.

Disclaimer: Like the description, this story is set in one of the latest chapters and as such, many things have come to pass.
DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS.

Chapter

The Tyrant

XxXxXxXxX

Tatsumi stared at the ceiling, his words had shock and visibly dishearten the General of Ice and Esdeath left the cell without a word, it had been hours and he couldn't help but feel the pangs of hunger and thirst. He sighed, his thought going back to the Night Raid, then Lubbock then finally Mine, his girlfriend.

He wondered if they were waiting for them at the hideout, a big feast ready for their return. Or would have been.

He turned to his side, the cold stone floor chilled him, he felt defenseless in the cell, no Incursio to defend himself with. His mentor and brother, filled his thoughts, Bulat's anticipation for him to surpass him. The image of him lying on the raining boat deck made his eyes water, the ache of failure and loss weighed heavier than he could of have imagine.

"Bulat...what could I have done?"

But his words received no answer and he stared at the ceiling some more, Lubbock was somewhere else in the palace, Tatsumi hoped that he was faring better than he was. He stood up, getting fed up with the floor and inspected the cell, the blood on the wall was still there and the bars were heavily reinforced and the joints and crossbars were as sturdy. The cell looked impressive even if Incursio had been left with him, the amount of ruckus he would make trying to pry the bars free would have alerted the guards.

"How the fuck can I get out of here?" Tatsumi seethed, he punched the bars only resulting with a very angry welt on his knuckles. He rubbed it before he looked at the cell door, not only a key was used but three bars used to shut it from opening in or out. The bars were even locked in place with another set of locks, this much added security...with the fact its underground...

The Night Raider kicked the door in frustration before he sat slumped against the wall, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, trying to meditate and come up with a plan.

.

The sound of footsteps woke him from his stupor, Tatsumi silently cursed on falling asleep, but remained still and eyes closed, whoever was coming were in for a surprise.

"Tatsumi, I've brought you something to eat."

The voice shocked him but he remained feigning sleep, there was silence before his cell door creak open, he parted his eyes so slightly that he could make out a tray with a bowl and spoon with a glass of water. His body yearned for it, but he quickly smothered it and continue his acting.

"Tatsumi?"

Not yet...let her come closer and I'll lock her in...

The sound of footsteps drew closer while he let his face remained the same, he could feel her just mere inches from him, he forced his body to move faster than he ever imagine, every bone and muscle tense and ready to fling Esdeath to the side while he made for the door and his escape.

He yelled as his body remained glued while at the same time flinging himself forward, he rammed his head into the wall and he blinked through the tears, Esdeath was inches away from his face. She looked coldly at him.

"I thought you would do something foolish Tatsumi, so I froze where your clothes and the floor and the wall met. Now, open up so I can feed you."

The Incursio successor glared at the General, but she merely slapped him across the face shocking him, he turned back to her but saw she had the bowl of soup and was gently blowing on the soup, she took the spoon and carefully scooped up the delicious smelling broth and chucks, "Now say, 'aahhhh'".

Tatsumi just stared at her.

She blinked, "You think this is poisoned?" He tighten his lips and glared at her again, she sighed and took the spoonful, licking her full lush lips.

She took another spoonful and offered it to him, he turned his head, unable to bear the sight of her, "Tatsumi, you oughta eat something. Don't you need your strength when you break out?"

He was startled at her words, she leaned close and whispered in his ear, "And go back to your girlfriend..."

He slowly turned his head to see Esdeath's eyes, her usual blue soft eyes she reserved just for him had turned to those when she slaughtered her foes, she smiled and pressed her lips on his, he inwardly trembled feeling the malice he felt.

"Now, eat before it gets cold." she smiled and Tatsumi numbly complied, she fed spoonful after spoonful, a chill was beginning to form in the cell. He ate another spoonful but a slight drop ran from the corner of his mouth, Tatsumi tensed when Esdeath lapped it up and stole another kiss, but her eyes remained icy.

Finally, she set the empty bowl down and took the glass of water, Tatsumi shook his fears away and stared at the water, Esdeath took a sip and offered it to him, he drank his fill and she took the dishes and tray and placed them outside. Tatsumi breathed out a shaky sigh, the General looked like she would be leaving again, he could only imagine what she was planning.

"Tatsumi?" He remained silent, the General faced him, he decided to be ballsy and looked at her, he silently refrained from admiring how lovely and beautiful she was, the other side of her was strikingly dark. She walked to him slowly before she knelt, "Who is your girlfriend?"

He immediately clamp down the retort he would have spat at her face, so he remained silent. Esdeath was having none of that, still immobilized, she sat on his lap and grabbed the sides of his head and she asked again, frighteningly calm, "Who is your girlfriend."

Tatsumi remained defiantly silent, you're not getting anything out of-!

She drop her fist into his gut, nearly puking what he just ate, "I don't care about the Night Raid at the moment, Tatsumi...so you're friend will be in someone else's hands. What they do to him is not my concern."

He tried to pry himself free, but she rammed his head against the wall, "Incursio isn't here to protect you, Tatsumi, it's going to a new owner. Someone who could use it to the full potential. Other than you."

"It belongs to me! My brother entrusted it to me!" he snapped, unable to remain quiet, Esdeath glared at him, "That's the least of your problems. You're not being tortured for information because you're under my custody and protection. But that can be easily changed." Her threat struck home and Tatsumi calmed, trying to control himself, "Now who is it: Najenda would be amusing, but I doubt it. Akame. Leone. Mine. Which is it, Tatsumi."

He tried to keep silent but then scream pierce the through the palace, Esdeath sighed, "It would seem your friend is not having a grand time."

Tatsumi felt the inside of his mouth dry, Lubbock...

Esdeath forced him back with a quick slap, "Which is it, Tatsumi." "I'm telling you nothing." Esdeath remained quiet, she stood up and smoothed her dress, "I see. I guess I'll just have to torture and kill them all, Tatsumi."

Fury welled in him, he roared and despite the fabric that bit into his skin and the blood seeping out, Tatsumi pulled himself free, Esdeath looked unimpressed, he lunged at her, "Don't you dare-!" She grabbed him and threw him down in a blink of an eye, she pressed a finger into his shoulder and he roared in pain,

"I'll dislocate your shoulder, Tatsumi. Please don't test me." He grunted and tried to fling her off and she drover her finger deeper, he gasped and went limp, "This is all your fault, Tatsumi..." "My fault...?" he whispered, "You...killed my...friends..."

"And you killed my subordinates whom I cherished." she replied coldly. The two locked glares, unwilling to back down, Esdeath however leaned closer, Tatsumi readied to push her but he found his arm with an ice brace, "You were going to attack, Tatsumi, fearless as ever."

"That's where you're wrong, I do feel fear." Esdeath took the words like a blow, she frowned, "I had hoped our time spent together would have been something you cherished, Tatsumi."

"I did, I hoped that I could reason with you, Esdeath. Make you see the untold horrors you committed and redeem yourself. I would have been happy. But you're not only rotten in the surface, Esdeath. You're rotten to the core." He said quietly only to punched again, this time he lost his lunch. Esdeath glared at him so hard that ice began to form on his face and hair,

"Tatsumi..." she whispered, he could feel his bones and blood freezing, her eyes were an unnatural blue, he coughed and glared back, defiant, "Punch me all you like. Torture me. I won't sell out my friends. Or her."

Tatsumi waited for a killing blow, maybe an ice shard to the heart, an ice pillar to skewer him or a chuck of ice smashing his skull. But none came.

Esdeath got off him and leaved the cell. Tatsumi groaned in pain, the finally feeling it as a whole.

"You're never leaving this cell, Tatsumi..." her words were soft and she walked away. As her footsteps began to fade into the distance, Tatsumi felt himself fading into a pained slumber, just before he completely succumb he swore he heard someone sob.

Pathetic...

Tatsumi woke with a start, he looked around and saw he was still in his cell, although something large was lurking outside the bars, it rattled as something pressed against it. The Incursio successor stood up and looked out the bars, seeing nothing but darkness, but he knew better, something was watching him.

I was quick to judge...you are less...pathetic.

"Whose out there?" Tatsumi asked, suddenly the bars was filled with the color of dark navy blue, four large blood red eyes stared at him along with a jagged savage row of teeth. Tatsumi felt his blood run cold at the sight of the beast, knowing full well what it is, having don it many, many times.

"The Tyrant..." he whispered, utterly in disbelief, he took a step back and tripped, fear gripped him like no other.

The dragon chuckled, its eyes trained on him, you never seem to mind, Tatsumi. Neither did Bulat, your brother and mentor. You two were above the strongest that wielded me. Yet, neither had truly mastered me...

Tatsumi overcome his shock and pinched himself, the Tyrant looked amused at his yelp of pain, not a dream young Tatsumi, not that it would help otherwise.

"How...how are you back into a dragon...and talking? You're a sword..." The dragon merely stared at him as if the question had already been answered, Tatsumi nervously gulped, then asked,

"H-how did you get here...? You were confiscated..."

The Tyrant's gleamed before it rammed the bars, whose fault is THAT!? I am the most feared Danger Beast in all Creation! Yet time and again, I find myself on the shorter end of the stick with our foes! Do you truly wish to wield me, Tatsumi?

The Night Raider drew back, shock at the words of the Tyrant, there were no words to describe how shock he was at the Imperial Arms distress and anger. The dragon took notice and glared at him, I willingly lend you my power. My protection. My fangs and talons as Neuntote. Yet I do not see our foes dead and bleeding. Is this what I traded Bulat for? A weakling.

Tatsumi felt anger well in him and he struck the bars, his blood boiling, "I fight foes stronger than myself! Whose powers supersede mine by miles! But I will grow stronger!"

For what Tatsumi: if you're in this cell to begin with? Is this the extent of your strength? Your training and will? Bulat fought battles and wars that would leave warriors dead from exhaustion. You wish to surpass him? Start by breaking out of this cell. Without my help.

The Night Raider let the words sink before he grabbed the bars, he knew he couldn't even bend it out of shape, but with the dragon testing him he felt his pride, no, he felt it was an obligation to do so. He grabbed the bars and pulled as hard as he could, his muscles protesting and his bones nearly at the snapping pressure, sweat began to drip down his face and back. A bead of sweat ran down his chin. The bars squeaked as it began to slightly lost it parallel dimension the dragon huffed, that's enough Tatsumi, your bravado is noted.

"Then...why...did you...make me..." he huffed feeling his throbbing hands, the dragon gave him a look, to see your resolve and because Tatsumi I am only as strong as you let me be. You think my powers of invisibility is my trump card? Hardly. That's merely a defense mechanism. My trump card is that I evolve. I mimic. I adapt. I learn.

Tatsumi stared at the dragon, not understanding.

When you don me, I changed myself so you may use me to the fullest without too much trouble, after all you were already bested by your opponent, I took upon myself and transformed allowing you to be victorious. However, you already realized afterwards the stress and burden that comes along with donning me. You grew stronger and I in turn grew stronger. When you were attacked I manifest and protected you, from blows that would slice your head off. You must learn to unleash me, Tatsumi, I am the Tyrant, I live and hunt where I please no matter where the prey runs or resides. I will cut my foes asunder, I will not lose again.

"Unleash you?"

The dragon opened it massive maw and the hilt and handle of the blade appeared, my power of evolution and adaption is without limit, but it is you who draws the line. Tatsumi, I offer you my power and protection, my fangs and talons, scales and tough hide. What do you offer me in return? What can a man offer a Danger Beast of my caliber?

Tatsumi let the words echo through him, his little village, his childhood friends he lost, the Night Raid, the death of his fellow Raiders, his brother and mentor's parting words and will, his battles, his training, the stark realization of Esdeath, the blossoming love for Mine, the friends he promise to protect and the world he wish to bring in realization. All of them filled him and he placed his hand through the bars and on the sword handle, the Tyrant looked at him, waiting.

"I offer you my burning passion and will! I have not mastered you like I promise Bulat, but I do so now!"

Then let your actions prove your worth! Words are cheap!

"RRrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooohhhhhh!" his cry for action, for retribution, for victory shook the cell and the walls, the whole palace felt the roar of power. The guards scrambled in their stupor and a certain Night Raider dusted himself from his own deed.

INCURSIO!

Tatsumi yelled even louder as the Tyrant engulf him and the armor began to meld on, tighter and stronger than ever, the dragon swirled around the Night Raider like a vortex, chains and armor pieces materialized and began to fit onto Tatsumi, tears streaming as he finally donning the armor he inherit from Bulat. The armor he saved citizens with. Saved Mine with.

"RAHHH!" Neuntote spring from his hands and he sheared through the whole room with devastating strength, crumbling everything within the blade's path.

Now Tatsumi, we fight as one!

Tatsumi adopted a savage grin before rocketing up the steps and into the palace, he would tear the place apart, save Lubbock and go back to his home in the Night Raid.

Esdeath was out of bed the instant she heard the roar, she knew it had to be Tatsumi, it was full of fury and vengeance. She put her cap on, sword on her side and headed out the room, imperial guards run past her, she grabbed one and spun him to face her.

"I want a status report now."

The guard blinked and fumbled with words, Esdeath slapped the guard, "P-prisoner loose." "Which one?"

"Both." Esdeath turned and saw Great General Budo taking up the hallway space, "I will deal with them myself." he said gruffly before lumbering past them. Esdeath dismissed the guard before she began to make her way to Tatsumi's holding cell, "His little friend must have broken him out. Syura is a lousy torturer..." she sighed before she stopped seeing the passageway explode before her eyes, the dust cloud blotted everything, she rushed into the prison room and saw it had been completely obliterated.

"No..." she looked around and saw the floor covered with long and deep claw gouges, "What in the world got in here?"

"General Esdeath!" She turned and saw the guard she stopped earlier, "The Imperial Arms...the Incursio...it's gone..."

"Yes, someone has stolen it..."

"No, General...the guards said it was missing before either prisoners escaped." She whirled around and sprinted, heading for the torture chambers before the whole palace shook and she placed her hand on the wall to steady herself. Guards came running past her each with terrified faces, "He ripped right through them like tissue!"

She tensed at the words, Tatsumi, you better have escaped already...I won't be so merciful this time.

Incursio smashed through a wall of guards, finding itself again in the open courtyard, he shrug off a hail of bullets, some even bouncing and hitting fellow guards.

"Hold your fire!" a guard yelled while the Tyrant laughed at their meager firearms, Tatsumi vanish from sight before he ran to the next wing of the palace, the torture chambers should be somewhere underground. He spun past guards and attacks, without warning he felt the Tyrant manifest on his chest and it gave a mighty roar, visibly vibrating the walls of the palace.

A trick I learned from a slain Danger Beast, using roars in confine spaces and in total darkness helped it map the surrounding even identifying prey.

"Wait, so you learned it just by fighting it?"

Correct, Tatsumi, I make my foe's strength my strength then modify it accordingly. My roars not only map the location but causes imbalance and disrupts those who come across it.

The Night Raider ran through the corridors, sometimes ramming through guards while unseen until two familiar Jaegers walked appeared: Wave and Kurome. Tatsumi cursed and quickly doubled his sprint and leapt clean over them, the landing caused the two to look behind them their weapons drawn, you're lucky I'm not here for you two.

Tatsumi sprinted off despite the two at his tail, "You can't escape, the Imperial Guards, the Commander and the Jaegers are all here to take you out!"

"Wave does run his mouth when he likes..." Tatsumi muttered, the Tyrant spoke, so that's the the Grand Chariot's user, it's strange, he seems to resemble you.

"Yeah, I noticed when Esdeath roped me in. Eh, wait you don't remember?"

Remember?

"We fought him when I tried to escape on the mountain."

I wasn't completely awake then, Tatsumi. Only after I was pried off you did I awoke, imagine my surprise when I had several unworthy users demanding I be compatible to them. Bastards, gnaw one of their heads the moment the armor encase them.

Tatsumi, hearing what the Tyrant could have done to him, felt very relieved that Incursio had been compatible with him. He was visible again, the two saw him go around the corner before he went invisible before backflipping into another corridor and the two took the bait running in the opposite direction.

He sprinted down the hall only to have the armor go rigid stopping him, Tatsumi was alarmed at the sudden action before he leapt back as a sword thrust came to skewer him.

"Oho? You dodged it?" Izou said astonished, Tatsumi made himself visible, although he did not feel the fatigue like he usually did, the swordsman glared at him and the Night Raider summoned his spear.

"Kotetsu, its time for your meal."

In an instant the two were in a deadlock of steel edges, Izou held his ground but Tatsumi felt the raw power of the Tyrant beginning to manifest, I make my foe's strength mine on top of yours!

Izou yelled as he was overpowered and flung into the wall, cracking it deeply, Tatsumi readied to throw it before the rush of running caught his attention, Suzuka and Dorothea appeared in the nick of time.

"Ah! Tatsumi you broke free!" Suzuka gushed, Dorothea wiped her chin happily, "I'll take a pint of your blood if you don't mind."

Tatsumi faced them, the Tyrant grinned savagely, I recall two Imperial Arms from the past, let me use them...SCREAM! HEAVY PRESSURE!

Tatsumi doubled over as the Tyrant manifest itself from the cape shocking the two before it let out a palace shaking roar, TYRANT'S TENOR!

The two felt their strength sapped along with being blown off their feet and into the wall, Tatsumi felt his body filled with newfound vigor before he continued on his search for Lubbock while visible, the roar already gave him away. He leapt down another flight of stairs only to run into the person that knocked him out cold, the Great General Budo, his cape was already off and he looked angry enough to kill a Danger Beast with the look.

"I found you trouble maker." he thundered

"Funny, its me who found YOU." Tatsumi's mouth moved on its own as the Tyrant voiced its displeasure, Budo merely narrowed his eyes his arm pistons already cocked for action. Tatsumi feint forward, Budo didn't buy and rushed him, the Night Raider flipped away as the destructive fists missed him. He skidded on the floor, summoning the spear, the Tyrant manifest its eyes all over the armor, "What are you doing?"

He is a lot stronger than you, even with the boost from my roar, you'd be knocked out if he hits you. Or even slain. Besides, I want a good look at Adrammelec.

Budo glared at the Night Raider, fighting inside the palace was not what he intended, his power was vast enough he could demolish the half of the palace with a misguided punch, "Do want to repeat what I did to you, boy. Give it up, you're no match for me." His heavy footsteps echoed and cracked the floor.

I guess with that kind of power, you could afford to be arrogant...bash his head in, Adrammelec doesn't cover that part.

Tatsumi ran for him before he vanish in arms reach, Budo strained himself to locating his foe before he managed to block a slash for his head from Neuntote at the last second, Budo's eyes widen as the Tyrant's massive maw materialized was right before him, TYRANT'S TENOR!

He braced himself taking the roar at point blank range, the wall behind him cracked before a heavy leg sweep sent him crashing, the spear descended for his head. He roared and blocked it, before spinning himself and forcing Tatsumi away, he shook his head in disbelief, "I think I've gone a bit deaf." Budo said, he looked largely unaffected from the roar.

The eyes on his armor darted to the staircase, this is a bad place to fight him, Tatsumi, we'll get boxed in. Let's lure him outside.

"Lubbock-!" I promise we'll get him. With all the commotion you're causing they would have stopped all the other tasteless activities.

Budo saw the eyes and he step forward, "You'll be dead the moment you turn your back, boy."

"That's good to know, luckily I do have eyes on my back." with that Tatsumi went invisible and leapt to the top of the staircase and began to sprint back to the courtyard, the sound of cracking floor spurred the Night Raider. Everything began to blur as he sprinted faster and faster, he caught yells of surprise and fleeting shots and swings from guards before he was back in the open air.

Tatsumi was pleasantly surprised to find Kurome and Wave waiting for him, their respective weapons pointed at him, "I don't believe you gave us the slip. But you're not getting away now, not from Grand Chariot!" The armor fell upon Wave and the two Danger Beast Armor glared at each other.

Is it me or does Incursio look a lot different from before...? Wave sized his counterpart, the Tyrant spoke to Tatsumi,

The Grand Chariot maybe the advanced version of Incursio, but with all their tinkering I think they made it weaker. I was tenacious when they tried to make me into Incursio, but when they finally accomplished it, they immediately went into making the Grand Chariot. The process however was a lot different from my own, I could feel them purifying my flesh and core multiple times, by the time they were satisfied, I could hardly call the that part of myself 'alive'. While it still determines its owner and the structure, it no longer has the ability of adaption and evolution like me. They replaced it with strength, speed, endurance amplifications along with other defenses but thats the end of it. As you are now, you'll be able to tear apart that 'lesser' me.

Tatsumi noted the distant tone the dragon used to describe the armor, he rocketed forward surprising Wave with the speed only to narrowly dodge the punch, the Night Raider drew its spear and thrust at Wave, nicking his torso surprising the Navy man. The two traded blows but it was soon apparent after numerous nicks and would be beheading slashes that the Jaeger was on the losing end.

Kurome decided to step in and slash at Incursio's back only to have the cape grow a head and bite hard into the sword, shocking Akame's sister. Wave grabbed the spear and swung Tatsumi forcing his cape to let Kurome go and him flung into a wall but he merely kicked off and smashed headlong into the Grand Chariot causing him to skid and crash into a pillar.

The gathered Imperial Guards then open fire, raining a hail of bullets and even a spear that splinter as its smashed into Incursio, he threw his cape around him and was astound as the bullets didn't tear through.

Then feathers struck him, he turned and saw the Jaeger Run with his Imperial Arms aimed at him, Kurome channeling her sword, "Run will tear you apart."

Tatsumi frowned, "Run's dead, huh..." He vanished before rushed the puppet, Kurome readied her sword, before she heard something on her left, "There!"

Without warning Run smashed into her and the two crumple in a mess, Kurome groaned before seeing Neuntote erect on the ground, she turned back to see Incursio holding Yatsufusa. She scrambled out of Run's body, her eyes on the sword, Tatsumi silently thanked it was not Murasame as the blade bit into his hand as he began to bend the tough sword.

"You have a lot of puppets Kurome, I wonder if they still can exist with this sword in pieces." Kurome's eyes widen as the blade began to arc from Incursio massive strength albeit a lot of strain from the Night Raider. Without care or rational thought Kurome ran forward fear in her eyes,

"STOP IT!"

Incursio's cape moved on its own and morphed into a five heads of the Tyrant, its maw ready to rend her yet she ran forward, "NO! KUROME!"

The Grand Chariot took the place of Akame's sister, shoving her away while smacking the sword out of his hands, saving his comrade however led to him being mauled by the Tyrant.

"ARHGHGHHHHHHHHH!" Wave screamed only to be muffled as the Tyrant engulf his armor head, his shoulder, arm, hand and torso already caught and proceeded to violently crunch and shake the Jaeger with the savage ferocity. He screamed as his arm was dislocated, forearm crack and his wrist nearly torn off, he punched the many heads with little result other than it began to bite even harder, the fangs finally going through the armor and drawing blood.

Kurome grabbed her sword only to have Wave body flung at her and caught by Run's corpse. Kurome felt Wave's neck and breathed, he still had a pulse but it was very weak. Kurome called out Natala, glaring at Incursio, "You wont get away, traitor."

"I don't plan to. Not yet anyways."

Izo, Suzuka, Dorothea, Budo and Esdeath walked into the center court, the remaining Imperial Guards surrounding the two, Budo looked ready to explode, "This ends now, boy!"

Incursio ignored the statement and looked around, its many eyes taking everything into account, "I don't see that Syura bastard."

"You should be worrying about yourself, we are not taking prisoners." Esdeath remarked coldly, wondering why he had not fled with such ample time.

Ah, your twisted mate, you have the strangest taste Tatsumi.

Tatsumi made no comment, he spoke to the dragon, "Have you found Lubbock yet?" He is somewhere underground, that bozo over there threw off exact location when you traded blows. I heard his heart beating so he is alive and apparently out, let's cause a bit of a commotion so he can escape.

Budo thundered forward, "Esdeath, keep him from escaping, I'm going to tear that little shit out of that tin can." Tatsumi snapped out of his mental chat with the dragon and dodged a haymaker from the General, he slammed his fist into his gut but it bounced off harmlessy, damn! It's like punching a mountain!

He rolled away as Budo followed up with a flurry of punches, each arm piston cocked ready to make his guts into paste and shatter his bones, "Is running all you're capable of Night Raid!"

Tatsumi flipped away before finding himself cemented to the ground, he turned and saw Esdeath with her hand on the ground and a trail of ice anchoring him down, Budo lunged forward and slammed his fist into Incursio, in an instant the piston came crashing into the armor, Tatsumi braced himself from the blow as an explosion of dust and debris shot into the air.

STORM BREAKER!

Budo leapt out of the cloud, "That Imperial Arms and user is dead."

Esdeath felt a part of herself wither at the words, Kurome patted Wave, Suzuka and Dorothea held almost forlorn looks, Izou grunted while the Imperial Guards cheered.

"Not...quite..."

Budo flinched at the sight as the dust settled, Esdeath and the rest were in disbelief: Incursion had his arms folded, his cape deeply entrenched into the ground which was cracked and ruptured. The Night Raider brushed his shoulder from some clumps of dirt, "Although, I wouldn't have believed you used electricity to amplify the damage you could have wrought on me. Thankfully, I neutralized both the force and the blast of electricity that would have blown a hole through me."

"How is that even possible?"
"He survived a hit from Great General Budo!?"
"What the fuck is he?!"
"The fuck!?"

The cape curled back into its original shape, Incursio began to walk forward, "I've seen how your Imperial Arms work, while interesting it is stagnant and without change. However, I continue to evolve!" Esdeath made several ice pillars and flung it at him with some bold Imperial Guards opening fire, Run let out a volley of feathers, Incursio took little notice as the cape began to shroud him.

"Evolve all you like, what matters is how you use your Imperial Arms!" Budo roared and charged forward, Esdeath called for cease fire as the two traded blows, each punch and strike caused miniature shockwaves, cracks formed underneath Incursio as he transferred the force and electricity into the ground harmlessly.

Budo punched Incursio before putting him into a bone crushing bear hug, lifting him off the ground, "Now you can't escape this!" His arm piston cocked back, however the Night Raider laughed, "Neither can you!" His cape and armor sprouted the Tyrant's heads and sunk their fangs into the the general, two stopping the piston from launching.

Esdeath summoned an ice spear, a pair of eyes opened from the Incursio back, staring at the Ice General. Without heistation, Esdeath threw it just as Incursio went invisible, Budo went wide eye as the missile went straight for him, Esdeath began to melt it but Budo was then flung into it, smashing dead center of the general, he hacked blood.

Incursio was visible again, Budo rolled and leapt to his feet, wiping the blood from his chin, "You're going to regret that rebel scum!" Faster than Tatsumi could react, the General smashed his fist into him before pummeling him into the ground and proceeded to punch him deeper, rupturing the ground and Incursio's armor plating.

Budo stomped into Incursio helm, denting it before he flung him out of the crater, everyone took aim and rained bullets, ice, feathers and such on the airborne target, riddling him with dents before Budo appeared above him and used a Storm Breaker to send him crashing down.

Incursio laid there unmoving but Great General took no chances and used another Storm Breaker on the helm of Night Raider, blasting another cloud of dust, Esdeath steeled herself at the sight.

"Get up from that." Budo spatted.

.

Tatsumi laid there, feeling his body utterly devastated, he could hardly breath let alone think, his vision swam red with blood and mouth soon filled with it.

Is this how you want your life to end, Tatsumi? Too soon before you could accomplish the goals and desire you set for yourself?

...

All the work you have done will come crashing.

...n

Sheele, Bulat, Susanoo and Chelsea's death would have been for naught.

...no

The Night Raid and the Revolutionary Army will have no chance if Generals like Budo and Esdeath still breath, Kurome will bring back your corpse and you will fight for the very thing you sought to destroy.

...NO

Tatsumi saw the massive dragon staring at him, its blood red eyes on his before its massive maw open, he stared into its vile depths, countless of prey fell before it. But would he not. He will not.

He looked on to the dragon and it spoke,

I was the last Danger Beast to be subjugated to become an Imperial Arms. Through my tenacity, my ability to adapt and evolve and my unrelenting desire to survive I made it a living hell for the prey that foolishly sought to elude me and the Emperor's men that tried to bring me to heel. I was not tamed as an Imperial Arms nor will I ever be. But do you Tatsumi have what it takes to wield me? Bulat's raging passion and spirit moved me. Your own passion, spirit and inherit will moved me, but that is not enough. Not now.

Tatsumi took a step to the dragon, its eyes glowed.

You sought to master me, the last Alpha Danger Beast, Tatsumi! Prove it! Call upon your steadfast will! Roar your fiery passion and restless spirit! Let your enemies tremble before you! Don me like no other has, not for a thousand years! Unleash Incursio!

Feeling an unimaginable force well within him, igniting every fiber of his being with such vigor and force, he took another step. Then another. And another until he placed his hand upon the Tyrant, his eyes brimmed and crackled with untold force, the dragon shivered at the sight and together they roared, enough to have the heavens split apart.

.

Budo leapt back as mangled Night Raider rose like puppet, blood seeping out from several dents and holes, Esdeath, the Imperial Guard, Kurome and Wild Hunt watched disbelief, the General stared at Tatsumi.

Then Tatsumi roared with such a volume the echo would be heard across the whole empire, a call to action and revolution for all who heard it.

INCURSIO: TYRANT MODE!

Everyone there stared in horror as a massive dragon manifest, it roared its ferocity, shattering windows and rattling the palace before it fell upon the Night Raider in a cocoon of light.

"Did Tatsumi just go double Incursio?!" yelled Kurome, Wave watched through the crack of his helm to see the changing Incursio, Esdeath shielded everyone with a wall of ice while Budo braced himself.

Then the light diminish, Budo glared at the standing figure, free of all damage that had been previously wrought upon it, its black and silver armor gleamed in the pale moonlight, a sense of foreboding and dread hung in the air.

Budo was unimpressed at the display, "Evolved or not, your going to be pummeled into the ground again, boy." Tatsumi flexed his hands, the armor looked like a cross between Incursio and Grand Chariot, he replied, a sense of thrill at the words,

"I can smell your fear, Budo."

The Grand General dashed forward, faster than most could keep up, arms cocked along with the pistons. Incursio met Budo head on, vanishing from sight, Budo immediately gave a thundering Thunder Clap, sending a visible shockwave, but the Night Raider tore through it and crashed into the Grand General. The two locked arms, exerting so much force that the ground began to crumble, veins were visible on Budo's face while Incursio held its ground, he pushed shoving the General back. Inch gave way before the General buckled as Incursio began to step and step before it turned into a run shocking everyone as the Night Raider ran the General through the palace wall.

"Rrrrrrraaaaaaaaa!" Budo roared going to a knee, Incursio continuing until he was on both his knees, the General did not give up the two pressed their head on each other, "You'll never leave this place alive!" He ripped his arm away before delivering a Storm Breaker sending Incursio rocketing away. Grunting, Budo dashed out of the rubble and punched the recovering Incursio, but the cape immediately sank into the ground and transferred the attack harmlessly. Budo put some distance between them, seeing his attacks having no effect.

"Those little piston cannons...would look better on me." Incursio's helm cracked revealing the cruel face of the Tyrant, Incursio held up its arms before the armor began to shift and morph, Budo's eyes widen as three pistons emerged on each, Budo spat to the side, "How unoriginal."

The Tyrant gave an ugly laugh, "Says the species that had to adapt and evolve to survive in this unpleasant world... hypocrite."

The Tyrant roared and shook its head, its body began to bulk up, everyone watched in rapt dreadful awe, it snarled, TYRANNICAL TESTAMENT!

Incursio surged forward, so fast that Budo had mistaken it for going invisible and barely blocked the first blow, his forearm cracked as the three piston smashed into his heavily plated bracer and vambrace. The next one found his torso and cracked it along with four of his ribs and he flew back reeling, but the demon armor wasn't done. Incursio caught him with a kick to the side and the Tyrant cruelly smiled, Budo braced himself as the armored foot had a piston as well, the reeling momentum, the weight of the kick and the added force of the piston rocket Budo through a section of the palace and into the wall.

Everyone stared in horror at the destruction the Night Raider caused, it turned its attention back to them its helm had fixed itself, hiding the dragon. But that only served to send dread down everyone's spine: a monster lived and breathed among them. Some Imperial Guards pissed themselves. Noisily.

One drop their gun and dropped to his knees, pleading for his life, "N-no! Please stay away-y!" Others began to do the same. Esdeath turned to them, "Pick that gun up, soldier. Or I'll be escorting you to the Torture Chambers."

Their eyes darted between her and the marching Incursio, she threw a shard of ice killing one, "Forget the Torture Chambers, I'll kill you now." The General was taking drastic measures, trying to invoke their trained discipline. One picked up their gun and shot their brains out.

Esdeath turned to Incursio, it cracked its knuckles the Tyrant's smug voice appealed to the Empire forces, "This is what you signed up for, come and claim the spoils. Agony and carnage await you both in life and death."

Seeing no alternative between offing themselves or facing the wrath of either their General or Incursio, some opted to fleeing others picked up their weapons and fired or charged at him.

Incursio easily tore through them, a punch sent a man's torso spinning coating the grounds with blood and gore, a kick decapitate a soldier, a fountain of blood soaked the ground, a piston blast caused a five soldiers to explode like blood balloons. Izou felt his body go jittery at all the carnage wrought, he drew his sword and faced Incursio, "Kotetsu will have blood."

Incursio flexed its hand before a large sword materialized, Esdeath immediately recognized it, it was the Susanoo's sword but much shorter and it glimmered strangely. Incursio charged forward and the two exchanged an conversation of swords, each slash and strike rang across the palace, Izou was hard pressed to match the raw strength from the Night Raider. Each swing needed more strength than the last as Incursio continued to hammer away at him, he buckled before a kick sent him into a group of guards. He twirled the sword before it slipped into the armor.

Kurome propped Wave against the wall and readied her blade, Esdeath however stopped her as Suzuka and Dorothea tried their luck, Suzuka grew her nails slash Incursio, punching and kicking him luring him to fight, hoping to tire him out and hold his attention, Dorothea fangs elongate and she snuck behind the Night Raider. Suzuka ducked under a punch and narrowly twisting herself from a kick before she tackled Incursio into Dorothea who bit into his neck, but before she could draw blood, the Tyrant manifest on his shoulder and tried to take a bite out of her forcing her to retreat as did Suzuka.

Incursio rolled his shoulder, rubbing the area Dorothea had bitten him, she winked at him before he vanished, Dorothea's eyes darted side to side, without warning she screamed flying into the palace wall. Suzuka fared better, blocking the blow only to double over as a knee was driven into her gut before being thrown at a palace door, the door was thrown off its hinges and noisily clattered with the Rakshasa Demon through it.

Esdeath summoned a boulder size ice block and threw at Incursio, he braced himself and it shattered upon him, however he was unfazed and made a bee line for the general. Bullets, feathers and ice pelt him as he sprinted faster and faster making an after image, he grinned savagely before dodging the projectiles and colliding with Esdeath, she held him back with her blade and he summoned his.

"Going two for two, Tatsumi?" she seethed feeling the massive force as she slowed his charge, he didn't reply other than his eyes glowing brighter, Magatama Manifestation!

Esdeath's eyes widen at the words, before Incursio disengage then swinging his now glittering sword, she met it and nearly died as the blade sheared through the steel of her sword and almost bisect her. She clutch her navel feeling warm blood, Tatsumi intended to kill me...

She glared at him as he ran an armor finger along the blade, "This time you won't be so lucky...TYRANT'S TYRFING!" He charged again, this time the guards met him, attempting to swarm him in numbers, he nicked one soldier after shearing through his sword and leapt upwards, he pointed the sword and roared, TYRANT'S THORN!

Sensing something sinister, Esdeath grabbed Kurome, Natala picked up Wave and they all leapt away as the one soldier screamed before several blood spikes exploded from his body piercing nearby guards, they agonizingly pulled themselves free before they erupted with blood spikes. Seeing this the rest of the guards turned and flee but the blood spikes, as if alive, lengthen and pierced new targets, even going through the thick palace walls to guards foolishly thinking they were safe. The fleeing guards were also agents to their demise as they covered more ground so did the blood spikes connecting from one body to another spreading further from their original victim.

"One cut...did all that?!" Kurome gasped, Esdeath looked at the scene as they surveyed the scene on the balcony, "...Incursio is mimicking Imperial Arms..." she said softly.

Kurome looked at her, shocked, "Mimicking? If that's true then what he did was-!"

"Yes, One Cut Killer: Murasame namesake. But to think he made it become something...like that." Incursio flicked his sword before retracting it causing all the blood spikes to lose solid forms and splatter on the palace grounds, he turned his head to the last handful of guards who flung their weapons down and fled. All personally luck to be just out of reach from the Tyrant's Thorn.

Incursio then looked at Esdeath, Wave, Kurome and her puppets before vanishing from sight, Esdeath put Kurome down, "Find a place for Wave, Kurome! I'll deal with Incursio!" Esdeath landed on the blood soaked fields as Incursio became visible again, he turned his head to Kurome.

"Oi, Tatsumi, its bad manners to not pay attention to your opponent!" Esdeath flung several ice needles, shards then spears at him, he let them strike him, his attention elsewhere. The general glared before completely freezing him into a block of ice, Esdeath began to layer it but deep cracks began to form and Incursio shattered it apart. Still he did not pay attention to the general, his line of sight followed the leaving Kurome.

Esdeath made a volley of ice spears and rammed it into the Night Raider, the cape protectively shrouded the demon armor, Esdeath took her chance and dashed forward making a ice sword. Incursio's cape sprouted three dragon heads, each straining before ripping their maws open and giving a heaven shattering roar, Esdeath slammed the sword down to anchor herself, but she began slide back, "Shut your mouth!" Making several ice spears and flung them, they raced to the cape before slowing before zooming back at the general.

Esdeath backhand them away but the roar intensify and she was blown back into the palace wall, cracking it and nearly being force through it. The general spat before making several ice walls shaped like wedges, before launching them, the Tyrant heads roared again but it did not slow the projectiles forcing Incursio to dodge them.

"Esdeath always does find a way to fight back."

She's a force to be reckon with even before she obtained her Imperial Arms.

The Tyrant sounded a lot more disgruntled than Tatsumi was used to, "It sounds like you know the Imperial Arms, she said it was just an urn of blood."

The dragon gave a rather long explanation, your twisted mate's Imperial Arms came from a Danger Beast I clashed on multiple occasions, it was the second to the last of the Danger Beast Imperial Arms. I am partially to blame for it coming into the hands of the Empire. I had crossed paths with my nemesis while chasing prey, normally we would just show display of dominance, piss here and there and be done with it. But that time we seriously try to prove dominance through bloodshed. Our legendary bout was fierce and had garner the attention of the nearby human settlements. However by the time the human forces had come to put down the fighting, I already left my foe in a bleeding mess and doing the dirty work for the Emperor's men. I never fought my nemesis again until I subjugated as an Imperial Arms.

Incursio dodged several flying ice projectiles each now shaped differently than the other, Esdeath then slammed her palms into the ground making it a barren and slippery landscape, Incursio's footing suffered for it along with the constant icing forcing him to become immobile.

"That will stop you from running!" Esdeath leapt at him, her footing suffered no slide and was able to attack and evade the Night Raider, each time he had an opportunity to clock the general, he would be hampered by sticking or sliding, Esdeath took full advantage of this and struck the armor before the Tyrant's head could bite her or changed intended target to avoid being bit by surprise.

"You're a lot better than Budo, Esdeath!" Incursio dodged a decapitating kicked before trying to lance the general with Neuntote, then switching to the Tyrant's Tyrfing with a backhand slash before interchanging between weapons, forcing Esdeath to make walls of ice to stop either blades from cutting her in two. She stomped on the ice causing it to rapidly race up Incursio's legs stopping him from driving the spear into her as it shattered the ice wall.

"That's as far as you go, Tatsumi!" she hissed making an ice tower above the Night Raider, he retracted his spear as the tower came crashing down before slashing it with his sword, shimmering with all the while. Esdeath had to quickly dissipate the ice tower as the sword had cleaved it asunder from bottom to top. Incursio broke from his prison and rushed Esdeath, tanking through all of icing on its body, desperate Esdeath summoned an ice wall just into time before Incursio's fist along with the three pistons made contact with her, however she was sent flying into the already heavily damaged palace.

Incursio immediately side flip away just as Kurome tried to split his skull in half, the many eyes focused on her, she cursed before glancing to where the General had gone, "Commander..." She readied her blade, Natala and Run soon joining her. Akame's sister looked over her opponent, every fiber in her screamed to retreat as the Tyrfing was pointed at her, "Lay down your weapon Kurome, you're no match for me."

"You might have all those eyes, traitor but you're clearly blind: I outnumber you." Natala and Run flanked her, Incursio was unconcerned and shrugged, "I'll tell Akame I tried to reason with you." Before he rushed at her making after images, Natala and Run intercepted him but it resulted with him tackling Natala into the palace wall, destroying it before throwing the puppet into Run who was airborne. He then went for Kurome, she charged only to have Incursio to vanish within slashing range, before she screamed as she was sent flying only to have Run catch her before colliding with ground, still rock solid even after the ice had began to thaw and melt.

Incursio still invisible leapt at the down Kurome only to have Natala crash into him forcing him away from the puppet master, "To not only find me but stop me, you must have been a great warrior, Natala. I'm sorry you can't rest even in death." Incursio said becoming visible once more. Kuruome said coldly to the Night Raider, "It was his wish that he continue to fight by my side, traitor."

Incursio slowly shook his head, "Kurome, let Natala and Run go, they deserve better than being one of your puppets."

"Who are you to lecture me?! They both wanted to stay by my side! You know nothing about me!" she screamed as she took up her blade once more but Incursio merely glared at her, "I know enough, Kurome... that you're afraid of being alone."

Kurome turned livid and charged at him, her eye wild with anger and fury, Natala slashed him with his glaive, Run hailed a volley of feathers while Kurome tried to bisect him with her sword. Using the cape, several Tyrant heads bit into Natala and flung him away before he slammed his fist into Kurome, parrying with Yatsufusa before sent flying as the piston drove in, Run caught her and skid on the ground.

Natala took the chance and slashed at Incursio only for him to grab the glaive and the two were locked in a power struggle, Natala tried to send Incursio to the side but instead the Night Raider, pressed hard and forced the puppet to his knees. Kurome and Run charged at the occupied Incursio however the cape came alive and turned into the Tyrant's head and crunch into Natala shoulder immobilizing him, Incursio cocked his arm back all three pistons loaded, Kurome went wide eye as Run sent volleys of feathers none freeing Natala from Incursio's grip.

"Natala!" Kurome screamed as Incursio drove his fist into Natala's torso, it exploded in a mess of blood, guts and bones sending his arms and head into the air while his lower half simply slumped forward. Kurome saw red and charged at Incursio, ready to decapitate the Night Raider only to have Run yank her to safety as Incursio's Tyrfing slashed the space she had been moments before.

"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL FUCKIN' KILL YOU LIKE THAT BITCH CHELSEA!" Kurome screamed in the top of her lungs, she thrashed in Run's arms trying to break free and do exactly what she said.

Incursio became utterly still at the words, Kurome pried herself free and began to charge. However the sight of Natala's head stopped her, his eyes were streaming with tears, his mouthed moved and his words soft as Kurome picked it up and cradled it, trying to soothe him, "I'm...free..."

Something in Kurome snapped at the words, "Natala...no. You wanted to stay at my side, right? So we would always be together, no matter what happens. Big sis, you and me...always together." Kurome watched as the already lifeless eyes of Natala dimmed even further, the assassin screamed in misery and loss, fury mounting within her, she took up Yatsufusa ready to rend Incursio to pieces.

Then her fury withered at the sight of Incursio.

"HOW COULD I FORGOTTEN...YOU'RE THE ONE WHO BUTCHERED CHELSEA."

Incursio's rage and fury began to emanate like thick miasma that chilled your blood like no other, it started to become clearly visible and as if to convey it the armor began to sprout heads of the Tyrant all hissing and snarling, his helm cracked revealing a murderous looking Tatsumi, his friendly green eyes were replaced with the Tyrant's own, he roared causing the ground beneath him to shatter, MAGATAMA MANIFESTATION!

Moving faster than Kurome could defend herself or flee, Incursio surged forward his after images trying to keep up, Kurome felt her whole body seize in dread as the Night Raider fist was riddled with thick plates and spike, the pistons all cocked and ready to destroy her like it did Natala...

"That's enough, Tatsumi!" Esdeath roared as she activated her trump card, MAHAPADMA! In an instant the whole battlefield froze in place, she slumped against the palace wall, feeling the energy drained from her and the injuries she had sustained. She caught her breath before she walked over to Kurome, the look of utter terror on her at the sight of Incursio was justified, she swept her and Run out of the way before she looked at the monstrous thing that Tatsumi had become.

If the need to put down Tatsumi wasn't so great, she would have taken more appreciative moments looking over the Imperial Arms, she silently cursed herself, she looked at the man that had slowly but surely changed her, this is all your fault Tatsumi...

She made an ice sword and drove it into Incursio, right into his heart, she tighten her grip on the ice before letting go and cupping Incursio's helm, "Good bye, Tatsumi...things could have been different." She gasped as she cut power fueling Mahapadma and she stepped as Incursio's limp but heavy body crashed into the ground.

"The strong lives...and the weak perishes." she whispered before she knelt down, fatigue and her injuries catching up.

Kurome rushed over to her commander once she had reacquainted herself to the present, "Commander, are you alright? Run help please."

Esdeath shook her head and she stand up on her own strength albeit placing her hand on Kurome, "I knew Tatsumi would be a General-Level warrior if I had trained him, but I never thought I would..." the rest was lost in a huff, Esdeath motion Kurome, "Are you alright?"

A dark look passed over her face, but she mutedly nodded her head, "Nothing too serious. I'll manage, but I'm more worried about Wave, the armor held up but Incursio nearly mauled him to death."

Esdeath glanced around the palace seeing its sorry and nearly destroyed state, "If the medical squad didn't flee, we'll get him to the hospital wing. They'll patch him up."

Izou, Suzuka and Dorothea had somewhat recovered from their bout and were leaning against something to get a good look at the fallen Night Raider, "I guess you need a General-Level warrior to take out another one." Dorothea muttered, Suzuka clutch her abdomen, for the first time pain was not pleasure. Izou spat his twig at the Night Raider's direction, "Bastard..."

Esdeath ignored them, seeing all the carnage, she was sure she would get an earful from a certain Prime Minister, "It's going to be a reckoning in the morning..." she sighed.

"But will you live to see the sunrise?"

Everyone froze at the words, Kurome and Izou drew their sword with a fearful expression, Dorothea and Suzuka stared horrified, Esdeath clench her jaw as Incursio rose up like a limp puppet, grasping the ice shard, "If this was Murasame I would have been concerned..." Blood dribbled down the ice shard before he yanked it out and tossed to the side, the Tyrant manifest before the armor fixed itself, good as new along with any prior damages.

Incursio began to walk towards them, Esdeath gritted her teeth and walked forward, "You just won't just stay dead, Tatsumi."

"Esdeath, you should know: we are tenacious."

With a roar, Incursio surged forward so fast it nearly became to fast to keep up, Esdeath raised an ice wall, but to her surprise he stopped short of her, skidding and raising a plume of dust and debris, he darted to the side and rushed Kurome and the rest. Esdeath flung ice shards but they useless as the cape shrouded him, Run attempted to block Kurome but he shoulder bash him out of the way, Dorothea and Suzuka fearfully threw themselves out of harms way before he turned to Izou, he prepared his Imperial Arms but Tatsumi grabbed him and tossed to forcefully to Esdeath, she whacked him out of the way before she saw him charging at him.

"Your trump card is exhausted."

Esdeath snarled and raised a thicker than usual ice wall as he was at crash course for her, Kurome and the rest watched in horror as the Night Raider busted through the wall with ease before ramming Esdeath into the palace again with the path she took collapsing on itself. The Wild Hunt members fled the battlefield while they had a chance.

Kurome called out to the commander but there were no response. She looked around nervously, Run made his way back and watched her back, but that made her feel no where safer, "Look around Kurome...you're alone with naught but carnage and destruction."

"You're nothing but a monster Tatsumi!"

A cruel laugh rang through the ruptured battlefield, she looked around frantically, the dust had not yet settled but she felt eyes were all upon her, "Tatsumi? Tatsumi isn't home...you're alone with me."

Her nerves were on ends, Run suddenly crumpled down, Kurome turned to see Incursio on top of him one hand on his wing and the other with a piston on his head.

"You should let your dolls sleep, brat." The piston cocked back as Kurome screamed and slashed Incursio, but the blade bounced off, several dragon heads manifest and snarled at her, the helm was cracked and the face of the Tyrant glowered at her. She fell to her knees and began to beg and grovel, "Please! Stop! Run is my friend! Please don't take him away! Please..."

The dragon narrowed its eyes and spoke disgusted, "I lost many comrades in my long life. I grieved them. I avenge them. I remembered them. But I would never seek to dishonor them as you do."

Kurome sobbed, the dragon turned its attention on Run who tried to struggle to get free, "Sleep now." Kurome kicked off the ground drove the sword into Incursio, the Tyrant hissed but remained pinning Run and shocking Kurome, "Fear is not in my nature, defiler!" A fist raced to the Jaeger as she tried to pry herself free, ready to turn her into a mist of blood.

"NOOOOO!" Incursio and Kurome's eyes widen as the Grand Chariot came between them, his arm braced as pieces of armor formed a shield, "GRAND AEGIS!"

Incusio was not impressed as the so called shield was blasted apart the moment its fist and pistons collided along with most of Wave's armor as the two flew and smashed through the palace wall, it looked over the wound, miffed that the sword was not there to break and the puppet was no longer there.

Looking at the destruction, Incursio couldn't help but chuckle, "You're celebrating early..." Incursio waited for Esdeath as she walked out of the rubble it had made for her, blood drenched her clothes, her hat no longer gracing her head and her face smeared with blood, sweat and grime.

"You're not Tatsumi. Bring him out!" Incursio chuckled at the injured General, "I'll comply twisted mate of Tatsumi, I'm sick of dealing with you all. He is softer than I, but he has unleashed me and the reckoning has just begun." Incursio gave an ugly laugh at the look of Esdeath before something in Incursio changed, Tatsumi had come back.

Many eyes opened all over the armor taking into the situation before Tatsumi addressed Esdeath, "I'm leaving, don't try to follow or stop me."

"It's stupid mentioning that, Tatsumi, of course I will stop you." Incursio cape manifest before it roared, it vibrated into the palace before it calmed itself back, Esdeath glanced at its direction before stating, "You're looking for your friend."

Tatsumi shrugged, "You should worry about yourself, I'm sure you're not used to seeing so much of your own blood." Esdeath kept her face impassive despite it being true. Groaning, filled the air and Esdeath glanced at the pile that was Wave and Kurome, Run was standing guard, Incursio folded his arms as if reading Esdeath, "If they had stayed put, they wouldn't have been so beaten up."

"You gave them no choice, you nearly killed them." Incursio shook his head, still waiting for Lubbock to get to top side of the palace, the roar told him no reinforcements were coming either, "I avoided them, they drew their weapons and gave me no choice."

Esdeath and Incursio faced each other, bidding their time for their respective chance, Incursio snapped open a pair of eyes seeing a shadow emerge, a lock of green hair and red goggles could be seen along with a familiar scent, Incursio cocked the pistons on its forearms and the cape began to take shroud him.

"Your friend is here." Esdeath said coldly before slamming her palm down and freezing Incursio legs, she dashed for Lubbock who turned to run, Tatsumi cursed before slamming its fists down sending a rippling shockwave, TYRANT'S TREMOR! Esdeath braced herself in horror as the shockwaves homed on her, shattering the ground beneath her and sending her sprawling on her back. Lubbock peaked out to see if there were anymore danger before sprinting to Incursio, "Oh, man, did you do all this?!" The Night Raider asked amazed, Tatsumi nervously chuckled, "I was just trying to find you and escape but they wouldn't let up."

Lubbock was in awe before Incursio's cape shrouded him from being skewered by Esdeath's ice shards, "Lubbock you're alright to travel?" Lubbock could hear ice smashing into Incursio, "I've been tortured but I'll manage. It's gonna be a sore trip home though." His hand traveled south and Tatsumi looked away, "I'm going to deal with Esdeath, then we'll head home." Lubbock nodded, his Imperial Arms gleaming in his hands.

Incursio let the Tyrant roar shattering all the incoming projectiles before rushing the slumped Esdeath, she covered herself in ice as Incursio fell upon her, "I'll admit, Esdeath: we are both tenacious!" He began to hammer away on the ice cocoon, chipping and cracking but Esdeath quickly layered it, Incursio was having none of that, MAGATAMA MANIFESTATION!

Esdeath felt her teeth jitter as each blow from the already super powered Incursio increased as each punch caused it to shatter from both the inside and the out, the shockwaves were like violent thrashings inside as she tried to brace herself from the onslaught. Lubbock felt the ground unsteady and fell on his ass, cursing he saw Incursio hammering away causing tremors all over the place, it was trying to walk during an earthquake as he ran to Tatsumi.

Each punch broke apart the cocoon Esdeath had desperately tried to hide behind, however using Susanoo's trump card's penalty had caught up with him, but he forced himself to continue despite the Tyrant's and Lubbock's protest.

Stop Tatsumi! You're going kill yourself! Esdeath can no longer harm your escape, leave now! Don't be consumed by your... The words were drowned out by the sound of ice finally giving way.

Lubbock stared in horror as blood began to seep out of Incursio, he yelled Tatsumi to stop and leave but he was ignored as Tatsumi reached into the cocoon and dragged Esdeath out, blood dribbled out of her mouth, she had suffered several concussion from the beating.

"Tatsumi! Forget about her!" he tried to reason with him, going inside the crater and hammering into the helm, Esdeath coughed and looked at him with one good eye, the other mixed heavily with blood, "Go on...do it...Tatsumi."

TATSUMI!
"TATSUMI!" The Tyrant and Lubbock roared, Incursio staggered as if blown, dropping Esdeath.

He coughed before undoing the trump card activation, slumping against Lubbock who protested on the weight, Esdeath tried to get up but the Tyrant manifest scaring Lubbock and glowering at the general.

Do you know this feeling, Esdeath? Powerlessness. Death looming overhead. Your last fleeting moments. You've done this to countless others. Now, you know what it means to be weak...and perish.

Esdeath stared at the dragon the words sinking deeper than any of its fangs could, it curled back as Tatsumi struggled to stand, Lubbock looked at her coldly.

"I could never make you feel what you've done to all those people Esdeath, but today you know...no, you understand entirely the feelings of the weak. Killing you now would be a mercy." Esdeath looked at him with apprehension.

Tatsumi turned away as Lubbock between him and the General, as if questioning, Tatsumi muttered, "I beat her once, I can do it again. Let's go home Lubbock, everyone is worried sick."

The two Night Raiders escaped the palace and into the night. The remaining Imperial Guards would not come back till morning, carrying away Kurome and Wave and carting off the dead. However, before all that and the sun rising from the horizon, Esdeath lied in that crater, her mind and body completely battered and the words of Tatsumi and the Tyrant echoing.

She cried. Huddled in that crater, feeling the entirety of the philosophy she lived by.

Tatsumi released Incursio from Tyrant Mode before taking Incursio completely off, Lubbock was close behind him as the two tiredly walked their way back to the hideout after Tatsumi got them halfway there before gassing out.

"I don't believe you beat everyone in the palace, Tatsumi. I could hear you from all the way underground."

He gave a grim smile, "I was more concern with getting you out and heading home, but something came over me. Good thing it did, we haven't seen anyone for miles."

The two exchanged stories, in awe they had survived not only being in the most dangerous place in the Empire but seriously doing damage to them, Budo and Esdeath were heavily injured, Kurome and Wave would be out for months, Imperial Guards dead along with those who fled and above all the damage was a heavy blow to morale.

And with Syura dead, the number of Imperial Arms users dwindled with the two's escapade.

Tatsumi and Lubbock grinned at the sight of the Hideout even more so as the members were all outside, dressed for war. They paused at the sight of them as they tried to keep a strong front only to drop it as Najenda, Leone, Akame and Mine came running and glomping them.

"Tatsumi! Lubbock! How did you-!"
"We were just about to tear the palace apart for you!"
"What happened?! Are you okay?"

Tatsumi and Lubbock grinned at each other as the girls fussed, Najenda placed a hand on the two of them, "I'm sorry we couldn't just mobilize to rescue, but we all agreed tha-!" Lubbock saw the Najenda trying to not tear up, so he bravely and boldly walked forward and kissed her amazing everyone even himself.

She froze as he drew back, his face completely serious, "I forgive you." Her face turned red and tears welled up before slapped him, mostly out of embarrassment, "Acting all cool and taking my first kiss!? Lubbock!" She mirrored Leone and shoved his head against her bosom while her metal hand noogie him.

Akame hugged him, whispering, "You're safe, Tatsumi." Leone joined in, forcing the two against her own bosom, "Aha! Tatsumi!" Mine blushed before yanking her boyfriend free, hugging and kissing him, Leone and Akame grinned, "Welcome home, Tatsumi."

He smiled feeling his pain melt away. His eyes began to close and his body heavy as Mine's shocked face was the last image before he fell into abyss of slumber.

XxXxXxXxX

Oh, man I just got hooked on watching and reading Akame ga Kill. Blame it on the hottie girls, violence, understandable protagonist and over the top plot setting. I've invest a whole lot of time on the anime/manga and I find myself here writing a fanfic to honor such a badass show. My opinion anyways.

Oh, yeah, uh spoilers this takes place around the lastest manga chapter, tried to be subtle with it but I'm sure you can sorta guess what happened with the MC and his plight. Now, this fanfic is most likely going to be short or just stop here all together, I have another project, my AT story to be written, but I just had to write this fanfic. I kept getting to many good ideas that I think would compliment the manga plot very well. Getting a lot of good ideas can be in fact very annoying and enlightening at the same time really.

My basis for Incursio's trump card being hella OP, and perfectly backed up, is the Tyrant's supposed adaptive and evolutionary abilities. The rest of the Imperial Arms don't have any growth other than hidden abilities and how it can be used, however Incursio is stated to change and grow to defeat its opponents so it makes sense that he changes accordingly to his foes. If his foe is stronger, he would become faster; if they are faster, he would have more endurance, etc. Wave's could have the same properties but it is never outright said/stated so I made some background story for it. The Tyrant in its lifetime would have come across other Danger Beast on its level and outright killed it after learning its strengths and incorporating it, sort of like lifestyle in Zerus in Starcraft 2.

Tell me what you think, if what is written does come to pass, consider my mind blown. And if not, then that's fine, this is purely fanfic and conjecture of my making.

Tyrant Mode:

Tyrannical Testament: Magatama Manifestation + Call of the Fierce God + Animal King: Lionelle + Roman Artillery: Pumpkin
Tyrant's Tenor: Scream + Heavy Pressure
Tyrant's Thorn: Murasame Amplified + Black Marlin - (As stated by reviewer traveller)
Tyrant's Tyrfing: Murasame + Ecstasy + Ame no Murakumo
Tyrant's Tremor: Belvaac Amplified

Ciao,
I am NRG

Slammin Jammin Power Dunkers