The disowned twins

Hanabi scowled as she and Izumi struggled to land a hit on their opponent.

"You two are only at half my level. And you thought you could fight your way to freedom," the middle-aged man scoffed.

Suddenly, the battle was interrupted by the man's phone ringing. He answered it as Izumi and Hanabi continued to throw blows at him. Upon hearing the message, he scowled and retreated without saying a word.

"Dammit, we couldn't beat him," Hanabi growled in frustration.

                                                                             ...

Tetsuka and Zeno hid as they watched the situation unfold within the warehouse. Harumi had run into Madoka and was staring down the disowned Ginkawa twins, Oribia and Orise as they stood on either side of a hostage. The hostage was Emeri, Eriza's older sister and Harumi's niece, meaning she was also Tetsuka and Madoka's cousin. While she had red hair and golden eyes instead of the Ginkawa's trademark silver hair and lapis lazuli colored eyes, Ginkawa blood flowed strongly through her veins just like Eriza.

Tetsuka had crafted a rifle using her powers and was aiming it at the twins, however, she struggled to pull the trigger.

"I can always do it," Zeno offered as he aimed his sniper rifle at one of the twins.

Tetsuka stared at the twins and thought back to how they always treated her

                                                                               ...

Ever since she was born, Tetsuka was instantly regarded as the black sheep of the Ginkawa family. The puritan sect of the family treated her harshly, but none more so than her older  sisters, Oribia and Orise. They'd call her trash, destroy her things and try to assassinate her. Things only grew worse when the twin's biological father was executed for being an Illumous spy and Harumi declared that her youngest daughter, Madoka would be her heir. The twins' attacks, both physical and verbal only grew more vicious. Despite the horrible treatment, Tetsuka had refused to get physical with them. This was due to the fact that she had familiar love for her sisters, and didn't want to hurt them. At age 10, she left the mansion to explore the world. While she truly did wish to travel, she also felt things might improve for her family if she wasn't constantly in the picture.

Things did seem to improve at first glance. The twins began resorting to just verbal attacks against Madoka and Harumi, as they sought to improve their world standing. They secretly planned to attempt to build up enough rapport for a majority of the Ginkawa family to deem them more worthy of being the heads of the main branch, however, the arrival of Emeri to the mansion three years ago, complicated things. Harumi and Emeri quickly got close, and Harumi made it so Emeri would be the next in line to head the main family after her ans Madoka. Unlike the more eccentric Harumi and Madoka, Emeri was shy, but intelligent and more professional. Her hacking and computer know how quickly helped her gain positive rapport within the family. The twins decided to embrace their aristocratic lifestyle as they debated their next move. Then a few weeks ago on March 15th 2023, something happened.

Madoka and Emeri brought their friends, Yuni and Serika to the mansion. Disgusted by the presence of outsiders, the twins elected to leave the mansion to go out on the town. It was on that outing that they met an Illumous member named Nadea that offered them a chance to join Illumous and take over the Ginkawa family. The twins accepted the offer. They were given an audience with Illumous' governing board, the council of 13 and allowed to join so long as they change their surname to that of the chairman's and assimilate into his family as a branch family. The twins agreed.

After their initial plan failed, they were disowned and banished from the mansion. This was their second attempt to seize power.

                                                                                  ...

Before Tetsuka could answer, she saw Harumi and Madoka fall to the ground like ragdolls as a large fat man dressed like a friar appeared with two henchmen.

“I am one of the 13 heads of Illumous, Friar Vaan. I’m surprised you got past my younger half-brother, Vincenzo,” the friar stated.

“Wait, you’re that cringe daimyo’s brother!?” Madoka asked.

“Yes… Unlike him though, I intend to execute you on the spot, or rather, have Illumous’ newest members, Oribia and Orise Hakkin, do the honors,” Vaan stated.

“Hakkin!? That’s the richest family in the world! And you’re saying the head adopted them!?” Harumi roared.

“Yes, the head is our current chairman. In fact, a few executives aside from myself are here. Antonio and Akuma have also arrived, though I know not where Akuma is.”

Vaan's henchmen hogtied and gagged Harumi and Madoka before placing them next to Emeri.

“I apologize for cutting our conversation short, but I want to get this over with. It’s time to end the Ginkawa line!” Vaan proclaimed.

“The great tainted trash-“

“-Still remains at large though,” the twins stated.

“Never mind her. Antonio himself will reduce the mansion to rubble along with all its inhabitants.”

Harumi then let out a burst of muffled laughter.

Upon hearing her mother's laughter, Tetsuka gripped her rifle tightly.

"Thanks Zeno, but let me bear this sin. I don't wanna hold some deep resentment for you," Tetsuka stated.

"You're strong. Well, if you handle the twins, I'll handle fat-"

"I'm taking him out too. Jouzu said he's now the strongest foe remaining."

"Well, in that case he's all yours."

"Do you simply laugh in the face of death!?" Vaan shouted at Harumi.

*BANG*

Tetsuka pulled the trigger, sending a metal bullet at Orise, killing her upon impact.

Madoka and Emeri gazed up in shock as they heard the gunshot. The two men Vaan brought with him also stared in disbelief along with Vaan himself.

“AH… AH… ORISE!” Oribia screamed as her twin sister fell to the ground dead.

Oribia immediately dropped her guns and clutched her head in pain as she screamed herself unconscious.

“What is the- Huh!?” Vaan shouted in shock as Tetsuka appeared holding a rifle.

"Tetsuka, I'm sorry you had to bear this burden," Harumi thought as she stared at Tetsuka.

“Hardest thing I had to do in my life. Sorry Ka-san. I know they were shit, but they were still our family,” Tetsuka sighed as she threw the rifle at Vaan’s face.

Vaan’s men began freaking out before they were shot and killed by Zeno.

"Alright fatass, you're next! Tetsuka angrily roared as she began pummeling Vaan, and sent him flying outside.

She leapt out after him and stared him down as he got up.

"It seems I should have heeded their warnings. You are the great tainted one. As an apology to Orise, I will cleanse the world of you in her place," Vaan growled.

"I can destroy your ass easily," Tetsuka growled.