Chapter 3
Entering Enemy Territory
Minutes have passed, and Echidna pondered on the thugs they fought back at the alley, as if the ones they faced were actually complete replicas from the Yakuza she herself dealt with back at Fate; as their bodies were completely unscathed, without any traces of injury, though they looked like spitting images in terms of appearance. She also noticed they were flying over familiar landmarks, such as the rooftops of uptown Edge, the long, straight and narrow metallic LSD railroad tracks, and the exterior of the maze that was once flooded by rapid seawater. Her instincts heightened as she hunched on where the dark ki was leading the women to. From behind Leann's cockpit, she disregarded her instincts for the moment.
Are we heading to Mikado..? No, it can't be... she thought.
By the time she was about to put two and two together, the Orage took a violent shake! The steady, uneventful journey became a disastrous one! Leann looked over controls.
"Incoming! We're being hunted!" Sure enough, she saw digital, neon green aircraft chasing after her own. And the Nimbus received the same punishment. Ayame nearly lost her balance while her transport lurched from the enemy missile.
Apparently, the ladies got involved in a lethal dogfight! The Orage and Nimbus were under attack!
"It's the Yakuza's imperial vessels! Echidna braced for impact, I'll hold them off!"
She nodded and brought herself in a fetal position behind Leann's pilot seat. The Orage moved swiftly across the opaque sky as bullets continued to rain down on it and the mystic cloud. Ayame got into a fighting stance and focused her ki to be ejected; there was no time to look for the dark ki now, as her hands were full like Leann's.
She fired upon some enemy fighter jets, blowing them out of the upper troposphere, from simple energy blasts to Kamehameha Waves. Leann retaliated using her own firearms as well as her ship's astounding agility. The Yakuza were pretty fast themselves, but also lethal while they closed in on the trio; however, they still had a fatal trick up their sleeves. Aside from the endless swarms, some of them actually ran out of bullets to use and decided to give chase or head toward their prey!
"Oh no..! They're Kamikazes!" the commander of LUKIS stated as the Orage managed to avoid an oncoming enemy by a hair!
"What!?" Echidna couldn't believe her ears nor eyes!
Still, Ayame's Nimbus took severe blows while the bullets continued to ricochet off the spongy, yellow body. And the Orage was also receiving damage, including to its left wing, causing it to constantly descend gradually while flying in an awkward pattern. Leann struggled to keep her craft aloft and it was difficult to maneuver from that busted wing! Although both aerial fighters were able to wipe out nearly half of the imperial forces, even when they made some Kamikazes toward each other!
But despite their valiant team efforts, they were eventually shot down! The wing exploded, as did the rear fuselage! And the cloud itself was actually starting to disintegrate with Ayame still on it! It was as almost it was dissipating into water vapor like a normal cloud would! As the Nimbus was sharply dropping toward the thick canopy of neighboring thick trees with jagged branches, Ayame leapt off.
"Echidna, we have to evacuate now! We're going down!" Leann ordered her to grab a spare chute and she wrapped it around her, while the pilot did the same before she pressed the Eject button. The roof automatically detached itself from the ship while both she and Echidna went airborne! Luckily, they opened each of their chutes, enabling them a safe landing. Ayame managed to escape onto a strong canopy while her Nimbus crashed and evaporated in a yellowish mist, like the death of a Pikmin's spirit.
The three dropped onto the massive forest floor and met up with each other. "Everyone alright?" Leann queried in her usual, commanding tone.
"Yeah, that was surely a close call." Echidna replied, her stilettoes became loose.
Ayame was more depressed, "I'm ok, but my Nimbus bit the dust; we're stranded, and we don't know where we are."
There was a brief pause, and the woods became deathly silent. "I do." Echidna broke the disquietude. The others looked at her like deer in headlights.
"Where?" Ayame queried.
"We're back in Mikado's domain now..!" she growled. To Ayame's horror, this was like deja vu to both women. Leann never saw the domain up close, aside from Dauragon's satellite control center, the Galeos. Fear nearly interfered with Ayame's focus as she struggled to trace the dark ki; while the evil energy was all around her and her partners, she knew exactly where the source was emitting from.
"The crystal dome. The dark energy HAS to be up there..!" she concluded.
"Let's go, then. Volt, Sion and Kou may be inside. Let's hustle!" Echidna and Ayame ran toward the towering settlement.
"Wait!" Leann cried. "You don't even know what's out there-!"
Before the trio knew it, several people ran out with their blades drawn and their fists clenched. They were all Oriental, though it was hard to tell from the deep, dark wood and their blending uniforms made of indigo silk. Their war cries were close to uproars made by the undead, and they also wobbled as such. Echidna, Ayame, and Leann stood their ground with their backs toward each other before they broke away and fought them off! They had utilized the same strategy as they did before, while Echidna attacked from below, making some surprise blows from the camouflage, Ayame went for the midsections, and Leann scored high with her fast kicks and punches. Though, the wide, open spaces were no problem while their enemies floundered like some rag dolls.
Soon enough, the coast was clear. But Ayame still felt an unsettling presence up close. The air became chillier as it went through her bones, and some shrubs even began to shake as a deformed creature materialized out of nowhere. Luckily, her ki sense was never wrong, and she forced Echidna and Leann away as she tossed them aside before the mutated monster lunged at them!
It was approximately 15 feet long, its belly was constantly sagging as well as some of its decaying skin hanging from its peachy, flubber-like body. Its four massive legs were nearly the size of a human's, only they ended in paws and claws that were similar to a chimera's. Its tail was curled much like an iguana's, hardly ever unraveling itself. Veins were in clear display while they flowed over its grotesque body. And its head was nearly the shape of a Komodo dragon's, or rather a REAL fantastical one! The abomination hissed as it fixated its dilated eyes onto the group!
"What the hell is THAT!?" Ayame screamed.
"Is that thing actually human..?" Echidna wondered.
"Mikado's own chimera..?" Leann was in utter awe as well as shock.
The multi-legged creature was tough and ferocious, as it used its claws, teeth, and even its retractable, whipping tongue; however, the women decided to use their low attacks and acted as a few sweepers using Echidna's signature moves, Ayame's lower attacks with her ki and Power Pole, though she had to block often, and Leann mostly aimed for its menacing maw which stunned the nightmare several times.
For once, the women strategized their very own Trinity Rush, as they remembered their partners had used some of theirs in the past. Using her Capoeira, Echidna made a strong mule kick sending the enemy upward, Leann ascended it some more using one of her Sky Uppercuts, and Ayame grabbed the fleshy abomination as she soared several feet into the air and then performed what seemed to be a Seismic Toss sending the feral experiment directly on to the grassy knoll. They took quite a few lethal blows as the women at times collide with each other while they were closing in on the failed experimental biolizard.
Despite their disadvantages, their combined strength was enough to put the dreadful demon out of its misery.
A biolizard..? I have never seen a vicious creature like this before..! Echidna thought.
"We had to deal with aggressive canines plus a panther, and now this!?" Ayame voiced her shock and frustration.
"Hold on, Kou. We'll soon be on our way." Leann said.
Thanks to the extending Power Pole, Ayame got her team to the usual landing beside the crystal dome. While there, they observed something very horrifying, as if their nightmares have really come true.
Echidna described in loud whispers that the Neo-recruits to a yakuza organization were required to take a servient role to one of the more experienced members. They were officially called kobun, literally translated as child roles. Yakuza had a complex leadership structure, much like the special forces, but there were many layers one must progress through to reach the top. It was undoubtedly accurate that each of the three soared through the ranks with flying colors, considering most of the membership were expendable carbon copies.
The initiation ritual for the new recruits occurred with a ceremony based around sake. The interns sat opposite their oyabun, or their father role. In this case was the tall, hooded figure that comatose them earlier, while the drink itself was prepared by other members. The newcomers each got a small portion while their cup was filled to the brim, a reflection of their status. Each of the former bouncers, as well as their cloned counterparts, sipped from their own cup, before swapping and taking another drink, at which point the ceremony came to a close. This was supposed to represent the creation of what was supposed to be an adoptive father/son bond between the kobun and oyabun. By the time they finished, barely feeling their whirling heads, all three made a kowtow to him as he rose up and stood over the tranced trio.
"That does it! I'm not going to let those traitors stay loyal to the Yakuza!" Echidna led her vengeance and Leann and Ayame begged her to stop, but to no avail.
From a creaking noise on the roof by someone's body weight, the ominous man looked over. He knew something was up, even though he hardly saw anything. He then focused upon his new recruits and made a sudden clap. The sound made the threesome raise ther heads abruptly, their eyes were gleaming with pure bloodlust. They rose as all three females rushed in. They could never believe what they were seeing right before their very terrified eyes!
"Is-is that you, Volt!?"
"Kou!? You've disobeyed my orders!"
"S-Sion..! His light ki is gone..!"
The hooded figure pointed toward the hapless trio. They were on their own now, facing the malicious team that were once their closest allies.
"You better not have forgotten who you're dealing with...trespassers." the wrestler struck fear into them like a lightning strike.
"Your days are numbered, Volt!" Echidna cried in resentment.
"I'm now a close servant working for the Yakuza. How do you like them apples, Leann..?" the Tae Kwon Do expert sneered with power and chaos.
"Kou! What the hell are you doing!?" Leann asked in a shocked tone.
"I should've been part of the Yakuza since I was young. My true master is indeed Master Mikado!" the street fighter fixed her eyes on her closest friend.
"Sion..? N-no! Don't do this!" Ayame screeched.
The ladies were startled, yet they had no choice. Volt fought Echidna while Ayame went for Sion, and Leann took on Kou. The bouncers and the women each rotated around their enemies, and while Volt's intimidating structure went toward her, Ayame made a desperate attempt at his genitalia as he was closing in on her. As she was receiving so much abuse, she backed away, withdrew her Power Pole, and cupped her hands behind her. "That's IT! Kame...hame...ha!"
Instead of a powerful energy wave, her palms were only emitting thin smoke. For some reason, Ayame's Kamehameha Wave didn't work, as she noticed her Ki has been affected, just as a desperate move., never holding back.
"Nothing happened! Something's wrong with my ki energy!"
AS the fight progressed, she realized the dark ki multiplied from the hooded stranger who had strands of blonde hair streaking down his cheeks, as well as the bouncers, and Yakuza, overriding her light ki rendering her defenseless. Instead, she only had to rely on her Power Pole for offense and defense. And she was quite fearful when she only resorted to close combat; she knew their prowess was three times as much as hers alone, so she stayed behind Echidna and Leann unless if they should advance to her.
Echidna, though, had little to no problem aiming low on each of the men, including aiming for their private parts, just enough to stun them.
Leann was all over the place as she aimed toward multiple positions, high or low.
Just then... "You ready..?" Volt shook his arms, and Leann was caught in the crossfire of the bouncers' Trinity attack: Kou forced her into Volt's bulk which slammed and pinned her to the floor.
"Noooo!"
With so much effort and little to no time, Ayame managed to fire an energy blast toward Sion before he made the finishing move as he was about to kick her face in like a football. This rendered him off his feet, and Kou and Volt were left standing. Still, Echidna, Ayame and Leann teamed up, aimed below their belts, while Kou got his legs mangled, and they eventually went down for the count.
Ayame barely caught her breath as her heart raced a million beats. She focused on the ominous figure, realizing he was the true source of the dark ki, "You make me shiver... What are you!?"
"This is all too familiar..." Leann made a sharp gasp. "Could it be-"
"Volt, you have to snap out of it! ALL of you!" Echidna let out her fiery persona.
"So...you want to know who I am, do you..? I believe you meddling whores know me all too well! I lead the Yakuza as well as those impressive fighters who happen to be my new associates." They all rose, but he rose a hand to keep them at bay.
Registering that voice, Ayame recognized he was none other than...
...Dauragon! Dauragon C. Mikado, the resurrected former head of the Mikado Group!
"Ha..! You're not as stupid as you look!"
Suddenly, there was a slight rumble beneath the women's' feet, like a subway passing by. "Oh no-!" Stricken with fear, the floor collapsed but Ayame used her Power Pole to keep them alive and conscious.
"Power Pole extend!" It responded as it glowed in the pitch-black pit, and each lady grabbed hold onto it while the ends just stretched to the top and bottom which the latter was just several feet away.
By the time they got their bearings and caught their breaths, Leann queried, "Echidna, you alright?"
"I'm ok. Leann?"
"Yeah. I'm a few feet below you."
"Ayame?"
"Y-yeah... I think I'm...alright." she tried her best to prevent the bile from rising as her throat felt it was as tight as an air socket.
Much like firefighters, Leann slid down the pole. Echidna, with her expertise in using one, gracefully descended after her as soon as Leann's feet hit solid ground. Then, with a few shout outs, they signaled Ayame to climb down. She held it in her right hand, and the Pole retracted to its normal length. Thanks to Leann's communicator, its LSD screen lit up, allowing the women to see their surroundings, albeit vaguely. The women were so grateful to still be alive and conscious, but Ayame was so close to burst into tears when she recalled Sion's viciousness.
"Leann-I... I have to contact the group..!"
Leann handed her device over and Ayame immediately used it as she dialed the number for Fate; her fingers were covered in a cold terror sweat as they slid. With exact precision on each step, Android 18 picked it up and the Z-Fighter alerted the group.
"18..! It's Dauragon!" She struggled to keep her hoarse voice level.
"What?" Her face began to wrinkle.
"It's Dauragon, he's back!" The cyborg hesitated for a few paces before she ordered Wong, Krillin and Dominique to come down. While holding the receiver, she told them upfront.
"My...my brother has returned..?" the young android was just as floored as her coach.
Wong's mind shifted to when he was killed in cold blood, then his heart nearly stopped. His body wavered, but Krillin caught him in time. "Wong! Oh no..! This...this is horrible."
"You think Dauragon was wished back by the Dragon Balls?" 18 asked.
"I don't know. I can't be sure if a Yakuza member used them, or maybe he's just a clone... I...I don't know." Ayame was at a complete loss.
This was undoubtedly by far the worst possible scenario the new heroes have ever faced...
A/N: Though it was said by an old man at Jingle Village that the Nimbus Cloud cannot be destroyed, Tambourine somehow destroyed it. It is possible that the Nimbus was destroyed because Tambourine used ki, as opposed to the Rocket Launcher that Colonel Silver used to blast it, or because no one as powerful as Tambourine had ever tried to destroy a Flying Nimbus before the King Piccolo Saga in the Dragon Ball series.
Another thing the sequel should have are like different elements, or play styles; maybe if there's a dogfight for instance and the heroes can still get Bouncer Points if an enemy ship is shot down. Also, Ayame would be fighting to a similar style if Fox would deal with the Sharpclaws in Starfox Adventures.
According to Wikipedia, the drinking of the alcoholic beverage, sake, is a common ceremony to represent the creation of a bond in Japanese culture. Sake was seen as a bond that adheres the relationship between people. This historical link gives the Yakuza ceremony a religious significance, so it is often performed at a Japanese Shinto shrine, or in this case, a place of power like the Mikado crystal dome.
So, yes, Dauragon C. Mikado was somehow resurrected and is now leading the Yakuza along with Sion, Volt, and Kou as official members. And the women are now stranded and imprisoned at his domain. Will the Z-Fighters come to their rescue, or will it be a lose-lose situation for all of them?