Chance Encounter, Part 1

"—It's been 72 hours, and the missing victims are now presumed to be dead. Officers identified blood in the area, but the trail led nowhere—"

The TV screen in the city showed images of an empty forest. Like the newscaster described, there was nothing in sight but blood on the grass.

…It's like their bodies vanished in thin air.

I focused my gaze on the screen. Every report was too similar. The victim would suddenly disappear with no trace of a body, leaving only a pool of blood. It was nothing new. It was like that for six years now.

It's not nearly enough to go off of to find Crime…

I clenched my fists in frustration. I just needed a clue, but all I could do was helplessly speculate. Information on Crime was next to impossible to find. Their faces were always hidden by their red hoods so no one knew any of the members' identities, and even their abilities were a complete mystery. I had heard the leader's voice before, but never outside of recordings on the news. It was hard to remember clearly unless I heard it again.

"Mmmgh…" I pulled out my Crime data notebook and jotted down everything in this new report anyway. There had to be something I wasn't thinking of. I just needed to look over the information again. I flipped through several pages worth of photos and written information to try and find something connected, but nothing was sticking out at this moment.

Even Crime's origin is shrouded in mystery…

No one knew where the organization even came from. They just mysteriously showed up during an ability purge six years ago and murdered waves of ability hunters. Then they declared they would 'purge the world of all ability hunters and of the unabilitied who stood with them'.

I had my own thoughts on Crime's extreme methods, of course, but… I also couldn't blame them for taking action after everything that us ability users have gone through.

"—The murder is suspected to have been committed by Crime. Crime, as I'm sure you all know, is an organization of ability users who have banded together to 'purge' the world of those without abilities. They are extremely dangerous, and it is said that anyone who makes contact with them will lose their life—"

The newscaster continued speaking. I looked up from my notebook to focus on the screen again.

If they're an unabilitied, then they're killed. But if an ability user makes contact with Crime, then they're spared and recruited into the organization.

That was how the rumor went, anyway, but who knew if it was even true?

…Well, if it is true, then killing someone just for a reason like that was way too extreme.

I frowned. I really didn't know how I felt about the organization overall but I had still been chasing after Crime for six years, all for one singular purpose, and yet I hadn't found anything useful in my search in all that time.

"That organization again?"

"I'm sick of this! Can't the hunters just catch them already?"

"You know it's not that easy; they're monsters!"

A pair of older women were chatting near me. I kept my eyes on the screen, but I couldn't help but keep directing my attention towards them with how loudly they were talking.

Shut up already! I can't hear the report!

Their voices were drowning out the broadcast and it was annoying me.

"I saw someone in a red cloak just before coming here. Do you think it was someone from Crime?"

"What?!" I exclaimed in spite of myself. My ears picked up on their conversation right away, and I quickly turned in the direction of the two older women.

Crime was spotted in public?! And so recently, too?!

If she was able to give me information, then I could come closer to finding them!

"Where did you see that person?!" I asked, my voice a bit louder than I meant it to sound.

The two older women gave me odd looks, eyeing my Crime data notebook. "....And why do you want to know?"

…Crap! I need to try and salvage this situation! I can't let them find out I'm an ability user!

They seemed suspicious of me. I could feel panic begin to wash over me.

Don't panic, Luna Ione. Be calm. You need information. Even if you have to lie in order to get it…

I quickly put my notebook back in my bag before they could ask anything further. "Whoever catches Crime will be given a large amount of reward money, right? I'd like to give it a go," I lied.

The lady scoffed, "'Give it a go'? This isn't a game, little girl. You'll only lose your life trying to catch those monsters."

"If the fool wants to, then let her. Anyone aiming for that reward has to be out of their mind," her friend chimed in.

…Seems like they bought it?

I breathed out a sigh of relief. That was close.

"But do her parents even know about this?" The lady asked.

I flinched at the mention.

"...They're dead," I answered honestly.

"O-Oh…" The lady seemed a little uncomfortable. "I'm sorry to hear that."

The two older women turned away and whispered to each other. Meaninglessly gossiping over if Crime was responsible for it, if that was why I wanted to catch Crime, things like that…

Annoying. You're not sorry at all.

My parents were killed by the Anti Ability Association during two different incidents. It had nothing to do with Crime.

…But to avoid suspicion, I'll let them believe what they want.

"So, can you tell me where you saw Crime?" I interrupted.

The lady narrowed her eyes, clearly tired of interacting with me. "I saw someone in a red cloak at the park. It was only one of them, but I wouldn't go there if I were you. Just leave it to the hunters."

"Thank you for the information."

She scoffed, "It's your funeral."

…What annoying people.

I pushed down the urge to talk back to her, and took off running.

Finally…! I would finally find Crime…! After six long years…!

I ran as fast as I could, my heart racing with each step.

Violet… Eon…

I thought of my older siblings. I hadn't seen them since I was twelve. The sole reason I was searching for Crime was to find my missing older siblings. We were separated when our step mother tried to sell us off to the Anti Ability Association… I was rescued by my step sister, Crimson, but Violet and Eon went missing without a trace. Crimson and her girlfriend, Noelle, left to go find Violet and Eon, but neither of the four ever came back. I've been searching and searching for six long years, but I couldn't find any traces by myself. That's why I decided to seek Crime's help.

But if Crime can't find them, then that would mean they're already…

I shook my head. I wouldn't let myself think of the worst scenario. I wouldn't give up hope.

My siblings are alive and waiting for me.

That belief was the only thing keeping me going. And if I had to join Crime in order to fulfill it, then so be it. I would do whatever it took to see my siblings again.

Once I made it to the park, I stopped running to catch my breath.

"Where is Crime…?" I looked around, but I didn't see anyone. There was no red hooded figure in sight.

"Am I too late…?" I felt so frustrated, I could feel tears start to well up in my eyes.

No… No!! I finally found a clue! This can't be it…!

I looked around a little more, but I couldn't find anyone. If they were hiding, then they were doing a good job.

How can I catch Crime's attention…?

One thing came to mind, but it was incredibly dangerous. The park was empty, but if there were any ability hunters nearby then I would be in big trouble.

…But I have no other option!

If it was true that Crime was spotted here, then they couldn't have been too far. If I used my ability here, they would likely see me.

"...." I took a deep breath and spread my arms wide, letting water overflow from my hands.

"Crime, please…!" I cried and threw a large blast of water into the sky to act as a signal to the organization.

It wasn't a good idea to keep at this for too long. An ability hunter would likely see this…

But that means Crime would likely see this, too…!

I had a bad feeling about using my ability in a public area, but my desperation to meet Crime won out, so I continued to use my water as a signal.

"There she is!" An older woman's voice shouted.

"H… uh…?" I felt groggy and fell to the grass all of a sudden.

"That's the suspicious girl I was telling you about! She was trying to signal to them!"

I tried to face the source of the voice as best I could with what little strength I had. Standing a near distance from me were the two older women from earlier, and there were a couple of men I didn't recognize holding guns next to them.

"Y-You two and… a-ability… hunters…" I drawled. My voice wasn't coming out like I wanted it to. It was hard to get words out.

"The effects of the suppressor should be kicking in any minute. The monster should be unable to use her ability," one of the ability hunters spoke, aiming his gun directly at me.

Suppressor? Is that what I just got shot with…?

My senses were already starting to go numb.

"Prepare to shoot when I say so," he spoke to his men.

Ah… Is this really it? Am I going to die here…? No, I can't…!

I spread my arm out to try and fight back.

"I… I can't die here…!" I shot a blast of water at all of them, knocking them back. But I could already feel my strength leaving me.

I can't materialize water anymore… Is the suppressor already in effect?!

"Dammit! Someone restrain her while the suppressor is in effect!" The presumed leader shouted.

"Help me…! Please, Crime…!!!" I tried to scream, but the two older women restrained me, holding me in place and in front of the ability hunters.

"Can't call your friends now, can you, little girl?"

"Say hi to them for us in hell, will you? Since no one here is coming to save you." The two older women snickered.

I felt so weak and helpless. Tears were welling up in my eyes.

Not when I still haven't found my siblings…!

I thought of my family and their smiling faces. I didn't want to give up, but I didn't know what else I could do. I was too weak to fight back without my ability.

Not when I still haven't found Crime, either…!!

I thought of the mysterious figure in the red cloak I had spent six years of my life searching for. If they saw me now, would they help me…? Or was I just being too optimistic…?

I don't want to die…!

I shut my eyes in fear.

Someone… Anyone… Help me!!!

I pleaded desperately.

The leader signaled his men to shoot, "Fire!"

"Fire? If you insist!"

With that response from an unknown voice, the ability hunter was promptly punched in the face by what looked like a flaming fist.

"Agggh!?" The hunter screamed in pain, his cheek showing a burn mark now. "What the hell was that!? Who the hell are you!?"

Before I realized it, a girl with long white hair stood in front of the ability hunters. Her hand was balled up in a fist, flames swirling around her.

"I'm Blaze Winslow, leader of Regret!"

"Never heard of you!" The hunter growled.

"Really? I thought we were pretty famous…" She seemed genuinely surprised at the reaction.

Blaze(?) turned to face me, "Hey. Do you know Regret?"

Is she… talking to me?

"W… What…?" I asked quietly. It was still a little hard to talk, but my voice was gradually sounding out. It was only a matter of time before my ability returned.

Blaze's red eyes were staring directly at me. "Regret. Do you know it?"

She looked very serious.

"...I-I don't understand…?"

"You don't? Maybe we aren't as famous as I thought…"

"....Huh?"

What is with this girl…?! And what does she mean by 'Regret'?!

Because she was an ability user, I thought she was a member of Crime at first, but there was no way someone like this could be one!?

She's not wearing a red cloak, either…

Crime was never seen without their red cloaks, so was this girl just a regular ability user like I was?

"What are you hunters doing!? Shoot this monster, too!" The lady shouted.

"And how will they do that without their weapons?" Blaze shot at the ability hunters, and their guns instantly burst into flames.

She's strong…!

Her strength was impressive. Was she actually a Crime member, after all…?

But she doesn't seem to be trying to kill the hunters…

I was confused. She didn't seem like a regular ability user, but she didn't seem like a Crime member, either…

Just who is she…?

She said she was the leader of 'Regret', but I had never heard the name before…

"Hey, do we have any ability suppressors left?!"

"How are we supposed to shoot them without our guns?!"

"Just throw them! This monster needs to be eliminated immediately!"

The no longer armed ability hunters panicked, clearly not knowing what to do about this unexpected turn of events.

"Watch out…!" I yelped.

But Blaze only smiled. She seemed to have a plan.

"She caught the suppressor?!" One of the hunters shouted in shock.

"Is that all you've got?" Blaze grinned smugly, the suppressor bursting into flames.

"Get the backup guns!"

"We can't find any!"

"What!?"

The hunters rummaged through their bags of equipment.

"Yoo-hoo! Looking for something?" A girl with pink hair held the bags while balancing on a tree branch.

"When the hell did she get here?!"

"Been here since Boss was here! Catch!" she threw the bags at Blaze.

"Good work, Ettie!" Blaze caught the bags and immediately set fire to them.

The hunters looked utterly flabbergasted, as if they didn't know how to proceed with their plans.

"Ettie, Robin, Celine! Can I trust you three to take care of these hunters while I secure the girl?" Blaze called out to Ettie(?) and to two others.

"Roger, Boss!"

"Got it!"

"You can count on us!"

The three responded in unison. Ettie drop-kicked some of the men from the air, before joining the two others standing on the ground.

"Well, then! That takes care of those guys. Now for you two…" Blaze turned to look at the two older women, her hands on fire. "Are you gonna release the girl or do I have to make you?"

The two women shrieked in unison.

"You can have her! Just leave us alone!" the lady screamed and tried to run.

"Good answer. But…" Blaze ran with impressive speed and punched both of the older women in the face with her flaming fist before they could flee.

"Guh!?"

"I think I should still kick your asses until I'm satisfied," Blaze grinned. "Sound good?"

The two older women were sent flying backward into a tree by Blaze's fire punch. They seemed to be unconscious.

"Oh, only one punch?" Blaze frowned, disappointed it was already over. "Maybe I overdid it."

Ettie cheered in between throwing rapid kicks, "Impressive as always, Boss!"

"Hey, focus on the enemy in front of you!" the blonde haired boy scolded Ettie.

The ginger haired girl laughed, "Oh my, coming from the one who couldn't take his eyes off of Boss just now?"

"W-Well, it was really cool, wasn't it?!"

"I totally agree, Robin!! It was badass!"

"Right!?"

The three chatted casually while fighting off against several of the hunters.

Do they not grasp the situation they're in right now?

They didn't seem very serious, but they were really strong. They all fought like skilled fighters.

"You," Blaze turned to face me.

"Y-Yes!?" I was startled by being spoken to so suddenly, and yelped out.

Blaze walked over and peered at me closely. Looking at her up close, I realized just how pretty she was. Her long white hair gave her an air of mystery and her red eyes were… beautiful, honestly speaking. She was really cool…

W-What am I doing…?! Now's not the time to be thinking about something like that! There are still hunters around!

I lowered my gaze out of embarrassment, and Blaze seemed confused.

"Are you okay? The suppressor affected you pretty badly, didn't it?" she asked.

"Huh? U-Um, yes, it did…" I looked at Blaze again. "But it seems to be wearing off now. I can talk, at least."

"That's good," she looked relieved, and held her hand out to help me up. "Can you stand?"

"I should be able t— Ngh!?" I tried to take her hand and stand up, but I still felt a sharp pang.

This is pathetic. And to think I thought I could find Crime like this?

I felt like my siblings would be ashamed of me.

"I-I'm sorry…" I apologized, deeply embarrassed of myself. "I think I need your help, after all…"

"No need to apologize. I'm here to help," Blaze smiled reassuringly. "I'll carry you out of here."

"Thank you… That would be a big hel—PPPP!?"

I was suddenly lifted up from the ground and into her arms.

"...!? W-What are you doing?!"

"Carrying you out of here to safety?"

"I-I know that, but…!?" I could feel my face heat up a little.

A-Am I being bridal carried right now?!

On one hand, I've always wanted to experience what I've read about in novels… but on the other hand, just what was this situation?! I thought she was going to carry me on her back, or have me use her shoulder as support! Something normal like that!

"But what? Is something wrong?" Blaze lowered her gaze to look at me in her arms.

"N-No…" I was incredibly embarrassed by the situation, but I figured there was no sense in arguing when she was just trying to save me. She didn't even seem to notice how such an action could be interpreted the wrong way. "Everything is fine…"

"If you say so. Then, we should get going!" she turned her attention back to the ability hunters and the three of her friends. "You three, move out of the way!"

The three immediately jumped out of the way, much to the hunters' confusion.

"The hell are you up to?!" The main hunter shouted.

Blaze grinned, "Why don't we find out?"

She was still carrying me in her arms, so I wondered what her plan was. Then, using a single finger, she fired off a flame blast aimed at the ability hunters. There was a large fiery explosion.

"You did that just with a finger…?!" I gasped, unable to look away from the explosion.

She hummed, "Well, I don't normally use just a finger, but I wasn't gonna put you down somewhere else when I'm trying to help you escape."

She's incredibly strong…!

There was no way she was just a regular ability user like I was.

Is 'Regret' related to Crime?

It had to be! I had never seen an ability user more powerful than her!

I directed my gaze back to her, wanting to confirm it for myself. "Are you… from Cri—"

"Woohoo! Way to go, Boss!" Ettie interrupted, throwing her hands in the air.

Robin nodded in approval, "Those guys didn't stand a chance!"

"Now then, shall we head back and celebrate yet another job well done?" Celine smiled at the three.

"First, we need to get her to safety," Blaze spoke.

"Ooh! So you're the voice I heard calling for help!" Ettie jumped over cheerfully, grinning from ear to ear. "Well, don'tcha worry! Help has arrived in the form of Regret!"

'Regret' again… Just what is Regret?

"Alright, alright. Give the girl some space," Blaze sighed tiredly. Then, she turned her attention back to me. "Where do you live, anyway? I'm not sure where to drop you off."

"Huh? Um… I don't currently live anywhere. I've been traveling and temporarily staying wherever I can."

"Traveling, huh? Do you want to go back to the last place you stayed then, or…?"

"You can put me down now. The suppressor has worn off, so, I can walk by myself."

I could already feel my ability returning to me.

"If you say so," Blaze still looked concerned, but she put me down like I requested.

"U-Um, but there is one place I want to go…" I was starting to get nervous asking.

"Just name it."

I took a deep breath and spoke, "I… I want to go to Crime's hideout. Do you know where it is?"

Suddenly, everyone froze. The air seemed a lot less carefree now with everyone's eyes on me.

What is this reaction…? Aren't they affiliated with each other? I wondered.

"Huuuh?! Crime's hideout?!"

The reaction was loud and panicked, leading me to believe that Regret was in fact not associated with Crime like I had assumed it was.