose you again. I won't lose anybody ever again. I'll keep you safe forever if I have to..."
"....."
"Don't worry about it, Ten-Ten. There's plenty of fish out there. And I guarantee most of 'em can yabber without using some arm doohickey. I mean who goes for a guy that keeps a room full of plush toys? You can do way better."
"....."
"Tenko..." Hiyoko muttered.
"Have I done the unthinkable, now? Gettin' this chatterbox to zip her yap? I really am a miracle worker!" Kerberos began laughing.
"...shut up." Tenko spoke up.
"Wuzzat? I couldn't hear you over the sound of me bein' epic."
Tenko stood up, the pressure around her becoming overwhelming. "I've had to deal with your bullshit for too long. You took away my best friend, and now you do this to the man I love. All while listening to you go on, and on. I'm not some toy you can fuck around with. I'm not gonna sit here and let you ruin everything I have anymore."
"I'M GOING. TO KILL YOU."
"BAN-
-KAI."
"Ah, hell." Jugo uttered.
A pillar of light erupted around Tenko. As it reached the sky, the crimson clouds began to turn a dull gray.
What followed was an intense blizzard. All over the district, the shadow creatures were completely frozen. 
Inside the electronics store, Shinji let out a breath, which was plainly visible. "First blood rain and now a snowstorm in the middle of the spring. And people thought I was nuts for prepping a doomsday bunker."
"I thought I'd seen everything the world had to offer. I didn't even know the half of it." Kabu uttered in disbelief.
"Yo, Hana. Are you really not fazed by this sh--this craziness?" Kyoko asked.
"Believe it or not, this isn't our first brush with the End of Days." Hana replied.
"Last time out my younger bro turned most everyone in this room into dust before baby sis knocked some sense into him. Still, what's happening out there...this is new." Tan added.
"Difference is this ain't the bad guys." Mimi said. "I've seen this once before."
"You have. Of course you have. Pray tell, what's causing the blizzard?" Shinji asked.
"Easy answer? Someone made Tenko-senpai very, very angry."
Back near the train station, Shūjo kept the others beneath a barrier composed of fire. "She couldn't give us a heads-up before she pulled this shit?"
"Can you blame her? I'd be angrier than a bull at a cape convention too if I was in her shoes. Poor guy." Jugo replied, looking over Jin's body.
"He always feared nothing more than his tormentor winning in the end. If anything had to take his life, why did it have to be that vile demon?" Hiyoko asked.
"Just ain't fair. Is he really gone?" Shūjo asked.
Hiyoko placed her hand over Jin. "There's...still a spark of life in him. Kerberos took most of it, but there might be enough for me to bring him back. The problem is, I can only move vitality, not create it. I would have to take someone else's life force and give it to him."
"So use us, then. Take some from the both of us. At least enough to wake him up." Shūjo said.
"We're not going anywhere anytime soon. If Tenko can't take her down, then we're S.O.L., anyhow. I couldn't face her if we just sat here and let him die." Jugo added.
Hiyoko pondered, but gave an understanding smile. "All for one, and all that. Give me your hands. I'll start the transfer."
Outside the barrier, Kerberos was knee-deep in snow. "It's colder than a witch's tits out here! Oy, Ten-Ten! What's with the flash freeze?!"
Tenko came into view. She was garbed in a set of green, viking-esque armor, and holding a large, glowing blade. "Kamigami no Tasogare. Or as I'll call it, your apocalypse. This is Phase 1: 'Fimbulvetr'. This is to get rid of all your annoying pets. And if you weren't some inhuman freak, it'd make you into an icicle, too."
"Wishful thinking, doll. I was built to handle space levels of frosty. You ain't beatin' me with this."
"Probably right. That's what Phase 2 is for." 
The sounds of a horn blared out. Tenko held out her sword, and it opened up, the blade almost doubling in length. Her eyes began glowing green, as same-colored runes appeared along her arms and legs. "For anyone lucky enough to escape the endless winter, all that's left for you...is Ragnarök."
Tenko lunged blade-first at Kerberos, knocking her into the air. The Theban quickly restored control, landing atop the roof of a building. Tenko followed, charging again, and Kerberos guarded with her scythe.
"Why did it have to be Jin? Of all the people you could've tortured, why him? He's got enough bullshit to deal with, and you spend ten years picking at it and driving him crazy! Why?!" Tenko demanded.
"Cuz his shitter decided to act up that day." Kerberos replied. "Any one of you buggers could've walked into the shit house that day and gotten the same. Poor ol' Jinnie just drew the short straw. If I got to choose, I woulda taken Juggo, cuz making that stone-faced Boy Scout squirm woulda been aces! But on the other end, I got to see you up close and personal like."
"Sick bitch--!"
"Haven't you stopped to think about it? All that time around Jinnie, maybe a little speck of me ended up in ya? Or, maybe..." Kerberos grinned. "Maybe in that cute little girl ya popped out. Maybe if ya kill me here, I can just sit inside of her for a little while. You'll have a regular ol' Reaper Jr. on your hands! Won't that be a rip?"
"Shut up shut up SHUT UP! Every last drop of venomous horse shit coming out of you just makes me want to kill you even more!"
"Go on, then. Tear me up, smash me head in, roast me head on a spit! Maybe if you pry off this little dinger I got, you won't kill off your precious Rinnie right off the bat. Won't know til ya try."
"Grrrrr...!"
"Well? I'm waitin'. Kill me. I'll take your bestie and all those ankle biters with me. Then it'll be a game of 'Find where Kirby sprinkled her magic pixie dust'. Whatcha waitin' on? KILL ME!"
"....."
"Heh. Knew it. Act like the ultimate badass, but you don't got the stones to do what's gotta be done. Spineless cunt. Lemme show ya what a real warrior can do."
Kerberos swung her scythe, forcing Tenko back. She began spinning it around, then tossed it past Tenko, still spinning in mid-air. The Theban delivered a hard kick, sending Tenko right into the gyrating scythe. Blood splattered as the blade cut into her back. "GYAAAAAAAH!"
Kerberos teleported behind, grabbing her scythe. She swatted Tenko, knocking her to the ground. Tenko tried to get up, but Kerberos put her foot down on top of her. 
"Y'know...I've been around for a long time. The amount of drongos I've put in the ground is higher than I could count. Most were for kicks. Never personal. But knowing what ya mean to Jinnie...and Rinnie...and what a major pain in my arse you are...I'm gonna enjoy smashin' ya to pieces. I'm gonna have dreams about it." Kerberos sneered.
"Over my dead body..." Tenko growled.
"Sweetheart, that's the idea!" Kerberos pressed her foot down harder.
"Grrrr..." Tenko growled.
Her eyes flared, and something glimmered in the sky. A sword, comprised entirely of light, fell towards Kerberos. She jumped away a second too late to avoid it completely, and it passed by her face.
"Tricky little--!" Kerberos noticed a cut across her right cheek, and her right shoulder had been cut open. Blood gushed out of it.
Tenko struggled to her feet. "Heh...so you're not invincible after all." She readied her sword. "I'll get Rin-Rin and everyone else out of that thing, and then I'll rip you in two. I'll make it so you won't hurt anyone again. I swear it!"
Kerberos put a hand over her shoulder wound. "I'd love to see you try, ya mewling--gk!"
The Theban clutched at her throat. Something was choking her.
The chain came into view.
On its owner's arm was a watch, blaring the song "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders".
Kerberos turned around, a confused look on her face. "Jinnie...how in blazes are you up?!"
"Good grief, your voice is annoying. It's enough to raise the dead." Jin quipped...only the words didn't come from his watch.
They came out of his mouth.
Tenko was stunned. Kerberos, dumbfounded.
"Jin...you're..." Tenko uttered.
"Thank Hiyoko and the boys. Best guess is this one's influence meant my vocal cords couldn't be healed. I'd started forgetting what I sounded like." Jin replied.
"Lotta good it'll do ya, shitbag. Talkin' won't help--"
"Oh, shut UP. I've been hearing your obnoxious drawl in my head for too long. No more. I'm not gonna be your puppet, or your punching bag."
"B-b-but, Jinnie...I thought we were friends...and didn't your daddy teach you not to hit girls? Ya can't break your old man's heart, can ya?" Kerberos pouted.
"Don't you dare use my dad's words on me. But you're right. As much pain as you've caused me, I can't do it." Jin held Kerberos into the air. "Now her on the other hand..."
"Hang on, Jinnie, ya don't need to do that..."
Jin tossed Kerberos into the air, and Tenko lunged at her, delivering a strong slash that sent the villain flying off. She was sent straight through a building, crashing several blocks away.
Tenko started to fall over, but Jin caught her. "Easy, babe, easy. I know what a big strain this is."
"Ugh...am I dreaming? You're...really here. And talking. This isn't some awful joke, is it?"
"Nope. It's really me. The real me."
"Think the soundtrack gave it away..."
"Hey, look...I'm sorry. That witch...she got control, and I...did something awful to Rin. Now this is happening."
"It ain't your fault. And once we smash her face in and save everyone, it won't matter."
"Ha. Rin really has rubbed off on you." Jin held her. "I love you." He sighed. "Damn. That felt good."
"I missed you, you big doof. Let's go find everyone before she gets back up."
"Right. And I think I know how to beat her. The one benefit to having her in my head..."