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"We need the Steel Titan!" Doc Tobei shouts, after the revelation of why people were disappearing.
The what?
"Maybe Akira can work it? He has weird powers!" One of the orphans asks, excitedly.
Lawless is too horrified at the idea of a kid fighting against the government alone to see who said it.
"I got it to move some, when I tried. I can probably move it even more, I'm stronger than I was a few hours ago." Akira says, like its no big deal.
"Wait, how would you be stronger?" Taeko, please be the voice of reason.
"I got desperate the last few fights, and figured a few things out."
Oh fuck no. He got stronger for Lawless?
Oddly touching. But a kid can't go alone.
"Take me with you." Lawless speaks before he can think.
The room turns to look at him.
-
"So… why did you want to join me in the Steel Titan?" Asks Akira, hair glowing gold.
He's radiating power.
"You're a kid. About to take on the military. Why would I want to leave you alone?" Lawless states.
Akira's eyes flash. He listens in a way Lawless can't.
"Huh. I honestly expected something in addition to that." Akira mutters.
And then the fighting starts, and there's other things to worry about.
-
"Holy shit they're infodumping what they wanted from this plan." Lawless states, stumped.
There's the sound of a helicopter somewhere nearby.
"I honestly didn't expect them to tell us what the lake is filled with, or at least not to do it with the news helicopter near Steel Titan's head." Akira adds.
"Wanna help me fuck with them?" Lawless asks.
"What do you mean, Matsu?" Akira sounds confused.
Akira's eyes flash.
"I'm in."
Akira opens the door.
And Lawless steps onto the shoulder of the Steel Titan.
-
Lawless isn't sure how he got down. But Akira is fighting the Inko statue.
Akira is winning.
And Lawless is an unexpected surprise to those conspiring pieces of shit.
What happens when a corrupt government official, a murderous scientist, and a warped priest fight a punk?
The punk wins.
The punk gets to leave them to the wolves of the rioting people, roused by the news.
"Have fun, assholes." Lawless says.
He has a girlfriend to get home to, and a few kids to keep safe until this all dies down.
-
"I don't know why I expected Akira to be the one in the spotlight." Lawless states, staring ahead.
The wall of reporters outside of his apartment stares back.
And then the cameras start flashing.
Lawless goes back inside and shuts the door.
He makes the call.
"Kenichi? What are you calling for? We were planning to meet up in an hour?" Taeko asks, voice filled with confusion.
"Can. Can you turn on the news? It's kind of the reason I might not be able to make it."
"Just a moment… yes you kids can have the TV back in a minute- Is. Is that your apartment, Kenichi?"
"Yes."
The reporters are shouting now.
"Wait Akira no- do not-"
A noise unlike tearing fabric.
"Are you okay?"
The reporters grow louder, which Lawless didn't think was even possible.
"Akira just teleported. Oh no."
"What? What just happened?"
"He landed on a reporter. The cameras caught everything."
"That explains the increase in volume."
The reporters begin screaming.
"And he's gone again."
"Then why are the reporters screaming?"
"He took, like. The five of them he was in physical contact with along for the ride."
"Ah. Vanishing people. That won't ever cause any problems."
Two rapid sounds of tearing, one a moment after the other.
"Akira stay put and tell me where you put those- he's gone again."
A tearing noise next to him.
"He's here, Taeko."
She hangs up. Great.
"Can I give you a lift?" Akira asks.
"How many tries did it take you to get here?" Lawless asks.
"3?" Akira tries.
"Nice try."
"Okay fine. It was 12."
"How aren't you tired?"
"This is nothing compared to the Titan. Or time travel."
"Wait. What time travel?"
"No comment?"
"You are 14, how do you keep getting involved in this stuff?" Lawless asks, exhausted.
Akira just. Shrugs.
Great. More nonsense.
There's even more screaming outside.
"How do they keep getting louder?" Lawless grumbles.
"Akira! Kenichi! When I get past this crowd I am getting you both away from here!" Taeko's voice calls.
Sweet music to his ears.
Lawless just wanted to run his stand, and spend time with his girlfriend.
But no. He had a psychic child, a giant robot, a conspiracy, reporters, and now time travel to deal with.
"I'm not saving you from her." Lawless states.
Akira groans.