Part 4: Aftermath
-GOVERNMENT BUILDING OBSERVATION DECK, TOKYO METROPOLIS; ONE WEEK AFTER MOUNT FUJI ERUPTION-
A message from the Empress and the Prime Minister of Japan, despite the heavy air and heavier mood of the atmosphere:
"Seven days ago, when the renegade broke Fuji-san's spirit and erupted out most sacred symbol, we thought of nothing but revenge against the male indecencies of our country. After all, the renegade was a man, and in the past, Japan has had its fair share of abuse and commodification. So, we thought it best to return the favor to our oppressors. Thought."
"We were about to enact it as well, until we received word about a pirated broadcast sent around the world, and it displayed a male prison camp, supposedly near the site of the battle against the renegade. It showed indecent activity that even we wouldn't consider. We also received word that one of our own, Tabane Shinonono, the creator of the Infinite Stratos, was directly linked to the White Knight Missile Crisis. We want to take a moment to address these issues and put them to rest."
"Nothing could be further from the truth. We did not know about Tabane's hacking scheme to manipulate the world's missile systems. We also had no knowledge of any of the prison camp activity that occurred before the eruption. These events are purely coincidental, and acted independently by women unrelated to the government. We were aware of no such activity. We spent all of our resources on trying to apprehend the renegade."
"We are telling you this because we can't afford to look back anymore. Rather, we must focus on the future. We ask of the world to help us rebuild our beloved cities. Help us get back on track."
"And help us remember to never allow this curse to become a curse. We ask everyone who survived to continue the fight. Continue the struggle against the tyranny. And con-"
-NEW YORK CITY, U.S, 12:46 LOCAL TIME; TWO WEEKS AFTER MOUNT FUJI ERUPTION-
A message that was broadcast around the world, including the UN Security Council, who called an emergency meeting as soon as they got the word about the eruption.
They played the message, and someone stopped the tape.
"So, you're telling me, Empress," the chairwoman of the First Committee rubbed her forehead, "that we should just completely disregard the fact that you have a whistleblower who just revealed...DAMMING information...and rally the world to send you money to put God knows where?"
"I don't know why we're having this kind of discussion," the Committee secretary said, "We just have to worry about the fact that the eruption is twice as bad as 1707!"
"We have to have it because this is the worst timing of events ever," the chairwoman responded, "First, the IS. Then, the Missile crisis, the Gospel, Phantom Task, the Purge, now the renegade and this. We can't ignore it anymore because the first target of all these disturbances is always Japan."
"I concur," the vice chairman said, "And we haven't even talked about our own investigation, just the suspicion that Japan is hiding something."
"And what may we be hiding, sir?" the Prime Minister demanded. The vice chairman looked a little worried before the chairwoman encouraged him to go on. He did so, using a PowerPoint.
"Well, two days after your message, we tracked all info leaked by the renegade," he said, "and not only did we manage to find the codes in the notebook matched Tabane's handwriting stroke for stroke, we also found that the prison camp at Mount Fuji was just the forerunner in a network of international prison camps privately funded by the government. To avoid total detection, the camps are disconnected from the rest of the world, meaning no internet or wireless or anything electronic."
"And why is this of any importance?" The Empress asked.
"Because the camps were funded using two percent of the income of all female employees of the National Diet Building, the Tokyo Government Building, and 17 out of the 43 prefectures," the chairwoman said.
"They acted on their own will," the Prime Minister tried to shift the blame, "We had no knowledge of this."
"Actually, I sent my vice chairman to test that theory, and he got this," the chairwoman held up a letter, which said to put more camps in virtually every district with places no one will be able to find. Compare that to an earlier letter approving the development of IS-based railways, and...well, "Prime Minister, if you wanted to go old school, you should've at least changed your handwriting."
Everyone that participated in the pursuit of the renegade, minus Xingjia, Tabane, Kanzashi, and Cecilia, was sitting in the jury section, listening to every single word of that exchange. It was a huge shocker. They were instructed to defend the Prime Minister and the Empress, and here they were finding out that those two double-crossed them.
"Both of you, back to your seats," the chairwoman shook off, "Ichika Orimura, take the stand."
The Empress and Prime Minister left the table defeated, but not before giving Ichika a menacing stare.
"What do we do now?" Lingyin squirmed.
"I don't know," Maya whispered.
"It's ok," Ichika stood up, "I got this." And he walked into the spotlight of hundreds of cameras, ready to pounce on him the instant he screws up. Chifuyu and Houki crossed their fingers hoping he'll say the right things and get this done. The moment of truth unfolded as he sat down in front of the microphone.
"Before we get started the chairwoman said, "Let me say on the outset that we are grateful to you and your comrades for continuing to risk your lives to protecting the world. And I can't help but feel that you are being pressured to follow the Empress's instructions to say a certain thing. So, until we send you back, this is just between us. Are we clear?"
"Yes, chairwoman," Ichika said.
"Given the events leading up to the battle of Fuji," the chairwoman continued, "and the renegade's unknown origins, do you think that all parties involved have contributed to the damage?"
Ichika thought for five seconds before saying, "To some extent, yes. I mean, the renegade's responsible for 95% of the damage, but the most striking example of our fault is that skirmish with Cecilia and Cecilia."
"And that was unrelated to the renegade, I assume?"
"No, no it wasn't."
"Why do you say that this is not purely the renegade's fault?"
"For the simple reason that we should've seen this coming a long time ago. If Japan is the world leader in IS technology, then it should at least be able to plug up holes in its system and development long ago."
The vice chairman raised an eyebrow, "Would that have included removing yourself from the roster of IS pilots?"
Ichika hesitated to say, but he felt he had to, "Yeah. It still does."
"So, the fact that you haven't done so," the secretary said, "must mean that there's a bigger implication of your current status. The example that stands out the most is the World Purge, when an unknown computer virus hacked into not only the IS Academy's network, but every IS network on the planet. What would you say are the chances that it would not have happened had you not been selected as a Representative Contender?"
Again, Ichika hesitated, "While I can't say for certain because I don't know who sent the virus...yeah, it's pretty moderate, 40% at most."
"I see," the secretary said, then turned to the chairwoman, "Anything else we need from him? The big stuff, we can save for Shinonono..."
"Just one more question," the vice chairman blurted, "You once said that you believe in the good of all people. You've seen how much damage the renegade caused, as well as the code word information he leaked. Would you say that there is good in him?"
The big one. Ichika had to come up with an answer that wouldn't sympathize with the renegade, but he also knows that he will be on the run just because of his background.
"Nowhere near enough to redeem him," he gave his final answer, "but, yeah. It's there."
The Committee was satisfied. "Thank you," the chairwoman said, "Back to your seat. Houki Shinonono to the stand."
Ichika went back satisfied as well. "Good luck, Houki," he whispered as he gave her the baton.
"We are so getting doxed," Laura said.
"Let's start the big one, Miss Shinonono," the chairwoman said, "From what point were you aware of your sister, Tabane's involvement with the White Knight Missile Crisis?"
"From the leaks and the world news the day after Mt Fuji," Houki answered.
"Were you kept in the dark until that day?"
"Well, I wouldn't say it was on purpose. Even before the renegade, we didn't talk about it very much. All we cared about was that it was averted and we left it at that."
"Let's move to the months leading up to the eruption," the vice chairman said, "There was an IS that the renegade stole and piloted before he stole the Silverio Gospel. This was at an unguarded compound within 10 miles of your dojo. How is it that you were not made aware of that compound?"
"I honestly have no idea," Houki ran through her memories, "The only thing I know about it was that I saw a dirt road with a sign, "Do Not Enter." I thought that it was something very volatile, and avoided it."
"Miss Shinonono," the chairwoman said, "that IS had a core coded as 000. We're still trying to verify this against the available cores and information, so it's possible that it could be just another core. But if it's not, and it does turn out to be an authentic 000, what does this say about the IS in general?"
"It says too much about the IS," Houki said, "And I'm not sure we can figure out what that is. Could my sister have found it in outer space? I don't know. What I do know is that the world is desperately trying to get ahead of Japan now, and as pointed out by the Empress, we run a huge risk of collapse if it gets too intense."
"Speaking of the Empress, you have heard her testimony. But she has not yet fully commented on the prison camps as relating to the current crisis. You don't have to comment on it either, but if you co-"
"Oh, I have so much to say," Houki stopped them, seizing the opportunity to let loose, "but I'll just sum it up in one sentence. I wanna hock a loogie every time I see it, and I will never understand why those camps have to exist in the first place."
"But what can you say now that Chūbu region has been virtually reduced to nothing?" the secretary asked.
"I think that we do need the aid from other countries," Houki said, "The renegade destroyed the Academy, but we had the resources to restore and renovate it, only made possible by international help. And..." she inhaled, preparing for the beloved, "...let me go on record saying that we have manpower and womanpower cooperating with each other, and that was the only way we stood a chance against the renegade."
"We'll get more details from your comrades, but thank you for that," the chairwoman said, "You may sit down. Chifuyu Orimura, take the stand."
Houki went back to the pews.
"That was really bold, even for you," Chifuyu passed by.
"It had to be done," Houki whispered.
"Wanna hock a loogie..." Clarissa mocked, "Really?"
"You laughed too," Houki snapped.
The Empress and Prime Minister sat back and watched as their plan for covering up their flaws...well, it fell apart when the Committee showed the documents and letters, but the people they told to defend them strayed from the plan. The others gave their testimonies to the chaos surrounding the renegade and the faults in the current IS tech systems. Occasionally, they related to Madoka, Autumn, Squall, and the incident with Xingjia. Together, they amounted to:
Even though the renegade is the one responsible for the disaster, everyone else made it possible. No one takes the whole blame; everyone shares it.
Finally, the hearing had concluded. Everyone left the tower still dazed, but confident that they said everything they needed to say.
Except the Empress and Prime Minister.
"I still can't believe Xingjia was able to buy some of those camps in the first place," Lingyin said, "where'd she even pull all that money from?"
"The magical asses of everyone she extorted, I'll bet," Chifuyu said.
"At least the world will bring some sense of mind now..." Chelsea rubbed her head, exhausted.
"A lot of good that will do," the Prime Minister invaded the group's personal space, "You had one job. And you failed. All because you let him get to your head."
"Damn right," Chifuyu put her hands up and stretched, "If he weren't here, I would've lied and said you detonated Mt Fuji, or something like that."
"Ugh! How dare you?!" The Prime Minister shrieked, "We warned you about this!"
"Hey, I was prepared to die long ago," Chifuyu countered, "What's taking you so long? Got an orgy party planned or something?"
"You will pay for this," the Prime Minister and the Empress left in their limo to the airport.
"Please tell me that's not what I think it means," Chelsea said.
"Ok," Chifuyu walked towards a bar, "I won't tell you." But she cracked a smile when she heard Chelsea freak out.
"Simmer down, lady," Lingyin swatted Chelsea's cheek, "We can handle this. We almost died twice before, after all."
"But we still have to warn them!" Chelsea looked around and noticed that she and Lingyin were the only ones at the entrance. "Um, where is them?"
Lingyin kicked a door down to reveal the rest of the group spewing out answers to paparazzi. "Ruining their characters and just saying whatever, making the tabloids veeeeeeeeeery satisfied," she flapped her hand towards Houki, who lost the most cool of out everyone in the entire state.
"Can't Miss Orimura calm them down?" Chelsea freaked out again, and lost all of her cool when Lingyin pointed her thumb to Chifuyu threw her cool at another drunk lady. Chelsea joined the fray to separate them.
"I am so glad I ordered a two week stay for us," Lingyin shrugged it off and made for the Hard Rock Cafe.
-JOHN F. KENNEDY INT'L AIRPORT, 15:22-
The Empress and Prime Minister took off towards their home. They were still reeling from the fact that nothing went as planned. Everything could've been over by now. But the renegade...just couldn't seem to leave their minds.
"It's not over, Empress," the Prime Minister said, "We can still bring the male ruckus to its knees."
"And risk retribution from the entire world?" The Empress questioned, "Surely you wish to survive with something left..."
"We had everything planned...what makes you say that?"
"Think about it...if it were a woman, how would you respond?"
"I would say that is the most preposterous thing ever said! There's absolutely no way that it would happen!"
"But if it did..."
"...Then I would've dealt with her worse than the renegade. She is blind to the truth."
"I see...perhaps the only problem with the world is the world?"
"That is exactly why we have to sway them. We are the forerunners of the Infinite Stratos. We must lead the world."
If...only...
While they left to prepare for their final plan, the pilots wasted two weeks fooling around in New York. Their experience in America was a rather surreal one, in that they lived it up. Despite Japan being in the danger zone, everyone forgot about it for one week, opting instead to lure the paparazzi into tracking their exploits. Including drinking, surprisingly good and horrid karaoke, late night traffic jams, AN EXHIBITION MATCH DEAR GOD, interviews at Times Square Studios double dear God, making a beach of a port triple dear God, goofy impromptu fashion shows quadrunipple dear God, etc.
-TIMES SQUARE, 21:11-
All culminating in a final night of jamboree and high spirits at the Knickerbocker. Everyone slammed their glasses above the coffe table, gave one last "WOOF*INGHOO!", and toasted to their biggest...sanity comeback of all time.
"Man, I never felt so aliiiiiiiiiiive!" Maya drank too much, "Come on, who wants to dance?!"
"Let me see your raise, then!" Laura removed her contacts, "I'll demonstrate why I'm an officer of the German Army!" And initiated a bottleless vodka fight.
"What'd I tell you?" Lingyin slouched on Chelsea's lap, "Ruining their characters..."
"This is exactly why I drink champagne," Chelsea was holding back her laughter.
"One guy with a bunch of girls here," Ichika slammed his foot on the table, "You do realize that I'm gonna call the shots in a few seconds, right?"
"Oh, posh," Houki cuddled to his neck, "Let's just enjoy the night, shall we?" And dragged him into the holy land.
"Hey, I want some of that!" Maya stopped and joined them.
"Don't take you eyes off the enemy!" Laura escalated the situation too quickly.
Lingyin, Chelsea, Chifuyu and Clarissa just...looked.
"What was that comment about an orgy party, bartender?" Clarissa joked.
"Shaddup," Chifuyu prepared a heavy one, "Chelsea alreadymade me eat my words, ok?"
Chelsea laughed.
"Hey, did Ichika drink at all during his life?" Lingyin asked.
"No, why?" Chifuyu was pouring for Clarissa when she saw the inconceivable, "Well...I almost feel sorry for him."
"Why's that?"
"I plan to make him lug everything back to the airport," Chifuyu grinned, "Poor kids gonna go to sleep throwing out his pelvis."
They all laughed as they spent the night toasting to their own lives while Ichika...
-PACIFIC OCEAN, MIDFLIGHT BOUND FOR CHINA-
...paid the price for not sparing his energy, "I honestly thought you were joking..."
"You're about to have a wife," Chifuyu winked, "You need to be twice as you as you are now."
"Why me, though..." Ichika grimaced as he turned his head to scan the rest of the crew.
Houki and Lingyin were asleep, Laura was in extreme pain, and Maya was fired earlier this morning. Clarissa was comforting Laura, who kept saying that it was a mistake on several accounts. Chelsea was just enjoying her music.
"Hey, Chi-nee..." Ichika nervously asked, "You really think I'm a better man?"
"Pbbtt...I'd say you're the same thick-headed dunce who was too stupid to say no to a fight if any lives are on the line..." Chifuyu reflected back on how he went out to fight against the renegade, despite everyone telling him no, "So, yeah. I'd say you've become quite a man now."
Ichika blushed a bit. It's been a long time since she complemented him like that. "Thanks..."
"Nope," Chifuyu turned away, "As a proper thank you, I expect three times the you from now on."
"Uy..." Ichika was about to lay back when a notification popped on everyone's monitors. The group tapped the notification, which led them to a live news cast from Times Square.
And to their WTFFFFFIGO moment.
The United Nations have passed a series of binding resolutions two nights ago, none of which received any vetoes by the permanent members:
By a 9-6 vote, deny all non-charitable aid to Japan;
By a unanimous vote, establish a task force to hunt down Phantom Task and bring them to a fair trial;
By a 10-5 vote, place sanctions restricting all international trade on goods until Japan ensures all genders on equal grounds;
By a 10-5 vote, send out another task force to investigate further into Japan's woman-centric politics;
By a unanimous vote, the worst of them:
From the moment of the passing of the resolution onwards, should anything be suspected to have happened, be currently happening, or soon happen, to those who took part in the pursuit of the renegade, or their immediate and extended family members, prior to the eruption of Mt Fuji as a result of retaliation against the preceding resolutions, it will be treated and formally recognized as an act of war.
One which, under the Alaska Treaty, anyone can respond to.
-NATIONAL DIET BUILDING; TOKYO METROPOLIS-
That meant that the Empress and Prime Minister's plans were completely shut down.
"In what possible universe does this make sense?!" the Prime Minister screamed, "They are supposed to sympathize with us!"
"They want our research and our cores, plain and simple!" One politician blared out.
"What do we do now?!" Another asked.
The Prime Minister ran through all possibilities and outcomes. If she tried to goad them into leaving Japan forever, that will reek of retaliation, disguised as bribery. If they try to hide or destroy all their conspiracy plans, they would only buy them a few months before someone eventually fills the gaps in info. And of course, there was the option they were going to do, brand them as traitors, but with pov broadcasting a requirement, it will cost them far more to cover it up.
The entire building looked through all of their options. But no matter what the came up with, it all led to one particularly haunting conclusion:
The renegade is still out there. Not even the strongest women in the entire world could bring him down. If they try anything, he'll be back to finish what he started.
So, they were reduced to two options: live under the constant lights of the world, or die with their dignity...and the rest of their country.
"We have no choice..." the Empress hung her head low, "We must surrender..."
The entire building cannot believe what they've heard. Anything but surrender. There had to be something they could do. There was always something to do.
And they knew, right then and there, it resulted in two bombs one time. An earthquake another time. Now, this.
The Prime Minister agreed. At one point, she had read Akame ga Kill three times. Never had its relevance been more prominent until now. Lest she, or the Empress, become disembodied in public, they would be wise to follow the rules set forth by the world.
The rest of Japan heard the news. Right away, some were denying everything that happened. Some fled the country. Everyone else was broken. They had so many questions, none of which will be answered the way they wanted. They strongly believed that women were the future of the world. They still believed that. The only thing to brace for now, is the future their belief will bring.
Well, they taunted men for being over-privileged. Now, they're about to find out what a price to pay for privilege.
-BEIJING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, 18:33 LOCAL TIME-
The group was still saying their temporary goodbyes. Lingyin was greeted by her Presidential entourage as the group split.
"Well," Ichika said, "Looks like we won't be seeing each other again for a long time."
"We have ways of keeping in touch with each other," Houki said.
"Don't remind me..." Laura was still rubbing her crotch.
"Captain and I have withdrawn our forces the instant Tabane entered the battle," Clarissa said, "We have a lot to do since the renegade is still out there."
"And I'm going back to England to straighten things out with Cecilia," Chelsea said, "We parted on a sour note. Now that things have somewhat settled down, maybe she'll listen."
"And I have enough to deal with as is," Lingyin peeked at her secretary, who was holding a giant, overstuffed notebook, "What are you guys gonna do?"
"We have a ton of recovery work to do," Chifuyu said, "I'm just mad it took the renegade and the UN to finally open the Prime Minister's eyes." And the whole group talked smack at her. "Just saying!" She quipped.
"Japan's in a state of emergency, and the only help we're getting is from charities," Houki said, "They'll need our help, whether they like it or not."
"Seeing as how we trashed our own reputations," Maya said embarrassingly, "yeah, they're stuck with us." Everyone except Chifuyu and Lingyin groaned.
"Anyway!" Lingyin clapped her hands.
"Hey, Rin," Houki asked, "When you said that any childhood friend of-"
"I meant every word," Lingyin covered Houki's mouth, "Now, please don't embarrass me with them."
"Sure..."
"Besides, I've seen what happens when you hold a grudge...not fun. It's a hell of a lot more easier to let go."
"Ohhhh..."
"Ok, people!" Chifuyu signaled, "Time to split!"
"Right," Laura said, "It's been an honor fighting with you all again. So, I shall keep in touch with you all."
"Same here," Chelsea said, "Well, I should be going! Ciao!" And she was the first to receive a warm reception when she left for her assigned gate.
"I should go as well," Laura said, "Let's go, Clarissa."
"Yes, Captain," Clarissa said, "Goodbye to you!" And they left with warm byes as well.
"So, when are you guys gonna have your wedding?" Lingyin asked.
"Probably when the whole volcano noise blows over," Ichika said.
"And then another noise drowns it out," Chifuyu booked his head.
"Let me know, and I'll have one set up for you guys in Tianamen Square," Lingyin hugged her friends and just shook Chifuyu's hand. "Not at all how I imagined our reunion."
"It happens," Chifuyu said, "but we got the beat of it, so I ain't complaining."
"Likewise," Lingyin darted off to rejoin her home team, "See y'all around the bend!"
The remainder of the group waved their goodbyes as well. And left on their final flight home.
-MIDFLIGHT, BOUND FOR HOKKAIDO-
"So. you finally made your decision?" Houki couldn't resist.
"To be honest, I made it a long time ago," Ichika mused, "but I had to wait until the right time to say it."
"When would be the right time?"
"Now, I guess?" Ichika dug into his seat and scrapped around his pockets for the ring he kept since they were called. He gave it to her through the elbow seat. Dammit, and it's a 24K, too...
Houki stuttered. She thought he played it all well. The beautiful gem snuck through the dirtiest, dankest filth the world could throw at it... and it still managed to keep its glow. A true testament to survival.
"So, whaddaya say?" Oh, god, "Once this whole Fuji mess blows over, will you marry me?" SQUEEEEEEEEEEE
Houki's face turned beet red. She had envisioned this moment...under the fireworks, not in the middle of a flight, but still. This was the defining moment for her.
And yet, all that came out was an extremely high-pitched "O...okay..."
That was all Ichika needed. He smiled and slid the ring on her finger. Houki slid her head on his shoulder, staring at the ring with warm eyes. They slept through the rest of the flight, brimming with a comforting aura.
"About time, blockhead," Chifuyu said, while snapping a hidden shot of Maya writing in her diary how unforgivably ass the proposal was, "And that's why I fired her..."