Shock & Awe

Chapter 18: You're Gonna Go Far, Kid

"I'm not afraid of a stupid needle. I'll fight the world if I have to. If it means doing the right thing by me, then I will." AJ says a gun placed directly to Tsumugu's head.

"What about the right thing for the world?"

"The world? If what Einz said is true, then only the strong are needed to fight. He's already set out on his adventure to find another planet with strong humans like us. Null and Litzy are headed to Remnant, remember?" AJ looks to the side, seeing Mako doing one of her 'Hallelujah' things. "What the hell am I watching?"

Ryuko also stares at Mako. "I don't even know."

"Heh. Ryuko. Tell me, would you rather watch Mako be turned into clothing or to save the world."

"Save the world I guess?"

"Alright. Look at that Fo' you get to live until this is over." AJ lifts the gun from Tsumugu's head.

"Sure..."

"Whatever. I'm heading up top. I'm not staying in a cave with nude people after all." AJ walks away leaving the room in a huff.

"I'll..." Tomoko tries to follow after him but is stopped.

Thomas stops her from chasing after AJ who walks out, his arms crossed. Thomas shakes his head no as the pair walk to rooms set out individually for everyone. AJ stands on solid ground looking out to Osaka; he wanders the city by himself as he spots people laying on the ground, blood dried on the floor, buildings crumbled; he wanders the debris field kicking bodies over to cover their faces so he doesn't see their horrified expressions.

"This was avoidable..." [B.B.: AJ.]

AJ doesn't respond as he grabs a teddy bear and places it next to the body of a small child laying cuddled in her parents arms he closes his eyes before moving on.

[B.B.: AJ?] "Yeah?" [B.B.: What are you gonna do now?] "Keep fighting. It's all I can do. I don't know anything else... besides, this will only happen on a larger scale until it stops." [B.B.: Do you even want to fight?] "At this point... its not about what I want really... I thought you would've figured it out by now." [B.B.: What?] "I was never fighting for myself after I left REVOCS." [B.B.: You mean?] "Yes, I do." [B.B.: That's a...] "It's a selfish wish. Nothing more, nothing less."

He looks into the distance in silence when he hears footsteps approach from behind.

"If you're going to scold me don't bother, I don't care."

"Do my steps sound like that of a man's?" Ryuko says standing above him on a pile of rubble.

"I guess not. So, why'd ya follow me out here?"

"You've been out here for hours, I came to check on you."

AJ sighs. "Thomas try to stop you?"

"Yeah, he stopped Tomoko."

"I expected as much. I'm just... thinking."

"I could tell."

"Funny."

Ryuko grins sitting down. "I know, I'm hilarious."

"Heh. I'm just curious when the time does come to fight, will you or won't you."

"You're damn right I will."

"Okay, that's all I needed to hear."

"Huh?" She deadpans.

"I told you, 'we'll follow you and we'll fight with you.' If you fight we fight."

Ryuko grins.

AJ sighs as he stares at a screen, he stops briefly looking to his watch as it remains blinking blue.