Chapter 182: Last Hope

Chapter 182: Last Hope

~Third POV~

[A few Days Later, One-Star District]

Ryuko shifted on her bed having a nightmare of events occurring replaying her mind. She soon shot up from her bed in a cold sweat yelling, "SENKETSU!"

Having woken up Mako sleeping nearby was startled as she hugged her friend in a concerned tone, "Oh my god! Are you okay Ryuko!"

Meeting a friendly face Ryuko slowly spoke in a surprised tone, "M-Mako?"

Hugging her tightly Mako soon spoke in a concerned tone about her safety, "I was so worried, I thought you were gonna die!"

Having difficulty breathing from Mako's iron grip hug Ryuko soon spoke in a startled tone, "Easy Mako! Can't… breathe!"

But soon her eyes returned alarmed scanning the room searching for Senketsu in a concerned tone, "Wait! Senketsu! Where is he?! He got torn up. And it's all my fault and then…"

She flinched recalling what happened but soon another voice belonging to Senketsu spoke in a stoic tone, "I'm here, Ryuko. Don't worry."

Immediately Ryuko stood up from her bed searching the area where Senketsu was in a frantic tone, "Senketsu?! Senketsu! Where are you?!"

Mako soon realized she forgot something handing Ryuko Senketsu a scarf fragment in a cheerful tone, "Oh! I almost forgot! Here ya go, Ryuko!"

Grasping hold of Senketsu Ryuko smiled in surprise, tears welling up, "You're alive! Thank God!"

Caressing Senketsu Mako soon explained to Ryuko what happened after Mash appeared in an energetic tone, "Yeah! It was so cool that Mash came in wearing his armor saving you from your mom blasting anything it came his way with super awesome lasers! He even managed to save me when he left when those clothes monsters came!"

Ryuko's eyes widened watering up recalling that memory being saved at the last moment pleading his name for help and muttering in a grateful tone, "Mash…. He… he came to help… thank you…"

But soon another issue occurred gesturing to Senketsu's current form and asking in an alarmed tone, "Wait but where is he? And where's the rest of him? The sleeves, the top, the skirt!"

Mako frowned revealing Senketsu's case in a defeated tone not helping Ryuko out more than she could, "Sorry, that's it. I didn't want to get caught, so I had to drag your Scissor Blade outta there fast when Mash came to rescue me leaving."

Ryuko closed her eyes accepting the outcome as she spoke in a soft tone to Mako thankful for coming out alive, "You don't hafta apologies. You're the reason why I still have my father's Scissor Blade. Thanks, Mako."

Smiling thankful Mako smiled briefly at the thanks. But soon Senketsu spoke talking to Ryuko in a stoic tone, "Ryuko… I know where the rest of my body is. The pieces were collected and are being stored at Honnouji Academy. But are you sure you want to do this again after last time…"

Ryuko flinches recalling Ragyo. But instead of fear in her eyes laid a unbridle wrath in them growling regaining her determination in an angry tone, "I know Senketsu… but that bitch got us when we were at our weakest. That bitch Ragyo's gonna pay. I'll go get your pieces and have you back together in nothing flat!"

Wiggling his eye scarf Senketsu spoke trying to calm Ryuko down in a stoic tone, "Calm down. You can't fight her in your current state."

But to Senketsu's relief, Ryuko spoke in a calm tone regaining her confidence and eyes filled with reassurance, "Don't worry, I'm calm. I'm not gonna go nuts again like last time. Promise. But where are we anyway?"

Taking the time to analyze the room Mako spoke in a cheerful tone with the noticeable runes all around the room, "Oh! We're at Mash's place he set up these weird letters that made these COVERS ignore this place along with a fog!"

Ryuko tilted her head confused but recalling the other feats frowned lightly asking in a confused tone, "Oh right… what the hell is that idiot even doing anyway? And where exactly is he…"

Clenching her fist unsure where he was, she was worried. But her worries came to an end with Mash came through the door with a plate of croquettes and spoke in a neutral tone eyes closed and opened in their direction, "Hey Mako I got the croquettes that your mom made from her recipe. Thanks for… oh? Sup Gear Eyes how are you and well feeling… did I come at a bad time?"

Senketsu gave him a blank stare as he spoke in a stoic tone, "You my friend are horrible at this Magic Man."

Rolling his eyes he soon spoke startling Ryuko in a calm tone to Senketsu shrugging his shoulders, "Oh, please like you can do better dishrag. Just because people can't hear you doesn't mean I can't."

Ryuko blinked processing what she heard as he placed the food down on a nearby table shouting in a shocked tone realization, "OI! Hold the fuck on! Hold up a bit when can you fucking hear Senketsu?!"

Mash placed the food with Mako chowing down happily as he blinked. He soon replied with pointing one hand over his head explaining himself in a nonchalant tone, "Ah… right. I have [Divine Protection of the Soul of Language] neat skill that allows me to communicate with creatures and comprehend their speech. Thank you, Otto."

Ryuko had a blank look on her face not understanding Senketsu replying wiggling his eye scarf, "He means his multi-lingual on a multiversal scale Ryuko. We talked for the past 3 days about lots of things while you were recovering as the world pretty much gone to hell…."

Ryuko's eyes widened at the number of days that had passed. Her mouth was agape her attention drifting towards the croquettes sighing taking one to process everything she heard in a calm tone, "Sigh… I need a minute to collect my thoughts… and food. Don't you fucking say it asshole!"

Pointing her Scissor Blade at Mash as he was about to make a snarky remark. He closed his mouth choosing wisely not to comment on Ryuko's weight.

However, it was Mash's turn to ask in a calm tone about Ryuko's state sensing her emotional state concerned, "Glad to see you have your spunk Gear Eyes. But be serious with me. How are you feeling after discovering what you are?"

Ryuko paused showing a concerned expression remembering what happened much to Senketsu and Mako's concern. Ryuko recalling the event sent her completely in shock at the revelation of who and what she was.

She started to breathe deeply and was soon about to start spiraling into a panic attack. But soon he grabbed ahold of her in a hug getting her out of her shock as he spoke in a kind tone getting her attention and looking up to his eyes, "Ryuko look me dead in the eyes. Do you care about your father?"

This seemed to stun her but answered confused being this close to him, "Yes. What does –"

Interrupting her Mash continued his eyes not wavering away from her speaking in a caring tone, "Do you care for Mako and Senketsu?"

Ryuko nodded her head replying feeling more confused about his words but face inches closer to hers making her blush, "Yes I do. But what this –"

But the next question seemed to freeze her in place as he spoke in a nervous tone asking the last question with his face blushing lightly, "… Do you care about me?"

Ryuko paused and looked deeply into Mash's eyes and saw that he was asking a genuine question as she confessed in an embarrassed tone, "Y-yes…"

He smiled patting her head confirming her fears with his calm words excluding a confident aura helping her in a kind tone, "Good. Then that's all that matters. I know what's going through your mind. You're wondering, 'If you're human' right? Well, you just answered that question."

He smiled leaving Ryuko confused as she stuttered, "W-What? I did?"

Mash nodded his head explaining his prior questions in a confident tone addressing her inner demons she conquered, "Being human has never been a what, but rather a who. So long as you care for others, and others care for you, you are more human than a lot of people on this planet. Never, EVER, doubt that Ryuko. Can you promise me you'll never doubt that about yourself?"

Mash gave a toothy grin and hugged her making Ryuko blush a little, but tears of happiness exited her eyes thanking him for saving her against her inner demons of being a Life Fiber Monster but shown to be more human than her blood suggests.

Hugging him tightly Ryuko promised to him feeling a sense of relief washed over her someone caring for her wellbeing in a thankful tone, "Mash… I-I promise… and thank you for caring for me…"

Mako smiled seeing her friends become something more with a cheeky grin speaking to Senketsu in a curious tone as if she could understand, "How much you wanna bet they hook up at the end of this?"

Senketsu heard Mako wiggling his eye scarf shrugging but speaking in a happy tone for his partner relieved, "Probably high chance. But if Ryuko finds her happiness then I'm all for it. Just leave me out once they start fucking like rabbits."

His answer seemed to have broken the good mood as the two separated hearing his response with evident blushes on their faces. Mako merely grinned seeing their reaction helplessly shaking her head.

"Awww! That's too bad."

However, their happy moment was ruined as Ryuko's eyes shot up as did Mash growling seeing Nui's appearance in his room growling at her, "Nui…"

*Crack*

Exiting through the window seeing their chance was ruined Mash spoke in a cold tone addressing Nui evolving to a point where she developed a resistance to Magic, "That annoying bitch… I'll make her drop dead when I'm done with her."

Ryuko growled drawing her Scissor Blade in an angry tone reminding him of her score to settle with her, "Sorry Mash but that BITCH is mine. After her fucking with my mind, body, and soul. She's had it coming a long time and I'm about to give this bitch just deserts!!! Let's follow that hoe!!"

The group soon followed Nui leading her to a place far away making Mash narrow his eyes as he thought in a concerned tone, 'I knew the Life Fibers were going to develop resistance against Magic but merely 3 days? No. They need to die here and now! Otherwise, they'll evolve to a point where they can deal with us… this ends here and now. Or else we won't get another chance like this in their early stages again. It's time to deal with the Life Fibers once and for all…'

With everything coming undone the world was left with the two unlikely saviors remaining to fight were two drifters against the world.