you talk a lot of talk-- but like, don't you want it to stop? (2)

A... cop?! In this part of town? What the hell...?

A fox woman with black fur and pink hair is pointing a gun at me.

"I knew staying here would be worth it. Now, I've heard reports of you lot-- four of you. Yet my partner only called in two of you and an Anxi. Now tell me. Where's the fourth one?"

I don't respond-- I'm not stupid.

"Answer me, witch."

"I'm exercising my right to remain silent." I quietly respond, holding Tora in my arms.

"Tsk. Should've figured." She puts a gun to Tora's forehead. "Will this motivate you to loosen your lips, then?"

"Back... off."

"Tell me why you're harboring an Anxi, then. Are you the ones creating them, like the news said?"

If I keep refusing to elaborate, I'm starting to think she's actually going to shoot. "...No, we aren't. My friend was partially transformed into one."

"And you expect me to believe that... why?"

"She's capable of speaking. Capable of thinking. No fully-formed Anxi can do that."

"Hmm. Perhaps you're right." She cocks her gun. "I'll have to check in with the boys when I'm finished dealing with you."

A loud bang erupts near my chest-- going wide, as I used my wind power to push her hand off to the side.

The police woman gasps, repositioning her gun-- only to be met with my rifle placed against her forehead.

"Y-you'd... kill a police officer in cold blood...?"

"No-- I wouldn't. It's not good to force progress through bloodshed, if we can avoid it."

"Then p-put your gun down."

"I'm merely defending myself. What right do you have to kill me, exactly...?"

"You're a witch-- you're dangerous."

"So are you. You're a cop."

She growls at me, not taking well to my answer.

I maintain a confident stance, baring my fangs even knowing she won't see it through my mask. "You've unlawfully abducted three of my friends, and have full intent to kill me. ...I know full well what you're doing. You're trying to provoke me into attacking you, so you and your media cronies can spin a narrative that we're crazed, violent and dangerous." I press the barrel of my rifle deeper into her forehead. "Meanwhile, every second I spend wasting my time with you is a second I could be spending saving my friends. So kindly FUCK OFF, YOU STUPID PIG."

Redirecting the hand holding her gun away with another blast of wind, I quickly drop the base of my rifle, propelling it with a second gust to launch the butt directly into the cop's head. I meant what I said about not killing her, even if she was trying to kill me first.

The sudden impact of my gun against her skull knocks her off balance, stumbling backwards from disorientation. Seizing this opportunity, I rip the gun from her hands and unload it, throwing the magazine as far away as I can. Thank god I'm a gun otaku, I guess.

...God, I feel weird using my powers this liberally. I don't hate it like the others, but I'm still nervous doing it. I wish we had someone to help teach us, but oh well.

In any case, I've gotta get to the others before it's too late. Probably can't get to my car, though... that'll give this cop too much time to try and apprehend me-- and she might log our license plates, too.

Nnnnnghh... think Fueko, think. Get focused, for fuck's sake. We're supposed to be the leader, yet we're always slacking on plans and improvisation. We're so useless in that regard.

N-no. Cut that out. No more of that shit. Right now, you're going to save your friends. By any means necessary.

Getting a running start, I leap into the air, launching myself further with a massive propulsion of wind. I ride the current of the breezy winter night, getting higher and higher into the sky.

I-I'm... flying. Holy shit... I'm flying.

...J-just like a dragon should, eheheh~

I can't help but cackle, feeling a massive rush of euphoria as what I'm doing hits me in waves. This... this is incredible. I can't believe I haven't done this before.

Ah... hopefully my car doesn't get towed.

Focusing on the wind that surrounds me, I continue to soar through the sky, trying to find the restaurant I was told the police box was nearby. Curse me for preferring fast food-- this would've been easier, otherwise. No wait... I think I know the place. My family used to go there all the time, right...? Yeah, I think that's right.

I manipulate the air to allow me to hover, allowing me to scan the general area. It should be... right... about... there. Yeah, I'm confident that it's there.

I launch myself downwards-- careful to balance speed with control, given how new I am to this --and descend towards the ground.

There it is. The yakitori restaurant. So the police box should be... ah. I see it now.

...No time to second guess yourself, Amatatsu Fueko. Don't hesitate. Just act.

Summoning my rifle again, I make a break for the police box. Throwing the doors open, I'm greeted with... blood.

So much... blood. It's like a goddamn horror movie, or something. Where's the cyborg ninja, then? No, better yet... Where are the others?

No, wait, they're right there. Chisaki, Asahi, Mizuki. All tied up, beaten and... unconscious. Unconscious?

I rush over, examining for a pulse. A heartbeat. The expanding and collapsing of lungs. Anything that indicates that they're alive.

...

......

I sigh, relieved. They're all alive.

Then, the blood is... the cops? It's unfortunate that they were killed, I guess. But... I'm just glad it's not my friends blood-

"You're late... Ama-chan."

That voice... it's the same one from the phone call.

Then... that means...

...

I see it first. The shovel-- her weapon of choice. Then, those torn-up black thigh highs... pleated skirt... puffy jacket... hair that reaches to her shoulders... and finally, her face.

Lupine, covered in unkempt bangs and a blood-soaked facemask. Ah, but are those... demonic horns, as well...? That's new.

Actually, her fur is different too. It was a pale gray before, but now it's a radiant purple, as if her coat itself changed to match her horns. Her eyes, though still vacant, are glowing as well. And... she's got wings. Like an angel... or a demon.

But, still-- that outfit... that weapon, and those lifeless eyes... I could never mistake her for someone else.

"I got here as soon as I could...

...Sonora."