I woke up with soft leather under under my cheek. A crochet blanket was draped over me, heavy and warm. The sounds of computer work tinkering and a busy street were noisy, but familiar. I didn't bother moving, or even opening my eyes. I could tell where I was. Rou must have found me and brought me back to the lab again. Like picking up litter and bringing it back to throw away. Garbage.
The thought shocked me, but I couldn't dredge up evidence to the contrary. Well, fine. Then I was garbage. It was satisfying thought, in the same disgusting way that stepping on a bug could be.
"Is she alright? She's been sleeping for a while." That was Meiko's voice. Her concern made me angry. I had messed up. I didn't deserve it. I wanted to pull the blanket over my head. I didn't though. Too much effort.
"She's fine," Rou said in his brisk way. "It takes a lot of energy to use the time driver. It's not the first time she has passed out after a fight."
"I thought she hadn't since the spider," Meiko said.
"No. There was a fight with Sharky and Anubis too." Rou said, "And she said she wasn't in great shape the first time she fought the Abomination."
"Is that normal?"
"Nothing about this whole situation is normal," Rou said, exasperated. Meiko was quiet for a long moment, and there was tension in the air. Rou relented first. "It's hard to say. I never had the problem with Akito, unless he was badly injured. I... am not entirely sure how the Time Driver works."
"Didn't you make it?"
"Yes," he sounded frustrated. "But, it took a lot of luck to even get it to the point where it didn't just... blow up. It can channel a lot more purified ReMare energy than Fall." Resentment bubbled up inside. ReMare energy. Was I using them the same way they were using humans? My stomach turned. I really was the same. And Rou was keeping it secret.
"There's got to be a way to make it easier on her," Meiko said with a soft sigh.
"I'm trying. But if you have any ideas, I value your expertise." Rou said. "You really helped me out with that Memoka."
"I don't have any expertise, I just like machines," she demurred. "And I can't really help her any other way." She sounded frustrated. Why? It's not like she actually cared about me now. "I wish I could remember her better. She's going through a lot for me…" Meiko sighed. I pulled my arms in closer to myself. Was it for her? Was it really? Was she really worse off now? Or was it because I was lonely without our friendship? I heard the typing stop. "Are you awake, Meiki?" she asked, her tone lighter.
"Hnn," I answered noncommittally. I felt a cool hand brush my bangs out of my face and I shuddered. I opened my eyes to see Meiko looking down at me.
"Morning, sunshine. We found you at the park. I'm sorry that we didn't see your call sooner," Meiko said. "What happened?"
"You wouldn't have. It's fine," I lied. I sat up and rubbed my face. "The chameleon followed me. Natasha. I beat her." I didn't want to go into more detail. It touched too close to the raw feelings that were running through my head.
"You beat her? Did you collect her light?" Rou demanded.
I shook my head slowly, feeling guilty that I failed in that too. Guilty and pleased. I couldn't use it if I didn't have it. "I passed out. If you didn't see it at the park then I don't know where it's at."
"Damn," Rou muttered, and returned his attention to his work.
"What's going on?" I asked, barely caring.
"We've been working on a new Memoka. It actually..." the computer pinged, "just finished." Rou said, and pulled a glittering gold Memoka out of a socket. "This is Golden. It's slower than Sakura, but the defenses will be much higher."
"We think it'll be strong enough to keep you safe against Anubis and Sharky," Meiko said.
I stared at the Memoka. The otter turtle monster had dropped a gold orb. I took it. "Thanks." I didn't mean it. I stood up. "Listen, I think I'm going to go home and rest. Call me if anything happens."
"Wait. Take this with you. If you get stuck by yourself in a fight again, she'll help you." Rou handed over a purple origami spider. The spider skittered into my hand.
"Ah!" I dropped her immediately. The origami spider floated gently to the ground and landed on her feet.
"Are you okay?" Meiko asked, alarmed.
Rou raised an eyebrow at me. "It's just paper."
I crossed my arms and squeezed them tight to my chest. "Sorry, it seemed real for second and I was surprised that it moved," I lied, looking away. Arachne. Arachne had been a purple spider.
"You've seen her move before. She helped fight Sharky," said Rou, eyebrows furrowed. "Did something happen? Are you alright?"
They were both watching me. I wanted to say that no, I wasn't. I wanted to demand to know what they meant about the Time Driver using ReMare Energy. I wanted to throw the driver back at Rou. Meiko would never get her memories back, but I would be free. And alone. "I just woke up. I'm tired," I said instead. Selfish.
"Alright. Let's go home then," Meiko said, picking up the origami spider.
"No." It came out more sharply than I intended. They both stared at me, and then glanced at each other. "Um. I kind of want to be by myself for a while. Sorry," I said. I couldn't bear having her there, without her memory, trying to help me be Year. It made it feel fake.
"Alright…" Meiko said, more quietly than usual. It crushed me that she sounded disappointed, and I wavered, about to relent and ask her to come with me.
Selfish.
She offered me the spider again. I took it this time without objection, and lurched towards the stairs. The elevator would take too long, and I didn't really want to see Akito either. I waved halfheartedly from the door, not looking back.
I got home, pushed open the door, and without bothering to turn on any lights, navigated straight to my bed and flopped down on it.
Something had to change. I held the gold Memoka up to the light streaming in from my window. It glittered. I don't know why I had taken it. No. I wanted to fight Sharky so I could get Meiko back. But… I didn't like the thought of using ReMare's power when the whole reason we fought them was because they were using human memories as energy. I didn't want to fight Sharky. I didn't like it when they cried. But the energy from using the Time Driver was exhilarating. Fighting was exhilarating. Being Year felt good.
Selfish.
I sighed. I watched the purple origami spider climb up my bed stand. "Are you Arachne? Are you mad at me for defeating you?" The spider paused, and then very deliberately knocked a pen off of my bed stand.
"That's fair," I said. I wallowed in my thoughts a little longer. I wasn't getting anywhere besides more confused. I kicked my feet petulantly before sitting up. "That's it. I'm taking a walk."
I left my apartment. The spider scurried after me. I walked around the block. At the far side, there was a small park. It was an empty dirt field with some playground equipment tucked in one corner.
There was a young woman crying on the swing set. She was tall and muscular, so she sat sort of awkwardly in the children's seat, but she was there. Her hair was tied back into two sleek ponytails, and she had on a dress that looked like it had fireworks printed all over it. Something about her seemed familiar. Maybe she just reminded me of myself. Hadn't I also came to the park to have a pity party?
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"NOOOO!" She sobbed loudly.
I felt like I had accidentally set off the fire alarm. I hurried over to her. "Shhh, calm down. What's wrong? Can I help?" I asked, sitting down next to her on another swing.
"THE BAD DOGGIE SAID I CAN'T PLAY WITH MY FRIEND. SAID I DON'T KNOW WHAT A FRIEND IS. ALL HE WANTS IS FOR ME TO EAT MORE MEMORIES," she shouted, looking up at the sky.
"The bad doggie? Sharky?" I asked, incredulously. "Is that you?" It certainly sounded like the big shark monster, but it didn't look like them at all.
"YES. I AM SHARKY." She hung her head and kicked off with her foot a little. Her wheels were turning for a few moments, before she abruptly spun to face me, twisting the chain of the swing in the process. "YOU'RE YEAR! I HAVE MISSED YOU!"
"You missed me?" I repeated, taken aback.
"YES! I MISSED YOU! FIGHTING YOU WAS FUN. EVEN IF SOMETIMES A LITTLE OUCHY," Sharky said, and spun back around, untwisting the chains of her swing.
"Fun, huh," I said, staring out across the playground. Was it fun?
"YOU DID NOT HAVE FUN?" Sharky demanded.
"No…. You ate a lot of memories that were important to me. I'm sorry I hurt you though," I said. "Being Year isn't much fun, I guess."
"TRYING TO BE A HIGH REMARE IS NOT FUN TOO," Sharky said, sounding as serious as she could at her ridiculously loud standard volume. Then she brightened. "MAYBE WE SHOULD BOTH STOP AND PLAY TOGETHER INSTEAD!"
"I don't think I'd be able to play with you if I stopped being Year. You'd take all my memories," I said, and I didn't bother hiding the accusatory tone.
"OH." Sharky hung her head.
"What even happened to you, Sharky? Why do you look like a human girl?" I asked.
"BECAUSE SHARKY IS STRONG! SHARKY HAS SOOOO MANY COLORS SO SHARKY CAN FIGHT ONE OF THE HIGH REMARES TO BECOME A HIGH REMARE TOO!" Sharky said, pumping a fist into the air, and then letting it drop kind of sadly, "I DON'T THINK THAT WILL BE BETTER… OH! BUT I CAN BE REGULAR SHARKY TOO. IT'S BETTER FOR FIGHTING. HUMAN GIRLS ARE CUTE BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE SO MANY TEETH." Her grin was suddenly very toothy.
"This is true," I said. I couldn't help but smile a little. "So you're going to fight the High ReMares? I've heard they're pretty scary."
"MAYBE. THEY ARE STRONG. BUT BAD DOGGIE DOESN'T WANT ME TO FIGHT THEM YET. IT'S BORING. I CAN'T PLAY WITH YOU OR WITH THEM. SO BOOORED." Sharky kicked at the ground.
"I still don't see why you listen to that guy," I said.
"HE IS STRONG. AND FINDS LOTS OF GOOD MEMORIES." Sharky said, sounding reluctant.
"But you're doing something you don't want to do, right?"
"IT'S COMPLICATED," Sharky said, mimicking me.
"Isn't that the truth," I sighed. My Time Driver took the opportunity to start wailing about a sensor being eaten. "Hnn… I gotta go, I guess." I stood up.
"WHY?" Sharky asked.
"Someone ate an origami flower. If I don't show up, Rou or Aki will get on my case," I said. I had taken Rou's way of fighting from him, so if I didn't do my duty, he'd be angry. And I had been on Aki's case for his reluctance to fight too. Backing out now just seemed hypocritical.
"EAT THEM," Sharky suggested.
I couldn't help but laugh at her suggestion. "I could say the same to you about Anubis," I said, "But thanks. I'm glad we could talk. Next time we meet though…"
Sharky nodded solemnly. "IT'S COMPLICATED."
"Yeah. Sorry," I said, and started off towards where the sensor was showing me. I got to the beach quickly enough with my Synchrocycle. It was nearly empty. April was plenty warm, but it wasn't exactly beach season yet. There was one person sitting on a towel behind a large umbrella. I wondered if whatever ReMare was involved had eaten their memory of what season it was. I approached carefully. "Are you alright?" I asked.
"Are you going to use up your questions so quickly?" It was the pretty pastel girl from the hospital. I took a step back, surprised to see her here.
"Did... did you see a monster around here?" I asked, and she raised an eyebrow at me for the second question. "Please? It's important."
She sighed and shook her head. "I suppose there is no helping it. Curiosity killed the cat you know."
"I've never heard that one," I said.
"I can tell." She sounded annoyed but amused. "I did not see a monster. However, I have a deal to make with you," she said, folding her hands over her knee.
"I don't even know your name," I said, accusingly. "Can't make a deal with a stranger."
For a moment she looked like she was going to scold me for asking more questions, and then she realized I hadn't. I smiled at her flustered look. It made her more irritable. "Now, now. I've done nothing but help you, haven't I? Don't be so distrustful," she said, gesturing dismissively, "But, if you must know, my name is Asuka. And we don't have much time." She stood up gracefully. "You want your friend's memories back. I don't want Sharky and Anubis to get any stronger. I will set a trap for them, for a price. I want the Time Driver, and all of the Memokas."
"You are a ReMare," I said.
"Yes," she said simply. "Is that a reason to distrust me?" Her eye locked on to mine, like she could see into my soul.
I wiggled uncomfortably. "I don't… I don't know," I said. After talking to Sharky, I was even more uncertain. She had seemed so… Well, it was weird that she liked me. And she had seemed almost as lost as I felt. "I'm not even sure that I want to fight Sharky. I don't know what I want."
She smiled and waved a hand. "You wouldn't have to. I'd take care of it," Asuka said. "Just participate in my trap, and you won't have to do any more fighting again. You can live in peace with your friend."
"I don't know," I said, shaking my head. "I want Meiko back but…"
"If you continue down this path, you may become a ReMare yourself," Asuka said, "Is that what you want?" She was suddenly in my face, her eyes flashing yellow as she stared up at me.
"No!" I said, stumbling back. "Wait… That can happen?"
"The Memokas use our light. It's the same power. Every time you use it, it becomes more and more a part of you," Asuka stepped forward, tapping my chest where the Time Driver was hidden inside my pocket. It felt suddenly very hot. Searing white light blinded me.
"Agh!" I fell to my knees, clutching my chest.
"You already wear that light like a second skin. We can all sense it. Did Rou not tell you that the Memokas you use hold our power? What a useless ally." She tutted and stepped away. "Just say yes, and you'll be safe."
"But Sharky…" I objected, clutching the Time Driver through my clothes. "She'd die."
"Is that the only thing holding you back?" She sounded exasperated, and put her hands on her hips. I definitely thought that was a big enough of deal breaker, but she just tisked and continued, "As cute as it is that you're worried about a ReMare's life, you shouldn't bother. Look." She pulled out a light blue orb of light with one hand, and snapped her fingers on the other. "Blots!" she called, her tone light, like she was calling a puppy for dinner.
Two blots oozed up out of the ground. She tossed the light blue orb at one of them. It absorbed into the amorphous inky body and glowing blue lines appeared all over it. "Combine please." The second blot lurched into the blue one and it started taking on more of an animal shape. It looked like… A chameleon.
"Natasha?" I asked.
"Yup, it's me," she stretched and then sketched a bow to Asuka, "Thank you, m'lady. As ever, I totally don't deserve it, I'm your loyal servant, I tremble in your presence. Yada, yada, yada, you know the drill."
"Oh, I do. And so do you." She looked back at me. "Little butterfly, your friends are almost here. I will seek your answer at another date. Don't fail me," Asuka said, and turned away. I heard the screech of motorcycle tires behind me.
"No, wait! I'll do it!" I said. She turned back and grinned at me, and pointed behind me. I turned to look. It was Aki and Rou. I glanced back and Asuka was gone. Natasha was standing there with her hands behind her head, looking manifestly bored.
"Wasn't sure you'd be here. Glad I was wrong," Aki said, as he came up and clapped a hand against my shoulder. I glanced up at him. "You seemed odd earlier."
"Of course she made it. Don't be dumb," Rou said."So, this is our ReMare. She doesn't look very strong."
"Must be stronger than she looks. Jiro, you said she beat the chameleon earlier," Aki said, as he pulled out his Autumn Driver.
"I did." I said, and stood up slowly. "But a pretty girl named Asuka was here and made her again, with some blots."
"Asuka was here?" Rou demanded, his face pale.
"Yes... of course she was," I said, frowning. Everything seemed kind of off.
"Of cou-" He repeated, immediately interrupting himself, "Have you seen her before? What did she want? She didn't touch you, did she?" Rou was suddenly rushing toward me. He grabbed me by vest collar. The Time Driver burned in my pocket.
"Not… not directly? I'm fine, calm down," I said, pushing him away. I stared at him for a long moment, and my gaze hardened. "You. You didn't tell me that the Memokas were made with ReMare light. You didn't tell me that I'm going to become one of them!"
He stumbled back, staring at me. "Aki, take care of the ReMare. I've got to…"
"On it!" Aki had already transformed into Fall. Natasha shrugged and tackled him. They locked into combat.
"You've got to what?! Keep more secrets from me?! Why do all of the ReMares know you?" I shouted, advancing on him. Without really thinking about it, I had drawn out the Time Driver, and swiped the white Memoka across it. "Henshin," I said coldly, and put it against my waist.
"This is your YEAR! Let's go! Let's go! Yeah!" The belt chimed, and there was a swirl of white light. I continued to advance on him. He stumbled into the surf. Water lapped the bottom of my boots.
"Meiki, stop, this isn't like you," Rou said, hands outstretched.
"How do you know?! How do any of us know? What if I'm not even Mei? How am I supposed to trust anything?!" My voice faltered. "I just want to go back," I said, slouching down, staring at my own hands. I clenched them, watching the black lines stretch and bend on the stark white armor. "I want to go back to the way things were."
"I want to protect everyone's precious memories!" Rou shouted. I flinched and looked up at him. His expression gentled, but his hands remained outstretched, like he was trying to calm down a bucking horse. "Meiko and I thought you were kind of… odd earlier. I should have known a powerful ReMare was involved. We know you."
He reached for me slowly, and I shook my head, leaning away. "No, you don't! If you did, you wouldn't be making me do this!" He reached for me, and I batted his hand away, but he grabbed on instead. I could have flung him aside like a rag doll. Instead, he grabbed my other hand too.
Suddenly the Time Driver and the Autumn Driver's alarms went off in a cacophony. Each time it started, it got a little bit into the tune before restarting and replaying.
"That's like, twenty sensors going off at once," Fall said, jogging over, with a globe of light blue light.
"Damn it. We need to go." Rou let go of my hands. I jerked them back to my sides.
Fall spoke gently. "Meiki, are you coming?"
It had to be the sign from Asuka. "Yeah. Let's go," I said, heading to my bike.
"What was that all about?" Fall asked Rou quietly. "Did Asuka...?"
"I trust Meiki," Rou said stubbornly. "We'll do what we can."
"Against the rainbow asshole club?" Fall asked, horrified. "If her memories have turned against us... I can't fight both of them, Jiro."
"She trusted you when it happened to you," Rou said. "Come on."
I glanced back. I thought about telling them I could hear them, that they shouldn't trust me, because I didn't trust them, but they noticed me looking and gave each other an odd look before hurrying to their motorcycles.
I almost wasn't surprised when the sensors lead us back to my apartment complex.
I was definitely not surprised that Sharky and Anubis were standing in the parking lot. I parked, and held out a hand to stop Fall and Rou from advancing. "Wait. Let's see what they're doing. Sharky is really strong now, we shouldn't do anything stupid."
"Wait, that's Sharky?" Fall said, leaning back as if to get a better look.
"Shh," I said. Rou gave me a look, which I ignored.
"My sources said that this is where that Year girl lives. All we need to do now is take her memories of the other girl and no one will remember that friendship at all. And you'll be strong enough to be a High ReMare," Anubis said, looking up at the door to my apartment. Sharky was crouched down and poking at a leaf in a puddle. "Are you even listening, you idiot?"
"NO. YOU ALWAYS SAY THE SAME THING. I AM BORED," Sharky rumbled without looking up.
"Stop playing around!" Anubis smacked Sharky's head. Sharky whipped her head around, suddenly shark shaped again, and growled at Anubis. "The High ReMares will eat you alive without my help. It's in your best interest to obey me!"
"He's right, you know." Asuka said, suddenly perched on the rail in front of my apartment on the second floor. Her human image shimmered briefly, before becoming a brilliantly plumed bird lady. She looked like something that would be found in a tropical rain forest. Streaks of black tarred the glowing feathers on her arms. Somehow she was even more beautiful. I stepped forward. Fall tried to grab me by the shoulder and hold me back, but I shrugged him off. "Ah, and here is my dear butterfly. So glad you could make it."
"YEAR!" Sharky said, hopping up and to attention, "YOU'RE HERE! I DIDN'T THINK YOU WOULD COME!"
"It's her apartment, idiot," Anubis said, rubbing the bridge of his canine nose. "That is why we are here."
"Give me the Time Driver, butterfly," Asuka said, lightly floating down from her perch. "It's time to complete the deal."
"No! Meiki!" Rou shouted. I glanced back at him. His eyes were wide, and he lurched forward. "Please!" Fall grabbed him by the collar of his leather jacket and pulled him back. Fall had his double ended glaive in his other hand and trained on Asuka. She seemed supremely unconcerned.
The plea was not entirely on deaf ears. It did make me hesitate for a second. Only a second though. I wiped the Time Driver clear.
"Erase, Bye bye," it said. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it sounded sad.
I held it out for Asuka, who took it gingerly and patted my head. "What a good little butterfly," she said. I grinned stupidly. She jumped away, and sat back on her perch in front of my apartment. "Alright, Anubis. You may destroy her."
"What?" I said, her words not processing in my mind. Had she really just told Anubis to attack me? I thought she wanted Anubis dead? "That wasn't the deal…" I sank to the ground, suddenly feeling very weak and lost.
"Of course it was! Well, not the one with you, but I didn't specify which deal I was honoring, did I? Oops, sorry, my mistake." She covered her beak delicately with one hand, giggling to herself.
Anubis joined in with his own howling laughter. "Foolish girl," he said, drawing a jet black staff, and advancing on me. He was right.
There was a flash of bronze in front of me, and Fall was there. It surprised me. I didn't deserve it. But he was there. "You'll have to get through me, first!" Fall said, spinning his glaive and detaching it so it was now two weapons.
"That's worked so well for you in the past, hasn't it, Autumn?" Anubis asked, tilting his head slightly, grinning to show off his sharp teeth.
Fall tightened his grip on his glaives. The bronze energy of the glowing blades at the end sparked. "I will protect them!" He ran forward, throwing one glaive. Anubis stepped aside to dodge it, and swatted aside the second glaive with his staff. He took that opportunity to get within Fall's defenses and punched him several times in quick succession before delivering a brutal kick that sent Fall flying. His transformation disappeared.
He didn't get up.
Rou swore and went to him.
"What a lovely mess you've made for your comrades. Too bad you and Sharky didn't take my advice and destroy each other before you got all of your little friends involved." Anubis shook his head in mock consternation.
"No… This isn't what I wanted," I whispered. But I couldn't move. It was almost as if I had forgotten how. Which, now that I think of it, was probably exactly what happened.
Sharky crouched down, baring her teeth. "Oh? Are you going to finish the job now?" Anubis asked, slashing his staff at the empty air. "Too bad, you had your chance. She's mine." Anubis was suddenly standing over me, staff pointed in my face.
"Any last words? This time you won't be able to come back, cockroach. I'll make sure of it," Anubis growled. I stared up at him. I couldn't do anything else. "No? Well then, that's it." He raised the staff to attack.
In a flash of color, Sharky crashed into him, jaws biting at his arm. Anubis howled, and tried to pull away from the shark. "Traitor! What are you doing?! Get off me, you… you idiot!"
Sharky emptied her mouth to retort, "YOU CAN'T KILL HER! SHE IS MY FRIEND AND SHE'S RIGHT! YOU'RE A BIG STINKY BAD DOG JERK!" She punctuated each insult with a punch. Anubis managed to roll out from under her and get to one knee. Sharky snarled and turned to face him. She ran at him again. Anubis slashed at Sharky, but the black staff passed cleanly through Sharky's inky armor and left no damage. Sharky bit Anubis's arm and tore it off.
Anubis cried out in pain. Sharky ignored it and bit off the dog's other arm. Anubis's inky form melted away, leaving only a large ball of pink light. Sharky ignored it, and turned towards Asuka. "YOU'RE NEXT, BIRDIE!" she said, pointing up at the other ReMare. "I WON'T LET YOU HURT HER!"
"Now I've seen everything. A human wanting to protect ReMares, and a ReMare protecting a human. Have the memories you've stolen infected you with feelings?" She dragged out the last word and laughed. "Do try. This day can only get more amusing." Sharky roared a wordless challenge and pulled on the bottom of the rail, trying to dislodge Asuka from her perch. The bird ReMare looked down at her with an expression of amused pity.
Rou had propped up Aki against a tree, and came to check up on me, "Are you okay? Can you get out of here?"
"Can't move my legs… I'm so sorry…" I said, slumping forward, barely catching myself from falling with my hands. "I don't know why I trusted her..."
"She messed with your head. Don't worry. I'll figure something out," Rou said, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. "We've been in worse situations."
"What are you going to do?" I spat it out. He couldn't fight. He didn't have his own driver.
"I remembered a few important things. I'll be fine." It felt like a lie, but he flashed a smile that seemed oddly gentle for him, before standing up and walking to where Anubis had fallen. He picked up the pink orb and it absorbed into his skin. He shuddered, his eyes flashing pink. He turned away from me, watching Sharky's attack.
Sharky had actually managed to pry several of the railing's support bars off, and Asuka stood up and floated down to the ground rather than be dislodged ungracefully. Asuka summoned a thin bright yellow rapier and stood on guard. Her left hand held the Time Driver behind her back. Sharky threw herself at Asuka, attempting to bite and punch, but it seemed like Asuka barely deigned to notice the attacks. She stepped out of the way with grace, poking at Sharky with the rapier. Unlike Anubis's staff, it left behind damage. Yellow welts sprung up wherever Asuka prodded.
Sharky slowed, panting hard. Asuka stood on guard again, relaxed and ready. "Well? I thought you were going to entertain me."
"FUCK. YOU." Sharky said between heavy breaths.
Asuka tisked but said nothing. Sharky began another onslaught. It was hard to follow, but this time, it seemed like a frown crossed Asuka's face as she suddenly had to concentrate. More yellow welts sprung up over Sharky's body.
Sharky jumped up and aimed a kick at Asuka. She barely got out of the way, spinning like a ballerina, and delivered a brutal slash across Sharky's back. Sharky stumbled to the ground in front of me.
"Are you quite finished with this foolish assault?" Asuka asked, crossing her arms impatiently. "
Sharky laughed, but it broke into a coughing fit. "FINISHED," she said, and slowly, painfully, stretched out her arm to me.
She had the Time Driver.
"TAKE, FRIEND. LET's PLay… again…" her voice faded.
I couldn't just refuse her, after she had risked her life for me. "Sharky, it's okay… I'll take it…" I reached out and took it, "I'm so sorry. I was so stupid…"
"Not stupid. don't let bad doggies say that…" Sharky muttered, squeezing my hand.
"Don't… Just rest. We'll get help," I said, trying to pull myself up so I could cradle her head.
"When did you get that?!" Asuka demanded, suddenly standing over us.
It felt like my chest was suddenly full of white hot light. I swiped the Memoka across the Time Driver, and slowly brought it down to my waist, "Henshin," I said quietly. White light swirled around me.
"This is your YEAR! Let's go! Let's go! Yeah!" The belt chimed. Strength returned to my limbs. I stood up slowly, glowing bright. The Prism Charge announced that it was ready immediately, and I drew the glowing white Prism Blade
Asuka took a step back, "You shouldn't be able to-" She had to stop and jump back, hastily raising her sword to parry a slash as I advanced with the Prism Blade. Our swords ground together, the Prism Blade giving off sparks of light. Asuka grit her teeth and knocked my hand away, delivering several quick thrusts to my chest before I could stagger back and get my guard up. She started circling me warily, and I shifted slowly so that she didn't get behind me.
She lunged suddenly and I dodged, rolling on the ground and springing up to my feet. She noticed Rou crouching next to Sharky, and started to advance on them.
"No!" I ran and skidded to a stop in front of her, aiming a strike at her sword arm. She was too fast. She managed to block it. She rotated the sword in widening circles, and struck hard blow to my armored fist. The blade fell out of my hand and she kicked it out of the way, before stabbing at me a few more times. I staggered back. I could feel Year's energy depleting. Fine. I swiped a hand across the Time Driver and uncapped the gold Memoka. I swiped it across the Time Driver and shouted "Henshin!"
Asuka aimed another attack, but glittering gold light, leaping like fishes, swirled around me, knocking her back. "Glitter Golden! Go!" My armor was now shiny and gold, and my cape had two golden carps that seemed to swim as it caught the wind.
No time to stop now. I rushed forward, just as the belt announced "Prism Charge Complete!" I drew it as I ran. This Memoka split into two and wrapped around my hands, and claws of golden light shot out of them. It seemed a suitable way to avenge Sharky. I raked the claws at Asuka. She tried to parry, but her sword just got caught between the claws and I knocked it away. She gasped as it clattered to the ground.
I slashed again. This time when she blocked it was with her arm. Golden slashes burned into her colorful plumage.
She jumped away. "Chh," She tisked, holding her damaged arm with her good one. "I can't believe you actually landed a hit on me." She flexed the injured arm, as if testing the damage. The gold scars were already fading into the other colors. "That almost hurt."
"You tricked me, and used me, and you hurt Sharky," I growled. "I'm not done yet."
"Oh, my little butterfly. Nothing would make me happier than to keep playing with you," she grinned, baring her own talons.
"I'm not yours!" I shouted, and launched myself at her. She caught my hands with hers and we struggled to throw each other off balance. She swiped a foot at my leg and taking advantage of my unsteadiness, threw me across the parking lot. I crashed into the Synchrocycle. I struggled to my feet, but as I did, I saw something that made my blood run cold.
Rou had the Prism Blade raised, aimed at the center of Sharky's back.
"Nooo!" I cried out, and ran towards him. It was too late. I saw the glowing white blade lower into Sharky's back. Sharky whimpered and her inky body melted away, leaving a blue globe of light.