Title: The Best Defense – chapter one
Author/Artist: Cheza-chan
Characters: The entire Tiger & Bunny cast
Rating: M (for Mature *PS chime*)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, and I definitely don't own the sponsors that they wear.
Barnaby lifted his head, tearing his gaze from the pile of tools he still wasn't allowed to handle to find the reason behind the loud cheers echoing around the extensive hangar. His parents had left him in the care of a trusted crew while they worked with the Marshall in the Local Command Center upstairs. His hand was taken and he allowed himself to be tugged along with the crowd as they circled. He eased his hand from the lax grip and used his small stature to slip between legs. He made it to the front of the half-moon circle of individuals, eyes slowly widening. A young man and woman were being praised, having just returned from defeating another Kaiju.
"Wild Tiger," the young boy murmured softly in awe. Tomoe Amamiya and Kotetsu Kaburagi were the pilots of the Mark II Jaeger: Wild Tiger. Barnaby used to hear of their tales from his parents, who were LOCCENT Mission Controllers that monitored every reading between Pilots and Jaeger, until he was finally granted the privilege of meeting them himself. Their Neural Handshake was impeccable, never once slipping out of alignment, and they had yet to let a Kaiju escape unscathed, even if they weren't the ones to deliver the final blow.
The brunet's eyes fell on him and his bright smile widened into a blinding grin. He hurried over, sinking into a crouch so he was at eye level with Barnaby. "Bunny! Did you get to watch us today?"
Barnaby scowled, eyes narrowing. "My name's Barnaby."
Still a kid in the eyes of most of the technicians, Barnaby had been subjected to a round of teasing at one point that ended with him covered in a harmless oil. Someone then decided to "style" his hair for him. Tomoe was the one that pointed it out, with the cutest giggle. Of course, her partner had to add his own comment: "You look just like a baby bunny!" Tomoe had chided him, hiding her smile behind her laugh. The damage, however, had already been done.
With a laugh, Kotetsu tousled Barnaby's golden locks. He avoided the child's swipe, holding his helmet high as he ran behind Tomoe for protection. Barnaby ceased his chase once the young woman barred his way, fisting his hands at his side so he could stand tall and proud for her. He would always believe her to be the brains and brawn behind Wild Tiger. Barnaby smiled, almost preening under her touch as she straightened his curls.
Tomoe opened her mouth to speak, but her words were interrupted by a shout from the above. She smiled, tapping a finger to his nose. "See you around." She mouthed Bunny at him, laughing at the child's blush.
Kotetsu proved he was reckless enough to man Wild Tiger by himself by using the Jaeger to propose to Tomoe in the Shatterdome bay. Tomoe leapt gracefully into the open palm of the Jaeger she shared with Kotetsu and made her way up the arm to the shoulder. The Jaeger straightened, standing at full height, and Tomoe placed her hands against Wild Tiger's head, whispering her response to the lone pilot inside. Kotetsu tried not to run the Jaeger back to the docking bay, barely waiting long enough before he was properly uncoupled so he could embrace his fiancée .
x
After two days of no attacks, the crew of the Shatterdome took it upon themselves to turn the hanger into a makeshift chapel; the wedding would be held on the third day—Kaiju permit—once the preparations were completed. Kotetsu and Tomoe agreed. They granted access to a priest and Barnaby somehow ended up as the ring bearer.
Emily and Barnaby Sr. stood at the front of the audience, Emily hiding her smile behind her hands as she watched her son walk down the aisle. Her husband wore a proud grin. Barnaby all but strutted under everyone's watchful gazes and stopped before the soon-to-be husband and wife. Tomoe smiled sweetly at him as she took the ring meant for Kotetsu, and started reciting her vows for the man that stood directly across from her. Kotetsu gave Barnaby's golden locks a tousle before he took the remaining ring from the small pillow. He chuckled at the child's glare. Turning to face the woman he loved, he took her hand in his.
Once the vows were completely, and the priest added a few more words of his own, he clearly stated, "I now pronounce you, husband and wife."
Barnaby didn't hide his surprise when he was sandwiched between Tomoe and Kotetsu, each placing a kiss on his cheek. The Dome erupted into cheers.
Barnaby Sr. looked just as confused as his son. "Did they just marry him...?"
"No," Emily laughed, ceasing her applauding. She smiled, keeping her hands pressed together. Right now, the only thought going through her head was that if anything were to happen to them, Barnaby would be well taken care of.
X X X
The Jaeger pilots were married for three years before Tomoe announced that she was with child. Kotetsu grinned sheepishly where he stood beside his wife, absently rubbing the back of his neck; "guilty" was the aura he exuded.
"That will put Wild Tiger out of commission," Emily stated, bringing to the surface what no one else wanted to. She stood alone, since Barnaby Sr. and Barnaby Jr. were upstairs monitoring the Jaeger maintenance together.
Tomoe shared a look with her husband, and Kotetsu faced the engineer. "I've been looking at temporary replacements, even though I don't want to." He took Tomoe's hand, squeezing it tightly. "Antonio—we grew up together—had a steady Neural Handshake with me the few times we had Pons training at the Academy. His Jaeger is out of commission right now, so I'm sure he'd be glad for the opportunity." Kotetsu grinned, the gesture weary. "Hopefully... the Kaiju will take pity on us and wait until the baby's born..."
Emily gave the faintest hint of a smile. Hopefully.
Barnaby shouldn't have been so proud to put on a pair of coveralls, but he was. His parents had finally agreed that he was old enough to begin working on the Jaegers. They'd tried to get him in the office with them to work as a Controller, but he'd rather get down and dirty to make sure each joint and hydraulic of their most important warriors were in perfect working condition. He'd just finished readjustment on a new Jaeger that had been shipped to them—he still didn't know its pilot—and would become an important part of their family once it was fully functional, when he heard a familiar and excited squeal. Barnaby smiled as he straightened up, facing the proudest father he'd ever seen.
Kotetsu practically skipped his way, little Kaede held carefully in his arms. The child waved her hands at Barnaby, the biggest toothless grin splitting her face. "Bani, Bani!" she squealed.
Barnaby's smile became more forced; he maintained it for Kaede's sake.
Kotetsu didn't look the least bit apologetic, laughing at his child's choice of words. "I wonder where she heard that!"
"I wonder," Barnaby scoffed. Kaede made grabby hands at him, and his expression softened. "I'm not..." He indicated to his being, which was covered in oil and other stains. Kaede mirrored her father's pout, which could be seen directly above her head and the tuft of dark hair she sported, and Barnaby felt his heart melting. "Don't blame me if she picks up something."
Kotetsu snorted, waiting as the teen removed his gloves. "She was born in a Shatterdome. Her parents are Jaeger pilots. In this apocalyptic world, she might very well be our savior."
"She might be," Barnaby whispered, taking the giggling girl into his arms. He cradled her in the crook of his arm, exchanging words in a hushed voice.
Kotetsu braced his hands on his hips, drinking in the perfect image before him; he committed it to memory. It also didn't hurt to have a backup. He shifted his hand, slipping his fingers into his pocket to retrieve his phone. With Barnaby so preoccupied, he didn't realize a photo of him had been taken. Kotetsu pressed the device against his smiling lips. He could feel it in his bones, and Tomoe agreed with him: the calm was soon coming to an end.
It was on Barnaby's sixteenth birthday that Isonade—named by Tomoe—came through the breach. All they saw of it was a long, sweeping tail, deadly barbs coating both sides, with an almost club-like end. Because it remained submerged, they couldn't categorize it, but they could track it.
"The shadow looks pretty small," Kotetsu muttered as he watched the monitor along with the others in the office.
Emily looked away from her screen, narrowing her eyes at him. "Small or not, it is still highly dangerous. Never forget that, Kotetsu."
"Ma'am." Kotetsu nodded, straightening his stance.
Tomoe's gaze never wavered, her unblinking eyes locked on the large monitor. The barbed tail disappeared once more and she turned sharply, heading out of the room. Kotetsu bowed his head politely before hurrying after his wife. They entered the elevator together and she curled against his side. Kotetsu smoothed a hand over her head, playing with the ends of the dark tresses. Next stop: living quarters.
Barnaby lifted his head after the door swung open. His smile faded as he noticed the grim expressions of Wild Tiger's pilots. His task was always to distract Kaede so she wouldn't notice the sirens, but she was used to the sound by now, and continued to play with her Jaeger-Kaiju set. He set down the Trespasser toy he held and stood, nodding at both.
Kotetsu grinned, reaching out to the teen. "You've grown so tall! Pretty soon you'll be taller than me."
Barnaby smirked. "Of course I will."
"Cheeky li'l...!" Kotetsu pulled him into a headlock.
Tomoe walked by the laughing men to kneel in front of her daughter. Kaede smiled widely, holding up her Jaeger figure. "You're going to be a Hero, right?"
The room fell silent at the soft voice still heard over the blaring sirens. Tomoe returned her daughter's smile, curling her hands beneath Kaede's arms to stand her up. "Yes," she grunted with the action. "We're going to be Heroes, so you and Barnaby can celebrate his next birthday properly."
Kaede's eyes widened and she looked over her mom's shoulder. "Today's your birthday, Bani?"
Barnaby nodded his head, not trusting his voice. Kotetsu gave his shoulder a firm squeeze.
"Why didn't you tell me? Happy Birthday, Bani!"
"Thank you," Barnaby whispered, his smile trembling.
x
Barnaby stopped short of slamming Kotetsu against the wall, keeping his hands pressed against the man's shoulders. "Come back... You better come back."
Kotetsu easily brushed away the teen's arms, pulling Barnaby into a comforting hug. Barnaby clung to Kotetsu's shirt, the material clenched in his fisted hands. "You know I will. I have a kid and a Bunny to take care of."
Barnaby laughed, the sound choking off into a sob.
They were forced to separate when Tomoe exited the room, Kaede in her arms. "We have to get to the Drivesuit room," she reminded Kotetsu, handing her daughter off to Barnaby. The two children shared a smile before giving their full attention to the pilots. Kotetsu gave them a mock salute before quickening his steps to catch up to Tomoe's brisk pace. Kaede continued to wave until they disappeared into the elevator at the end of the hall.
Barnaby hoisted her up higher so they were face to face. "How 'bout we finish that battle? Let's make sure the Jaeger wins." Kaede nodded, explaining all of her strategies as they headed back into the room.
X X X
Isonade had been destroyed, easily so. Emily remained suspicious of the deceased Kaiju's actions; it had circled the Shatterdome at a distance, surveying them while they surveyed it. Not three months later, Metador came through the Breach and headed straight for their Shatterdome. Shaolin Rogue came to their aid, but was destroyed by the Category III Kaiju that was obviously on a mission.
"It wants to destroy the Dome," Tomoe stated, a faraway look in her eyes as she stared at the newsfeed. "They're here to get rid of mankind, but they've begun to realize that we're the greatest threat that stands in their way." Her eyes widened and she spun around, her gaze roving over every other occupant of the office. "Evacuate the Dome."
"There has never been a Kaiju successful in destroying—"
"Evacuate the Dome!" Barnaby Sr. reiterated in a shout, standing abruptly from his seat. He nodded at Tomoe. "Find Kotetsu and suit up!" He slammed his hand down on a button, a different siren blaring than the usual.
Barnaby's eyes widened and his body moved on autopilot. He pulled a bag from beneath his bed, already filled with items necessary for survival. He collected his more personal items before zipping the bag shut and running out of the room.
Across the hall, Kaede waited, standing in the middle of the large room, wide-eyed and confused. "Bani… That's not the normal… What's happening?"
Barnaby fell to his knees, too numb to feel the sharp pain, and snatched a second bag from beneath the bed. He tossed out the leftover baby formula and smiled at the young girl over his shoulder. "Bring me your most precious things, okay?"
Kaede nodded, knowing this was no time for arguing. Once the bag was filled with everything she treasured, it was zipped shut and Barnaby hoisted her up with one arm. "Mommy and Daddy?" she whispered. Barnaby's expression hardened and Kaede never received an answer.
Antonio and the American pilot—Barnaby couldn't remember anyone's name right now—met them before they arrived at the helipad. The teen's relief vanished when he couldn't find his parents. A desperate grin tugged at his lips as he approached Antonio. "My parents… they've already boarded?" He cut a wary gaze to the blond that approached him, almost reluctantly releasing Kaede to the man; she went just as hesitantly.
Antonio sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He lowered his hand, staring at the steel wall. "Your parents are staying behind to mo—Barnaby!"
The American pilot attempted to quiet the child even though it was an impossible feat. Barnaby screamed, so of course she would also. She even thrashed in the man's arms, copying her guardian. Antonio endured every hit, every elbow, and every nail digging into his skin. He kept Barnaby trapped against his chest, arms locking him in place even as the teen kicked and fought against him.
"Barnaby Brooks Jr."
Barnaby quieted, looking around frantically before realizing his mother spoke to him from over the PA system. He resumed his struggling to free himself.
"Barnaby, sweetheart. I need you to listen to me. You have to look after Kaede."
The young girl let out a shrieking wail before burying her face in the blond's neck. He rubbed her back consolingly, awkwardly managing to retrieve the discarded travel bags.
"Stop it… Stop! Get down here now! We have to evacuate! You and Dad… Kotetsu and Miss Tomoe!"
"The Miracle Mile has already been crossed," Barnaby Sr. cut in. "Wild Tiger is fighting their hardest to stop the Kaijuu from reaching land. The strike troopers have mobilized and we've contacted the Defense Corps, but Metador will definitely reach us before they can get here, if Wild Tiger does not succeed. You know what our job is. We have to stay here and monitor Tiger's actions to ensure their safety as well as yours."
"What about yours?!" Barnaby screwed his eyes shut.
"We love you, sweetheart," Emily whispered, her voice still loud as it surrounded him from every direction.
"That's not an answer!" Barnaby shouted, kicking his legs in a final attempt to free himself.
"Lopez. Goodman. You have your orders."
"Sir!" the two pilots chorused.
Kaede whimpered as they began moving, but she no longer had the energy to cry. Her fingers were curled loosely in the collar of the stranger's jacket, weak hiccups escaping her. Eventually, the sound of Barnaby screaming faded as she fell asleep.
x
Barnaby pressed his face against the window, watching as Wild Tiger was tossed onto the coastline. Metador bore down on the Jaeger, opening a massive jaw. Wild Tiger's left arm rose to block the monster, but it was bitten off at the elbow joint. Barnaby jerked, feeling Tomoe's pain; someone had to. He knew for a fact, given the woman's personality, that she had promptly ignored it and was still yelling out orders to her husband. The arm's stump forced its way into Metador's mouth, the other hand firmly gripping the upper jaw, and Wild Tiger attempted to tear the monster's face apart.
Barnaby's eyes widened when the impossible happened. A second jaw extended from the Kaijuu's open mouth, just as deadly as the first. He couldn't feel the pain of his nails digging into the palm of his hands; his entire being had gone numb. After three attempts, Metador finally managed to rip Wild Tiger's "face" off by way of razor sharp teeth. It meant the Conn-Pod had been destroyed. The explosion after the Jaeger was picked up and smashed into the Shatterdome rocked the carrier, even after the distance they had covered. Barnaby heard the Kaijuu's distant roar of victory, the tears streaming down his face illuminated by the flames of his lost home.
Antonio was there to support the teen after he passed out from obvious shock. He looked around the carrier and saw everyone wore a similar look of disbelief. One of their best had fallen by the hands of a monster that had crawled from the depths of the ocean—there would be no forgetting that.
A/N: Pacific Rim finally came on U-verse (I swear I've watched it like 10 times already now); I kept quoting it to my hahaue/editor; and then this happened. It was meant only for her, but she said I broke her heart into many pieces. I figure that means it's "okay", so I ran over here to post it. Sorry if there are any inconsistencies... I didn't read the little "before the movie" novel/comic. Kinna unbeta-ed...
A/N: For those of you checking "Drawn Together" for updates—sorry. I kinna lost interest in it, but it's not forgotten... not entirely.