FREEZING: NOVA PHOENIX

CHAPTER 3: REVELATIONS

by chuckiboo

Freezing ©Lim Dall Young/Kim Kwan Ghyum

For the first time in her life, Satellizer El Bridget-Aoi was scared. Truly scared. Not for herself, but for the one man that truly, selflessly, loved her. And as the call went out to her former comrades at West Genetics Japan, only one actually responded: former student body president and now Chevalier lieutenant Chiffon Fairchild. Also, West Genetics Japan headmistress Sister Margaret, who told her of the secret, made her way to the United Kingdom to see about the young cyborg specialist. Arriving at the El Bridget estate outside London, The two, along with Stella, Luis and Holly, sat in the living area as the situation was brought to light.

"So it happened again," Sister Margaret said, her eyes closed. To her, this was unfortunate. She did all she could after the disaster in Alaska to foster his growth, yet didn't know where to go with it given the circumstances with his unusual yet overwhelming powers.

"Yes, while we were sparring," said Holly, holding Luis' hand loosely. "What was that that happened anyway?"

The headmistress opened her eyes. "The Phoenix Erienbar is a power that can transform a human into a Nova, physically and mentally. Unlike the 10th Nova clash in which the Nova took over some Pandoras through stigmata, this power resides in muscle tissue. Only one other person in the world possessed this innate effect: Kazuha Aoi. It killed her, yet it's taking a 'liking' to her brother."

"So, what are you saying?"

"Kazuya is going through a metamorphosis now. Because of all the trauma he's experienced in the past few years, it's bringing old wounds back to the surface. And with the Phoenix Erienbar, it's pretty much unpredictable."

"So you're saying that it can possibly kill him if it's not brought under control?" Chiffon asked, her eyebrows twitching. She secretly held a fondness for the young man, yet nobody knew of it.

"It can, but he won't let it. And putting new cybernetic limbs on him won't help either, for now though. He'll have to be taken off reserve until whatever happens happens." She looked over to the resident, seeing that she hasn't spoken a word the whole time. "Satellizer," the headmistress said, "was he completely consumed by fire?"

She nodded. "Yes he was," she said, "the volt textures appeared on his face, as if he was changing."

Just then, someone came down the spiral staircase, and joined the five in the family room.

"What have you came up with, Eliza?" Chiffon and Stella was surprised that Sister Margaret brought along former Numbers and chief medical officer Eliza Schmitz to examine him. She knew more about him than anybody else, as well as his late sister Kazuha.

"I'm running brain scans and EKGs to find any type of damage, I should know in a couple of hours." She closed her eyes, thinking, then opened them. "Basically, he's in something between an induced coma and suspended animation, so no telling when he'll wake up, or will he be the same when he does wake up." Everyone sighed, knowing the ouitcome of this kind of prognosis. "But, here's a but of good news: since his 'stigma body' has aged more, his limbs can be regenerated, even though they haven't been present for the past four years. It'll take a month to complete the process." Everyone smiled from hearing that.

"I'll have Genetics' finest sent here to monitor his condition, so be prepared to be apart from him for a while, El Bridget," the headmistress said, standing up.

"Thank you, Sister Margaret," Stella replied, "the guest rooms are ready for you all." With that, all parted ways, knowing there was nothing that could be done for the time being.

As the weeks went by, Stella began feeling the pangs of morning sickness, yet didn't let anyone know. Holly came by with dress patterns, undecided on a gown for she and Luis' wedding, and noticing that her future sister-in-law was pretty distracted.

"What's wrong Stella?" asking in her alto vocal British accent.

"Oh nothing," she said, hiding something. Yet Holly did noticed something, being a female, as she was sitting a bit further back from the table.

"Satellizer, are you-" That perked her quick, then softened, knowing it wasn't use hiding it now.

"Well," weakily, "I wanted to show it to Kazuya..."

Backing from the table, she pulled up her extra large shirt, to reveal a slight bump in her stomach where her abs were. Holly's eyes were wide in awe and a smile filled with joy.

"You're...pregnant...! When did this happen?"

"A couple of weeks before our sparring session," she admitted. "He was so honest and humble that it brought out more passion in me than before, and I knew I had to do something to repay him for all he's done for me and all he's been through." She gave a little smile, blushing rosy red. "I didn't know he's that damn good of a shag."

She smirked. "When were you gonna tell him about this?"

"After the session, but who were we to know it would go awry like that?" She rubbed the bump in her muscle-clad stomach, smiling. "I have the doctor coming over in the morning to check me out, could you stay here with me until it's done?"

Holly Rose honestly smiled. "It'd be my pleasure, you are my soon-to-be sister-in-law, so why shouldn't I?"

"Thanks, Holly," she said, a genuine smile on her face, "I know we had differences in the past due to Luis's influence, but I can trust you now. But wait until what the doctor says before we tell him, dad and Violet, okay?"

"Yes," she replied, as they resumed going through the gown patterns. She felt more at ease now.

The healing torso of Kazuya Aoi, the one known as the 'cyborg specialist', laid on a bed in a bedchamber not too far from the one he and his wife occupies. And though his body was healing at a slow rate, the effects of the regenerative process were showing the fruits of its labor, as his humerus and femurs started to grow again for the first time in over four years. Eliza found this out recently, that due to his 'stigma body', now at an unfathomable 91%, unknowingly made him a human Nova. Moreso than any Pandora that had ever lived, before or since. Yet the power of the Phoenix Erienbar was doing something to him that no one expected. Rather than dealing with his logical side, it used his emotional side to its advantage, easily taking him over and rampaging, until the brain kicked in with logic, and brought his human side to its senses.

Having been unconscious for over a month now, his breath remained steady, and brainwave activity stayed constant. Yet, something the likes of no one has ever known, is taking place in the oddest of venues: his subconscious. Suddenly, the world inside his mind, filled with joyous memories and forgettable times, slowly faded, as his breathing slowed. The heart still beating, strong as ever, continued. And in its place, a dimension of unfathomable proportions and beauty slowly appeared before. In his mind's eye, his eyes opened to see this sight, yet he couldn't see it, but he can sense it. He tilted his head down, to see that he was far up! Looking at the ground, his thought process kicked in.

I'm at least...fourty feet up, he thought, but...as he attempted to hold up his arms, only to see... ends of tentacles...? Am I...a...Nova...!? was the first thought to come to mind. I must have been transported to their dimension, somehow, but...how?

Turning his head, he felt the heaviness that came along with wearing a helm as a sentient being. Either my spirit is inside this creature, or I have literally transformed into one, he reasoned. Looking around at the place they inhabited, it felt strange being just as alien to them as they are to humans. but one question burned inside his psyche more than anything: why do they do what they do?

Though it is them your kind fear, I ask of you to not fear me, a voice appeared inside Kazuya's mind.

Wh-who...are you...? he asked startled. The voice sounded alien, speaking in a broken English manner.

I am a being in a faraway galaxy, responsible for developing the beings you call 'Nova'.

In his mind's eye, his eyes grew big at the shocking admittance. Why do your kind attack Earth?

It is not me who has control over these creations with sentience, replied the voice, there are others above me who determine what to do. You see, because of the development of our creatures, we have been able to learn much about your species. For me, I know much about you...Kazuya Aoi.

The shock of hearing his name sent him reeling. Was he being used as a spy for them?

You are not being used as a spy, the voice replied, even before Kazuya could say a word. In essence, through my use of what you call 'astral projection', I brought you here for a reason.

And what is that?

I understand you are upset at what our creatures have done to your realm. I have no control over them. Originally, they were meant to learn from other species and transfer that knowledge to us for process, study and use in our own culture. Instead, commanders of our forces choose to use them to conquer your realm. Your special force of special female warriors called, I believe it is 'Pandoras', have fought them off valiantly, yet, the worst is yet to come. This had Kazuya riveted in attention as he listened to this alien voice inside his head, as his body healed.

For the next month or so, Stella kept check on her husband's condition, as his body finally had natural limbs for the first time in well over four years. Yet something seemed strange. Though he was slim, at only 159 pounds, it seemed that his body was growing more than usual. Sitting beside her beloved one Wednesday afternoon, she decided to take a risk.

"Kazuya," she started, not knowing if he'd hear her or not, "I miss talking to you. I don't know what it is about you, your way or what you say, that made me fall for you, but I'm glad I did."

Raising the sheet cover, she gently took hold of his newly regenerated hand, and brought it down to her bulging stomach. Placing it on the top of her belly, she guided his unconscious hand over the protrusion.

"I wish you were awake to feel this, but," slightly blushing, "this is your child, inside me, what we made together through the love we have for each other."

She took his hand again, and placed it back under the cover beside his body.

"I have a couple of names, but I hope you'll wake up soon, so I can tell you." She smiled. "For everything you've done for me, bringing me back to myself, believing in me, and standing by my side when no one else would. This child will carry on your name, your family's name."

Standing up, she faced the bedside, and with her hand, gently caressed his sheet-covered chest.

"Kazuya Aoi, you're the first ally I made at West Genetics, and the only man I will ever care for."

A tear streamed down her cheek. "Please, Kazuya, come back. Please..." She ran out of the room, breaking down crying in the hallway.

Inside the young man's head, the conversation between Kazuya and the alien life form continued.

From what I understood, the command of my species saw it fit to force things on other life forms, as to have them experience how we live, the voice said. And I am glad that your human species has picked up on what they want to do. You have a purpose, Kazuya Aoi.

What is it?

From what I've come to learn secretively, someone has developed our technology further, as to mimic the powers of the Nova.

Kazuya remembered who it was. Yes, it was my grandfather, Dr. Gengo Aoi, that developed the technology for the Pandora project.

Yet, the voice said, do you know what you are? TRULY know what you are?

Well, I know that I have special abilities in which I can use the power called 'freezing' without a partner, and I can materialize and use a volt weapon. What else is there?

I've been very observant in the ways of humans, particularly the females of the species who fight the Nova. Have you been told anything else?

No, not really. My grandfather was killed four years ago when a Type R Nova attacked the facility we were training at and destroyed it, killing over fourty of my comrades. And I know that I have six stigmata mated to me as well.

Kazuya Aoi, you are a very special young creature, the voice said, intelligently, you have many innate abilities that you do not know of. Were you ever told you have a 'stigma body'?

That piqued his senses quick, as he heard it once before. I've...heard of it before...

Also, have you heard of an ability known as the 'Phoenix Erienbar'? This floored him, as he wondered why sometimes he'd go ballistic.

Understand, with these two traits, you have the rare ability to transform, into what you truly are.

What...am I?

The only one of your species to exist...a human Nova.

The headquarters of the El Bridget conglomerate is located inside Paris, France, known as one of the most romantic cities on Earth. With it's trademark Eiffel Tower, it's recognizable from the air when one enters from the west. Howard El Bridget can be stubborn when he wants to, having loved other women besides his wife, and leaving 'love children' in certain places. One of them being known as the 'Untouchable Queen', Satellizer El Bridget. A stout man of about fifty-two years, he's been in business for as long as he can remember. But the one thing that makes him stand out from others, is his useful and meaningful relationships, particularly one person.

Upon hearing of what happened in Alaska nearly five years ago, and the shocker that his grandson was the one who took down the powerful being, he begin to see things in a completely new light. Thus, why he supplied prototype technology in prostetics to the young man, not only in homage to his former associate, but in gratitude to him for saving his daughter. Though he never admitted it in public, in his heart, he was forever in his debt.

At around four p.m. Paris time, he just wrapped up a video conference with his eldest daughter Violet, manager of the El Bridget resort on the island of Bali. Business was doing very well, and the summer season was bringing in multitudes of heavy-spending vacationers. Going through digital files of expenses, Howard was disturbed by his secretary.

"Mr. El Bridget," as her face appeared on the screen, "there is someone special here to see you."

"Tell them I'm busy," he replied, in a hurried manner.

"Mr El Bridget, this person, you need to see."

"I said tell them I'm busy!"

"You need to see this person, sir."

Howard sighed. "O...okay. Who is it?"

"Do you remember a Dr. Gengo Aoi?" The mention of that name halted Howard El Bridget in his tracks.

"Did you say...Gengo Aoi...?"

"Yes sir, he is here." He stood up behind his desk.

"Let him in," he said softly.

"Yes sir," was heard as the monitor blinked off. He sat back down in his chair and stroked his beard.

"Gengo..." softly, "I thought you dead four years ago...but somehow, you survived..."

As the double doors opened automatically, he stared straight ahead as a tall, white-haired figure slowly walked in. Looking worse for wear, the figure averted the doors as they closed.

"Howard," the throaty, Japanese-accented voice spoke.

"Gengo..." was all he could say as he stared at his close friend and colleague. This is an unexpected reunion, four years in the making.