Here we go again people! Three months ago Alex's tale came to an end and now, ninety days later, a new story commences! Get ready to experience the one story that will unravel the past and delve into the future events! Enough intros now, time to start this already!
IMPORTANT: This work is mostly from my head and might therefore disagree with the events in the manga. If this idea does not suit your requirements then I apologize but you should stop reading.
CHAPTER I: The Marine, the Facility, and the Diclonii
An eerie quiet had placed itself on a lonely island off the coast of the small town of Kamakura, Japan. On the landmass, a single structure was visible. It was a facility like none other in the world, for this was meant to keep individuals with superhuman abilities at bay. These individuals have been named diclonii by the humans. Their existence, however, is left unknown to the majority of the world's population as they have only appeared around Japan.
The diclonii are not only gifted girls, they are completely different species ready to take their place in the world. What is their objective? Few can say, for they could be either the ultimate threat to humanity's rule over the planet or simply a group of different people who strive to fit in our world. Because of mankind's tendency to fear anything that is unusual or uncommon, the special girls often get mistreated by the general public. In turn, they turn aggressive towards humans in general. These events could trigger an approaching and catastrophic war between the species.
This one facility was built in secret under the premise of holding in custody and researching the diclonius species. However, it hides a much darker secret. The director of the institute, Kakuzawa, has a much darker plot in mind. Under the guise of a benevolent person, he works to achieve world domination by ruling over the diclonii once the world is theirs to command. His efforts have been in vain, thanks to the interference of the diclonius queen and a young mutant boy. Recent events have led Kakuzawa to search for help, help that is on its way.
A lone helicopter soared through the skies, disrupting the peace that had been ruling the night. It approached the landing platform, where SAT soldiers waited with their eyes fixed on the vehicle. Soon after it landed the engines were killed, putting a stop to the roaring of the blades. As the winds died down, a man donning a suit disembarked the helicopter. He was one of Kakuzawa's employees and had been sent to pick up an important something… or rather someone.
One more individual came out of the vehicle. It was a young man, probably around twenty, with spiky brown hair and an expression of utmost seriousness depicted on his face. He was wearing a military utility combat uniform and it was easy to tell that he was definitely not Japanese or Oriental. His eyes scrutinized the group of soldiers that was standing in front of him. The man in suit approached the armed individuals and started talking to them.
"This is the man that the director asked for." He told them.
"More like boy. Tell him he's welcome and that we will take him to director Kakuzawa's office." One of them, probably the leader, replied.
The linguist turned around to speak with the foreigner, but was quickly stopped by said man.
"As I've been telling your interpreter, I do not need any translation of your language." He told them firmly.
The man raised his eyebrows in surprise for a second. "Oh how unexpected. You are very fluent in Japanese. You might want to get rid of the accent though."
Ignoring the older man's remark, the boy did a quick salute. "Private First Class Leon Zoroaster of the U.S. Marine Corps, I was sent here to examine the diclonius situation."
"We know, we know. Just follow us kid, we'll get you to speak with the boss man."
The group moved inside the building, passing many metal doors and long corridors on the way. The place was filled with doctors and scientists who could not take their eyes off the armed men, especially in Leon's case. The Special Assault Team barely ever made their way to the top of the building, so if they were headed there now it must have been a big deal. Moreover, they were bringing a foreigner with them.
The marine spent his time looking around as they walked, he was sent there to examine and that was exactly what he planned to do. They soon took an elevator that brought them all the way to the highest floor of the institute. From there, they opened a door to reveal a large room, with a wooden desk at the end of it and a huge window that showed a view of the roaring sea. On the opposite side of the desk sat a man with greying hair, who smiled as soon as the group stepped in.
"Director, sir, the person you were waiting for has arrived." The SAT leader said.
"Splendid job, commander. It is a pleasure to meet you Private Zoroaster." The man said.
"The pleasure's mine Director Kakuzawa."
"Commander, you and your men may leave. I need a word alone with this young soldier."
The four men did as they were told and went back to the elevator, as Leon turned all of his attention to the man before him.
"Well I must compliment the American government. I contacted them only three days ago and here you are already." Kakuzawa said as he clasped his hands under his chin.
Leon nodded. "The topic you brought forth was a rather urgent one, so the procedure was carried on as fast as possible. I am sorry that we can't send our forces right away."
"It is understandable my boy. Few people would believe a message that informs you about a group of dangerous evolved beings who could crush humanity. However, that is why you are here isn't it?"
"Yes, I was deployed to certify the existence of the diclonius species and certify what kind of threat, if any, they pose to us."
The older man frowned. "I can assure you Mister Zoroaster, these girls are by far the greatest threat our species might ever encounter."
"So I've heard. Orders are orders though and I am here to do my job."
"Indeed, and I am sure you will make some fine observations during your stay. Feel free to leave your equipment in your room, one of my assistants will show you the way." The director told the marine as he rose from his chair. "However, we have our procedures as well and you are going to have to go through a number of medical checkups."
"What for?"
"You come from a distant land my boy; here your immune system might not work as well as it would in the United States. If you were to become sick you could contaminate the rest of the staff and I cannot allow that."
It made sense, especially for a staff that had to contain mutated girls. "Alright, then I guess I'll go through with it."
Just then, a woman walked in the room. Her black hair was carried in a ponytail and she wore big round glasses along with a lab coat.
"D-did you call me sir?" She asked the director.
"Arakawa, show the Private the way to his quarters."
"Y-yes of course."
They went down the elevator and walked a long way. The soldier did not start any conversation, he was too focused on observing how the facility worked, that was his mission and why he was there.
"So… you're American huh?" Arakawa asked at some point as they turned around yet another corner.
"I am." He replied simply.
"Oh so does that mean you're from New York?" She asked again.
"Miami." He said with another short reply.
"Miami?!" The woman almost shrieked. She started imagining things. "You mean that place with the beaches, the malls, the wonderful restaurants, and…"
Leon cleared his throat in order to make the researcher focus again. She noticed that he had walked in front of her and was looking at her with expecting eyes.
"Right um sorry about that, here we go."
They walked for a short while longer before Arakawa finally opened a door that lead to a small and empty room with only a bed, a drawer and a small window present.
"I'm sorry if it doesn't look like much, the facility doesn't really provide the best accommodations."
"It's fine." He said as he stepped in.
"I guess I'll let you settle in. The checkups are in an hour, so you have time to unpack. Well, have a nice stay." She said as she closed the door and left the young man to himself.
Leon placed his backpack on the drawer and emptied it of its few contents. It contained only a few essential things, notebooks, a few shirts and pants, snacks, and other small objects. He paused and looked at the last item he pulled out of the bag: a combat knife. He shrugged and placed it on the table. A marine needed defense, even in a friendly environment.
The boy took a last look around the room, noticing that it was really small when seen from the inside. Deciding to pay no mind to such a detail he laid back on the bed, taking a rest from the long journey. In a way he was happy, as few soldiers had the honor of being sent on such an important mission. His presence there was going to decide the future of two entire species. These factors helped him forget the long and uncomfortable flight.
The Private then fixed his pillow to make himself more comfortable. He suddenly felt something brush against his hand. Leon grabbed the object and brought it close to his face. It was a notebook, a simple notebook really, no decorations were on its black cover. The soldier twisted the thing in his hands and examined it, thinking whether he should actually give it a read or not. Then again, tests were in an hour so he had time to spare. He flipped it open and started reading the fine handwriting that was on the first page.
October 11th
I am not entirely sure why am I writing this. It seems pointless to me really, but the director insisted that it was a good way to spend time. Anyway this is a diary that is supposed to record my days as they go by. My….
Leon quickly shut the book. There was no way he was going to read about the life of one of the scientists. It would be a waste of his time and he was thrilled by the idea of reading a number of scientific data. He decided to take a nap instead, what was really in need in order to shrug off the fatigue.
Later that same day, the checkups went on and on uneventfully. It was ordinary things: checking his breathing and eyesight, taking blood and urinary tests, as well as asking if he had any history of dangerous diseases. In the end the doctors told him what he already knew: he was more than fit to serve in a military facility.
Only a few minutes after the processes were done, the director walked in to greet Leon.
"Ah Private I am happy to hear the good news that your body is totally sane." He told the American.
"I knew that. Your checkups were a waste of time." He said as he put a black shirt on. He had ditched the combat uniform for now, as it was not the most comfortable piece of clothing. However, the man still wore his camo pants and boots.
"Yes I agree, but one can never be too cautious right?" The old man said with a smile. "I guess you could call them a preparation before what comes next."
"What would that be? Firing practice?"
"It is time for you to see the diclonii." Kakuzawa smirked.
Leon's face immediately grew serious as he nodded. It was time for him to meet his possible enemies. The director led him through more of the facility's corridors and Leon could not help but notice how people were staring at them. He figured Kakuzawa rarely descended to the lower levels and must have been quite a rarity for the personnel to see. They reached a huge metal door that had the number thirty on it. The door slowly slid open letting the two in a brightly lit room.
The place was also filled with scientists who immediately surrounded the director, asking him all sorts of questions.
"Director, what brings you here?"
"Can I get anything for you?"
"Is something wrong?"
"Silence you fools." He said plainly, but effectively making everyone shut up. He then motioned for Leon to make his way to the end of the room.
The young man frowned and looked onward for a few seconds, before taking the first step. He slowly travelled to the opposite side of the room where he was greeted by a glass wall which gave a view of much wider room. Then he saw her, he saw the girl that was chained to the wall. She looked a little older than he was and was completely rid of any sort of clothing, with nothing but a large stain of blood covering her naked figure. Her hair was a scarlet read as were her eyes which shone with great pain and were rendered lucid by the tears she shed. Easy to notice were also the two small horn-like protrusions sprouting from the sides of her head. She was a diclonius and she was right in front of Leon's eyes.
Seeing the pitiful sight that stood before him, he immediately stopped frowning and lost his aggressiveness. Not to say he was confused, angry, sad or revolted, he was standing there taking a good look at the girl with a spark of curiosity.
"Continue the experimentations." Kakuzawa commanded to the scientists.
Soon the men had taken their posts at various computers and started typing a few things. Leon looked around, trying to figure out what were they doing, but quickly decided to look back at the girl. A red laser dot pointed in between her eyes and she started shivering as some sort of cannon was lowered. A few seconds later a metal ball the size of a fist flew across the room and was about to squash the diclonius's head. The marine tensed his muscles and narrowed his eyes waiting for something to happen. Sure enough, the bullet was magically deflected inches away from her skull.
"Three-hundred-and-ten joules cleared, moving to three-hundred-and-thirty." One of the scientists said.
Again the ball was shot and again it was deflected by an invisible force. Leon had read of the diclonii's vectors in the reports, but seeing them in action was incredible for him. His expression however did not change and it remained focused on the girl.
Time passed and she was almost able to clear four-hundred joules, but at that one last attempt, the projectile was not deflected enough and hit her ribcage. The red-haired girl screamed in agony and fell on her knees, unleashing her tears. Her face looked up at the glass wall and her red eyes made visual contact with Leon's, yet the soldier's expression remained unchanged.
Kakuzawa walked next to him. "Young Zoroaster, you were sent here to observe and it seems you did. What do you see in our methods? Are you going to storm out of that door shouting about how barbaric we are? Are you going to jump in there and try to save what looks like an innocent girl? Or will you listen to us humans and understand that these creatures are dangerous?"
The younger man remained silent and kept engaging in the visual dialogue with the tortured soul in front of him. "This shows me nothing." He finally said. "Showing me the torture reserved for diclonii and nurturing my brain with your theories won't make you earn the Marine's support any sooner director. I have seen too little with my own eyes to form a judgment right now."
"Director, do you want us to continue?" Another scientist asked.
Kakuzawa said nothing, but instead turned to the Private.
"The same goes to her. Her being in pain won't make me her friend or help her out. For now I stand neutral. She has nothing to do with me."
He turned around and took his gaze off of her, without missing the expression of terror that formed on her face the moment he did so. Leon started his walk out of the room.
"Let's start this again, one-hundred joules." The same scientist told everyone.
A shot was heard and this time too an audible scream along with cries of pain followed. However, it was not enough to halter the marine's walk as he exited the experimentation room. Had he turned around at that moment, he might have been able to catch a glimpse of Kakuzawa grinning evilly at his retreating figure. So begins Leon Zoroaster's adventure in Kamakura.
That was the first chapter of my sequel story! Hope you guys enjoyed and apologize the delay! Man, I wish for this story to turn out as good as the other one, maybe even better!