AN: Welcome back to the newest chapter! Hope you didn't missed Part 1 and Part 2 of Chapter 25 before, if so, you better read that first! If you did: great! This chapter will have some more light hearted and comedic stuff again even though the general, rather dark vibe still stays at certain points. Hope you enjoy it! And apologies for taking so long, been pretty busy with school! :D Check out the new story image, you can get a look at Satsuki's enhanced Wrath Regalia and her weapon!
Waves slam against the walls of the Honnouji Academy. The ocean is uncalm - from here, you can still see the burning remains of the Neo-REVOCS headquarters. A grup of Couturiers and their master Ichiro arrive at the sunken isle. When the group reaches the inner parts of the academy and the large hall in which the former humans, now transformed into Life Fibers, are stored at, Ichiro and his henchmen observe the sheer amounts.
Not even the primordial Life Fiber could be compared with the amounts of Life Fibers visible here. And yet, just like back then, Life Fibers are everywhere. Humans who's minds were stitched by Life Fibers continued to enhance the halls in order to increase the storage capacity. There, the Elite Four Doppelgängers Ichiro resurrected when he arrived, guard the men and women and the Life Fibers. When they see the Director, they meet up with him, expecting orders. A Couturier takes a few steps forward to speak with his master.
"The High Entity betrayed us."
"Indeed they did."
"... how unfortunate."
"They'll pay."
"How?" the Couturier asks. Ichiro smiles mischievous and raises his arms towards the indescribable amounts of Life Fibers - as he does that, Life Fibers crawl towards him. They seem to create something like a diorama for him and his entourage. It seems as if he wants to explain his new Life Fiber henchmen his plan.
"Many thousands of years ago, when the High Entity created our Layer, and with that, a temporary world habitable for the Life Fibers, it needed the strength and energy of all those around it. It changed our species entirely. Before this very deed, we were different. Not dependant on other life forms, not dependant on the energy a Being had to fuel us. When the Layer was created, it changed us entirely." he explains as the Life Fibers he summoned create a picture of the High Entity slowly, seemingly "stitching" and "sewing" the home they know today.
"Ever since the Layer exists, Life Fibers possess incredible powers - near immortality, indescribable strength, yet now we are dependant on the juice other life forms need to survive. In case of humans, blood. There always is an exchange behind the curtain - even for me, yet... what is the life of a single Life Fiber compared to mine, whenever I die?" he asks ironically. Does that mean whenever Ichiro is defeated in combat, he can return because he sacrifices his fellow Life Fibers in the dark halls?
The Life Fibers on the ground display the so called Layer of the High Entity - dozens of orb like large Life Fibers that are connected with each other. Large Life Fibers hang out of the orbs - in the center of the circle like appearance, the main object, the Layer, lies there. One can only imagine how large the Layer and it's connected orbs really are.
"And for many thousand years, the High Entity controlled it's offspring. Some gained consciousness, some gained empathy, and very few even managed to live without blood. Not the Entity, however. It's why it needs us. It wants a sacrifice in the form of many Life Fibers, created by human bodies, so that it can regain it's strength that it lost over the years. The Layer needs the strength of the High Entity to terraform this world into a habitable place." Ichiro continues and lets the Layer hover up.
"But we won't let that happen. Not with the current Entity." he says and crushes the Layer. He then turns around.
"When the Layer is destroyed, all Life Fibers connected to the High Entity will vanish. We'll give it what it wants - Matoi and Kiryuin shall belong to the Entity. When the Entity is busy with them, we will bring back the thing the Entity needed to create the Layer back then... and the Life Fibers in this place will be the necessary sacrifice for this cause." he smiles and creates a large, strange Life Fiber Being, with horrible eyes, mouth, a deformed head, destroyed arms - and the body looks like shredded clothes.
"We shall revive what is known to humanity as Shinra Koketsu... we shall create it's true form... Shinra Seisei."
The Life Fibers that know of Shinra Koketsu's true Life Fiber Being form bow down in an instant, except for Ichiro.
"Shinra Seisei will severe our connection with the Life Fibers, and render us independent. No immortality for the Entity... and when the Layer is destroyed, Seisei will recreate it... and with this new Layer, controlled by me, we will finish the plan the Entity had in mind. A new caste of High Entity's will arise... and it will be us."
"As you wish, Director."
"Begin the creation." Ichiro orders and leaves the hall. The Couturiers around himapproach the large Life Fiber masses...
...
No snow fall today. Ryuko and Satsuki walk through the forest on the island of Okishima around the base. It's a good time to talk with each other properly again after the last troublesome and exhausting events. As they walk through the forest, they find a little bench near the coast, which they approach and sit onto to watch the water. After a few moments, Satsuki looks to Ryuko.
"It's been a while since we just... well, walked around. Without worrying about anything, I mean."
"Yeah."
"I... well... I made mistakes, once again."
"It's alright."
"..."
"...
"I'm sorry."
"..."
"I just... didn't wanted anything to happen to you. And... now this. It's my fault."
Ryuko turns her head to Satsuki and smiles briefly.
"But I'm still alive, right? And that's the important part. Yeah, my arms and legs... they do feel pretty shitty, not gonna lie, but I'd rather have those than no limbs at all."
"I see. Ragyo, she, she tried to take over my mind... or my body."
"The hallucination?"
"Yes. I can still feel how it tries to take me over. She might be watching us somewhere."
"Even if. Fuck mom. I've seen all sorts of things, and I saw dad."
"You saw dad?"
"There are these halls, Satsuki. Halls the Life Fibers visit when they die. In these halls, you can find their memories, and those that are still alive... sometimes you can apparently look through their eyes, or hear what they hear. I saw one of those "High Entities"... it's name was Hinata. He sent me into the past to see how you, mom, dad and even Nui lived before we came to this point."
"How... was that?"
"Well... there was dad. When he was a boy, he was rather lonely and he wanted to study Life Fibers, and one day, he met Ragyo. Ragyo was terrorized by her mother, because our grandfather seemed to be corrupted by the Life Fibers, or connected with them. So grandmother wanted Ragyo to die, as she feared if Ragyo would be corrupted like grandfather, bad things could happen... and eventually, that happened. Mom killed her entire family. And Nui..." Ryuko says, yet struggles to continue. She bites her lips briefly.
"... Nui was always a psychopath, but... she didn't properly work because there was still a sense of empathy and kindness, so Ragyo decided to render Nui completely cold and hostile towards everyone that is not her or Ragyo. Like... she... she threw Nui into an empty, dark room and left her there for several months... or ignored birthdays... hell, she didn't even bothered with her unless Ragyo had a task for Nui."
"... I see."
"All of those memories however had one thing in common."
"That would be?"
"They all showed me what happens if you continue... like, when you continue and take revenge. Because grandmother terrorized Ragyo, she wanted revenge on her and she got that, but in exchange for that, the Life Fibers took her over and promised her all the powers one could imagine, even immortality, and she got that, remember? When dad found out what kinda sick experiments Ragyo had in mind and what she did to me, dad founded Nudist Beach so that one day, REVOCS could be destroyed - but for that, he left both of us alone and sacrificed many lives, just so that he could create a Kamui like Senketsu, one that is capable of empathy, that can understand human emotions and one, that works better than Junketsu ever could. And because Nui wanted nothing but a family, Ragyo took that chance to build an enemy for her: humans. Nui hated them so much she didn't care for any of them, all she wanted was Ragyo to be happy and to accept her as a little daughter. Nui wanted revenge on humanity... and even killed dad."
Ryuko hesitates to continue.
"..."
"Satsuki, I'm scared of what will happen if we continue." Ryuko says. Satsuki looks into Ryuko's eyes. Honest fear. Those very slight, quick movements on her hands, the shoes that slowly move around, trying to find something to stand on...
"And what should we do?"
"... some of the Life Fibers aren't like the usual ones. Hinata, he, he is one of those Entities, and the Life Fibers follow those Entities. And it looks like some of them follow Hinata's... ideology, I guess. Like... some, including it... or him, or her... I don't know... they want to learn what empathy means. They want to know what it's like to feel emotions. They... don't want to be parasites. Nui was one of them, hence why she has a slight understanding of emotions."
"And we should negotiate with them?"
"No. I don't know whether we should negotiate or not. All I know is that not all of them are monsters. They might all be parasites, but some are more than that. And I find... we... maybe should give them the chance to, well, prove themselves. Like Senketsu, or Nui."
Satsuki doesn't know how to react. They both are quiet for a moment and just watch the water. Both women's breath is visible in the air. Then, Ryuko turns around to Satsuki again.
"And another thing, Satsuki."
"Yes?"
"I saw how Ragyo turned into a Life Fiber. She was ripped open, and Life Fibers were infused into her. The High Entity did that, it made a Life Fiber Being out of a human. I... wonder one thing."
"... you wonder whether the Entity can make a human out of Life Fibers?"
Ryuko nods slowly and uncertain.
"It's something you don't have to do, sis."
"I know. But the longer I deal with Life Fibers, the closer I feel to them. It got to a point where I was able to turn into a parasite, like the Life Fiber sickness, and by that I almost killed Nui. I really felt it. I really felt how I almost lost my mind myself. I only heard the Life Fibers singing in my head, I just wanted blood. It's... I... it's not like I mind having... "clothes" inside my body... it's just... I'm just scared this might happen again."
"I don't know what to say. It sounds so surreal."
"It is. You can't properly describe this. I saw myself as a Life Fiber Being. Like one of the Couturiers. We gotta make sure the Director disappears."
"Yes. And we need to deal with the Life Fiber Sickness. It makes everything harder than necessary." Satsuki says. Ryuko raises her eyebrows.
"About that... uh..." Ryuko says excited and moves her hand into Senketsu's pocket, where the vial with the cure is. There still is something left in it. Satsuki doesn't believe what she sees.
"... while he did kinda fucked me up, this asshole wasn't lying when he said he could cure the Sickness inside me. He must have removed the parasite in my head too... sooo..." Ryuko grins. Satsuki carefully takes the vial with shining eyes.
"Is that..."
"Yup." Ryuko smiles. Satsuki's head slowly falls on Ryuko's shoulder next to Senketsu's eye, he looks up to her.
"Hey that's me." he comments
"I can't believe this." she smiles unsure.
"You better do. We gotta protect this thing at any cost. Bring it to a place no one would expect it at."
"I'll find something, you can bet on that!" Satsuki says excited. Ryuko nods trustful. Satsuki examines the vial rather in disbelief still, but happy nonetheless. The little sister in the meantime looks back at the water. Thanks to her Life Fiber arms and legs, she doesn't feel the cold as much as usual anymore.
"So whatcha think, Senketsu? How's the environment to you?"
"We have to explore more of Japan." he answers.
"Haha, yeah sure. Satsuki, we four have to travel Japan again sometime, aight?"
"... four?"
"Yup. You, Senketsu, Nui and me."
"... oh yes. Right. Nui as well." Satsuki answers and clears her throat. Ryuko notices Satsuki isn't feeling to well with the thought of having a psychopathic lunatic as little sister. And she can understand that, based on her face expression. Ryuko tones down her enthusiasm a little bit.
"Give her a chance, please. Just a little one. You don't have to like her... I doubt many will like her anyway. But... you can't change it."
"I can't just let go, Ryuko. I can't just say "It's okay" to her and mother."
"You don't have to. I just want to say that... well, she's always going to be here for us. I mean she still will be a huge, mean asshole, but y'know?"
"... come to think of it... what was the reason of you forgiving Ragyo?"
"I wanted a family. Just a normal family. That's all. But mom didn't wanted to. I just wanted to give Nui the same chance... and despite all the evil things she did, she deserves that chance. Like I said... I saw and felt everything she felt, and from the three of us, she really got hit the hardest. Shit... dude... when she commited suicide... she did it with the thought she actually found a family. Now imagine you kill yourself in the belief you will be accepted... and then it was for nothing and you are even thrown away by literally everything you had left."
"... I... yes. That's... hard."
"If it doesn't work, Satsuki, ignore her. I won't blame you. I won't blame anyone who would react like that at one point. But... don't be mean to her, please. I'll make sure she won't be mean to you either. I can take her comments, I know she doesn't mean it like that, at least towards you and me... and probably Senketsu."
"I will try. But... I need time."
"Thank you."
"... it's alright.
...
Mikisugi in the meantime visits the workshop. The people there seem to be more motivated again now that the Neo-REVOCS headquarter has been destroyed. He also sees Iori who's working together with Nui on a few more outfits for Nudist Beach. It seems as if they both come along a little better now, even though Nui is still mean to him sometimes. Still, they both are tailors, they got something in common, and it shows.
"Mind you, you could use these needles over there, they'll make the sewing easier." Iori notes to Nui as she seems to be a bit slower than usual while she enthusiastically works on another piece of clothing. Nui looks to him.
"You talk to me as if I would be an amateur." Nui smiles and forms a finger of hers into a needle.
"I don't need these needles, love." she chuckles and continues. Iori simply nods, clears his throat and continues work without questioning.
Mikisugi smiles slightly and continues his journey through the base. Nonon and a bunch of Nudist Beach soldiers help her carry objects into the large hall in which the concert will start soon. Nonon herself watches how her musician clones carefully clean their instruments.
"Nonon!" Mikisugi yells.
"Hrmpf!? Who calls me!?" Nonon reacts and looks around. She sees Mikisugi down on the ground.
"I can see your concert preparations are going well."
"Finally all these monkeys here experience some proper culture in the form of glorious music!"
"Cool. You let me know if you need help or anything."
"Yup, yup!" Nonon answers and looks back to her clones. On the island surface, men and women maintain the zeppelin. Tsumugu watches them, Mikisugi approaches him.
"Hey Tsumugu."
"Mikisugi."
"So what do you think of the zeppelin?"
"It does it's job."
"You don't sound too glad."
"But it's not because of the zeppelin. After what Matoi told us about the Director and the Life Fibers, I'm just waiting for them to take revenge. If there really is something like a "High Entity" and if it's really as powerful as Matoi says, then we should be careful."
"Never thought I hear that word from you."
"Don't get me wrong - all Life Fibers need to be eliminated, I always said that, no matter how and no matter who, but if we take on against forces we don't understand we'll might have to reconsider our options."
"I mean... some of them are conscient. And there is this "Hinata" guy - might be worth talking to him?"
Tsumugu reacts shocked hearing Mikisugi saying this. Mikisugi seems to be serious about this suggestion.
"The hell you talking about?"
"Ryuko said there is the chance that some Life Fibers aren't exactly hostile, but more like her Kamui."
"We've founded this organization to destroy Life Fibers and not to ally with them."
"It's not about allying, Tsumugu. I'm on your side, believe me. But if there is a chance and some of them "are just like us", we may should investigate what this is all about. Look at our Life Fiber friends. Ryuko's Kamui for example - it doesn't want to hurt her. The stuff before wasn't even it's fault, that can be accounted to the Director."
"But it could hurt her. And that REVOCS psychopath can flip out any second if you provoke her in the slightest ways possible - first she choked Hoomaru, then she shot Gamagoori, what's next, Aikuro? Is she gonna aim her weapon at your or my head? I'm just waiting for that to happen."
"Ryuko keeps her under control."
"You say that as if Matoi would be an universal key to all our problems, but she is not."
"But she is human and Life Fiber. I trust her."
Tsumugu shakes his head, doubting, even after all these years he could trust Ryuko. The man looks to the ground and thinks about what to say next.
"I know, Tsumugu, I sound like I forgot what we had in mind when we first founded our organization. But you see, after all these years, and all the events that occured... I mean..."
"Life Fibers will be our downfall if we aren't careful."
"That's true. I know you dislike my plans."
"I do, yeah."
"But if you see someone who might be able to redeem him or herself, maybe not entirely, but at least partially make up for what they did - would you deny them that chance?" Mikisugi asks. Tsumugu puts on a cigarette and pulls one.
"That won't bring Kinue back."
"It won't bring Isshin, Hoomaru and the lives of our friends back either. It won't heal Ryuko's bad memories either, or the scars you and me sustained during battles. But it doesn't have to bring something - or someone - back."
"... I don't know." Tsumugu answers.
Followed up by that, both men watch the zeppelin. Mikisugi seems to get used to the Life Fibers, or at least to Ryuko, Senketsu and Nui, and the new uniforms Iori developed. Do monsters like Life Fibers really have a soul, or do they deserve a second chance? He remembers Junketsu. In his last moments before Satsuki took his life, it became clear that the former Kamui never wanted to really fight his mistress. Senketsu, if dependant on Ryuko's blood, was always a friend for her and never tried to harm her on purpose. And even the psychopath that is Nui listens to Ryuko and Satsuki, and it's possible she can learn a few things from them. Tsumugu doubts all of this - but can he be blamed? He spent his life on fighting Life Fibers, of course he believes there can't be any redemption for them, and there doesn't necessarily have to be one. Maybe they really should all vanish. But that is just his belief.
Then, Houka comes from the side and speaks to them.
"Mikisugi, Tsumugu?"
"Hm?" Tsumugu grumbles.
"You want to see this." Houka smiles evil and walks with the two men to the inner parts of the base.
...
A vehicle is driving through Ôsaka. It's passing through one of the rather quiet districts in the city. Takarada's men and women guard the city via the rooftops and are on the lookout - it became a fortress against Neo-REVOCS. With more people vanishing from the streets after wearing Neo-REVOCS clothes, people slowly seem to realize what the Director has planned. A group of Takarada's units collect Neo-REVOCS clothes just to burn them in the middle of the street, and next to them, there is a sign.
"Burn the Life Fibers." is written. The vehicle continues it's journey through Ôsaka. It appears that several groups clear the streets and houses of Neo-REVOCS clothing. In the more populated parts of the city, people express their hostility towards the corporation - and Takarada uses this situation to earn even more money since people buy his anti REVOCS merch. The vehicle stops, and Sanageyama leaves it. He shakes his head when he sees how people buy Takarada's merch.
"Man." he mumbles and walks to the nearest post office. Inside, not much is going on. He's carrying two mails, from which one of them he takes a closer look again. It seems to be addressed to his father. Eventually, he delivers both mails and leaves the office again.
"... let's see if the old man answers." Sanageyama mumbles to himself and enters his car again.
...
Ryuko and Satsuki left the forest a while ago and slowly approach the walls of the Nudist Beach base. Ryuko explains more about Ragyo's background.
"... and that's why mom killed her brother and grandma. The Life Fibers corrupted her. They made her think they are her actual family. I think at this point she stopped caring for her life, all she wanted was to support them, and I guess... I guess that's why in the end she also killed herself, after all, there were no Life Fibers left on earth.
One thing I will never forget was this smile she put on. She knew Life Fibers would come back... but she didn't wanted to "suffer" by living with us."
"She was a sick monstrosity - putting these creatures above humanity. And then she escaped punishment. Sometimes... sometimes I could just... grr..."
"Eh. She's gone. Gotta be good enough."
"Yes." Satsuki answers. Both women arrive in the halls. They take off their jackets and split up, with Satsuki approaching Gamagoori while he's helping Nonon.
"Gamagoori."
"Lady Satsuki! Good morning, how have you been?"
"Passable. I see you are support Nonon."
"Yes. These clones are good and useful and Mikisugi's men do their job well too, but none of them can carry amounts of weight like I could. Quite honestly, I'm afraid of this concert." he grins.
"Oh, I'm sure Nonon won't overexaggerate." she chuckles.
"I trust she won't. She's been looking forward for this event ever since she announced it, I'm sure it will raise the moral here."
"Yes. Gamagoori, I have to go. We'll see us later." Satsuki says and leaves her friend. While she walks through the halls, Ragyo appears on her right and follows her slowly.
"You talk me down even though I helped you out...?"
"Leave it. With Ryuko back, my mind has been clearer than usual."
"Is it truly? I think you are simply... afraid of what might happen now. And more importantly... I believe you are afraid of me."
"Think what you want. I don't care."
"Mhm. You don't need to. Sooner or later you will. You will face the consequences of your deeds soon enough. One way or another. Unless you offer your life to the Life Fibers."
Satsuki smiles briefly as if her mother made a bad joke.
"Don't make me laugh." Satsuki reacts and moves on, leaving her mother behind. Ragyo smiles back however and vanishes again. Arriving in the command center, Satsuko notices Houka and Iori at the monitor. Ryuko and Nui sit at the table and Tsumugu stands in the background and smokes a cigarette while watching both Life Fiber hybrids. Nui laid down her head on the table and makes her yellow bow, Ryuko looks at Satsuki. She meets up with the other two.
"Hey Satsuki."
"What are they talking about?"
"I don't know, some sort of operation I guess."
"Operation?" Satsuki asks. Tsumugu answers.
"Operation. Just a small group, you three will go. There are riots in Nagoya and other large cities in Japan, it's a good time to hit another strike on Neo-REVOCS and potentially eliminate them. That advertisement center? You visit it, reveal what we got about the corporation and leave without drawing too much attention onto you." Tsumugu explains. Satsuki nods and makes herself a little tea.
"This goes especially for the blonde one." he says and points and Nui. Nui turns around and shows her tongue.
"Blah blah blah, I'll draw as much attention to me as I want to and you can't stop me." Nui smiles. Tsumugu rolls with his eyes and walks away. Iori approaches the three women.
"Well he explained it already, but yes. We could potentially take down Neo-REVOCS by humiliating them. All these evidence we found in the last weeks - the Fiber Factories, the main manufacture, the remains of the headquarter, the evidence Yamamoto brought us, we will use it against them. Houka and me were awake the entire night to work on various, well, "advertisement movies" that show Neo-REVOCS in a whole new light, now all we need are a few people who can publish these movies and the best way to do that is by visiting the heart of Neo-REVOCS' propaganda.
At the moment, Nagoya is more or less under siege. People have lost their patience after Houka and Nonon accidentally destroyed the stadium, on top of all the additional damage we dealt. There won't be too much resistance, however, Houka and me believe the Director will be present, after all, this is his last proper headquarter. If you draw too much attention, as Tsumugu said, you might lure him out of his headquarter and since we know he cannot be killed or even harmed, I advise you three don't provoke him. Sneak in, maybe use the riots as distraction and once you guys have uploaded our presents, you leave again."
While Ryuko and Satsuki listen carefully to what Iori says, Nui ignores everything. Instead, she rather seems to be daydreaming. She even looks up to the ceiling. After a few more minutes, Iori leaves the room with Houka and Tsumugu and the three are left alone. As Nui looks back to her two sisters, they seem to be talking about how to approach the matter.
What did he say again? Advertisement center?
Upload movies?
"Uh, my loves?" Nui asks.
"Hm?"
"Yeah?"
"Question." Nui grins.
"Go ahead." Satsuki answers.
"So I didn't really listen to anything you and Iori said buuuuuuuut I do know we should attack this cool advertisement center and I know there is my dear Doppelgänger so what if we don't just humiliate the former best corporation of all time but also the worst Doppelgänger of all time?"
"Humiliate? And how? Shouldn't we stay a bit more sneaky when we approach this?" Senketsu asks. Nui chuckles about that and whispers into Ryuko's ear. Ryuko raises her eye brows... and then smiles evil.
"... you really are the biggest asshole on this planet."
"What did she had in mind?" Satsuki asks. Ryuko chuckles...
...
A few hours later...
...
"Leave this city!"
"We don't want you here!"
"There is no place for a corporation like yours in this city anymore!"
Windows break apart and stones fly around, cars hoot and small fires broke out in Nagoya. Angry men and women everywhere. Couturiers and Samurai guard the large facility that is the advertisement center, a large tower like building surrounded by several smaller ones with walls and several foundations, reminding construction wise of an old Japanese castle, but in a larger scale. Civilians try to open up the gates. Next to the walls are streets - and people block them. No one is getting through the sheer masses of revolting civilians at the moment.
In the middle of these masses, Satsuki walks. Back in Tokyo she used to be more afraid of being among those who hate her, and maybe they still do - the longer she is present on the street, the more people realize who is with them, and the opinions are mixed. Some seem to be hostile towards her, other people trust her, seeing her in her improved Wrath Regalia. Satsuki stays resolved however and approaches the gates, her spear in both hands, and as she arrives at the gate, she rams the spear in front of her onto the ground and looks up to the Couturiers that however do not attack her to avoid an escalation.
"Director Harime!" Satsuki yells angry.
"Where are you?" she asks calm and looks up to the large tower. The Couturiers watch each other and then notify their master via the Dark Halls - and soon after, Ichiro indeed appears on the rooftop of the building, looking down on Satsuki with his burned pink coat. He smiles slightly.
"Look who we have here..." he whispers to himself uppish.
"Face these brave men and women that do not longer accept the presence of you and your henchmen!" Satsuki says. Normally he wouldn't hear her talking, but the Couturiers let him know about what she says. While Ichiro talks around, Satsuki looks to her left, seeing Nui and Ryuko carefully walking on the rooftops on the other side of the street. Nui forms into a paperplane thanks to her Life Fiber abilities, Ryuko shrugs when she sees that and then transforms into liquid Life Fibers. They both fly over to the walls.
"... and at this point I don't really care about my presence on this world. Who do you think you are that you could destroy the headquarters of your own corporation, Kiryuin?!" he reacts. Satsuki closes her eyes for a second and opens them again with a brief smile.
"That's exactly why I can take them down whenever I want to. This corporation belongs to me. It's legacy is mine, with both it's good and bad sides, and soon it will be yours no longer, but in my hands."
"And how do you want to do that?" he asks. Nui and Ryuko knocked out a few Samurai and approach the gates.
"If you do not care about your presence on this world at all, then you won't mind if we come in and visit you." Satsuki says. Ryuko and Nui open the gates by pulling Life Fibers around the wheels that open them, then dragging on them and eventually opening the large steel doors.
With that, the civilians see their chance and attack the front gates of the building. Ichiro notices how Ryuko and Nui look up to him.
"... grrr..." he grumbles and leaves the rooftop.
"So much about being sneaky." Senketsu mumbles surprised. Satsuki calmly walks through the gates as Ryuko, Satsuki as well as the allied civilians around them overrun the Samurai that hesitate to draw their weapons, although the Couturiers don't shy back from using violence, after all, they are Life Fibers in disguise. However, without the help of the Samurai, the Life Fiber Beings, while extremely strong, are just not enough to properly combat the - only with stones and batons armed - civilians. The Couturiers quickly retreat to the walls where they have a better chance of fighting the civilians on the ground. Ryuko and Nui take the civilians distracting them as a chance to quickly eliminate the Couturiers. The plaza inside the walls is full of propaganda posters, statues, even vitrins with clothes and of course monitors that display Neo-REVOCS ads.
It's somewhat ironic to see how a large scale, multinational corporation such as Neo-REVOCS is unable to defend itself in one of it's most important spots, and it shows how reliant the corporation is on Life Fibers. And without the cheap Ashigaru, it becomes even harder to defend various facilities. And one more it's due to Life Fibers that the Life Fibers are losing. Ichiro's deeds are now backfiring on him and it gives the entire situation an interesting sense of humor.
Satsuki in the meantime arrives in the inner tower, still calm. Inside, a few Samurai notice her. Everyone else their is just a normal employee and therefore unarmed. Satsuki's gaze pierces through the Samurai, they don't even dare to attack her and simply leave space for her to walk around. Ryuko and Nui catch up to her and follow her in the background as Satsuki reaches the reception.
"I want to speak to the Director."
The man at the desk swallows.
"... here you go." he stutters and presses a button that opens up an elevator. A Samurai appears in the elevator, but as he notices the three sisters, he simply runs away.
"NO NOT THESE GUYS AGAIN!" he yells scared. Seems like he met them once already. Satsuki and Ryuko enter the elevator, however, the man quickly closes it again and jails Nui out, then the elevator goes up. Nui turns around and raises her eye brows.
"Really?" she asks and smiles.
Satsuki and Ryuko wait in the meantime, Nui will surely come soon.
"Well this went better than expected." Ryuko smiles.
"At the very least we made an remarkable entrance." Satsuki answers. A few seconds later, the shaft above the elevator opens and the sound of a snake is audible.
"What was that?" Senketsu asks and suddenly, a snake falls into the elevator. It has a yellow bow on it's head. That's Nui.
"SssssSSSSsssss..." she makes and transforms into a human again, then makes her bow and smiles.
"What happened?" Ryuko grins.
"Not much, we made a little trade offer, he can live and I can enter the elevator, I'm a business women, you know?"
"Of course you are." Senketsu chuckles. The elevator continues to go up for a few more seconds, then the door opens and the three sisters find a small, white hall that leads into the studio of the advertisement center, and probably the place where they can publish the movies made by Houka and Iori.
Entering the studio however reveals Ichiro who's been sitting on a red chair, waiting for them eagerly. The studio has a red screen in the background, flowers... it rather looks like a talk show here. He stands up and opens his arms as a way of greeting them.
"Welcome, Matoi, Kiryuin, and Harime." he grins. None of them say a thing.
"So what is it that leads you to me this time? Are you planning on destroying this facility as well? Not that I would care." he chuckles.
"Yo, dude." Ryuko says. Ichiro looks to her.
"You're talking too much." she says and slams her scissor blades against him, which results in him landing in the next wall. Smoke rises up, Ichiro stands up, however, Nui slams the buttstock of her rifle against him and incapacitates him for a brief moment. Satsuki in the meantime notices the computers in the background that can be used to publish all the evil little movies Nudist Beach had in mind. Ryuko and Nui stand in front of the incapaciated psychopath and start smiling evil.
...
...
...
Ichiro slowly opens his eyes again and looks around. He tries to stand up but apparently is unable to. He looks down onto his body and notices Life Fibers that tied him up.
"What the...?" he mumbles and suddenly, a light turns on and blinds him for a brief moment. Suddenly, a short jingle is audible, Ichiro looks around but no one is here... and then he can hear Nui moderating.
"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEELCOME, dearest viewer of REVOCS TV and welcome to the last REVOCS Fashion Show EVER! It's been SOOOOO long since I was here last time, what, five or six years?!" Nui chuckles and enters the room from the right, while Ichiro tries to free himself.
"Yes, that's absolutely right, it's me, Nui Harime, I'm still alive, haha! To my left I have the wonderfully annoying Mr. Harime, we ain't relatives by the way, he just took my name, and additionally, I have these two beautiful women with me! Please welcome Miss Satsuki Kiryuin, my favourite human of all time, and Miss Ryuko Matoi, don't mind her black arms, she's kinda doing a cosplay at the moment!" Nui chuckles as Ryuko and Satsuki enter the scene.
"The hell are you doing!?" Ichiro asks annoyed.
"Shush it!" Nui says and throws his bow away.
"Today's Fashion Show will be quite short but very, very explosive, our audience is eagerly awaiting to take action on what I would consider as one of the best events this corporation ever had! The collection I want to present today is based on this "Nudist Beach" organization - between us, these guys are all weirdos because they are naked BUUUUUUUT that's okay because some of these weirdos are alright.
I call this collection the "Humiliating Harime"." Nui smiles - outside the scene, clones throw freshly made clothes towards Ryuko, which she gives to Nui.
These outfits are Nudist Beach uniforms.
"Now, if there are any children watching us, please don't look - or do look, I mean, you guys don't keep on rules anyway, so. Come here, my dear!" Nui laughs and walks in front of Ichiro to change his clothes - the light goes out again.
"No no no no!" he yells, but can't defend himself. Satsuki in the meantime starts some music and turns up the volume, playing "Nowhere To Run" from Martha and the Vandellas, a track from 1965 and rather light hearted.
(AN: How about you listen to said track on YouTube? :) Type down "Nowhere To Run" from Martha and the Vandellas and enjoy the show!)
As the light turns on again, Nui says "Et vóila!" and takes a few steps back, displaying Ichiro in a classic Nudist Beach uniform with a few hearts here and there to show that this uniform was made by Nui.
"Actually I didn't really made that outfit, I just stole one and brought it with me because I figured it would make for a fun little entrance! See, Nudist Beach has very unconventional ways of covering their skin, they basically do not, it's because "uhhh Life Fibers evil blah blah" - I'M LIFE FIBER MYSELF! Look!" Nui says and forms her arm into a needle.
"But who cares?! I still behave like a human, do I? Look how ashamed he is just because he doesn't wear much!"
Ichiro seems annoyed, yet doesn't look up. Nui moves his face up and into the camera. He isn't saying a single thing. His face says enough.
"Now I'm bringing this up because honestly? Some people are okay, I guess. I still don't like y'all, but at least I'm trying. Anyway, enough backstory, SATSUKI! Your turn!" she chuckles and leaves the scene, giving Satsuki the microphone. The light goes out again, and after a minute of changing outfits, Ichiro appears with a clown nose and bunny ears. It absolutely looks horrible on him. Satsuki investigates it.
"I'm not the kind of person that enjoys stomping on corpses like this man, but this was one of the rare cases where I couldn't say no, and I have to apologize to everyone who thought I died, because I did not - all I'm trying is to make up for what REVOCS did to us and still will do. In the following spots, Ladies and Gentlemen, you'll be able to take a closer look on how Neo-REVOCS works and how the inner processes go - some might be disturbing, others surely enjoyable, proceed on your own caution, since..." and suddenly, someone's trying to kick open the doors. Couturiers appear. Nui laughs and catches the microphone.
"Oh well looks like we have to end our Fashion Show rather soon, thanks for watching, please subscribe to our newsletter under..." and bullets fly, as some of the Samurai that entered the room armed themselves with range weapons.
"AH NEVERMIND, HAVE A GOOD ONE, NAGOYA!" Nui laughs and runs out of the screen. Ryuko waves her hands.
"SEE YA LATER GUYS!" Ryuko says. Satsuki follows Ryuko. The three women leave the tower by jumping out of it. Couturiers enter the room as well and turn off the camera - but then they notice that outside of the facility, a few clones built up additional cameras on the rooftops, showing Nagoya under siege. Ichiro's Life Fiber soldiers notice him. They don't dare to say a single word.
Outside, Ryuko, Satsuki and Nui land on the plaza of Nagoya, where civilians commenced combat against the Samurai. With the help of the three Nudist Beach members, the people of the city are able to take back the control of their home, as Ryuko, Satsuki and Nui easily fight their way through the henchmen of Neo-REVOCS without them being able to properly react since everything goes so fast. Helmets launch into the air, Katana's break apart and ashamed screams of the Samurai are audible as they find themselves back soon enough with nothing but underwear or even less, if they got attacked by Ryuko.
Mikisugi and the other Nudist Beach members watch the spectacle in the base - he never had a bigger grin.
"Well if that isn't a kick in Neo-REVOCS crown jewels then I don't know what is." he laughs. The men and women celebrate the women's action. Over time, slowly but steady, the people of Japan seek up the next Neo-REVOCS facility to start riots - in Tokyo, people vandalize the corporation's transporters, in the national park, small camp fires are made, fueled by Neo-REVOCS clothes. Samurai are imprisoned by police officers.
In the Matoi mansion, Mako and Mataro watch the livestream.
"Look, that's Ryuko!" Mataro mentions as he sees Ryuko on the street with her other two sisters. Mako seems relieved.
"Ryuko is fine... I'm so glad." she smiles. Maiko bites on gum in the background.
"Man they really do be destroying the entire damn city, you love to see it." she grins. Sukuyo claps with her hands.
"Ohhh, it's so good to see the three of them having fun!" the mother says, while Barazo simply eats croquettes. Guts jumps up and down.
Back in Nagoya, the largest clothing store of Neo-REVOCS is experiencing large amount of visitors and not in the good way - employees panicly run away while Ryuko and her sisters redesign mannequins behind the windows, while in the background, civilians rip apart clothes. Samurai try to catch up with the rioters but are soon defeated, and Ryuko, Satsuki and Nui simply continue their mean little jokes.
On the streets, the first Nudist Beach units appear, ordering civilians certain actions - however, unnecessary bloodshed is to be avoided, after all, the Samurai are humans too. Satsuki goes back on the street and looks around.
No matter where she looks at, victory is her's. Soon, Neo-REVOCS is giving up - their units cannot fight the thousands of angry civilians, and on the walls of the skyscrapers, she can see the logo of the REVOCS Fashion Show. With this action, Neo-REVOCS reputation is completely destroyed and back on the same level of infamy just like it's predecessor, REVOCS. And with Satsuki appearing back on the screens, it's also most certain she will gain back what once belonged to her. It's likely that, even with all the damage, REVOCS facilities are able to produce a cure in the future. Now all left to do is sending Ichiro back to the place he came from.
Satsuki genuinely smiles seeing all of this.
...
...
...
Ichiro's Couturiers examine the studio. It got quiet up there in the tower. Some of his loyal henchmen watch the city burn. The psychopath grabs a red coat that hung on the wall, and he's wearing his usual vest and trousers again.
The Couturiers await orders, yet the Director stays quiet. He just walks to the window walls and looks down. In the far distance, a small explosion is visible. On the streets, people bring away Samurai.
No one wants to say anything. Everyone stays quiet for the next few minutes, and all the Life Fibers can do is watching their empire go down. Ichiro closes his eyes briefly and inhales, then exhales from his nose. He barely moves his fingers, covered by red, skin tight gloves, and his bow is gone. One of the Couturiers approach him carefully.
"... what do we do now, master?" the Couturier asks cautious. A second Couturier meets up with them.
"The Entity has left us and we are losing more and more men. Should we retreat?"
"..."
Ichiro looks down to the streets. He can see Ryuko, Satsuki and Nui, if only very tiny. Without doing any mimics, he moves his eyes to the left where one of the Couturiers stands.
"You." Ichiro orders cold. The Couturier takes a few steps forward.
"Follow them. Find out where they hide. Then come back."
"Very well." the Couturier orders and leaves the tower.
"What do we do with our Samurai?" another Couturier asks. Ichiro turns to the side with his head.
"Awaken the Life Fibers in their armor. Gather all men at the Kiryuin manor. Once we know where Nudist Beach hides, they will all die."
...
An hour later...
...
Ryuko, Satsuki and Nui still support the Nudist Beach units and the civilians in the city. Soon it will be evening. They've met up with the boss of the Naked 24, Arata - it turns out the strip club has been entirely destroyed and not much is left. The group of the three women and additional Nudist Beach soldiers quickly find a little unit of Samurai near the destroyed main manufacture, which they hinder from escaping. While doing so, the Samurai show resistance and are able to land a few hits on the naked soldiers, however, they are still heavily outnumbered. Not two minutes later, the Samurai give up the battle, and the Nudist Beach men and women tie them up.
While Satsuki speaks with Arata, Ryuko and Nui joke around a bit and leave the group, if only for a few meters and still staying on the street, when all of a sudden, shots are fired. It appears that the Samurai planned an ambush and gave up on purpose. Quickly, the men and women of the organization hide, and even Satsuki has to retreat. Nui catches a bullet, Ryuko liquifies and surprises the remaining Neo-REVOCS units hiding in one of the lower floors of the skyscraper next to them. One by one, Ryuko launches them out of the windows to help Nudist Beach regain control over the battle again. It seems as if there were about six more people hiding. Ryuko eventually jumps out again but notices how Nui grabs one of the Samurai for herself, dragging him into an alley. Satsuki isn't bothered by this, Ryuko however tries to investigate what she is about to do.
In that alley, Ryuko notices Nui is about to kill the scared man who seems to be the one who hit her with the bullet. These weapons belonged to the Ashigaru before, it's likely the Samurai attempted to equip themselves for every possible situation. Nui reloads the weapon and aims on the head with a big smile in her face, until Ryuko touches her shoulder.
"Don't." Ryuko says.
This irritates Nui heavily. Who cares about the life of this guy? It's a Neo-REVOCS soldier. It's just a human. Just one life. The man shakes scared to death.
"Why? He's a human, Ryuko. I hate them. All of them. He even shot me! It's only fair if I shoot back!" she reacts confused. Ryuko just looks into Nui's eyes and slowly shakes her head. She's still holding the finger on the trigger.
"And you are one too... and a Life Fiber." Ryuko comforts and walks forward, carefully holding her hand on the rifle. Slowly, Ryuko moves the weapon down.
"Be better than them. Cause I can agree. A lot of people... are assholes." Ryuko continues and carefully looses Nui's hand from the weapon.
"But you ain't a murderer. Not anymore." she finishes and slowly nods her head. The Samurai stands up and runs away scared. Nui watches how the man escapes. She sighs. Satsuki arrives at the alley entrance. Ryuko turns around.
"We'll meet up with you in a bit, go ahead already." Ryuko mentions. Satsuki nods and goes on.
Senketsu and Ryuko watch Nui slowly putting away the rifle again by shrinking it. Her big sister walks back on the street with Nui, and there, they can see the plaza of the main manufacture, and the Ragyo statue. Nui looks at it.
"Mama would have wanted this." Nui mentions and walks to the statue. Ryuko follows her. As Nui looks up, Ryuko notices she closed her eyes a tad bit.
"Is it raining?" Ryuko asks.
A thunder rings out. Rain is falling everywhere in Nui's mind. It's why she closed her eyes slightly. In Ryuko's vision it's rather clear sky, here and there a few sparkles due to the fires and snow on the streets.
"It's always raining. It never stops." the psychopath answers. No one is around them on the plaza, but a few buildings have little fires coming out of their windows. Broken glass and armor, or damaged cars can be found here.
"Mama probably looks down to me. Like I did something wrong. It's not right, Ryuko. Why can he go away with bad things but I can't?" Nui asks confused.
"I learned you gotta let go of a few things to improve on yourself. I know there's more to you than just a murderer and a mean person. I mean... I saw it and literally felt it. Remember when you tried to cheer up Hoomaru when you were a little child?"
"... yes."
"Mom" never wanted you to be like this because then you wouldn't listen to her. She didn't had any use for a little kid that wants to be happy and friendly to others. None of the things people did to you happened because everyone genuinely hated you. That's all... all on mom. The only person that hated you... was mom."
"How do you want to know that?"
"The way she behaved, the way she spoke with you and everyone else, the things she believed... she treated Satsuki similar to you."
"Then why me? Why me and not Satsuki?"
"Because you worked better than Satsuki and me. In the end, you are more Life Fiber than I could ever be, and the only one who tops you on that is Senketsu - but he's a Kamui and not a hybrid. Ragyo just wanted someone who obeys to her. She just had to manipulate you, make you go insane."
"... I... don't know. Mama... often lied to me... but I still believed her... and she often did bad things to me but I still loved her and I still do. But you and Satsuki hate her... and I don't understand why."
"I don't think you will ever understand. But that's okay. Some things, I believe, you just cannot comprehend. I can't comprehend how Life Fibers in general function, and the dark halls and everything else, while you perfectly understand everything."
Nui nods.
"I just want you to be a better person. Not a good one, I... kinda doubt that will ever happen, although the thought of you making pancakes for everyone and petting little kitties is kinda funny to me... but the best one you can be, because in the end, you, Satsuki and me, we all experienced some heavy stuff." Ryuko continues. Nui shrugs slowly and moves her hair out of her face.
"I mean... I'd do the same like you. If I would have been raised the way you are, I would kill humans too. Or you know... just generally be an asshole. I don't blame you at all. But you know... if I can support you somehow I'll gladly do, cause that's what siblings do in the end."
"... you are way too friendly to me, Ryuko." Nui says rather cold. It seems as if Nui has a hard time comprehending what Ryuko tries to tell her, which was to expect however.
"I just try to see you as what you are - you are my little, psychopathic, evil mean sister that just needs more hugs in her life." Ryuko smiles. Nui chuckles briefly.
"Even then, love... the rain will never stop. Mama did that. Not me. At least I believe so."
"Then I'll be with you. You don't need to be alone. Just like Satsuki and me don't have to be alone. Sooner or later, everything will be okay again. In the end, everything will be okay again at one point. It just takes some time." Ryuko smiles and hugs Nui briefly.
Ryuko is fully soaked.
"Ryuko, if you would see yourself, you'd be ashamed of how soaked you are." Nui chuckles.
"Oh shut it, dude." Ryuko grins.
"Hehe."
"But yeah... try to give the others a chance. Not everyone, of course, but if you see someone that might not be hostile in an instant, maybe you could try to talk with them normally... or at least what is normal to you. Don't think I'll force you to anything, what you do is your choice, but if you struggle, and I know you do, you can always hit me up. In any case, we should head back to Satsuki, I'm kinda down to play a few board games later, you game for that too?" Ryuko asks smiling. Nui rolls with her eyes and smiles.
"Duh. Of course I am."
"Cool." Ryuko chuckles and walks down the street with Nui again. Ragyo's statue looks down to them. On one of the rooftops, a Couturier watches them...
...
In the throne room of the Entity, the singing of the Life Fibers has vanished for the most part. Only a few, melancholic and dark voices are audible. Other than that, only the movements of the inner parts of the Layer are audible, and Life Fibers crawling around. The High Entity stands at the descent to the hungry, blood thirsty Life Fibers - behind it, four additional Entities, including Hinata, evaluate the situation.
"Our enforcer lost his strength." one of the Entities says.
"He does not trust us."
"We should revoke his powers and give them back to ourselves."
"He's not careful." Hinata mentions. The actual High Entity watches the space, and the Earth that is not far away anymore. Japan and Asia is slightly visible now.
"We cannot rely on him any longer. He risks our sovereign existence."
"Shall we eliminate him?"
"... or we test him?"
"Those that follow me are scared. They fear him. He failed in keeping Matoi at our domain."
The High Entity hesitates answering. It seems to be unsure of what to do next? A half minute full of silence passes, in which the other Entities apply the quietness of the situation on themselves. The shining light of the High Entity seems to blur out more and more, and behind these lights, humanoid like appearances are visible, implying the Life Fibers are apparently adapting to the shape of a human body, which would bring up the question whether the Life Fibers want to evolve into actual Life Forms, like Ryuko or Junketsu.
However, the High Entity carefully raises it's arms forward. Out of the walls of the Layer's throne room, a large string of Threads of Fates appear. The Threads slowly hover to the Entity - if you listen closely, you can hear a cruel, possessed melody, sung by Ichiro. It seems that these Threads are somehow connected to him. Could it be that this was his former me, before he became a conscient being?
The High Entity turns to the copies and holds up the orange Life Fibers in the center of the group.
"I sense his actions could cause a risk..." the Entity explains slowly and holds it's white arms above the Fibers. The other Entities copy it's movement - slowly, the Threads of Fate lose their light, and the melodies inside it vanish even further, whileas the singing of the Entities copies goes louder. The threads shrink, until they land in the dull hand of the High Entity. The High Entity drops them gently on the ground - they slowly sink down and disappear in the ground.
Noticable is how the High Entity slowly regains strength and lights, and the Life Fibers in the walls seem to sing more and louder again.
"In the end... our plans need to be... adjusted... his strength is to be ours again. His loyalty... is gone..." the Entity explains. Whatever the Entity did, it must have reduced the powers of the insane psychopath - could it include his actual immortality, too? What does all of this mean? There's no doubt the High Entity is aware, at least partially, of Ichiro's future plans.
"Our plans will change." it continues towards it's copies from which a few dissolve again. Hinata is left and watches how the Entity approaches the descent even further, until the next step would let it fall down into this deep abyss.
"What shall we do?"
"There is no time to properly... examine... Matoi. Kiryuin... will be mine... and the rest... shall be culled."
"Kiryuin?"
The High Entity turns it's head to Hinata.
"Her deeds allow a special... place... which I will gift to her. No more risks."
"And Matoi and Harime...?"
"Shall be destroyed. Either through the hands of the enforcer... or ours... no... or through my hands."
"I will let the enforcer know about this."
"Yes..." it answers. Hinata dissolves, and only the High Entity is left. The Life Fibers in the walls sing Satsuki's name slowly. Finally, the High Entity closes it's eyes.
...
During an inspection in an police station in the inner city of Tokyo, a Samurai is being interrogated.
"Talk. You've been part of this organization and enjoyed a high rank. If you cooperate, the court might show more mercy." the interrogator says. The room is cold and lonely, with nothing but a desk and two chairs. The Samurai isn't saying a single word. He just sits there and watches the man on the other side of the desk.
"I've got plenty of time. I can wait." the man continues. He notices how the fingers of the Samurai move irrationally... as if something would prick him there. Since their faces are covered by masks, you can't even see the eyes of the Samurai. But something feels off.
"Still there?"
No answer. The Samurai sits there and waits. The door behind them opens and two more police officers appear, from which one of them touches the Samurai's head carefully. No reaction.
"That's weird. He's definitely conscious."
"Must be acting."
"Or he has been trained to keep his mou..."
The windows that give insight to the interrogation room turn red - blood everywhere, after an explosion of flesh was audible. Then, nothing but a few blood drops can be heard. And Life Fibers crawling.
Briefly after, a horrible scream and terrifying melody is audible...
...
"Five." Satsuki mentions and jumps with her figurine five steps forward on the board game. They seem to be playing a classic round of Monopoly. And Satsuki happens to draw a Chance card.
"Advance to Illinois Ave." she chuckles evil and moves her figurine to the Illinois Avenue.
"Not the best street, but certainly a decent one. You should visit it sometime, especially you, Senketsu." she mentions. This street belongs to her. Senketsu chuckles. Then, she moves the dice to Ryuko, who throws a three. Hop. Hop. Hop.
"Aw no dude." Ryuko realizes as she has to go to jail. Nui smiles and takes the dice, throwing a four.
"Free parking." she comments and waits patiently for the next turn. It's a rather chill evening after all the trouble today. The three sisters currently play in the halls Nonon's concert will occur tomorrow. Next to the desk is another little table with a few snacks. They chose this hall since it's quiet here and not too far away from the dorms. They've been playing for a few hours already, but it has gotten somewhat late and Nui yawns.
"Wew, I'm tired! I think I'll dip!" she smiles and reaches out her arms, then makes her hair and bow.
"Gonna give up?" Ryuko grins.
"Senketsu is taking away all my money anyway, but tomorrow, this piece of clothing belongs to me." Nui smiles and looks into Senketsu's eye.
"You heard me, sweetheart!?" she grins.
"I am very scared already." he laughs.
"See it this way - the money he takes from you is money I receive, he likes to rest on my streets." Satsuki counters.
"Satsuki, you are my savior! And you, Senketsu! Don't think I gave up - I gave you that victory! Tomorrow you'll find out how great I truly am at board games!" she answers, sips once from her milkshake and turns to the others as she reaches the exit.
"Good night y'all." she smiles, kisses the air and disappears.
"Senketsu, you gotta save me. Satsuki's getting way too rich." Ryuko smiles.
"Indeed she does."
"Ah, I see desperation, that's good." Satsuki grins.
"Not at all, sis, you'd be surprised!"
"By how much money you still have left for me?"
"Oh just you wait." the younger sister reacts and throws the dice, coming out of jail.
"See! This is my first step on conquering all of your properties!" Ryuko says. It's Senketsu's turn - he throws the dice by grabbing it somehow with his sleeve and then carefully dropping it on the table again. A five, but he lands on one of his streets. After a few more turns in which nothing happens, Satsuki lands on a Community Chest card!
"Ah yes, a Community Chest card. Watch this."
Satsuki turns the card.
"You are... assessed... for street repairs.
$40 per house.
$115 per hotel."
Ryuko bites her lips together and clears her throat, Senketsu looks to the ceiling. Satsuki starts counting.
"$510... ouch." Satsuki mumbles.
"How unlucky." Ryuko grins. Satsuki closes her eyes slightly and looks at Ryuko.
"I agree."
They both look into each others eyes focused, Senketsu looks to Ryuko and Satsuki back and forth.
Then they both start laughing.
"This game sometimes. Why does this always happen to me?!" Satsuki laughs. Ryuko shrugs but feels entertained nonetheless. More time passes, until it's nearly 12 AM. With that, Ryuko decides to go to sleep too now.
"Aight, sis, I'll hit the hay too. Lemme help you clean everything up real quick."
"It's fine, it's not much." Satsuki smiles and stands up. Ryuko still helps putting the game back into the box however.
"Night." Ryuko says and leaves the room.
"Good night, Ryuko." Satsuki answers and continues cleaning up. It's not much anyway, however, it has been a fun evening. Ryuko in the meantime walks over the sleeping Nui that lies on a matress next to her bed, puts on a pyjama and then goes to sleep as well.
Today was a good day, if one asks Satsuki. It's been a while since you saw her genuinely smiling again. And most importantly: she's just glad Ryuko is well, more or less.
Steps can be heard behind her, the door opens.
Heelclicks.
(AN: Listen to Blumenkranz NzK on YouTube if you'd like to.)
"Mother." Satsuki says without looking to her. Ragyo approaches her until she stands next to her, watching her daughter clean everything up.
"You cannot push me away any further, Satsuki."
Satsuki ignores her words and continues, until the box with board games is filled and the empty snacks put in a little bucket.
"I'm always here, in your mind, in your heart. Even if I am physically absent. You can't leave everything behind... by saying you "graduate", or by using this "cure". All you do is reject the truth and the cruelty of this world even more. Remember?
Diese Welt ist grausam.
One could say I simply... wish to help you."
Satsuki turns off the lights one by one and approaches the exit.
"You cannot run away all the time. At one point, memories will come back... and unless you are prepared, they will devour you. Sometimes, that can be useful, like in my case - it made me stronger, better... immortal." Ragyo smiles.
"Immortal." says Satsuki cold. Well, so much to her idea of becoming immortal. Nothing but a hallucination, not even something real. After leaving the halls, Satsuki... strangely enough finds herself back in the bathing halls of the Kiryuin manor. She's lying in the water, being "purified" by Ragyo - in other words, sexually abused. The hallucination stands next to Satsuki and watches in latent joy.
"Memories of a life you wish to forget. With those memories, those deeds, I raised you, and with those, you have to live - now and always." Ragyo continues and touches Satsuki's short hair. Satsuki bites her teeth together. Seeing this... makes Satsuki feel uncomfortable. It destroys her stance. Her calm, calculating attitude. It's the one thing she does not want to be reminded of. And yet, the hallucination, the Life Fiber Sickness inside Satsuki grows through this fear. It wants Satsuki to think of this.
"And oh... you still remember the feelings. Whenever I felt your body... you cannot deny that it felt good, didn't it? Look... look how you react." Ragyo says as she points out how she carefully touches Satsuki. The older, present Satsuki feels what her younger "me" feels.
"You reject these memories and feelings, but why? Why don't you succumb to them? It would make everything easier. Instead of rejecting it, you could accept it. In the end, I've brought you onto this world to serve me, and serve me you will, one way... or another. A cure for this "Sickness" is counter productive, against everything your ambitions stand for... in the end, I am still not dead, no, I am a prisoner of your mind, and your mind is a prisoner of mine.
"... leave... me." Satsuki threatens ad forms her hands into fists.
"None of your actions will change what I did."
"... leave me."
Succumb, child. These feelings define you." Ragyo smiles and walks in front of Satsuki.
"In the end, I win."
"..."
"I always win."
"BE GONE!" Satsuki screams and pushes Ragyo back. Ragyo laughs but isn't pushed down to the ground. The young woman pulls out her spear, enhances it via the infused Life Fibers and rams it into Ragyo's torso, causing her to spit blood, and yet, she still laughs in joy.
"You're never... going to be alone... you love... to hate me. You... still... love me... deep inside you... I can see it." Ragyo smiles and looks into Satsuki's eyes. Satsuki pulls out the spear. Ragyo drops on her knees and looks up to Satsuki. The water around them turns red.
"And soon... you will embrace this love." Ragyo coughs blood. Satsuki rams the spear directly into Ragyo's mouth, piercing her entire body and then kicking Ragyo onto the ground. She dissolves into thousands of Life Fibers.
"... why me...?" Satsuki mumbles desperate. Ryuko and Nui run through the halls in their pyjamas and pick up the destroyed Satsuki.
"What happened!?" Ryuko asks worried while Nui can only express coldness due to her lack of empathy.
"... Ra...Ragyo, she... she..."
"Hey, shh..."
"... she... she's haunting me more and more and she... she's not going to stop now..."
"What happened?"
"... bathing... halls, she..." Satsuki mumbles scared. Nui understands what Satsuki says and looks to Ryuko with a cold face.
"What does she mean, Nui?" Ryuko asks worried.
"The bathing halls. Satsuki and me both often went into the halls with mama. She touched us..."
"... mom... is evil, Nui." she mumbles and keeps her big sister in her arms. Nui doesn't answer - for Satsuki. She liked it - but then again, she cannot comprehend what happened there, and probably still can't. They both bring Satsuki into her room. Ryuko orders Nui to bring Satsuki a glass of water.
"It's okay." Ryuko whispers and keeps Satsuki warm. Satsuki shivers. You rarely see her like this, if at all. Nui comes back and puts the water on the desk, then turns her back to Satsuki and pulls out a few Life Fibers out of her fingers. She seems to stitch something together quickly.
When she turns around after a minute, she presents Satsuki two sweet little puppets of Nui and Ryuko, both smiling kindly and with open arms, as if they want to hug Satsuki.
"I... don't really understand what is going on, dear, but... I remember when I felt lonely, I just made myself puppets. Have these two. They will hug you and sleep with you. And they can protect you from evil dreams." Nui says, attempting to cheer up Satsuki. Satsuki looks at the puppets and carefully takes them. She puts them next to her pillow and sighs.
"Try to get some sleep, Satsuki. Tomorrow will be a better day. There's gonna be the concert, and I've asked Mikisugi if we could have a free day. It'll be fun." Ryuko says. Satsuki nods slowly.
"... okay." she answers. Ryuko stands up and walks to the door with Nui. Both say good night. Ryuko walks out first, then Nui, although Nui looks back with her cold face expression.
"Please be safe, Satsuki. Good night, big sister." Nui says and carefully closes the door.
Satsuki sighs and turns her head to the shelf. She quickly changes her clothes to wear a blue pyjama, and then, she slowly lays down onto her bed and hides under the blanket, with only her eyes looking out. They look at the friendly looking puppets.
Strangely enough, even though they were made by an ice cold, nearly heartless person, the puppets give warmth and kindness. Satsuki carefully takes both of them and puts them under the blanket as well, around her shoulders.
They give a feeling of protection. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Everything will be okay...
AN: This took a dark turn near the end. Slowly but steady we are reaching the finale of the story - expect constant battles soon until we reach the final chapter which serves as an epilogue. Ichiro and the High Entity both try to play each other out now, however, Ichiro is now on the hunt and I could imagine he's going to be much more merciless and cruel now. He was like that before already but with this guy, no one knows how heavy everything can get, still. Well... I do know it, and all I know is that the next chapter can be quite... you know what, see for yourself! ^^ As always, leave a review if you like and we'll see us back in Chapter 27!