The Crossroads
Several years after the tragic death of his younger sister, the Catholic priest, Masa Judice, realized that no matter how hard he preached, no matter how many sins he absolved, no matter how hard he worked to teach his flock the right way, things still didn't improve. After weeks of meditation and praying, Masa realized that the only way for these fools to understand what awaited them if they continued down their wicked path, was to show them firsthand. And if words couldn't convince them, he'd have to resort to more... extreme measures.
Gathering many able men and women of all shapes and ages, he put together a secret group of individuals who obeyed him, and only him. And he had only one mission for them: to find and bring forth those lost sheep who were stumbling around in the darkness into the light.
"And if you have to set their homes on fire, or bathe the streets with their blood to get them to obey, then you have the permission of The Father to do so." - Masa Judice
1. "The Father"
Full Name: Masa Judice
Age: 41
Position: Leader/Judge
Bio: After usurping power from the former priest of his church, this cunning Catholic priest created a secret gang hellbent on bringing the Word of God down on those foolish infidels who refused to listen. And if they still refused to adhere to God's law, then he'd personally see them absolved of their sins, one way or another.
"My children, these locusts are infesting our garden. They seek to pollute it with their rotten way of thinking. Go, and teach them all the error of their ways. ...And remember, The Father loves you." - Masa Judice
2. "10"
Full Name: Juu Judice
Age: 17
Position: Second-in-Command
Bio: The adopted daughter of Masa. He found her out on the street whilst walking around Ginza. After a failed attempt at robbing him, he brought her back to the church and fed her, telling her she'd never go hungry again if she joined his flock. She agreed, and the Catholic priest began molding her into a sadistic, merciless killer who obeys Masa's word to the law. She has an intense hatred and loathing for Sumire Shinomiya of Shinagawa. She hates her for not only stealing away the attention of Max Soukoku (whom she has sworn her undying love for) but also because she blames her and Scorpion Den for the death of her biological parents after they accidentally bombed a government building, with her parents inside.
"We're going to play us a little game. I'm going to count to 10, and you're going to run and hide from me! If I can't find you after I'm done counting, you win! But if I do find you, you lose. ...And trust me, you don't want to lose." - Juu Judice
3. "Nyan"
Full Name: Kahori Maeda
Age: 24
Position: Caretaker
Bio: For as long as she can remember, Kahori has always been fascinated by cats. It eventually got to the point where she ended up believing that she was one! Unfortunately, this sort of behavior got her locked up in a mental institution. Fortunately for her, Masa heard of her situation and got the prison to release her under his custody. After giving her a place in the church with a nice comfy armchair, next to a lovely warm fireplace, as well as some animatronic cat ears and paws created by the Scientist, Kahori has sworn her undivided loyalty to The Father and will tear into anyone who dares go against him, not forgetting to self-mutilate for any ousted intruder...
"Father Masa gave me a home. He gave me a cozy spot by a fire where I can sleep all day if I want. He gives me all the fish I can eat. And when I do a good job, he even gives me pats on the head! This church is Father Masa's home, and it's my home too! I won't let you or anyone else take it from me! Nyan!!!" - Kahori Maeda
4. "Cassiopeia"
Full Name: Tora Yamaji
Age: 18
Position: Member
Bio: The illegitimate child of a rich nobleman and a poor woman, Tora was forced to wear a mask for most of her life under her father's orders so no one would find out about his infidelity. Her mother ceded her parental rights, allowing Tora to live with her father. However, she was frequently insulted and told that she was "ugly beyond repair" daily by her father and her peers, causing her to develop low self-esteem.
Masa, having heard of her, had Juu bring her to him and had her mask removed. With his gift for words, he convinced her that it was not she that was ugly, but this rotten world, that couldn't see the true beauty she possessed. After a week of this, Tora pledged her loyalty to The Father and made the decision to join the Church, along with her mother. A year later, she and her mother inherited her father's estate. According to the rumors, he mysteriously died in his bed...
"Tell me something... do you know what love is? ...No? For a long time, I didn't know what it was either. I didn't even know it existed. ...That is, until I met someone. He made me realize something... all the money and power in the world, it's meaningless. My father had both, but he was quite possibly the ugliest person I ever had the displeasure of knowing. Good looks and such, that's not what's important. All that matters in this life is what's in here, in my chest, the only incorruptible place. Ugly I may be on the outside, but on the inside, I am the most beautiful person to ever walk the Earth! I am Cassiopeia!"
"...And that is why you are going to die now. It's not money or power that guides my hand. It's not the promise of a better life. It's not even because you deserve it for the horrible things you may or may not have done. No, the reason I kill... is for love. But not just any love. No, it's love for a man. A man you know very well: Father Masa." - Tora Yamaji
5. "Dr. Saw"
Name: Chimaki Nakagawa
Age: 34
Position: Doctor/Torturer
Bio: Blood... blood is what drives Chimaki. Ever since she was young, this curious woman has always wanted to know how things move and work. A former assistant of Ritsuko Okada's, she was expelled from Chuohku and locked up after she tried to cut open her former mentor, fascinated with her cool and cold nature. Fortunately, she was released from the asylum due to a lack of space and because she wasn’t considered a flight risk. Oh, if only those poor fools realized that a certain Catholic priest had made her a deal to join his gang, where she'd be able to benefit from the services of Juu and the Bros...
"Let's see... a trim of the shears here, a blow with the hammer there, and... there! Perfect! ...Oh, stop screaming, you baby! I'm only taking out some of your blood! Be glad it's joining my collection! ...And it's such an excellent color too. At the hospital, I had trouble getting these sorts of things off victims. People would start questioning if one of the patients was suddenly missing one of their toes. But thanks to Father Masa, I get to study and experiment all I want with no repercussions!"
"And hey, be glad I'm the one you're dealing with now. You don't want to know what would happen if Juu got her hands on you. Ha, I swear that child could teach me a thing or two about torture... Now stop screaming already! It's annoying me! Hmm... maybe I'd better sew up your vocal cords. It's not like you'll be needing them anymore, anyway." - Chimaki Nakagawa
6. "The Bros (I and Am)"
Name: Manobu Kita and Kuri Kita
Age: 21 and 16
Position: Member/Church Boy
Bio: These two brothers have been through the best and worst of times together. Growing up in a broken home with their drunk and abusive mother, the two only had themselves to rely on. Having enough, the two ran away from home and developed scams to make ends meet. Kuri would often pose as an innocent child to get victims to lower their defenses, while Manobu would then rob them afterward. Eventually, the law caught up to them both, and they were both charged.
However, before they could be sent away, Masa persuaded the police to release them under his custody. Offering them a home and food in exchange for their services, the brothers agreed. Kuri now serves as a young church boy, while Manobu works with the gang. Though they don't fully believe in much of what The Father preaches, they figure this is better than going back home to their mother.
"You know the drill, chump. Empty out your pockets, and we'll let you go!"
"If I was you, I'd listen to my brother, pal. I know I look scary, but trust me, you don't want to see him when he gets mad. You may think of us as nothing more than petty thugs, but we're good folk, we are! Our hands to God!"
"Yeah! It's just... well, hard times have a way of turning even the most decent folk bad, ya' know? It's not our fault we were born into a house with a good-for-nothing drunk as a mom."
"True that. If not for Father Masa, who knows where we'd be right now..."
"...Hey bro, this is all this guy has on him!"
"...Seriously?! That's all you've got?! *sighs* Well then, about that promise my brother and I made about not hurting you..." - Manobu and Kuri Kita
7. "The Scientist"
Name: Ippei Fujimoto
Age: 35
Position: Inventor/Torturer
Bio: Believe it or not, this young man actually did not plan to join Masa's church or gang. Unlike most members of the Crossroads, he was born into a good family, had a good education, and was blessed with a good job as an electrician. Unfortunately, messing around with dodgy equipment was bound to end badly. One evening, while working in his workshop on a blown-out, old speaker, Ippei got the kind of electric shock that could plunge half a city into darkness. And though it blinded him in his right eye, it gave him an epiphany. And he now has such an in-depth understanding of electricity that he sees himself as the god of thunder and lightning!
Wanting at all costs to be able to send out electric shocks to his critics, he applied to The Crossroads, offering his technical know-how to find a way to make his dreams come true via the shortest possible circuit.
"No, no, no! The charge still isn't high enough! Damn it, maybe I should have listened to Chimaki and waited for a thunderstorm to try this out. These defibrillators need a bit more work it seems. ...Oh well, trial and error, that's all it is. Thanks for your help, pal! A shame you got burnt to a toast, but your contributions will be remembered! ...At least until Father Masa finds me another poor soul I can use these on." - Ippei Fujimoto
