The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD
Hey everyone, it's me Hide Shinyama.
I apologize for the long delay. But in case you have been reading my profile, you will know that I have been taking an exam recently. Sadly, I still got four more exams going until next month. Nevertheless, I still wanted to get this wrapped up and here it is.
Now, the last time Issei had gone through various dangers on Planet SR388. On top of that, the police are storming Hotel Entertainment and engaging the terrorists in combat. Worse, masses of Metroids are now on the offense and attacking Issei.
What will happen next?
Find out in…
Chapter 45 – Fight and Run!
10th of October, Saturday, 5:25 pm – on the surface of Planet SR388
The giant dinosaur-like creature came out with heavy footsteps. The Metroid Queen and its various offspring were attacking the German gunmen with frightening efficiency. That was not to say that the gunmen or their boss didn't put up a fight. In fact, they shot and killed some of the Metroid larvae and an Alpha Metroid or two with their guns. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to save them.
"ARGH!" "NOOOOO!" "GUAK!"
The gunmen were either blasted to bits, stomped on, devoured or had their energy drained from the Metroids, screaming as their lives ended. There was a total of 56 men (counting Dohnasseek and the Boss) when this fight started. That number had dwindled down to twenty.
"F*** THIS! LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!"
Seeing their fortune fleeting, the remaining men tried to flee to the wide expanse of the planet or try to get back through the tunnel from whence they came.
But it was all for naught.
"NO… AAUGHHH!"
"NO! NO-!" [CRUSH!]
"AGGGHHHH!" [SQUASH!]
The lesser Metroids caught up to them to those fleeing for the distance and slaughtered them. Those that tried to escape through the tunnel were crushed or eaten to death by the Metroid Queen. As a result, there remained only three of them. And they were the Boss, Dohnasseek and the Boss' right hand man, Hans.
The Boss looked at the mangled bodies of his men with a calm and stoic expression. If one didn't know any better, one would suspect that he didn't have any care for the loss of his men. Although, a person's true feelings are never easily seen. This stood in contrast to Hans, who was clearly frightened and shakily holding his gun and shooting a Gamma Metroid doing fairly little damage.
Dohnasseek, on the other hand, was seething in rage, as he looked around him and had managed to kill several Alpha Metroids, two Gamma Metroids and a Zeta Metroid. He was engaging two Omega Metroids, but they were clearly too strong for him. With a slash from its claws, one of the Omega Metroids slashed at Dohnasseek's chest. Dohnasseek managed to jump back in time, however, he still got injured. With a sour look, he looked at the slash wound the attack made on his chest.
By now, the three of them were back-to-back to each other, eyeing their alien enemies all around them, roaring or screeching at them menacingly. Worst of all, the Metroid Queen marched towards them with a furious demeanor.
They were surrounded.
"Boss, our guns! They can't harm them at all!" Hans cried out hopelessly, begging his boss to do something.
"Well, Dohnasseek, do you have any ideas?" the Boss deferred the decision-making to his partner.
Dohnassek clicked his tongue. This was not how it was supposed to go. They were supposed to scout the planet and do so without provoking its inhabitants. Yet, somehow, the thing he wanted to avoid was happening at this moment. And it was all the fault of the current holder of the Red Dragon Emperor. Dohnasseek looked around him and managed to sense Issei hiding behind some rocks a bit further away. He formed a light spear in his hand.
"All right, we're getting out of here," Dohnasseek said to them. "But first…"
Suddenly, Dohnasseek seemingly threw his light spear at one of the floating Alpha Metroids. It dodged and missed. However, the spear was not aimed at the Alpha Metroid.
[Partner, move!] Ddraig called out.
Issei dodged out of the way, as the light spear exploded upon hitting the rocks.
[BOOM!]
Seeing that Issei was now exposed, Dohnasseek gave one hostile glare at him before forming a teleportation circle.
"…let's go..." he simply said.
And so, the three of them teleported away, leaving the Metroids surprised for a moment. However, they quickly spotted Issei and rushed towards him.
Issei recovered from Dohnasseek's attack and stood up. But upon seeing the Metroids heading towards him…
"This is not good…" Issei said to himself.
[Partner, get ready to fight!] Ddraig said to his host.
Issei nodded and started boosting.
[Boost!]
Issei started to power himself up, then he used a strategy that Sanma had told him of.
The Raotome Secret Technique. And now, Issei was going to use it…
"RUN AWAY!" Issei screamed as he headed towards the wide-open territory of planet SR388.
Unlike the gunmen, Issei managed to stay ahead of the various Metroids chasing him.
[Seriously!?] Ddraig voiced in surprise and bewilderment.
10th of October, Saturday, 5:29 pm – underground floor, Hotel Entertainment, Tokyo
"Sir," said one of the special forces responsible for the bomb diffusion reported. "We have dismantled all of the bombs in the area."
"Are you sure?" the commander asked him.
"Yes, sir," the bomb specialist replied.
"Good," the commander said before turning to the captains. "All men are to head out to the next area. Beware of hostiles and be alert at all times."
"Yes sir," said the first captain and so the two of them relayed the order.
"You heard the commander. Head out," the second captain ordered his men.
"""SIR!""" the men replied and headed out.
"It took us thirty minutes…" the commander remarked as he looked at his watch.
"Sadly, but there were a lot of explosives hiding in tricky places. It couldn't be helped. Thankfully, we had bomb detectors," the second captain replied.
"They're real crafty ones, I'll give them that," the first captain remarked.
"Certainly, and we should be careful. We don't know what they've got up their sleeves," the second captain warned his colleagues.
"Yes, but at least we know that whatever they were planning here has failed…" the commander said to his subordinates.
After that, the three officers promptly followed their men.
What they didn't know was that the bombs weren't the real trap.
The real trap was…
"What the…!?" a surprised cry from one of the special force's officers ahead.
Suddenly, magical circles were formed right before their eyes in the passage ahead, glowing in a white light and becoming brighter.
[BOOM!]
The explosion hurled the men and caused the debris to collapse, blocking the pathway ahead of them.
"ARGH!" "AHHH!" "HELP!"
The commander and his two captains came running to the scene. What they saw shocked them. They witnessed several of their men lying injured on the ground and huge chunks of rubble blocking their path.
"What happened!?" the first captain demanded of his men.
"We don't know…" one of the men answered as he clutched his arm. "We saw some… round circles ahead of us… they glowed… and then they exploded!"
The officers took this in with confusion and consternation. So, these terrorists did have more up their sleeves…
"They seem to be trying to wear us down with traps…" the second captain deduced.
"Or maybe they are trying to delay us… But for what?" the first captain wondered.
"We can only know once we get to them. Meanwhile, we need to help the injured and remove the rubble. We need to get to them before they can get away," the commander suggested.
""Right!"" the captains answered in unison.
10th of October, Saturday, 5:34 pm – on the surface of Planet SR388
[Seriously, what are you doing? You are boosting your power just so you can run away!?] Ddraig asked incredulously at Issei's actions.
"Of course not!" Issei answered back, as he stayed hidden out of sight behind some rocks. "I'm running away to think, then hide and then come up with a new plan. It's what Sanma taught me once."
[Sounds like an excuse he made in order to run away like a coward] Ddraig deadpanned.
"Yeah, maybe…" Issei dropped a sweat in embarrassment at what Ddraig was implying to him. "…but at least it's working. I can see why Sanma uses it."
[It's working? How?] Ddraig demanded of Issei, not quite believing his ears. [Those things can smell us out. It's only a matter of time until they find us.]
"Simple, I've got a plan…" Issei replied as he glanced at two Alpha Metroids and a swarm of Metroid larvae. "…and if all goes well, this will be a piece of cake."
As the various Metroids looked around, they finally caught a whiff of Issei. They flew towards the rock Issei was hiding behind and got ready to kill him.
However, all they saw was Issei's coat lying on the ground with Issei himself absent.
As they gazed at the item in question, Issei ambushed them from behind.
[Ice orb! Freeze!]
With a burst of ice, Issei rushed towards the larvae (six in total) and tapped them one by one with the Boosted Gear.
[Freeze!] [Freeze!] [Freeze!]
The Metroid larvae froze and fell to the ground with a thud.
The Alpha Metroids, though caught off guard, fought back by shooting lightning orbs at Issei.
Issei dodged the attacks by swiftly sidestepping them.
"Not going to work!" Issei called out before touching the cores of the Alpha Metroid.
"SCREE!" "SCREE!"
Both Alpha Metroids screeched before they landed frozen on the ground.
Issei made quick work of them and the larvae and destroyed them by stepping on them. After he was done, Issei wiped the sweat of his brow. And the Boosted Gear reset itself.
"That went easy…" Issei remarked. "Good thing that all of them are weak to cold temperatures…"
[Wait, where is the Metroid?] Ddraig asked.
"Huh? Which one? There's a ton of them out there," Issei pointed out.
[The one you turned into your pet] Ddraig answered. [I haven't seen it around ever since those men and that Fallen Angel appeared.]
Issei blinked. That's right…
Issei looked around. It was nowhere in sight.
Issei issued a mental command. It took a while, but Issei could see it coming around. It was no longer chirping happily, rather it sounded nervous.
"What's wrong?" Issei asked his familiar.
The Metroid larva let out some soft chirps, before suddenly darting away.
"Hey, wait!" Issei called out after it, but some cries coming from the side could be heard.
The source was five Alpha Metroids and two Gamma Metroids rushing towards Issei.
"Crap!" Issei cursed, as he got ready to boost himself.
[Boost!]
He ran and hid himself behind some of the rocks even as lightning was fired from the Gamma Metroids towards him.
[Boost!]
[What now, Partner?] Ddraig asked Issei.
"I…" Issei didn't know what to say.
However, he wasn't given any tie to think for the Alpha Metroids flew around the rock and were rushing towards him.
"Damn it! Guess I've got no choice!" Issei cried out and repeated his tactic from earlier.
Issei dodged the electric sparks heading towards him and rushed towards two of the Alpha Metroids.
He froze them instantly with the Boosted Gear and headed towards the next three. This time, though, these Alpha Metroids were not caught by surprise. They dodged Issei's attack and shot at Issei, with the latter unable to dodge.
"Oh, da-!" Issei cursed and was hit by the electric shocks and flung back.
The attacks fried his shirt and singed Issei's chest. Had it not been for his dragonized body, Issei could have died.
The two Gamma Metroids landed right behind their junior brethren and were walking towards Issei with their legs, while charging for lightning blasts. Their blasts were stronger than that of Alpha Metroids. If they hit, Issei might not live through to tell the tale.
"Seems like I have to do this…" Issei said grimly as he readied the Boosted Gear.
[Balance Breaker!]
Issei summoned the Red Armor and shot towards his enemies.
This time, the Alpha and the Gamma Metroids were caught off guard. The three Alpha Metroids were cut into shreds due to Issei's armoured claws. The Gamma Metroids had a much thicker shell and survived death from Issei's claws. Nevertheless, they received moderate injuries from Issei's claws. This happened within a second.
Issei looked back and dashed at them. He slashed at them again and this time, he froze their heads before they could attack.
"GRAH!" "GRUH!" they screamed before they went silent.
Then, Issei cut their heads into ribbons with his claws, rendering them dead. Then, Issei fired a Dragon Shot at the frozen Alpha Metroids, turning them into cinders. This took less than two seconds.
More Metroids could be heard crying and coming in greater numbers toward Issei. They were Larvae, Alpha, Gamma, Zeta and even three Omega Metroids. There was about a hundred to a hundred fifty of them in total.
[Partner, you don't have much time…] Ddraig warned him about the time limit the Balance Breaker had.
"Yeah, I know…" Issei replied grimly.
He only had a few seconds left but Issei had a plan to use those seconds to the fullest.
[Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!]
Issei used the power of the Balance Breaker to increase his fire power to the max.
Issei aimed his arm at the incoming hostiles. The first one that was about to reach Issei was a larva, which already had its claws out to latch on him.
"TAKE THIS!" Issei screamed and fired.
[Dragon Shot!]
A massive Dragon Shot fired towards the Metroids and they were caught in the intensity of the flames. This took up to three seconds.
"GRAAAH!" "SCREECH!" "GORAHHHH!"
As the cries of torment arose from the various Metroids, Issei used the last of his time to use the jets on his back to get away. He managed to reach a great distance before…
[Reset!]
…Issei's time ran out, his armor now undone. Issei plummeted and tumbled on the ground. Issei was now lying bruised and tired on the ground, panting for breath through his filter.
"Haah… Haah… Are they dead?" Issei asked Ddraig while panting.
[I am not sure] Ddraig replied honestly. [We can only hope so… Also, congratulations.]
"Haah… Huh?" Issei voiced confused at Ddraig's words.
[You managed to increase your Balance Breaker endurance by one second. You can now hold it for a total of eight seconds. I counted] Ddraig complemented him.
"Haah… Haah…" Issei didn't say a word to that, as he panted heavily for air.
"HRGH! ARGH!" Issei cringed, as he suffered from the aftermath of using the Balance Breaker for so long. "Not again…"
The pain wasn't as bad as the last time. His body had gotten more used to it thanks to continual training sessions. Yet, it still hurt. Moreover, if any enemy were to come up to him, Issei would be finished.
Just then, some monster-like frogs appeared, and they were looking right at Issei with interest.
"Oh, nuts…" Issei cursed.
[Partner, get up!] Ddraig implored him.
"I… can't…" Issei responded helplessly, as he lay there.
The frogs approached him and were about to attack him. Issei would have been a goner, had the Metroid larva not come to his rescue. Swooping down from wherever it was hiding, it latched on the frog closest to Issei.
"CROAK! CROAK!" the frog croaked in a panic and tried to get the Metroid larva off him.
It shriveled up and perished, leading the frogs to run away in a fright. But the Metroid was quicker. It quickly dispatched them one by one. Few managed to escape by disappearing in whatever holes they came out of.
After the monstruous frogs had been driven away, the larva flew to Issei.
"Hey, thanks buddy…" Issei said to his familiar weakly.
The Metroid larva chirped happily and then latched on Issei's arm with its fangs.
"What the…?" Issei voiced in surprise.
[That little… I knew it couldn't be trusted!] Ddraig voiced in anger.
However, what they thought the Metroid was doing was not what was happening.
"Huh? My body… It's feeling better…?" Issei remarked in surprise.
[What is going on? It's not sucking your life force, it's…] Ddraig left the sentence hanging.
Indeed. The Metroid was not sucking off Issei's energy but rather replenishing him.
It injected Issei with its energy for a duration of ten seconds before letting go of him.
Issei no longer felt tired, nor did he feel pain. He even got up like he had just gotten a good nap.
Issei stretched his arms. He felt good.
Issei looked at his familiar, which was chirping happily once more.
"You really amaze me with what you do. You know that?" Issei said to the Metroid, while petting it.
While he was stroking it, he just realized something. He hadn't given it a name.
"As thanks, I'll give you the name… Tomo…" Issei said.
['Tomo'? As in 'Friend'? Really?] Ddraig couldn't help but remark at the silliness of his choice.
"What? It's a good fit. Isn't that right, Tomo?" Issei said to the Metroid larva, now known as Tomo.
Tomo chirped happily while floating around Issei.
[Yeah, anyway…] Ddraig said, trying to change the subject. [Are those alien monsters finally dead?]
Issei blinked. Oh, yes! He almost forgot!
Issei ran back to where the Metroids were seen last.
He found the place fairly easily, due to the distinctive traces of the Dragon Shot he had fired. There were rocks and hills that had perfect circle marks on them. And to Issei's surprise, there were a few survivors. All the Metroids from younger stages pf life like Larva, Alpha and Gamma were gone, presumably obliterated. Those that had survived were Zeta and Omega Metroids, the biggest of the bunch.
Issei noticed that not only were these two types bigger, but they also looked less like invertebrates (such as jellyfish or insects). They had a very reptilian look. And their appearances screamed of power and weight. Unlike other forms, these Metroids could not fly, they were land-based.
"Really, why are they so eager to kill me?" Issei groaned as he had to fight yet more Metroids.
[I'm not sure…] Ddraig said at first but then he realized something. [Wait, I changed my mind. I think I do know why.]
"What is it? Tell me," Issei wanted to know.
[Remember when we smashed those Metroid eggs in that one cave? I presume that is why they're out for blood. Heck, the Metroid Queen came out personally. Normally, queens don't do that, unless…] Ddraig left the sentence hanging.
Issei did not need to hear the end of the sentence to know what Ddraig was trying to say.
Just like with mother bears… Of course, it was basic biology…
At that moment, Issei heard a roar. The Zeta and Omega Metroids sensed that Issei was nearby. The Zeta Metroids rushed forward and immediately headed towards him.
Issei groaned. "And here I thought I could get away from them without being noticed…"
[Vengeful creatures don't give up on their revenge that easily] Ddraig remarked sagely. [So, what are you going to do now?]
"The best decision possible…" Issei said with a smirk.
He bent down to feel his legs.
"These legs are the key… and so is the Boosted Gear…" Issei said as he readied himself.
[Wait, don't tell me…] Ddraig said with a deadpan.
Issei turned his back towards the incoming enemies and ran towards the ruins.
"RUN AWAY!" Issei yelled with Tomo following right behind him.
[I knew it! I just knew it!] Ddraig exclaimed at the ludicrousness of it all.
10th of October, Saturday, 5:44 pm – underground tunnel, somewhere near Hotel Entertainment, Tokyo
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! RETURNING FIRE!" one of the special officers called out.
The special forces fired their guns at the gunmen who were on the other side of the partly removed rubble. The special forces were in the middle of removing the rubble when suddenly, they were being shot at.
There were deaths and injuries on both sides, as each one of them found positions to take cover.
"This really couldn't get any worse now, can it?" the commander complained as he tried to spot their attackers, which was rather difficult to do now. "Any of you have any ideas?"
"That…" the second captain was at a loss for words.
"I do!" the first captain answered as he reached into his belt. "And I also have a plan!"
He pulled out a grenade, then explained his plan to them.
On the side of the terrorists…
"How long do we have to hold them?" asked one of the terrorists.
"As long as we need to and better still if we kill them all," Torben, the Boss' other aide said.
"That's a tall order," the other man answered, as he fired his gun at the special forces.
"I know, but orders are orders," Torben replied and fired his gun as well.
Just then, something rolled towards them.
"What the…" the terrorist voiced in surprise.
"IN DECKUNG! EINE HANDGRANATE!" Torben shouted in German (saying "TAKE COVER! A HANDGRENADE!").
The terrorists backed away as the device exploded, causing a bright light to disorient them.
"AGH!" "UGH!" "KEUK!"
Three gunmen were hit by the bullets of the special forces. Torben did not know if they were injured or dead. He also had no time to think about them.
"TAKE THEM DOWN!" the first captain ordered his men. "CHARGE!"
The special forces charged and were advancing past the fallen rubble.
Seeing this, Torben gave his own orders to his men.
"RÜCKZUG! (RETREAT!)" Torben shouted and the men fell back to their second last line of defense.
That defense line was at the junction in which one had to go right to get to the bunker. That was where the portal to the other world was.
As soon as Torben arrived at the junction, he ordered his men to take up positions.
"They must not be allowed to reach the bunker! Take them out!" Torben ordered them.
The German gunmen started shooting, causing two of the special forces to suffer injuries.
And thus, the standoff continued with the battle getting closer to the bunker.
10th of October, Saturday, 5:50 pm – not too far from the ruins, on the surface of Planet SR388
"That was a close one…" Issei remarked as he inspected his body for burns.
Thankfully, there were none. Issei had been on the run again. He managed to outrun his pursuers again, thanks to the powers of the Boosted Gear. Yet, despite it all, the Metroids' massive stomps shook the ground so much that Issei stumbled and fell a few times. The Zeta and Omega Metroids threw acid and fire attacks against him. One such acidic attack almost hit him, but Issei managed to avoid it and escape.
Issei had used this time to hide once more. He also managed to retrieve his coat, which he had discarded earlier. It did belong to him, after all, and he did not like leaving it on some forsaken planet.
Anyway, Issei was lying in wait behind a hill. He had checked out the situation. Nine Zeta Metroids and three Omega Metroids were on the hunt for him. Issei had sensed them using his special glasses. Pretty dangerous, he had to admit. That is why Issei had come up with his next plan.
Finishing up the mission with the final step of the plan with Step Six.
It was a risky move, but Issei had no choice. He was running short on time.
It was going to be evening in his world soon. And that in turn meant that the police could storm the hotel and find the bunker along with this world. Once that happened, the X-parasites could absorb the police, mimic them and infiltrate Japan.
That was something he could not allow. He had to stop such a situation at all costs.
He could no longer wait. But first, he needed to take out the Zeta Metroid nearby that stood between him and his way back. It was looking around some nearby rocks.
Its back was turned towards him.
[Boost!] [Boost!]
Issei waited until he had powered up enough.
Then, when he saw the right opportunity, Issei dashed forward and…
[Balance Breaker!]
…summoned the Scale Mail.
Just as the Zeta Metroid turned around, it noticed Issei. But it was too late.
Issei jumped toward its head and took a hold of it.
[FREEZE!]
Issei immediately froze the Metroid ice cold with his armor and punched its head. Its head shattered upon impact, causing its headless carcass to fall to the ground with a thud.
[Reset!]
Issei dismissed the armor after just three seconds of using it. Issei panted to catch his breath.
"Man, I'll never get used to this…" Issei stated to Ddraig.
[Don't worry, Partner. You will] Ddraig encouraged him.
Issei didn't say anything else on that issue. Instead, he made his way towards the ruins. Issei walked slowly at first, then went a faster pace, then he ran. He ran to get to the ruins as fast as possible.
It was a good distance away. Looking back, Issei could not see any of the other Metroids pursuing him. That meant, that was nothing to hinder him anymore.
Upon arriving at the ruins, something appeared from the periphery of Issei's vision. It was Tomo, his familiar.
"Tomo! I was wondering where you went! Where did you go?" Issei asked Tomo.
Tomo chirped, as if trying to explain, something Issei could not understand.
[I think I understand why] Ddraig said to Issei.
"You do? You can understand what it's saying?" Issei asked Ddraig in surprise.
[No, of course not. This thing does not even have a language, so how can it speak. What I meant was that I know the reason why it was hiding from the way it behaved earlier. It was because it is afraid of the other Metroids] Ddraig answered.
"Really?" Issei looked at Tomo with a look of concern.
Tomo just chirped gently. In response, Issei patted its head.
"You don't have to worry about them as long as I'm here. You don't have to be afraid of anything because I will beat them, no matter what," Issei said to his familiar with a cheerful smile on his face.
Tomo chirped happily.
"Hahaha… I love you, too, Tomo…" Issei said to the Metroid larva and pampered it with more head rubs.
Ddraig didn't say anything, though deep inside, he felt like something… didn't feel right – in his heart, that is.
After the heartwarming business was over, Issei pulled out a device from his belt. It was a metallic remote control of some kind only a single button and a screen just below it. And yet, strangely enough, this was key to destroying SR388.
Yes, you heard that right.
According to Shinyama, the key to ending the threat of the Metroids and the X-parasites was to destroy the planet. When Issei first heard it from Shinyama, he thought Shinyama was insane. And when he gave Issei that remote control, Issei really thought he had lost it. But Shinyama… was completely serious while telling him this.
And so, Issei decided to put his faith in Shinyama's words.
Issei inspected the remote. According to what he was told, the moment he pressed this button, a red light would flash and then the planet will blow up in fifteen minutes. He was supposed to run back through the portal and back to Japan.
"This is crazy…" Issei said to himself mockingly. "…just what on earth could blow an entire planet up? And with a simple remote, no less…"
Then again, Shinyama had been right before. So… why wouldn't it be so?
Besides, even if Issei didn't understand how this supposed to blow up the planet, that didn't mean it was impossible.
Issei gazed at the metallic object for a while. Fifteen minutes, huh?
At first, he hesitated for a moment. Then, he steeled himself…
…and pressed the button.
"Huh?" Issei voiced in surprise upon seeing the words "15:00 Minutes" on the remote screen. "A timer?"
10th of October, Saturday, 6:05 pm – Biologic Space Laboratories research station, somewhere up in space in the solar system of Planet SR388
It was an ordinary day at the Biologic Space Laboratories research station up in space. Researchers were minding their own business doing various experiments and tests only for the day to go horribly wrong.
{PROPULSION SEQUENCE ACTIVATED! DESTINATION PLANET SR388! FIFTEEN MINUTES TO DESTINATION!} the announcement blared out throughout the space station.
Everybody stopped what they were doing. Some among them were confused, others were shocked and even others were rushing out to get to emergency spaceships or find the staff responsible for the controls.
Some among the people in charge got to the control room to demand answers.
"Just what is going on!? Who activated the propulsion sequence!?" one of the angry officials on board demanded from the staff in the control room.
The engineers were furiously trying to check what's wrong while trying to fix this malfunction.
"We-We don't know," one of the engineers stammered. "N-Nobody pressed anything or broke anything, so we really don't know!"
"Enough! Just switch it off already!" the official demanded.
"We're trying!" another engineer replied. "But we can't switch it off! It's like someone remote hacked the controls of the ship! What's more..."
He was interrupted by a sudden jolt that knocked everyone off their feet.
After two seconds, another engineer called out. "The BSL is moving!"
"We've got to get out of here! It's out of control!" another engineer cried out in a panic.
The other engineers, being affected by fear as well, made their way to the emergency exits.
"What!? NO! STOP!" the officials ordered their engineers to stay put but were overwhelmed by the throng pushing them down once more.
Meanwhile, all the staff were in the middle or had already evacuated. They entered the ships or space pods and made their getaway. In the end even the officials in charge did the same.
As they thronged to get into the vehicles, they couldn't help but mourn for the losses of valuable research on their ship and wonder.
Who was responsible for this?
10th of October, Saturday, 6:08 pm – with the culprit, underground of Planet SR388
"He really planned for everything, didn't he?" Issei couldn't help but think out loud.
Currently, he was running in the tunnel that he had created with the Metroid larva in tow. His goal was to reach the portal back to Japan. With the help of the tracker, finding it would be a piece of cake. Getting on time was another matter…
[Indeed, he did. That sly fox] Ddraig answered.
Issei nodded. Seeing that timer counting down to zero gave Issei the chills. If he had any doubts that the detonator was real, they certainly have been obliterated now.
Issei had to get away and get away now!
Issei had rushed through chambers and pathways…
…then through more chambers and pathways…
…until he came to the chamber where he broke the Metroid eggs.
"What the…?" Issei could not help but say upon seeing something terrifying.
The way towards the portal was blocked by debris.
Just before Issei could do or say something about it…
(ROOOOAAAARR!)
…a loud roar interrupted whatever Issei was thinking, and a blast of fire shot towards him.
[Partner, move!] Ddraig called to him.
Issei jumped out of the way of the fire and rolled away.
The Metroid larva Tomo chirped in a panic and flew away.
Issei turned to see what was attacking and saw…
"…Oh no…" Issei murmured to himself as he looked upwards.
Towering over him was the Metroid Queen, the strongest Metroid of them all…
(RRRROOOOOAAAARRRRR!)
…and it was out for revenge. It rushed towards Issei with its humongous body and wanted to kill him with one bite.
"Not good…" Issei said with a grimace.
Issei jumped out of the way yet again and found himself flanking it. Raising its left front leg, the Metroid Queen tried to stomp Issei.
Issei barely managed to dodge it by running away. The stomp was so powerful that the floor quaked beneath him, causing him to stumble. What is more, rubble fell down almost hitting him, had he not rolled out of the way.
"Damn! Looks like I've got no choice but to fight! And I've only got so much time!" Issei said as he looked down on the timer.
Eight Minutes remaining.
"It's do or die…" Issei said grimly and got ready to fight.
[Boost!] Issei doubled his strength and prepared himself to freeze it like the other Metroids before him.
But would that work against something this big?
Issei didn't have time to think about it for the Metorid Queen turned its head to chomp on Issei once more.
Issei moved and the Metroid Queen hit the wall. Dust and debris flew everywhere.
[Boost!]
Issei ran a great distance to create distance between him and his foe.
The Metroid Queen pursued him and shot another fire blast at Issei.
Issei jumped out of the way.
"Tch! I can't do anything like this. Guess I've got to use it!" Issei said.
[Partner, be careful! If you can't finish it within eight seconds, you'll die!] Ddraig warned him.
"I know, which is why…" Issei said as he readied himself for the attack.
[Balance Breaker! Dragon Scale Mail!]
He decided to use his Balance Breaker once again. With Issei now in his armor, he needed to act fast.
As the Metroid Queen came rushing at Issei, the latter decided to jump into the air and unto its neck.
Issei gripped the back of the Queen's neck even as it tried to shake Issei off.
Issei focused all his strength into his arms and tried to tear into its thick scaly skin…
…and he made a cut, drawing blood from the wound.
Then, Issei used all his power to freeze the Queen to death.
[FREEZE!]
Ice started to spread on its wound, causing the Metroid Queen to roar and flail in pain.
(((((ROOOOOOAAAAARRRRRRR!)))))
Issei clung on to dear life, as it hit wall to hall. But then it smashed Issei against a wall despite its neck injuries.
"GUAH!" Issei coughed out blood from the impact.
[Partner!] Ddraig cried out in concern, as Issei fell from the Metroid Queen like a ragdoll.
"COUGH! GAAK!" Issei spat out blood from his injuries.
He was still alive, but the impact caused quite a lot of internal organs. If Issei didn't have the Scale Mail, he would be dead!
[Reset!] The Scale Mail dismissed itself and Issei laid there bleeding from his mouth.
"It's not working…" Issei said, as he tried to get up.
But his injuries were quite severe, so Issei could barely sit up.
The Metroid Queen, on the other hand, though injured, was still capable of fighting.
It let out another loud roar and took in a deep breath. It wanted to finish Issei off with its fiery blast once and for all.
Issei just sat there, unable to move, no matter how much he willed himself to move. But all he could do was just sit there and wait for his impending doom.
Suddenly, it roared and flailed, flames leaking from its mouth as it did.
Issei and Ddraig were confused at its behavior. Was it still suffering from its injuries?
This went on for twenty seconds when the Metroid Queen slumped in fatigue. Then, suddenly, coming from the Queen's neck where Issei gave the Queen its injuries was…
"Tomo?" Issei voiced in surprise.
Indeed, the Metroid appeared from the back of the Queen's neck and headed towards Issei. Did it sap the Queen's energy from it? Regardless, Tomo came to Issei's help and latched itself on Issei's right arm. It gave Issei the energy it absorbed from the Queen, restoring Issei's health and strength.
"Tomo… thanks…" Issei thanked his familiar.
However, in the middle of his recovery, the Metroid Queen shook itself from its fatigue.
(((ROOOOAAAARRRR!)))
With a loud roar, it prepared its fiery blast once more.
Issei tried to move but he was still injured and was still in the middle of his recovery. He was able to move his legs and tried to run. All he could do was stumble away with Tomo still latched on his body.
But the Metroid Queen had no intention of letting them go.
It shot its blast, and the flames came roaring at Issei!
"NOOOOOO!" Issei turned his back towards the fire to protect Tomo and himself.
The blast blew him far away to the other side of the cave. Issei suffered injuries once more but that wasn't the worst part.
"AAAAHHHHHH! AAAAGH!" Issei screamed in agony.
The fire was scorching hot! It burned Issei's clothes and caused burns on his skin. Issei stood up and tried to douse the flames by rolling on the ground. But the fires would not be quenched.
[Partner, there's a pool of water right by that pillar! Get to it!] Ddraig called out.
Issei rushed there and jumped right into the pool. Issei hurt himself upon hitting the bottom of the pool, which was ankle deep. Nevertheless, it put out the fire and Issei could breathe easily.
Seeing that his coat was torn and burned, Issei discarded it. The same went for his shirt, which was likewise damaged. Just as he removed its remnants from his right arm, he remembered something.
"Tomo?" Issei looked around upon realizing that his little friend was nowhere on his arm anymore.
He finally found him – to his horror. Tomo was floating in the pool not chirping and not moving. Moreover, Tomo was covered in burns.
"TOMO!" Issei cried out and promptly scooped him out from the water.
Cradling him in his arms, Issei checked up on him, despite being injured and covered with burns himself.
"Are you okay?" Issei asked him in worry.
The Metroid, to his relief, moved. It even made a chirping sound, though it was very weak.
"Hang in there! You'll be alright!" Issei cried out to Tomo, begging him to stay with him.
[Partner…] Ddraig said to him with a tone of concern.
"Please… you'll be fine…" Issei assured his familiar with a tender voice.
[Partner…] Ddraig repeated.
"I'll get you to safety as soon as I can…" Issei was starting to shed tears.
[PARTNER!] Ddraig said to him with a loud voice.
With that, Issei stopped what he was doing and focused on Ddraig with a look of shock.
[It's dying… Tomo… is dying, Partner…] Ddraig said in a somber tone, using the Metroid larva's name for the first time ever.
Those words hit Issei like a brick. And yet, wasn't it obvious?
Issei did not know what to do… or say…
Issei's face was one of shock and tears flowing from his face.
Issei said he would protect him… he promised…
Just like he did with his parents at their graves… he promised to protect them and yet…
He failed.
Again.
"Chirp…" Tomo chirped weakly, as if trying to console Issei.
Issei brushed his hand tenderly against its broken body.
"I'm sorry…" Issei said to his friend.
Just then, the Boosted Gear blinked and gave Issei information in his head.
"This is…" Issei said in astonishment. "…that method again…"
[Indeed…] Ddraig said to Issei.
(((RRRROOOOAAARRRRR!)))
The loud cry of the Metroid Queen shook Issei out of his moment of grief and shock. It stomped towards where Issei was at the other side of the chamber, sensing that he was still alive.
Issei held his hand with the Boosted Gear out to Tomo and touched him one last time.
"I'll avenge you… Tomo…" Issei said to the Metroid with tears dripping from his face. "Rest… in peace…"
The dying Metroid larva was enveloped in a bright white light before the Boosted Gear absorbed it.
With his goodbyes being said, Issei stood up and got ready to fight.
Issei's tears had dried, his sorrow now turning into anger and hatred.
"You did this…" Issei glowered at the Metroid Queen. "…I'll kill you… I'LL KILL YOU FOR SURE!"
[Dragon Scale Mail!]
[Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!]
Issei rushed at the Metroid Queen with determination. The Metroid Queen tried to stomp Issei again. Issei sidestepped and jumped. This time, Issei did not jump away from the Metroid but towards it. Moreover, he didn't aim for the back of its neck but rather its mouth.
"You want to eat me? That's a big mistake," Issei said to the Metroid Queen as he headed towards it. "Sure, it's most intimidating part of you but also your biggest weak point. And now, YOU'LL PAY THE PRICE!"
Issei entered its mouth and down its throat and into its stomach.
Its stomach acid hurt Issei and its also burning hot. Yet, Issei used his location against it.
"Let's defeat it together… Ddraig…" Issei said to Ddraig.
[You've got it!] Ddraig responded.
"…and Tomo…" Issei whispered.
Issei laid his gauntleted hands on the Queen's insides and activated his newest ability that he received from absorbing Tomo.
[Absorb!]
Issei was absorbing the Metroid Queen's life force.
The Metroid Queen roared and thrashed, yet Issei did not stop.
[Absorb!] [Absorb!] [Absorb!]
The heat was still intense, and the stomach acid still burned, yet Issei recovered faster.
The Metroid Queen grew weaker and weaker. It became thinner and thinner. It thrashed and rolled about before eventually succumbing to Issei's attacks. It fell on its side, as the fire in its stomach subsided.
Issei broke out of its body and landed on his feet.
[Reset!]
The Issei dismissed the Scale Mail, instead of letting the Boosted Gear reset itself automatically. Something felt different about the Dragon Scale Mail. Issei could feel it.
[Partner, the energy you absorbed from these Metroids] Ddraig remarked. [It has strengthened you. You can now use the Scale Mail for up to 40 seconds.]
Issei did not answer. He just suffered the loss of a friend and went through grief, surprise and rage within a minute. Now, he was just tired. He simply wanted to rest…
[Beep! Beep!]
The timer made a noise.
Two minutes until detonation.
Issei remembered. The planet was going to blow within that amount of time.
Issei realized it was no time to stand still. He had to get going.
Issei ran towards the caved-in entrance to the way back.
Issei used the Boosted Gear and boosted himself.
[Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!]
Strangely enough, even the interval between each [Boost!] seemed to have shortened.
[Dragon Shot!]
Issei destroyed the fallen debris and headed right through it. He ran towards where he had left the tracker. It took a minute until he reached his destination.
Issei picked the tracker and put it in his belt. Then he looked at the green portal leading back to Japan.
Issei looked at the timer.
Thirty seconds. Right on time.
Without a word, Issei passed through.
10th of October, Saturday, 6:13 pm (just two minutes before Issei returned back to Tokyo) – bunker near Hotel Entertainment
"Boss! You're back!" Torben said upon seeing his Boss, Dohnasseek, Hans and two more men come out from the portal.
By now, the remaining men had huddled in the bunker and were trying their best to deter the special forces outside it. They were glad to see their Boss and Dohnasseek again.
"Yes, we are. So, how are things?" the Boss asked.
"Not good, sir," Torben replied. "The cops are pressing hard against us. They're not far from us and our defenses are being overrun. We've also lost a lot of men. The only thing holding us and them are the bombs we planted just outside the bunker."
"I see… good job, anyway," the Boss said to Torben. "Order the men to retreat. We're teleporting someplace else."
"You've got what you wanted?" Torben asked curiously.
"Not as much as we had hoped for and we also had quite the hassle in there," the Boss pointed with his thumb at the portal. "But what we've got is more than enough. Soon, we will reap the fruits of our hard work…" the Boss said, as he looked at the egg in his hand.
Dohnasseek, Hans and the two other men also had their share of spoil, which consisted of minerals, eggs and antiques.
"Let's go…" Dohnasseek sighed and immediately, teleported all of the terrorists and himself away.
Meanwhile with the special forces…
"We've dismantled half of them!" one of the bomb experts informed his superior. "Just a few more…"
"Keep up the good work!" the second captain said to the man.
"Isn't it strange?" the first captain commented.
"About what?" the second captain asked.
"They're not shooting anymore," the first captain noticed.
"Maybe they ran out of ammo?" the second captain suggested.
"Maybe, but it's still strange…" the first captain could not help but think.
"Either way, we'll get to the bottom of this," the commander answered. "All we have to do is wait for the boys to finish their bomb diffusion."
Indeed. And just as the bomb disposal men were working on it, the experts had just finished dismantling one of the last ones.
"Just those three more and then we can get through…" said the bomb specialist.
"Ya sure?" an officer behind him and his colleague said in a country bumpkin accent.
"Yes, very sure…" the bomb specialist said as he made his way to the next one.
His other colleague stopped what he was doing upon realizing something was off.
"Wait a minute, none of the guys in our squads speaks like that. Who are…?" the second bomb specialist was about to ask the person standing behind him, though he never got to finish the question.
"HUK!" "HAK!"
The officer jabbed the bomb specialists in the back of their necks, rendering them unconscious. He grabbed the unconscious men by the back of their collars and made them fall backwards. Without a word, he jumped over the bombs and headed towards the bunker.
"Hey, what's he doing!?" one of the nearby special forces called out.
This got everyone's attention.
"Who's doing what?" asked another officer.
"That officer! He just knocked down our guys, jumped over the explosives and headed into the door!" said another officer.
"WHAT!?" the commander called out and marched towards his men, demanding an explanation.
With the rogue officer
Issei had just arrived back from SR388 when the unusual officer ran up to him.
Issei had his guard up when the special forces officer with a gun on his belt came up to him.
The officer then raised his hands reassuringly.
"Easy, easy… it's me…" the officer said and took off his helmet.
"Sanma!?" Issei voiced in surprise.
"Yup, it's me. Shinyama told me to help ya just in case…" Sanma said to him. "…though it seems like it wasn't needed."
"Wait, he did?" Issei questioned him.
"Yup, though I really hope that he cancels that debt soon…" Sanma murmured at the prospect of doing him three favors to pay off his debt. "But anyway, ya gotta run! The cops are just around the corner, and they'll catch ya if ya stay here."
"Dismantle that thing! Hurry!" the second captain could be heard telling his men.
"What do we do?" Issei asked Sanma in a panic.
Back on SR388…
The research station was just about to hit the ground. The Metroids and all other creatures on SR388 were trying to get away. But it was of no use.
The space station hit the ground and exploded the planet in a massive blast, destroying it instantly.
Back with Sanma and Issei…
"Well…" Sanma was about to speak when suddenly…
(((((BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!)))))
An unnatural ear shattering sound assaulted their ears and shook the ground around them. Issei and Sanma fell to the ground from the tremors and so did the officers just outside the bunker.
"TAKE COVER!" the commander yelled at his men, as they all ducked to the ground.
The cave of the bunker collapsed revealing holes leading to the streets above them.
"What was that!?" Sanma asked Issei in bewilderment.
"The sound of a planet exploding," Issei answered as though it were the most normal thing in the world.
"A what!?" Sanma voiced incredulously.
"I'll explain it to you later. How do we get out of here?" Issei asked Sanma.
"With this," Sanma pulled out a miniature helicopter from his pocket and a remote.
Issei recognized the items instantly. They were Matsuda's toys.
"Nice… can you fly it?" Issei wanted to know of Sanma.
"Of course not," Sanma replied. "Phoebe will be flyin' this."
"Oh…" Issei simply said in realization.
10th of October, Saturday, 6:17 pm – back with the officers
"Good news, we have dismantled them…" the bomb specialists said.
"Good, now we can get to the bottom of this. Whether it be the terrorists, their goals, this bunker, that rogue cop and that earthquake…" the commander said.
Just as he was about to give the order to head out, his ears picked up a distinct sound.
"Wait, is that…?" the commander said and then went ahead of his men.
What he saw was a massive bunker that was wide and spacious. And in the middle of it was a black helicopter making a getaway.
"STOP IT! TAKE IT DOWN!" the commander ordered his men.
The men came around the corner and fired at the ascending helicopter.
[PING!] [PING!] [PING!]
Back with Issei and Sanma
"Crap! They're here!" Issei called out from the pilot seat.
"C'mon! Go! Go!" Sanma urged Phoebe.
{Damage at five percent!} Phoebe warned them.
Thankfully, they managed to ascend through the roof and into the streets of Tokyo before any harm could come to them.
On the streets, many onlookers had gathered to see what was in the holes below, despite the barricades keeping them at a safe distance. So, naturally, they were surprised when a black helicopter came rising from the holes.
(WHHOOSSSH!)
Everybody took out their smartphones and started filming.
The helicopter disappeared into the sky and out of sight of the populace.
Sanma slumped down in fatigue.
"Finally, the mission is over. Right, Issei?" Sanma asked his friend.
But Issei didn't answer. He had fallen asleep.
Sanma sighed.
Oh, well…
It looked like he had to hear the details from him later.
And that was Chapter 45 of The Lone Vigilante Issei.
"Fight and Run!" How fitting that title turned out to be – in more ways than one.
I intended that title to refer to the traditional Boss Battles that happen at the end of every Metroid game before the runaway sequence is activated. However, I inadvertently added the "Secret Technique" into it, too. Did you know that the "Secret Technique" not only exists in JoJo's Bizarre Adventures but also in Ranma ½? The more you know.
Also, I have to address the issue of the Metroid larva's death. I know you all had bright wishes for Tomo but unfortunately, I didn't intend him to be a permanent companion for Issei. I realize that about two chapters I didn't know I could flesh out a relationship between the Tomo and Issei to the degree that I did. Then again, a similar relationship between Samus and Baby worked well in the Metroid games and is easily one of the most memorable things in that game series.
As for the name "Tomo", I took it from the Japanese term "tomodachi" which is the word for friend. I kind of thought of SpongeBob and how he named the blue jellyfish "Friend".
I am sorry to disappoint you with Tomo's death.
Rest in Peace, Tomo. You won't be forgotten.
Issei's absorption ability will be a new weapon in his arsenal from now on. It allows him to drain his opponent's energy and replenish his strength.
Also, he can now hold the Balance Breaker form for forty seconds.
As for the terrorists and the special forces and why Sanma was involved…
Well, that will be explained in the aftermath of the next chapter.
Also, I want to announce that after the next chapter I will make a time skip of about one or two months. I do want to get to the Canon timeline soon.
Anyway, what did you think of this chapter?
Please read and review. I would like to hear from you.
And as always, I'll hope to see you next time.
Until then.
Hide Shinyama