AN: Chapter 24 has arrived, folks. I hope you enjoy reading this one. To those of you expecting some major action, well I have to say it will be a while till that occurs. Don't worry, I didn't say there won't be any action at all for a while just not very much, and the story should keep you occupied until then. Anyway, enjoy this chapter.
Oh yeah, I'm sure you've all noticed two changes I've made. One I've moved this story to the Ceres section and two, I've upped the rating for this fic to R. The reason for the first one is so I can see what the Ceres fans think of this crossover fic, and the reason for the second is because things are going to get pretty violent later on in this fic.
Disclaimer: See previous disclaimers. Oh yeah, Maggie Thompson belongs to TempestDynasty.
Recap: (been a while since I've done this) Last time Riku and co., with the aid of the newest addition to their team, Michael 'Venom' Hansen, invaded Mikage International Headquarters in an attempt to rescue Aya and retrieve the hagoromo the Mikage had. Unfortunately, Crawford had anticipated this and the base was deserted save for the guards and technicians that had been killed by Shade and Farfarello. After Shade delivered a message telling Riku and co. that Aya was being held in the main base for the Mikage, he then proceeded to activate bombs that had been set in the building long before their arrival. Fortunately, our heroes escaped and have begun planning to find the location of the base so they can rescue Aya from the grasp of Schwartz and the Patriots. Meanwhile, Aya wakes up in the main base for the Mikage after a being contacted by the spirit of her friend Yuki Urukawa, and as she is told of the events that have taken place while she was unconscious by a Mikage employee, Yuki's spirit contacts Riku in the space that the spirits of the fire dragons reside…
Chapter 24: Information
Dragons' Space:
"Yuki Urukawa…" Riku said and then he remembered where he heard the name. "Aren't you that C-Genome with the power of flames?"
"Yes, I am." Yuki answered with a simple nod. "Or rather…I was…"
"But aren't you supposed to be…?" Riku stopped as realization hit him. "I see…so that's how you were able to come here." He then glanced over at Nadare. "Since Urukawa-san was a flame wielder in life, you guys were able to let her into your space."
"That's true, but she was the one who came looking for us." Nadare spoke. "She specifically asked for you."
"So why do you need to speak with me, Urukawa-san?" Riku asked, turning back to her.
"You can call me Yuki, if you want." Yuki replied. "Anyway, why I need to speak to you is so I can help Aya. So I can help her find happiness." Her expression then became saddened. "You know what happened between the two of us before I died, right?"
"Yeah, that bastard Kagami hired some asshole to seduce you into becoming one of the Mikage's experiments." Riku said grimly. "You and Aya met and became friends, but those bastards decided to manipulate you into killing her. Ceres was able to stop you and you realized the truth, but you…"
"Yes, I burned myself up along with that man who I thought loved me." Yuki finished sadly. "At the time, I thought that was the only way to make things right, but in the end I couldn't find any peace afterwards."
"So you're trying to find that peace by helping Aya, huh?" Riku asked and Yuki nodded. "So what exactly did you mean by helping Aya 'find her happiness'?"
"I'm sorry, but that is something I can't tell you…" Yuki lowered her head.
"I understand. Having eight spirits attached to me, I know that you guys have a different world and different rules. So what can you tell me? For starters, what's the important info you need to tell me?"
"It's how to free Aki from the progenitor's grasp."
Riku's eyes widened as he heard this, his interest immediately captured by that answer.
"You know how to do that?" He asked intently. "How?"
"You need to either send the progenitor to the very back of Aki's mind where he was before." Yuki answered. "Or somehow erase him from Aki Mikage's mind completely."
"That's easier said than done." Riku spoke. "First off, no member of my team is qualified for exorcisms or anything like that…"
"There is one…You see, the progenitor resides within Aki's mind space…"
"So in other words, my partner Nagi is supposed to dive into Aki's mind and somehow do one of the two things you suggested." Riku's eyes narrowed at the prospect. "You do realize how much danger that puts my friend in, don't you? I don't know anything about the Mikage progenitor, Shiso, but I do know that any spirit that tries to possess someone by force is anything but friendly. Nagi would be in danger of a lot more than getting physically hurt, you know."
"I know, but right now may just be the best chance you have to save Aki. Your friend won't be in as much danger as normal."
"What do you mean?"
"With his host's body being constantly dosed with tranquilizers, the progenitor himself is feeling the affects of these drugs." Yuki answered. "He won't be able to function properly as his mind will be pretty clouded; also the progenitor has no experience in dealing with psychics."
Riku was silent for a few minutes as he thought about all of this. He then turned to Yuki.
"I'll consider this, but, assuming we do decide to do this, there is still the problem of how to get Nagi to dive into Shiso's mind." He said and then realized something. "You seem to know a lot about what's going on in the Mikage base…"
"Just before I met with you and went to see Aya and that's how I know all of this." Yuki replied. "It was brief, but I wanted her to know I was sorry…"
"Then that means you can tell me where the Mikage base is." Riku smiled, but that disappeared when Yuki shook her head.
"I'm sorry, but I can't since I don't know that." She said sadly. "We spirits have a different sense of time and space than you do."
Riku tried to conceal his disappointment and changed the subject.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do about Aki." Riku said. "Is there anything else that you need to tell me?"
"Well…yes. I actually have a request." Yuki replied hesitantly.
"What is it?" Riku asked.
"Could you please let me fight along side of you?" Yuki asked in reply. "I want to be able to use my powers of flame for something good before I go. I want to use them to help Aya and her friends."
"I'd like to grant that request, but the only problem is that you're dead and…"
"She can actually fight alongside you if you want." Nadare spoke, causing Riku to turn to her. "All you really need to do is let her enter your body and let her flame powers merge with yours."
"You mean she'll be like you guys?" Riku asked.
"Technically, yes." Nadare answered. "Like the eight of us, Yuki will be bound to you, but only as long as she desires it. She won't become a dragon though, and she also won't have any specific attack for you to use in battle. However, the merging of both your flame powers will greatly increase your strength, speed, defense, accuracy, dexterity, and overall your power of flames."
Riku turned back to Yuki and looked at her seriously.
"I have no problems with going through with this." He said. "But it's your choice in the end, Yuki. Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, I am." Yuki nodded. "Please go ahead with the merging."
"Okay, Nadare what am I supposed to do?" Riku asked, turning to the dragon spirit.
"First take off your tekko." Nadare instructed and noticed Riku's expression as he heard that. "Don't worry; it won't come off back where you are now."
Riku nodded and carefully undid the clasps that kept the armguard bound to his right arm. He then took it off and then carefully laid it on the ground at his feet.
"Now hold out your arm and keep your hand outstretched." Nadare continued and Riku did so. She then turned to Yuki. "Go over to where Riku is standing and place your hands into his."
Yuki slowly walked over to where Riku was and carefully placed both her hands into Riku's outstretched palm.
Nadare nodded at Riku and then looked around and nodded again.
"It's beginning…" She said.
Suddenly seven figures appeared next to her. The first was a man with a spiky buzz haircut and two dot like birthmarks under each eye, the second was a muscular bald man, the third was a tall pale man with long white hair who wore cloth over his eyes and a necklace made entirely out of a chain of human eyeballs, the fourth was a fat middle aged man, the fifth was beautiful woman with long flowing black hair, the sixth was a short and bearded old man with one eye, and the seventh was a man who appeared to be in his thirties with spiky black hair and a scar running down his right eye.
"Saiha, Homura, Setsuna, Madoka, Rui, Koku, and Resshin." Nadare addressed them in order of their arrival with a respectful bow.
"Well look, the whole gang's here." Riku commented with a slight grin glancing at the other spirits out of the corner of his eye.
"Well it is required, since all eight of us do need to be present for the integration to be successful." Rui commented.
"I don't see why we need to do this." Setsuna spoke. "If the boy would just call upon me more in battle he would not have as much trouble."
"Well excuse me for not enjoying killing people." Riku said sarcastically. "Besides, calling on you is more of a double edged sword if used in the wrong situations since your attack, while powerful, doesn't really discriminate what it's supposed to burn."
"Are you mocking me, upstart!" Setsuna snarled.
"Setsuna, that's enough." Koku commanded, causing the blind dragon spirit to reluctantly calm down. "Regardless of whether you support this or not, this is something that has to happen."
"Now that we've settled that, I assume we can begin." Nadare spoke and then turned to Resshin and bowed her head to him respectfully. "Shall we start, Resshin?"
"Yes, I'll take it from here, Nadare." Resshin said, and Nadare nodded and stepped back to join the other six spirits behind her.
Resshin then walked over to where Riku and Yuki were standing and looked at the both of them seriously.
"Alright, now in order for this to work the both of you must remain calm so the merging occurs without harm to either of you." He said. "Try to maintain a serene state of mind…"
Riku closed his eyes, like he was meditating, as he did this he felt a tenseness in Yuki's hands.
"Is something wrong, Yuki?" Riku asked politely.
"Sorry, I just don't have much experience in things like meditation and things like that." Yuki answered.
"Just try focusing on something that makes you happy." Riku instructed. "A memory, for example."
"I'll try." Yuki closed her eyes and in a few minutes Riku could feel the girl calm down. Riku then closed his eyes and restarted his meditation.
Resshin then turned to the seven dragon spirits behind him.
"Alright, form the circle and let's begin." He said, and they nodded and formed a circle around Riku and Yuki, leaving a space for Resshin to stand.
As soon as Reshin took his spot, all eight of the spirits each began to form a variety of katas (signs) with their hands as they muttered the Chinese zodiac animal for each one. As they were doing this, a circle of fire formed around them, and then various kanji and other symbols began to appear inside of the circle.
As this was going on, Riku started to feel a strange feeling around him.
(This feeling…it feels pleasantly warm.) He thought. (Like a fire meant to warm someone who's cold…) Riku almost opened his eyes as he realized what he was feeling.
(I see…this is the feeling of the flame created by Yuki's soul.) Riku thought to himself. (Such a peaceful feeling…but, at the same time, there's a strong feeling of intensity in the depths this flame. Yuki truly does wish to do all those things she said, and I will gladly lend a hand in that.)
As soon as he thought that, Riku suddenly felt the warmth start to expand and spread throughout his whole body. As if he had suddenly sunk into a pool of warm water.
Suddenly the feeling vanished, leaving Riku feeling the same as normal.
"You can open your eyes now, Riku." Resshin's voice spoke, causing Riku to do so.
He looked and saw that Yuki had let go of his arm and the only other dragon spirits that were there were Nadare, Resshin, and Koku.
"The merging went very well, I must say." Koku spoke stroking his short beard thoughtfully. "And between two people that have just met…"
Riku picked up his tekko and proceeded to put it back on. As he did, he glanced over at Yuki, who looked like she was deep in thought about something.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, causing her to turn to him.
"Oh…I'm fine." Yuki answered. "It feels a little strange to be bonded to someone though…"
"You'll get used to it." Nadare spoke. "Take it from someone who's been like this for hundreds of years."
"I see…" Yuki said; she then turned to Riku and smiled at him kindly. "You know, you're actually a lot nicer a person than you seem at first. If I weren't dead, I wouldn't mind having you for a boyfriend."
"W-w-what's this about?" Riku asked nervously, blushing a little at Yuki's sudden statement.
"I'm sorry, but I had a little look inside your mind while we were merging." Yuki answered looking down and blushing slightly. "It was an accident, but still…"
"Hard to believe isn't it?" Nadare spoke with a sly smile. "Young Riku here is a full fledged shinobi of the Hokage clan, but on the inside he's really a big softie."
"N-nadare!" Riku shouted, blushing from embarrassment.
"Well it is the truth." Nadare replied simply.
"Hey come on guys, give me some help here." Riku pleaded to Resshin and Koku.
"You're on your own, kid." Koku replied, not wanting to be dragged into this.
"I second that." Resshin spoke and then changed his tone to a matter of fact type. "And besides, a true shinobi must always be able to deal with any problems that he encounters on his own."
"Liars! You're both just trying to make excuses aren't you?" Riku shouted pointing at the two dragon spirits.
"Pretty much."Koku admitted simply, not bothering to lie about that.
Yuki watched the interactions between the three of them and started to giggle a little, which then evolved into complete laughter.
Riku stopped and turned to look over at Yuki. Ordinarily, he would have said something like 'very funny' or something like that, but he could see that this was probably the first time this girl had laughed or felt happy in a long time. He soon found himself smiling too.
"Thank you…" Yuki said after she had finished laughing. "It's been a long time since I last laughed like this. It feels good somehow…" She then realized what she'd just said and held up her hands. "I-I don't mean that like I'm having fun at your expense, I…" Yuki was then stopped as Riku simply walked over and patted her shoulder.
"It's alright." Riku said with a friendly smile. "Besides it's worth it, to know I made you smile." Riku then blushed considerably. "You should…smile more…you know…it…it makes you look…well…cuter…"
Yuki blushed as she heard Riku say this.
Meanwhile, Resshin and Koku both had to bite the corners of their mouths to keep from grinning at this.
(Heh, your grandson's doing pretty well at this too, eh Resshin or should I say Ohka?) Koku said to Resshin/Ohka using telepathy.
(He still has a lot to learn both about women and about being a ninja.) Resshin/Ohka replied.
(You know I've noticed something.) Koku said. (Riku teases his partner Nagi about these sorts of things, but in the end he's no different when it comes to these sorts of things either. Ironic isn't it?)
(Indeed.) Resshin/Ohka nodded.
"Well, I guess I should go and wake up now." Riku said and then remembered something and looked over at Koku with a very dangerous expression on his face. "Oh yeah, you try anything funny with Yuki, old man, and you'll regret it for as long as I'm still alive."
"Oh ho, and what can you do to me, my boy?" Koku asked slyly. "I'm a spirit you know."
"I can always stop giving you all those dirty magazines I always find during my missions." Riku answered. "I suppose I'll just leave them around for the enemy to enjoy."
"You're a really cold person, Riku." Koku said dramatically. "To abuse your poor old ancestor like this…"
"Abuse would be to bring you those 'Playgirl' type magazines in place of the usual." Riku replied, and then stopped as if to consider this. "Actually…"
"YOU WOULDN'T!" Koku screamed, his one eye contorted in horror at the thought of receiving those types of magazines.
"Are they always like this?" Yuki asked Nadare, sweat dropping at the conversation between Riku and Koku.
"Pretty much." Nadare answered with a nod. "Don't worry; it's just their way of showing affection."
"That sure sounds like it's a complicated relationship." Yuki said.
Riku's merging with Yuki's spirit and their interaction has increased Riku's power of flame, physical strength, defense, accuracy, dexterity, and speed.
Meanwhile: Mikage Base:
"So this base is now under the control of the Patriots." Aya said after hearing what Gladys had to say. "I guess this means we're both prisoners then, huh?"
"In a way, but all of the personnel here are still performing their duties including me." Gladys replied. "Except we're doing it at gun point now."
"So that's why we're in the same cell."
"Actually mine is a different one, and I'm just here to make sure you stay in good health." Gladys then looked over at Aya. "As you can see, your personal belongings have all been returned, but your cell phone along with any other things that connect you to the outside world have been have been confiscated."
Aya then glanced down and noticed that she had been carrying Toya's necklace all along.
"Oh that, you seemed to be keeping too tight a grip on it for the soldiers to take it from you." Gladys said. "Don't worry, they didn't do anything…unspeakable to you. Apparently the Patriots do not want you harmed either."
"Where's Toya?" Aya asked. "What did you people do to him? Let me see him, even just a glance!"
"I'm afraid that's... impossible." Gladys shook her head. "It's hard to break this to you... but... I don't think you'd recognize his body if you saw it."
That last part suddenly caused a sudden painful feeling in Aya's heart as it crushed any remaining hope that Toya was still alive.
(I don't understand.) Aya thought miserably. (I've known that Toya was really gone all along, but still…why does hearing this hurt so much?)
(Aya... if you're always crying like this, you'll never get anything done.) Ceres spoke to Aya inside her head. (We came here, so we must fight. Shift into me once more, and watch from inside-.)
(Aren't you the strong one?) Aya lashed out at Ceres. (You don't care about anyone at all, do you! You don't care how many people die or are killed by you! All you care about is the hagoromo!)
(Do you really think...) Ceres replied, almost angrily as she began to take over Aya's body and transform. (...that I feel neither sorrow nor anger! I'm simply aware that tears do me no good. If I'm weak of mind, then defeat will be my reward. I must be strong!)
"I…suppose I should introduce you to the facility." Gladys said as she got up, not in the least surprised or startled by Aya's sudden transformation into Ceres. She then gestured at a plate that was on the chest area of the outfit Aya was wearing. "Oh yes, the plate that you're wearing on your chest is your ID and works as a keycard for each room level three and below, so don't lose it."
Meanwhile: Aogiri Residence:
Riku slowly opened his eyes and saw Nagi and Tot standing over him.
"I thought you'd never wake up." Nagi commented as his friend got up.
"Yeah, you sleep like a rock." Tot agreed.
'Actually Nanami, I think a rock would be easier to wake up than this guy." Nagi said turning to his girlfriend.
"Very funny." Riku said sarcastically. "Anyway, I guess I should get dressed and head downstairs so we can plan everything. Besides I've got a couple of surprises for everyone."
"A surprise?" Tot asked. "What is it?"
"I've recruited a new ally." Riku answered with a proud grin. "I'll show you what I mean when I get down."
Later:
"So what's the plan for infiltrating the Mikage main house and finding out where their main base is?" Riku asked Michael as he sat down on the couch across from him, next to Nagi and Tot. Yuhi, Chidori, Maya, Ran, Ken, Youji, and Omi were also in the room.
"After going over the layout of the main house thanks to the info we got from Omi and Nagi, I think it would be best to use a small group for this." Michael answered. "A large infiltration group will most likely attract too much attention in this situation. Therefore only some of us will be going to do this."
"So who's going with you?" Nagi asked.
"The team for this will be composed of myself, Ran, Ken, Omi, and Youji." Michael answered.
"Aww, why can't we come with you?" Tot asked in disappointment, pouting a little.
"Because given the current situation, bringing the three of you along may cause more harm than good." Michael answered. "I don't mean for it to sound like I doubt you guys or don't need you, but please consider the circumstances. First, it's more than likely that the Mikage know your faces by now and will probably be on the lookout for you since they're probably expecting FOXHOUND to make some sort of strike now that the Patriots have seriously weakened them. New faces will give us more of an advantage in terms of surprise."
"Uh…I guess that makes sense." Tot said, not fully understanding what Michael was saying.
"There is also the undeniable fact that the higher ups in the Mikage are probably desperate with all that's happened." Michael added. "Given that they've lost practically everything for their planned C-Project, there's a good chance that they might be planning to try and capture Chidori, Suzumi, and Maya in an attempt to either regain C-Genomes for them to use as test subjects or as a peace offering to the Patriots. In either case, we can't allow that to happen."
"So the three of us will guard everyone here while you guys take care of getting the info we need." Riku spoke. "Alright, you can count on us to do that."
"Glad to hear that." Michael replied.
"So what's the plan for your team?" Yuhi asked.
"Ran and his group will make a distraction, while I sneak into the mansion disguised as an employee there." Michael answered.
"The uniform wasn't all that hard to copy." Suzumi spoke. "And Nagi and Omi were able to make an ID for Michael that would get him past security easily enough."
"It took us about an hour to make." Omi spoke. "Not to mention making it so the card could give him access to any of the security doors in the mansion."
"But what will you four be doing as a distraction?" Chidori asked.
"We have a trailer back at our shop which we use from time to time as a movable shop and also to make large deliveries." Ran answered. "We'll drop Michael off close to the mansion before stopping there."
"Let me guess, you're going to use the 'wrong address' trick?" Riku asked.
"Sort of, but in this case we're not getting the wrong address to find out how to break into the house." Ken answered.
"The plan is for Michael to sneak in while the mansion's security is more focused on us." Youji spoke. "Since the Mikage are expecting something, they'll probably inspect our vehicle to make sure we're not enemies, and while they're doing that Michael will make his move."
"But what if something goes wrong?" Maya asked. "Won't you guys need back up just in case?"
"I won't deny that there's a chance of that." Michael replied. "There's always a chance that even the most thoroughly planned missions can go wrong, that's something any competent commander must be aware of. Anyway, should that happen Ran and the others will come in after me unless I judge things to be too dangerous for a rescue attempt."
"That's putting yourself at quite a bit of risk, Michael." Riku spoke some concern in his voice.
"But at the same time it reduces the chances of casualties." Michael replied. "Don't worry Riku, I'm confident enough that things should work without too much trouble."
"Well if you're in command I guess there's nothing to be worried about." Riku said. "Anyway, there's something I'd like to show you all, you got a minute?"
"Sure." Michael nodded. "What is it anyway?"
"You could say I managed to recruit a new ally." Riku answered and turned to Yuhi. "Actually she's an acquaintance of yours, or was."
"What do you mean?" Yuhi asked in reply.
Riku didn't say anything, but instead lowered his head, closed his eyes, and pressed his hands together like he was meditating. A minute later, his right arm began to glow and something shot out of his arm. There was a flash of light and then the ghostly image of Yuki Urukawa stood before everyone.
"U-Urukawa!" Yuhi exclaimed as he recognized her. "But how… I mean…you're…"
"It's good to see you again too, Aogiri-san." Yuki said.
"You know this girl, Yuhi?" Suzumi asked.
"Yeah, her name's Yuki Urukawa." Yuki answered. "She was a friend of Aya's, but…"
"It's alright for you to tell them." Yuki said. "I'm here to try to make up for it anyway."
It took a few minutes for Yuhi to tell everyone how he and Aya had met Yuki and how the Mikage had manipulated her into trying to kill Aya. When he finished everyone there was completely shocked as well as angered at how low the Mikage had stooped to in order to use her, especially Youji and Michael.
"That Kagami Mikage has certainly earned a spot on my shit list." Youji growled. "Hiring someone to seduce a poor innocent girl and then use her as a guinea pig and then a weapon. I'm definitely taking that guy down."
"Youji, we're going to need him alive." Ran said seriously. "Regardless of how much of a bastard that Kagami is, he still has information about the Patriots that we'll probably need later on."
"Damn…" Youji swore angrily.
"Well we just have to bring him in alive." Michael spoke. "There aren't any specifications as to how healthy he needs to be as long as he survives."
Youji grinned as he saw what Michael meant.
"I've got a feeling you and I are going to get along great." He said to Michael.
"Thank you." Michael replied, and then turned to Yuki. "Anyway, I was wondering, Urukawa-san why you've chosen to remain in the world of the living? A colleague of mine is a necromancer and from what I've heard from her being a ghost isn't a very pleasant experience, and most would rather have crossed over. So why…?"
"I guess I can't sleep peacefully yet." Yuki answered. "Not while I know what Aya's going through. That's why I'm going to stay so I can help her."
"I understand." Michael nodded.
(But still, that is quite brave of her.) He thought to himself. (From what Maggie told me about what a lot of spirits who remain behind go through…) Michael then glanced at Riku. (Riku was there too, so he probably thinks the same…)
Flashback: Two Years Before: FOXHOUND HQ: 2010:
Michael and a young woman with brown hair with streaks of blonde in it were sitting at a table in the commons of the base playing chess. Riku was sitting nearby, observing the game.
"Maggie, there was something I was wondering about." Michael spoke as he was deciding his next move.
"What is it?" Maggie asked in reply.
"Well, I was wondering about what spirits are actually like." Michael answered and then saw her flinch slightly. "I mean…if it's a sensitive subject to you then…"
"I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to tell you." Maggie said. "Don't worry, I was just a little surprised by your question. Not very many people ask me about that." She then noticed Riku.
"You can listen too if you want, Riku." She said. "Besides, you yourself have eight spirits bonded to you so this might be something you should know too."
"Alright." Riku nodded and moved closer to the two of them.
"Well, there are many types of spirits." Maggie began. "Most don't really interact with the living very much. The kinds that do are the ones that you need to be careful with."
"What do you mean?" Riku asked.
"Those types are the kind that needs guidance." Maggie answered. "Filled with grief over their own death, they refuse to face their fate. They yearn to live on, and some eventually come to resent those still alive. You see, they envy the living. And in time, that envy turns to anger, even hate. Should these souls remain they'll try to possess or prey on the living."
"And they'll usually end up like the kind you hear about in ghost stories, right?" Michael asked and Maggie nodded.
"Yes, unfortunately." She answered. "The dragons Riku has are bonded to him so they're an exception. A spirit in a symbiotic bond with someone is a lot better off than one in a parasitic one."
"It sounds like being a necromancer is a tough experience." Riku spoke as he considered what Maggie probably had to go through with the nasty kind of ghosts.
"You have no idea…" Maggie replied.
End Flashback…
(To brave all those things for the sake of a friend…) Michael thought. (Miss Urukawa has certainly won my respect.)
"Well, I guess I'll go back now." Yuki spoke. "It was nice speaking to all of you." Yuki then shimmered and then vanished.
"Hey Riku, how was Yuki able to bond with you?" Yuhi asked. "I mean…I'm not sure how this whole thing with spirits and that kind of stuff works so…"
"Bonding with spirits isn't really as farfetched as you think." Riku answered. "Possession by a ghost is actually an involuntary form of a bonding with a spirit, but there are other forms. Guardian spirits or guardian angels are one example."
"So I guess what's happened with Aya and Aki also fall into that category." Suzumi spoke and Riku nodded.
"Actually Yuki was a bit of a special case." Riku said. "Because she was a flame master in life, because she was a C-Genome yes, but she still counts as a flame master, she was able to enter the space that my dragons reside in with their permission. Actually Yuki's been able to greatly increase my power of flame through our bonding." Riku then paused for a moment and then smiled thoughtfully.
"But to tell you the truth, even if bonding with her wouldn't increase my power I'd probably have gone through with it anyway." He continued. "Not just because I wanted to grant Yuki's last request you understand, but actually…another thing I felt from her was a lonely sort of feeling…"
"So you basically did that to be nice, huh?" Nagi asked his friend with a knowing smile. "Typical you, Riku."
"You know me…"Riku replied and then looked over at Michael. "So when are you, Ran, Ken, Youji, and Omi going to head over to the Mikage main house?"
"We'll be heading there in a few minutes, after we pick up that trailer Ran told us about." Michael answered. "We'll be leaving shortly."
"Well, I guess I'd better wish you guys good luck then." Riku spoke.
Meanwhile: Mikage Main Base:
As Gladys led Ceres down the hallway, showing her around the facility, Aya thought to herself.
(All these rooms, but still no sign of the lab where they're restoring the hagoromo.) She thought as she looked through the same eyes as Ceres was.
A few minutes later, they stopped at a set of automatic double doors to a large room. There were two soldiers standing guard at each door, both had a firm grip on their assault rifles and looked ready for any surprise attack by an enemy.
(Man these guys sure look a lot more nasty than those guards the Mikage had.) Aya thought. (They look like they're ready for a war or something.)
(That's not very far from the truth, Aya.) Ceres said to her telepathically. (After so many years of reincarnation, I can recognize hardened and experienced soldiers and I can tell you that these men far surpass the men of the Mikage in terms of experience.)
(No wonder these guys were able to take over both this place and the Mikage building so easily.) Aya thought.
Meanwhile, Gladys looked at one of the soldiers and nodded. The soldier reached looked over at the other, who nodded and looked into the retinal scanner behind him. The doors immediately opened.
"If you please, Ceres." Gladys said respectfully, gesturing to the open doors. "There's something I believe you should see."
Ceres said nothing and silently walked in through the doors. What immediately greeted her in a well furnished and attended room were more than a dozen girls, all with the same long silken blue hair and slender build of the tennyo.
(Whaa!) Aya exclaimed. (Are all of these girls C-Genomes!)
"Gladys!" One of the girls exclaimed, recognizing her.
(This many of them…) Aya thought. (Some of them look like they're just kids too. Are they clones or something?)
"You must be Aya Mikage... Ceres, right?" Another of the girls spoke, noticing Aya. "The Genesis Mother!"
"What did you call me?" Ceres asked.
"The Genesis Mother... we studied about it with Miss Smithson." The girl answered. "The legend started with the relations between a man and a woman being expressed as a pair of twins... a legend in which the human race was created from these twins. The C-Project is tracing the legend. I'm so glad to see you! We've been taught that Aya and Aki Mikage were the origins of this legend!"
(Wh-what the hell is that supposed to mean!) Aya exclaimed, shocked at what she was hearing.
"Because you awoke the blood of our ancestors-." Another girl spoke.
"-You're the mother of all the tennyo living today-." Another finished.
"-and of all the babies to be born." A pregnant C-Genome spoke and then placed a hand familiarly on her bulging belly.
"As you can see, girls with golden nameplates are pregnant." Gladys spoke.
Aya suddenly remembered what Kagami had told her.
(So this is what they were planning for Chidori.) She thought. (They were given that operation…)
"How can you be so indifferent?" Ceres asked, causing all of the girls' attention to turn to her. "All of you... shut away in this kind of place, bearing the child of a man you don't know..."
"Shut away?" One of the girls asked, with a confused look on her face.
"It's not like that at all..." The first girl said to Ceres. "We're protected here-this place is peaceful."
"People here respect us." The second girl added.
"The outside world is filthy." One of the girls spoke with genuine disgust in her voice. "Murders, mistreatment, sex crimes... abuse, wars-I don't even want to remember that place!"
"We're special...we're tennyo for the modern world." The third spoke. "We're strong and beautiful."
"It's absurd to keep company with the worthless men on the outside..." Another girl spoke.
"Our role is to leave descendants of carefully selected men." The first girl said. "These children will create a new world... a beautiful world."
"We're told that we'll become Genesis Mothers to be remembered throughout history!" Another girl added.
(What...what's with these girls!) Aya thought. (Do they even know what's happened here with the base being taken over by the Patriots?)
"We'll rise into the sky and abandon this dirty world..." The second said. "And when the hagoromo is completed, we'll be given it one by one..."
"You wanna go back, right?" One of the girls asked Ceres. "So why not go with us?"
Ceres didn't say anything, and then suddenly fell to her knees clutching her stomach, startling a lot of the C-Genomes in the room.
"What's wrong?" One of them asked.
"Everyone, calm down!" Gladys said and then walked over to Ceres and bent over to try to support her. "Let's get you out of the room for now, anyway... I'll call a nurse for you."
As the two of them left the room, Ceres suddenly whipped Toya's necklace around Gladys' neck, catching the woman and the soldiers guarding the room off guard.
"Where is the hagoromo lab?" Ceres asked. "Take me there now."
The soldiers pointed their assault rifles at Ceres, but they knew this was all they could do since they had been ordered by the Patriots not to harm Ceres.
Meanwhile:
Alec sat at the computer terminal as he watched Aki, who was still asleep and bound. Alec looked like he hadn't gotten any sleep in a while since he had gotten to the base.
(He still hasn't woken up since then.) Alec thought. (Well, just sitting here is pointless. Maybe I should get some rest; there's nothing I can really do to help Aki like this.)
"Doctor Howell!" One of the technicians called, causing Alec's attention to turn to him and then to Aki, who was now awake, lying in his restraints and looking very confused.
"Aki!" Alec called out to him over an intercom linked to the room.
"Where... am I?" Aki asked and then bumped his head against one of the restraints. "Ow! What's all this?"
"Aki, is that really you?" Alec asked to make sure this wasn't a trick from Shiso. "Do you recognize me?"
"Alec?" Aki said as he recognized the voice. "Alec... why am I...?"
"Hold on, I'll have you out in a minute." Alec replied, sighing with relief. He then turned to one of the soldiers. "Could you get those restraints please? I'm going to open the locks."
"Fine." The soldier said and turned the two other soldiers who were guarding the room. "You come with me and help, and you, notify Commander Shade."
Both soldiers nodded that they understood and the second one activated his radio to notify Shade of this development.
The soldier then turned to Alec and nodded and Alec immediately pressed some buttons on the monitor opening the door which immediately slid open. The two soldiers then walked in and proceeded to remove the restraints.
"Are you alright?" One of the soldiers asked as he undid the last restraint and then turned to the other soldier. "Help him up."
"Yes sir." The soldier nodded and then proceeded to help Aki get up.
"Thank you…" Aki mumbled, and suddenly the tired look was replaced with victorious smirk.
Suddenly Aki's fist punched straight through the soldier's back, killing the man instantly. He then reached over and grabbed the other soldier by the neck and then hurled him at the observation window as hard as he could, causing it to crack on impact.
"FOOLS! Did you really think I'd give this body back to that simpering brat so easily!" He asked, revealing that it had been Shiso and not Aki all along. Shiso then walked over to the door. "CERES! WHERE ARE YOU!"
The remaining soldier stepped away pointing his assault rifle at Shiso.
"Planning on shooting me?" Shiso asked with a smirk at the soldier's nervousness. He then noticed Alec. "Ah yes, you're the one trying to make me disappear. I think I should return the favor."
Shis then started towards Alec who was immediately backing away, trying to escape from Shiso's vengeance.
"I'm afraid I cannot allow you to do that." Shade's voice called to Shiso from behind, causing him to turn around to see Shade step into the room.
"So you're the legendary progenitor of the Mikage family." Shade said as his cold black eyes studied Shiso. "The man who stole the celestial maiden's celestial robes, made her his wife, and through her fathered the Mikage family, or so the story goes. It's quite an old story; I remember my mother always used to tell me those stories when I was young."
"Those are merely stories." Shiso scoffed. "Anyway, I've wasted enough time here. Get out of my way so I can find my woman, or die like the rest of the fools who interfered."
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Shade replied simply. "But to be honest, I'm quite curious to see the power you have. I'll give you this one chance to kill me, and if you succeed you may proceed."
"Then you've officially condemned yourself to death." Shiso smirked and then got into a fighting stance.
(Still, something about this one suggests he's more powerful than the average human.) Shiso thought. (I guess I should use a bit of the power Ceres gave me on him just to avoid getting rusty. A single punch through the chest plus a blast of power should be more than enough.)
Shiso then rushed forward at Shade and then threw a punch at his chest. The moment his fist connected with Shade's chest, a blast of energy shot forward combining with the force of the punch, blasting through Shade's chest and back, decorating the wall behind him with blood and crushed organs.
"Heh, arrogant fool." Shiso said as he withdrew his hand from the smoking hole that had once been Shade's chest. His eyes then widened in surprise as Shade's right hand suddenly reached up and grabbed his arm.
"Was that really the best you could do?" Shade asked. "And after so many centuries of existence…what a disappointment you turned out to be."
"H-how are you…?" Shiso's eyes widened as he watched the wound he had inflicted on Shade start to close up and regenerate, flesh, bones' organs and all.
"I don't need to explain any of this to a weakling like you." Shade said and then suddenly let go of Shiso and then struck him with a single back kick. "Genocide Prelude!"
"Genocide Bringer!" Shade then performed a rising spin kick on Shiso before he could react sending his opponent into the air. He then finished with a double descending drop kick on Shiso's head. "Genocide Finish!"
Shiso collapsed to the ground unconscious from the blows inflicted by Shade.
"Is that all?" Shade asked the unconscious form. "I was thinking that you would last longer than that and provide me with some more entertainment." Shade then turned to the surviving soldier. "Call some men to clean all of this up and make sure the boy remains unconscious."
"O-of course, sir." The soldier replied and activated his radio. "I need some men down here to clean up a little mess we've got over here and now."
"Understood, we'll send some men over immediately." A soldier on the other end spoke.
"As for you Dr. Howell, do make sure to get back to work on the boy when the cleanup is done." Shade said. "In the meantime, I'll stay and keep an eye on him should he wake up. I still have a couple more techniques I wouldn't mind trying on him."
"If you do that you might kill him!" Alec objected, only to be stopped by the murderous look in Shade's eyes.
"Then the fault will be yours for your stupidity, not mine." Shade replied, showing he didn't give a damn if Aki lived or not. "After all, you're the one who let him loose."
Shade then stopped when his radio crackled to life.
"What is it?" Shade asked.
"Commander Shade, Ceres has taken one of the Mikage personnel hostage and is demanding to be taken to the lab where the hagoromo is being worked on." A soldier spoke on the other line.
"Then take her there." Shade replied simply. "Just take the long way in order to delay her. I'll be there in a moment with Crawford."
(These twins certainly are quite the nuisance.) Shade thought as he selected Crawford's frequency. (But at least this mission doesn't feel like a complete waste of my time…)
Meanwhile: Mikage Main House:
Michael Hanson, now clad in the typical uniform of a Mikage employee that worked at the mansion, carefully made a quick check of his outfit to make sure that everything would check out in the eyes of the real Mikage employees and guards.
(Okay everything looks right.) Michael thought and then activated his codec and selected Ran's frequency.
"How's the distraction going?" Michael asked when Ran's face appeared on the codec screen.
"Actually… it's going better than expected." Ran replied.
"What do you mean?" Michael asked, noticing Ran's expression.
"The wrong address part worked just fine, but…" Ran wasn't sure how to finish.
"But what?"
"The mansion's maids just happened to be off duty right now." Youji spoke as his face appeared on the codec screen. "To make a long story short, we're now having quite a sale. It's a good thing we brought those flowers along after all." Youji's head then turned to the side. "Well, I'd better get back to work."
"Well, I guess I'll start my part in the mission." Michael said to Ran. "I'll contact you once I find the information I need, Venom out."
Michael then ended his transmission and walked to the side gate for the Mikage mansion. He inserted the ID card into a slot and the scanner beeped that it recognized the card as genuine. The gate then slid open and Michael strolled in casually so not to raise any suspicion from the guards on duty.
As he walked to the door into the mansion, Michael looked to the side and saw a large crowd of maids gathered at where Weiss' trailer was. Feigning ignorance, he turned to one of the guards.
"Excuse me, but is something going on over there?" Michael asked.
"Oh not much, the maids are on break and they're buying some flowers from some flower sellers who got lost making a delivery." The guard answered. "Don't know what women see in those things. The only thing flowers ever did for me was give me a bunch of damned allergies."
"Okay…well, I'd better get to my job now." Michael excused himself. The guard nodded at him and with that he left.
Later:
It took Michael a few minutes to get and idea for the room he was looking for. He had had to start a couple of casual conversations with some regular employees under the pretense that he had been recently hired. A few well laid questions in the conversations finally gave him some ideas of where to look for the information he needed.
(So it's either in the office for the late head of the family or the mansion's library.) Michael thought as he walked away from the employee he had just finished talking to. (I'd better start with the office first, because I doubt very many people are watching it.)
A few minutes later, Michael was at the door to the office. Taking a few quick glances to see that no employee was watching, Michael quickly opened the door. A quick look showed that there were no security cameras in the room.
(Hopefully I can find the location of the Mikage base in this room since the library will probably be better watched.) Michael thought as he closed the door behind him. He then walked over to the heavily dusted desk and activated the computer.
(This place hasn't been very well maintained.) Michael thought as he waited for the computer to load and noticed all the dust covering most of the room. (My guess is this room hasn't been cleaned since the old family head died.)
A minute later, the computer loaded and Michael was able to get past the password using a basic hacking trick that Nagi and Omi had showed him before. He then started accessing the files that were contained in the main database.
(Okay, I suppose I'll start with the maintenance data…) Michael selected the file folder with the mouse. After a few minutes of scanning through the many files contained he finally found the one he was looking for. After selecting the file and scrolling down a few pages, he found a detailed layout of the facility along with the exact coordinates for the island the base was on, including a map.
(Bingo.) Michael then selected the pages and began to print them out.
After the pages had printed out, Michael carefully folded them and put them in his pocket. He then powered off the computer and then headed for the door. Before opening it, Michael listened at the door to make sure no one was outside; when he was satisfied he quietly opened the door and stepped out.
(Well, I'd better head out now and wait for Ran and the others at the pickup point.) Michael thought as he walked down the hall in the direction of the back exit to the mansion. He then stopped at a window and saw that the crowd of maids at Weiss' trailer had not diminished by very much. (Looks like I'll be waiting for a while since the only way those guys are leaving is whenever they sell out.)
Meanwhile: Mikage Base:
"Well, is it in here?" Ceres asked Gladys. They were standing in front of the door to a lab that Gladys had directed her to along with the soldiers who were standing around the two of them with their assault rifles aimed at them. But that was all the soldiers could do since they had only been ordered to follow and nothing else.
"Ceres... don't you understand how pointless this is?" Gladys asked in reply.
"I could say the same thing to you." Ceres said with contempt and anger in her voice. "What are those 'daughters' of mine? You certainly filled their heads with lies. How can you so blithely instill such power in them knowing that? I never expected to be nor wanted to be called family by girls who've lost the ability to feel anger, sorrow, and even pride like that."
"I'm sorry, but you cannot be allowed to go any further, Miss Ceres." Crawford's voice spoke from behind one of the soldiers, who quickly stepped aside so Ceres could see him standing there along with Shade.
"I would suggest staying out of my way, human." Ceres said to Crawford. "It would be in your best interests if you wish to keep living."
"I have no intention of hindering you." Crawford replied as he fixed his glasses. "That is my associate's job. Shade!"
"Of course." Shade simply nodded and stepped forward, drawing his chakram.
"You're not equipped with that bracelet like the other soldiers here." Ceres noted. "I'll warn you just this once that you're assuring your death with that."
"I don't need one of those ridiculous things." Shade said arrogantly. "Now then…"
"Remember, do not harm her, at least not seriously." Crawford spoke.
"I remember." Shade replied and then held up his chakram which started to glow with a strange energy. He then held it so the inner circle of the ring weapon had Ceres in the very center, and suddenly a geyser of that energy shot out towards her. "BLOOD SHOWER!"
Ceres quickly threw Gladys aside and then created a shield of energy and easily deflected the energy shot.
"So it appears that you're not like the other humans here." She said to Shade and then began to charge up some energy in preparation to attack.
(It's odd, but there's this strange feeling that I'm getting from deep inside this one.) Ceres thought as she studied Shade. (I've felt it somewhere before, a long time ago, but I can't remember when or where…)
(That's quite a bit of energy she's gathering.) Shade thought to himself. (And the way she's positioned herself as well…this woman is far from helpless. This power that I'm sensing within her might actually give me some trouble. It seems the legends of the tennyo's power are true after all…)
This realization put Shade in a bit of a complicated situation since he could not harm Ceres, as per the Patriots' orders. He was about to devise a strategy to do that, when Ceres suddenly stopped and then keeled over clutching her stomach. A minute later, she reverted back to Aya.
"It seems while she possesses great power, her body still has its limits." Crawford observed and then turned to the soldiers nearby. "Take Miss Aya back to her cell immediately."
"At once, Mr. Crawford." One of the soldiers saluted and then directed his men to help Aya up and lead her back to her cell. Aya tried to struggle from their grip but was too tired from the celestial energy used by Ceres to do anything and was lead away.
"It's hard to believe that actual tennyo of the old legends are in this very building." Shade noted, and then looked in the direction of where the C-Genomes were kept. "And there's over a dozen of them there…According to the data in the computers, some of them are not impregnated like the others." Shade then grinned lecherously. "Perhaps I can provide assistance for that. I've never coupled with a tennyo before."
"You are not to do that!" Gladys shouted, getting up and starting towards Shade. "The C-Genomes are very delicate and also…!" She stopped when one of the soldiers pointed his assault rifle at her.
"Who is she?" Shade asked Crawford.
"Apparently she's Kagami's woman." Crawford answered. "Anyway, I'm afraid the C-Genomes are off limits to you. The Patriots' orders for the ones that haven't been impregnated are to be left alone until the Patriots decide what is to be done with them."
"The things I do to satisfy my clients…" Shade growled in frustration, and then looked over at Gladys and reached over and examined her face. "Hmm…but this one is a pretty nice catch. I'll take her." Shade then glanced over at Crawford. "Unless the Patriots have orders against that as well."
"Do as you like." Crawford said simply, causing Gladys' eyes to widen in horror. "The medical staff can manage the C-Genomes in Miss Smithson's place until we give them over to the Patriots for testing; just don't do anything permanent to her since we may need her later."
"Of course, I'll make sure to be gentle." Shade grinned and turned to the now terrified Gladys. "That worthless trash Kagami isn't worth your love. You can entertain me for the time being."
As Shade walked off dragging the struggling woman with him, Crawford simply shook his head since he wasn't very fond of the man's habits.
(Wretched creature…) Crawford thought to himself. (Oh well, that sort of makes things more satisfying for what I have planned for him soon.)
"What was that all about, boss?" Shuldich asked Crawford as he came down the hall.
"Not much, just a minor problem with our guest." Crawford answered. "That and Shade found himself a new toy to play with."
"You mean Kagami's woman?" Schuldich grinned like he had heard an amusing joke. "I thought Shade was already using that woman's assistant."
"Apparently he got bored with her and must have given her to the men." Crawford replied. "Anyway, we should get back to work on the mission. I'm certain the FOXHOUNDers and their allies have located the base by now and we'd better prepare for their next move."
"Of course, boss." Schuldich nodded.
"Oh yes, how is the interrogation of Kagami Mikage coming along?" Crawford asked.
"He's showing some surprising resistance." Schuldich answered. "Don't worry, I'll get the information we need out of him sooner or later. Oh yeah, Viper's managed to keep both Lee and Asamu under control for now."
"Good, so our plans are proceeding without hindrance." Crawford smiled. "Continue with the interrogation, but if he's still not willing to talk by the day after tomorrow forget about it. I need you to be at full strength when the FOXHOUNDers arrive."
"Very well, I'll make sure to alert Farfarello when the time comes." Schuldich said.
(It's all falling into place just as planned.) Crawford thought to himself. (Soon Nagi will come and begin his test and then I shall know. Whether Ceres gets that thing she calls a hagoromo or not is of no concern to me…)
Meanwhile: Aogiri Residence:
Riku, Nagi, Tot, Yuhi, Chidori, Suzumi, and Maya were standing around a table where Michael had laid out all of the details regarding the Mikage base, location and all, which he and the four members of Weiss had retrieved.
"So this is where the Mikage base is." Riku said as he looked at the map. "Where Aya and Aki are being held…"
"The Mikage sure did their work on hiding this base." Omi spoke. "This island is actually privately owned by the Mikage, but they did everything they could to hide the fact that this island even exists. You'd have to dig pretty deep to find it and even then the details on what the island is for aren't there."
"Yeah, but at least we know where it is now." Yuhi said and then looked at Michael. "So when are we going to go in and rescue Aya, Aki, and Alec?"
"We first need to come up with the right strategy in order to successfully infiltrate the base." Michael replied. "Since the base is guarded by experienced mercenaries as well as metal gears, infiltration will be very difficult to say the least."
"But we just found out where Aya is!" Chidori objected. "Can't we just…"
"Miss Kuruma, you have to understand that the soldiers at the base are not as inexperienced as the men the Mikage had under their employment." Michael said seriously. "These are hardened, and experienced men who know exactly what they're doing. To underestimate them would be the next closest thing to suicide." Michael's expression then softened. "I know that you're all worried about your friends there and I don't blame any of you for wanting to rescue them as soon as possible. I'd feel the same, believe me, but don't forget that Aya would probably want all of you to be alive to see her after all this is over. My job is to see to it that you all do."
"Hey, that's our job too." Tot spoke. "So all we need to do is help you come up with a plan ASAP."
"Uh, Tot while I admire your determination that's easier said than done." Michael replied. "To rush creating a strategy will almost always result in disaster." He then smiled when Tot's expression became a little disappointed. "But you are right that doing this as a group will help make things go faster, not to mention insight from others will probably aid in making it more fail safe. I'll gladly accept whatever help or listen to any suggestions you have."
"Thanks Michael." Tot replied happily. "I'll be glad to help."
"Is it alright if any of us help too?" Maya asked and Michael nodded.
"Uh, before we get to that, there's something important I need to tell everyone." Riku spoke, causing everyone to turn to him. "It's something Yuki suggested to me just before we merged our powers."
"What is it?" Nagi asked.
"I know of a way that might free Aki from the hold that the progenitor has on him." Riku answered. "However, the process of doing it will be extremely dangerous for both Aki and…" Riku's eyes glanced over at Nagi and then quickly went back. "Anyway, I'll explain what Yuki told me…"
(Thank you.) Yuki said to Riku telepathically, her voice full of gratitude.
(You're welcome.) Riku replied, and then proceeded to begin telling the others what Yuki had told him before.
AN: And that concludes chapter 24. I hoped you enjoyed reading this one. This makes it three updates in a month (and in February, the shortest month of the year too). But I'm sorry to say I'm going to need a break for the rest of the month to play Xenosaga Episode 2 and Phantom of Inferno (both arepretty long, but at the same time very good games). Don't worry, I'll have the next chapter out as soon as I can so please be patient.
Also, here's an Easter egg , part of the conversation with Maggie was based off something Lulu from Final Fantasy 10 says early in the game (hey I had to give her at least one appearance in this fic) and I thought it would fit. To Tempest, I hope I portrayed Maggie alright.
Oh yeah, despite the interactions, no I'm not pairing Yuki up with Riku (he's already going to be paired up with someone in the COE/SX storyline (not telling you'll have to find out yourself). I do plan on Yuki having a major part in developing Riku as a character though (not telling any on that subject either).
Well, please R and R. And thanks to all who have reviewed.