Chapter 9: Trigger Happy Princess
After the Mass, the seniors went back to their respective classrooms for lunch, which had been provided by the school itself. It wasn't bad either; they apparently got some nice restaurant as their caterer, without needing to collect a fee – apparently, it was covered by their tuition. Besides, it was probably the last meal they'd share as a class, and so no one dared miss it. Whether they looked forward to the moment of farewell, or dreaded it, as was Sirius's case, they opted to make the most of the last day they would spend with their comrades.
As talk buzzed around him, Sirius sat in a corner, greedily wolfing down his tenderloin steak. It was to be his last meal at Ateneo High, so he milked it for what it was worth. To an observer, it would seem that he was acting like a complete glutton, but it was more that that. He didn't want to face the finality of this day, that there would be no coming back next year.
It was then that Sirius felt a hand on his shoulder; it was Mao. "Sirius, can you come over here for a second?" he asked. "There's some guys I'd like you to meet."
He walked over with Mao to the area outside his classroom, where two men and a teenage girl were eating quietly. "Hi guys," Mao called their attention; they all focused on him. "This is him," he added as he gripped Sirius's shoulder slightly. One of them, a badass (for lack of a better word) looking, 30-ish man wearing rose tinted shades shook his hand. "Name's Lupin," he said. "That Garulu Saber you like summoning so much? That's me." He laughed Mao slapped Sirius on the back. "We'll get along fine, kid!"
"Arnold," said the other guy, a musclebound giant. "Also known as Dogga." Then he went back to eating whole steaks, including the bones, on his plate.
Which left the girl, who gave Sirius a cute smile. "I'm Mizuna," she said. "Master. Promise me you'll summon me soon, alright?"
"A strange bunch," Sirius told Mao later that afternoon as the class prepared for the ceremony itself; they were what he least expected the Arms Monsters to look like… although he had to admit, he felt like taking some lessons in badass from Lupin. "The girl, though…" he broke off, deep in thought. Mao laughed out loud.
"Taken a liking to her, huh?" Mao teased him. "She's 120 years old, even if she does look like a cute little girl. Besides," he added, "You've got Karina!"
A church bell tolled from somewhere; everyone stopped whatever they were doing, stood up, and lined up outside in a single file. "Alright, gentlemen," Mao said as he faced his students. "This is the moment you've worked for since 1st year. Relish it! And…" he hesitated as he looked at Sirius in the middle of the line, then continued. "I'm… proud and happy to have been your teacher. Visit if you guys have time, ok?"
They all nodded. Mao smiled and looked down as a tear formed out of the corner of his eye. "Alright guys, move it!"
Around half an hour later, the admin and guests made their speeches already. It was the same old speeches challenging them to be men for others, as Ateneo's thrust was supposed to mold them into. The same old exhortation to give more that what was expected of them. The same thing about giving everything for the greater glory of God. But this time, not only did Sirius bear with it, he listened attentively; this would be the last speech he would hear in this venue.
Soon, the honor awardees were called, one by one, as they received their certificates and medals from Father Lucien, the Principal. Sirius wasn't among them, though he felt no regret for this. For one thing, it was a generally held notion that to be an honor student in Ateneo High meant working yourself like a dog. Besides, his grades weren't too shabby anyway; in fact, Sirius was sure that a good number of the non-awardees would have been honor students anywhere else. Regardless, he applauded them, particularly those from his class – Rock was among them.
Just as the students of each class were being called, though, there was a furor at the back that caused quite a panic. Out of nowhere, about a dozen Fangires were attacking and sucking the parents and guests dry; those still capable fled the Covered Courts in terror. Only Rock, Mao, Sirius, some guy from 4-A, and Karina (who had been invited by both Sirius and Rock) were still inside. Sirius then turned to his teacher.
"Sir, take Karina and go!" said Sirius as Kivat bit his hand. There's too many of them! We'll handle this –" he said as he looked at Rock, who was beside him in his Fangire form. Meanwhile, Steve took out his knuckle duster and punched it into his hand. "Ready," it said. And as the monsters advanced, both Sirius and Steve shouted the same thing:
"Henshin!"
But though Sirius, Rock and the white Rider managed to last for a bit, the sheer numbers difference caught up with him; Sirius, even with Kiva's armor, could hardly take on five Fangires at once. Rock and the A-boy only managed to hold out since they teamed up together to take on the seven remaining monsters. Just then, Sirius remembered his promise to Mizuna: that he would summon her soon. Maybe now was the time?
Sirius, you need to get back some!" said Kivat urgently. Sirius did so, and, while not knowing what or why he was doing it, pulled out the green whistle. He then inserted it into the belt.
"Basshaa Magnum!"
At Gateway, where the Arms Monsters were doing the groceries, Mizuna heard the call of the Basshaa Fuestle. Master Sirius! she thought. "Alright guys," she said to Lupin and Arnold. "Take care of things here first, I'm being summoned!"
Kiva's yellow eyepieces became green, as did his chest plate and his right arm. When the transformation was done, Sirius held a green, gun-shaped weapon in his hand. And as he surveyed the battle, which became a beatdown for Rock and the white guy, he heard Mizuna's voice in his head:
I'll guide you, master!
"Basshaa Bullet Time!" announced Kiva, in Mizuna's voice.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Mizuna took over, picking off each of the enemy Fangire with pinpoint accuracy. From Rock's point of view, it was like the Fangire who were beating down on them just moments ago were now reeling in pain with no apparent cause. Mizuna, meanwhile, decided that she'd better end this quickly – otherwise, both Rock and the other one might be beaten to death.
"Basshaa Bazooka!"
A flash of light later, the Basshaa Magnum became a missile launcher of sorts that Mizuna tucked under her arm. An extremely large ball of water formed at its mouth as she prepared to launch…
Basshaa Overkill Barrage!
The large ball exploded into a dozen even smaller water balls which homed into each of the twelve Fangires, paralyzing them and turning them to their fragile state. And as the Basshaa Magnum reverted to its usual form, Mizuna shattered each of the defeated Fangire with a single shot.
Later…
"Thank you for your efforts, gentlemen," said Father Lucien to Sirius and Steve with the rest of the batch watching. "Because of your quick action, many lives were saved tonight," as he laid hands on each of their foreheads.
"No way, Father," Steve said, as he bowed his head. "I should've noticed them sooner!"
"Me too," echoed Sirius in agreement.
Father Lucien smiled sadly. "There's nothing we can do about them now, except not to forget… You're forgetting, God gave us our lives," he said. "And he can take them away anytime." With nothing to say, Sirius and Steve both bowed their heads in silence.
The rest of the batch followed. Mao, watching them from a corner, was seething with outrage. It seems they're responsible, thought Mao bitterly. Dammit! Queen, I'll see you dead for this!
tbc
