IC || THE LAST CASE || VIDEO
[From the moment the video feed rolls, the audio is distorted with static and a tinny, dual-toned laughter that lacks any real warmth or cheer. No, the sound is instead cold and cruel, cutting through the tranquil silence of night like a knife, as sharp as the smile that now twists its owner’s lips. Crowing, Tohru Adachi stares straight-on at the camera, expression wild, but his current image may be difficult to reconcile with that of the man who had broken bread with the villagers for nearly a year. Bright yellow eyes dart across the screen, wide and crazed, sclerae red with burst blood vessels and pupils blown up. His white button up is stained with blood and torn in various places, despite the fact that he moves without any apparent injury. A darkness clings to him, except Magatsu Izanagi is not the pale shadow it once was - it is physically corporal, a tall menacing monster that looms over the detective and walks alongside him.
Laughter finally subsiding into hiccupping chuckles, Adachi rubs a temple with the heel of his gun, sighing with no small amount of histrionics.]
Have you ever realized…how fucking annoying you little shits are? Day after day! Oh, listening to you whine about your stupid, insignificant problems…it’s enough to drive a man to drink! [His eyes gleam in the dark.] Which reminds me...Myhrta, sweetie? Sorry, but I don’t think I’ll make it to our…arrangement tonight. You’re hot, it’s true, but even your tits aren’t enough to satisfy my appetite anymore. Hey! Here’s an idea! Why don’t you go find that idiot Battler and let him bone you? After all, I’d hate for him to die a virgin, aha ahahahahaha!
[Above him, Magatsu Izanagi shrieks, echoing his laughter.]
Damn, speaking of virgins, where’s that kid…Med’an? Geez kid, would you just shut up already? No, I’m serious. Just shut the hell up. Do you think anyone gives a damn about all your self-righteous bullshit!? You are the sorriest loser in this village and you’ll never amount to anything. Why? Because you’re weak. Keep twiddling your thumbs while everyone around you forgets you, seeing how you’re just that invisible.
[Impetuously, he whips an arm out to the side and screams a command. Howling, Magatsu Izanagi immediately responds with unrestrained glee - lightning borne of no storm splits the air and crashes into the trees surrounding the detective, showering him in dislodged bark. A few of the trees burn, popping and crackling, casting odd shadows across his face.]
If there’s one brat in this village I could have made invisible, it would have been you. [His eyes narrow now, his mouth tight with a familiar rage.] Hey, “DOUCHEBAG,” I want you to sit in your croft and wait for me, alright? And while you’re waiting, I want you to think about the death of your family - because when I am through with you, you are going to wish you had died with “the old crab.” I wouldn’t want you to join him with any regrets though, no, not at all! So don’t worry about all your “friends” here, (and I use that term loosely because let’s be honest, I think everyone hates you just as much as you obviously hate yourself), because I’ll take care of them for you. You were never cut out for this “leadership” role anyway - no one can respect a piece of trash like you, heh!
Except for your little bitch. Nice job on that one! She might be the biggest moron in the village, but she’s a decent catch! [He winks.] How about this? I’ll take care of her first, so you don’t have to worry! Maybe I’ll take that beautiful hair of hers and make a noose out of it…? Hmm? How does that sound? I think it’s a win-win situation for everyone! This way, as she’s strangled, we won’t have to listen to her going on and on and on anymore! Love and justice? Ha! She sure asked for it!
That whiney brat Maria is asking for it too. For fuck’s sake, how old is she? Is she mentally stunted or something? It’s like talking to a four-year-old. Sheesh, what is a parent thinking when they send a kid like that off to school every day? It’d be kinder to just smother her and put her out of her misery. I bet her mother has considered it too; all that uuing…! I guess I’ll just…rip her tongue out! Problem solved, right? Haha! C’mere, Maria! Let me show you one last puppet show.
[As he talks, he gradually picks his way out of the forest, heading for the bridge.]
I’ve got an idea. I should tear out the stuffing of that oversized bear, Teddie. You always liked little kids, right? You sick piece of shit. What the hell’s wrong with you? There’s a special kind of place for scumbags like you, you know. You belong on a shelf somewhere, not roaming around in civilization, pretending to be someone real. You’re not. You’re just a shallow imitation! It’s embarrassing, really!
Not as embarrassing as all the skeletons in Sheik’s closet, though. How’s this for diplomacy, huh? You stay there and piss yourselves while I kill you all one by one? See? I’m getting better at this! It’s all thanks to you, Sheik - I mean, if you hadn’t beaten me within an inch of my life, unjustly too I’ll add, I never would have had the motivation to seek out Annowre! Oh, Annowre? You know, the Queen of the Fae? Yeah, her. Lovely lady, honestly. It’s too bad none of you will get the chance to meet with her. Listening to her sing is like nothing you can even imagine. Forget the songs, though! She requested something of me…a long time ago, heh! I’ll admit - I was never sure, was always on the line. Sheik helped me make up my mind though. I thought to myself, “Hey, maybe he’s right! Maybe this isn’t enough!” Annowre fixed that.
[Stopping for a moment, he drops his shoulder and moves out of the way so that Magatsu Izanagi is fully visible for all to see.]
You’ve been curious about him for a long time, Sheik, so I figure I’ll introduce you two formally! We have a lot to catch up on - you should bring your whore, Saki! Fun, fun, fun! How about the town hall for a rendezvous? We have some good memories there. Maybe we can make some more! Sheik missed out last time, Saki, so we can give him a show this round! [A high pitched noise rises from him as he laughs.] I’m feeling charitable tonight, so scratch that…we can give them all a show! It wouldn’t make much a difference - everyone knows how loose you are. It’s a wonder your shitty personality doesn’t come tumbling out from between your legs!
Well, at least she has a personality. That kid, Rock, sure as hell doesn’t. Talk about simple…you gotta wonder, sometimes, why the fae waste their time with idiots like him. Then again, dumbasses like him are so easy to manipulate! Just like the rest of you. Geez, how did you not notice? I shouldn’t say that. Some of you aren’t exactly on the best terms with me…
[The anger returns.]
Yamamoto. You fucking brat. Thank the fae your idiot friend is gone - the midget redhead? I swear, if I had to listen to you two losers laughing one more time…! Is there anyone at home up there in that empty skull of yours? You’re just as bad as that Rock kid and that brat, Maria! But you have a friend here now, hm? The little scaredy cat, Tsuna? Consider this his death warrant. Maybe I’ll bring him to you when he’s dead - and question YOU when you don’t get on your knees and kiss him. Argh, I can’t stand you! You or the rest of them! Like that chump, Tatsumi! Ha, why don’t you go knit everyone a sweater? It’ll keep them warm after I bury them ten feet under. Faggot.
Gosh, this is so rude of me! I completely forgot…happy belated birthday, Hanamura! Nineteen, eh? And you’re still as alone as you were every year before this! Congratulations! I hear Satonaka-chan is back too. Don’t let her fool you though - I know you two are both fighting your sick little teenager crushes for Seta, but at least she has a winning chance. Well, then again, you could probably pass for a girl, Hanamura! I mean, you already have the “whiney little bitch” part down pat! Forget Seta though - he’s too busy with his slutty girlfriend to tell you the time of day lately. From what everyone’s seen, royalty seems to be more in your tastes either way, hahaha! You opportunistic bastard, just like your father!
[He’s at the bridge now. Standing there, he takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, a summer breeze fluttering through his hair and his shirt. He’s grinning so hard his face almost appears frozen. The gun is still in his free hand.]
Orc! Tell your little buddy…he has good taste in people, aha ahahaha! Who knows, maybe Grunty will join the festivities tonight!
[And then the grin is gone. Deadened eyes settle wordlessly on the village in the distance, his expression a terrible blank mask.]
Seta.
[The dual-tone quality in his voice has faded for the moment; now it is just Adachi speaking, his persona a silent presence at his shoulder.]
I was wrong.
You’re not me.
[The video feed abruptly ends as he softly smiles.]
Laughter finally subsiding into hiccupping chuckles, Adachi rubs a temple with the heel of his gun, sighing with no small amount of histrionics.]
Have you ever realized…how fucking annoying you little shits are? Day after day! Oh, listening to you whine about your stupid, insignificant problems…it’s enough to drive a man to drink! [His eyes gleam in the dark.] Which reminds me...Myhrta, sweetie? Sorry, but I don’t think I’ll make it to our…arrangement tonight. You’re hot, it’s true, but even your tits aren’t enough to satisfy my appetite anymore. Hey! Here’s an idea! Why don’t you go find that idiot Battler and let him bone you? After all, I’d hate for him to die a virgin, aha ahahahahaha!
[Above him, Magatsu Izanagi shrieks, echoing his laughter.]
Damn, speaking of virgins, where’s that kid…Med’an? Geez kid, would you just shut up already? No, I’m serious. Just shut the hell up. Do you think anyone gives a damn about all your self-righteous bullshit!? You are the sorriest loser in this village and you’ll never amount to anything. Why? Because you’re weak. Keep twiddling your thumbs while everyone around you forgets you, seeing how you’re just that invisible.
[Impetuously, he whips an arm out to the side and screams a command. Howling, Magatsu Izanagi immediately responds with unrestrained glee - lightning borne of no storm splits the air and crashes into the trees surrounding the detective, showering him in dislodged bark. A few of the trees burn, popping and crackling, casting odd shadows across his face.]
If there’s one brat in this village I could have made invisible, it would have been you. [His eyes narrow now, his mouth tight with a familiar rage.] Hey, “DOUCHEBAG,” I want you to sit in your croft and wait for me, alright? And while you’re waiting, I want you to think about the death of your family - because when I am through with you, you are going to wish you had died with “the old crab.” I wouldn’t want you to join him with any regrets though, no, not at all! So don’t worry about all your “friends” here, (and I use that term loosely because let’s be honest, I think everyone hates you just as much as you obviously hate yourself), because I’ll take care of them for you. You were never cut out for this “leadership” role anyway - no one can respect a piece of trash like you, heh!
Except for your little bitch. Nice job on that one! She might be the biggest moron in the village, but she’s a decent catch! [He winks.] How about this? I’ll take care of her first, so you don’t have to worry! Maybe I’ll take that beautiful hair of hers and make a noose out of it…? Hmm? How does that sound? I think it’s a win-win situation for everyone! This way, as she’s strangled, we won’t have to listen to her going on and on and on anymore! Love and justice? Ha! She sure asked for it!
That whiney brat Maria is asking for it too. For fuck’s sake, how old is she? Is she mentally stunted or something? It’s like talking to a four-year-old. Sheesh, what is a parent thinking when they send a kid like that off to school every day? It’d be kinder to just smother her and put her out of her misery. I bet her mother has considered it too; all that uuing…! I guess I’ll just…rip her tongue out! Problem solved, right? Haha! C’mere, Maria! Let me show you one last puppet show.
[As he talks, he gradually picks his way out of the forest, heading for the bridge.]
I’ve got an idea. I should tear out the stuffing of that oversized bear, Teddie. You always liked little kids, right? You sick piece of shit. What the hell’s wrong with you? There’s a special kind of place for scumbags like you, you know. You belong on a shelf somewhere, not roaming around in civilization, pretending to be someone real. You’re not. You’re just a shallow imitation! It’s embarrassing, really!
Not as embarrassing as all the skeletons in Sheik’s closet, though. How’s this for diplomacy, huh? You stay there and piss yourselves while I kill you all one by one? See? I’m getting better at this! It’s all thanks to you, Sheik - I mean, if you hadn’t beaten me within an inch of my life, unjustly too I’ll add, I never would have had the motivation to seek out Annowre! Oh, Annowre? You know, the Queen of the Fae? Yeah, her. Lovely lady, honestly. It’s too bad none of you will get the chance to meet with her. Listening to her sing is like nothing you can even imagine. Forget the songs, though! She requested something of me…a long time ago, heh! I’ll admit - I was never sure, was always on the line. Sheik helped me make up my mind though. I thought to myself, “Hey, maybe he’s right! Maybe this isn’t enough!” Annowre fixed that.
[Stopping for a moment, he drops his shoulder and moves out of the way so that Magatsu Izanagi is fully visible for all to see.]
You’ve been curious about him for a long time, Sheik, so I figure I’ll introduce you two formally! We have a lot to catch up on - you should bring your whore, Saki! Fun, fun, fun! How about the town hall for a rendezvous? We have some good memories there. Maybe we can make some more! Sheik missed out last time, Saki, so we can give him a show this round! [A high pitched noise rises from him as he laughs.] I’m feeling charitable tonight, so scratch that…we can give them all a show! It wouldn’t make much a difference - everyone knows how loose you are. It’s a wonder your shitty personality doesn’t come tumbling out from between your legs!
Well, at least she has a personality. That kid, Rock, sure as hell doesn’t. Talk about simple…you gotta wonder, sometimes, why the fae waste their time with idiots like him. Then again, dumbasses like him are so easy to manipulate! Just like the rest of you. Geez, how did you not notice? I shouldn’t say that. Some of you aren’t exactly on the best terms with me…
[The anger returns.]
Yamamoto. You fucking brat. Thank the fae your idiot friend is gone - the midget redhead? I swear, if I had to listen to you two losers laughing one more time…! Is there anyone at home up there in that empty skull of yours? You’re just as bad as that Rock kid and that brat, Maria! But you have a friend here now, hm? The little scaredy cat, Tsuna? Consider this his death warrant. Maybe I’ll bring him to you when he’s dead - and question YOU when you don’t get on your knees and kiss him. Argh, I can’t stand you! You or the rest of them! Like that chump, Tatsumi! Ha, why don’t you go knit everyone a sweater? It’ll keep them warm after I bury them ten feet under. Faggot.
Gosh, this is so rude of me! I completely forgot…happy belated birthday, Hanamura! Nineteen, eh? And you’re still as alone as you were every year before this! Congratulations! I hear Satonaka-chan is back too. Don’t let her fool you though - I know you two are both fighting your sick little teenager crushes for Seta, but at least she has a winning chance. Well, then again, you could probably pass for a girl, Hanamura! I mean, you already have the “whiney little bitch” part down pat! Forget Seta though - he’s too busy with his slutty girlfriend to tell you the time of day lately. From what everyone’s seen, royalty seems to be more in your tastes either way, hahaha! You opportunistic bastard, just like your father!
[He’s at the bridge now. Standing there, he takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, a summer breeze fluttering through his hair and his shirt. He’s grinning so hard his face almost appears frozen. The gun is still in his free hand.]
Orc! Tell your little buddy…he has good taste in people, aha ahahaha! Who knows, maybe Grunty will join the festivities tonight!
[And then the grin is gone. Deadened eyes settle wordlessly on the village in the distance, his expression a terrible blank mask.]
Seta.
[The dual-tone quality in his voice has faded for the moment; now it is just Adachi speaking, his persona a silent presence at his shoulder.]
I was wrong.
You’re not me.
[The video feed abruptly ends as he softly smiles.]