Hello everyone and welcome to this prologue/teaser whatever you want to call it. This is the crossover between Kamen Rider 555 and Gakuen Alice.
I do not own Kamen Rider or Gakuen Alice.
Crossover 2: Life's Turning Point
It was evening in the expansive Tokyo metropolitan area, where skyscrapers stood tall and proud. However, one building was bigger than the rest. It was the number one company in Japan with its contribution to technology research and advancement.
Smart Brain
Although this was just a mere front to what other activities it hides within its walls from the general public. Situated beneath the building was an elaborate underground research facility that dedicated itself to research like no other.
In one observation room, two men wearing lab coats stood in front of a large console, staring into a large one-way mirror that looks into a small room accommodating a young male teen of 13-years-old. The room was an empty room with white walls. The only thing in the room was a simple bed with a mattress and a single pillow at the edge of the room. A sink and mirror hanging above it on the opposite side.
The teen was wearing a white shirt with white pants. He got thick and long ash gray hair and quite pale skin. He currently crouched on the floor with both hands to his head, as if his resisting some unknown force.
"Don't give in. Don't give in."
The teen continues to mutter it to himself. The two adults on the other side of the glass weren't amused.
"He's resisting. Crank it up to max."
His co-worker nodded and turn one of the knobs on the console to the max. A speaker inside the teen's room emitted a sound that almost drives the said teen insane. He screamed in agony and flung his body to the other side of the room and onto the floor. He pulled on his hair and almost decided to bang his head against the wall until his head cracks open to end it all.
He subconsciously let out a murderous low growl and couldn't be considered human-like.
"Looks like he's hitting a breaking point. This is good news for the boss." Both men just laughed at the results displayed. While laughing, a woman's voice interrupted them.
"The boss would not hear of this because I did not authorize this session."
At the door was a woman in her late 20s. She also wore a lab coat over her red office shirt and black skirt. She got wavy dark red hair. She had a scowl on her face and her piercing dark blue eyes glared straight at the two men.
"Dr. Inuzaki. I thought you went home for the day."
Dr. Rina Inuzaki strutted into the room and gotten into the face of the two men. She raised a hand and the two flinched hard, only to realize that she was going for the console. She pressed a button and, in an instant, delete all the data and turned off the machine.
"Hey! What are you doing? That data's valuable!"
"Yeah. We just make a breakthrough."
Dr. Rina turned her murderous gaze at them and they took a few steps back.
"Data? What data? I don't remember this session supposed to be done without my authorization."
The first man tried to put on a brave act but he was terrified of the woman. "Listen. I know that the boss put you in charge of the boy but your method doesn't seem to have any fruition. We need results."
"And you will see results, by staying out of the way and let me do my job my way. If I see you two undermined my research without my permission again. I will make sure the last thing you see is the sole of my shoes. Got that?"
After she finished threaten the two, she was left alone as they flew out of the door. She sighed and walked to the door to access the teen's room. After she entered, she approached the teen that silently laid on the floor covering his head.
She heard a small whimper from him and hoped he was okay.
"Hiroshi-Kun? Hiroshi-Kun? Are you alright?"
She was about to touch him when Hiroshi shot up and swiped his right hand at her as if her hands would kill him if they made contact. She jumped backward and tried to calm him down.
"It's alright Hiroshi. It's me. Rina." The woman talked in a soft motherly tone that seems to help the teen to calm down.
"Dr. Inuzaki-san? What are you doing here? Where's…" Hiroshi stared behind her to make sure no one else with her.
"They're gone Hiroshi. They won't hurt you anymore. I'll make sure of it. I don't know how they got the approval to lead the session without my authorization. I'm sorry."
Hiroshi's head was still in pain from the torment, or 'treatment' what the adults called it. But since he's dealing with Rina right now, things will be easier for him. He got up and sat down on the floor with his arms crossed.
"Seriously? You can't keep track of your men? I thought you're better than that." Hiroshi smirked and turned his head away.
Dr. Rina looked at him with a deadpan expression and put her hands on her hips. "Okay, mister. I know that look. What do you want?"
Hiroshi's smile got wider as he turned back to face her.
"A hamburger steak for dinner."
Hiroshi had to wait for another half an hour for Dr. Rina to return with his 'apology dinner'. He was busy daydreaming while lying on the bed, of a wonderful hamburger steak that he quickly took a liking to when Dr. Rina brought him some in their first meeting when she was assigned to him.
Among the researchers at this top-secret lab, Dr. Rina was the kindest of them all. She was polite, caring, motherly, and not to mention, beautiful. She could be very scary and intimidating when needed and very respected among her co-workers. She may be also tried to 'treat' him but she was nice and never once she put him through torture like the others.
Her method of getting data or reactions out of him was unorthodox and slow. She wasn't a favorite when it comes to method by the higher up but she never hurt anyone, safe to say she's the most humane. Too bad Hiroshi couldn't say the same for the other monsters working here.
The others were ruthless, impolite, and treat him and the other captives here like they were not human. Yes, there are other captives here. Every day Hiroshi could hear them screaming and shouting either from being experimented on or wanting to be freed. Either one, Hiroshi needed to cover his ears if he wanted any sleep.
What the company wants with them was never made public to the captives, but Hiroshi had an idea what it might be. He saw many people come and go, and it all gone the same way. They rebelled when they were brought in but were docile when they left the place. It's easy to figure out what the company was trying to do.
His train of thoughts shut down when he heard the door was opened and a high pitch squeal was heard. He quickly got off the bed to only being tackled back on it.
The force that tackled him was in the form of a little girl age of 9-years-old. She was an exact spitting image of Dr. Rina, especially the wavy dark red hair and the dark blue eyes. She pulled Hiroshi off the bed and happily jumped on the spot while holding both of his hands.
"Hiroshi-ni. Hiroshi-ni. Did you miss me? Did you miss me?"
Some might find the little girl's explosive energy to be annoying but not for Hiroshi. All the pain from the torture he had gone through earlier immediately disappeared and was replaced with outmost positive energy. He smiled with a goofy grin and picked up the little girl by her waist.
"Of course, Rin-chan. Ni-chan misses you so much."
Rin laughed at her 'brother' goofy smile. He always has it when he saw her. "Hiroshi-ni. Your smile is weird and funny."
"Call my smile weird and funny? Let's see if you like it when you're too dizzy to see it."
He spun her slowly around in a circle. Their laughter filled the room.
"Okay, you two. Quiet down. What would the others say if they find out we're having a family day in here?" Dr. Rina came in with a picnic basket.
"Food!" Rin and Hiroshi shout out and scrambled to wash their hands.
Dr. Rina spread a blanket on the floor and put their dinner on it. The girl immediately when for her hamburger steak and shoved it down in her mouth.
"Rin, slow down." Dr. Rina tried to get her daughter to eat slowly.
"Ish sho goo," Rina said with a mouthful full of food.
"Please don't talk with your mouth full either. Where all the manners I taught you, young lady?" She picked up a napkin and wiped her daughter's dirty face.
Hiroshi just laughed at the mother and daughter interaction.
Dr. Rina turned to the teen and sighed. "What are you waiting for? Eat up or your dinner will get cold."
They share a dinner, filled with laughter and talked about their day.
"So," Rin said, "sensei gave me the honor of representing our class in the next school spelling competition. He said I'm the best speller in the school."
"That's amazing. You're amazing at spelling, Rin-chan. I can't spell that good." Hiroshi complimented as he ate his dinner.
Dr. Rina, who sat opposite of Hiroshi, reached out and pinched his cheek. "It's not something to be proud of. Can't spell properly at 13-years-old? What happened to the things I taught you?"
"Ow. Ow. Dr. Inuzaki-san. I have more important things to focus on."
"Like what?"
"Keeping the real me hidden."
Hearing this, Dr. Rina let his cheek go and feel sorry for him. He's right. He had more important things to worry about rather than the ability to spell.
Rin looked worriedly at him. "Hiroshi-ni? Are you alright? Do you need anything?"
"Did you have an episode that I wasn't aware of?" Dr. Rina asked him seriously.
"No. I'm fine. It's just," Hiroshi placed a hand on his chest. "There are times when I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling like the real me was about to burst out at any moment. Let my real feelings loose for everyone to see. Or worse, accidentally hurting the both of you."
"Hiroshi-Kun." Dr. Rina felt sorry for him for the countless time since he met him all those years ago.
"It's alright." Rin proclaimed and he lightly patted the teen's arm. "Hiroshi-ni will never hurt us no matter what the situation. Hiroshi-ni will always be Hiroshi-ni."
Hiroshi placed a hand on Rin's head and lightly ruffled her hair. "Thanks, Rin-chan."
"You're welcome. Can I cut your hair now?" Rin innocently asked.
"You were nice to me so that you could cut my hair?" Hiroshi was shocked.
"Your hair is so long. You look like an animal. Let me cut it. Don't you trust me?"
Hiroshi covered his head, "I trust you and your hairstyling skill but I like my hair as it is."
Rin just pouted but Hiroshi stuck to his decision of keeping his hair long.
"Okay. Okay. That's enough." Dr. Rina poured some drinks for them. "Rin, leave Hiroshi-Kun alone. He loves his long hair. You, on the other hand, Hiroshi-Kun. Please, from now on. If anything happens. You tell me immediately. Do not tell anyone. Only me."
Without saying a word, Hiroshi nodded.
They finished their dinner and say their goodbyes. Dr. Rina brought Rin to her office above ground.
"Mama needs to get something, so we'll need to make a few stops. Okay, sweetie?"
"Okay, mama." Rin quietly agreed but she felt quite uneasy. She loved coming to Smart Brain to meet Hiroshi but she dislikes coming to the offices. Rin was told by her mama, Dr. Rina, that Hiroshi has a 'special' condition that needs to be monitored or he would get seriously ill or injured if left unsupervised.
When Rin asked why didn't they bring Hiroshi to the hospital, Dr. Rina replied that only they have the prototype machine that could help Hiroshi. Believing her mama, Rin didn't ask much further.
Rin met Hiroshi when she was 5-years old, exactly four years ago. Dr. Rina believed that they would be great friends and never thought of them will be as close as siblings. Dr. Rina was never wrong in her predictions, but she was glad she was this time.
"Wait here, sweetie." Dr. Rina sat Rin down on a chair in her office waiting room, while she went for her computer. She quickly typed in something on the keyboard.
LOGIN INTO 'PROJECT AUTO'
DATA UPLOAD COMPLETION AT 99.02%
"Hmm. It's uploading at a better rate than I thought. I need to keep it hidden a bit longer if I want to keep my head on my shoulders."
She transferred the files to her laptop and quickly shoved them into a bag.
"Dr. Inuzaki?"
She lifted her head and saw a man at the glass door that separates her office from the waiting room that Rin was in. He wore all-black clothing. He smiled at her as he entered the office.
She subtlety shoved her laptop that was hidden with a stack of files into her bag. "Toda-san. What a surprise."
Eiichi Toda walked towards her, "Not much as a surprised seeing you here. You don't usually stay here too long after working hours. I assumed you having an extra undocumented session with that boy?"
"Nothing like that. Just a simple meeting. Rin-chan wanted to come along. I believed I already presented in my presentation a few months ago how we need to make a steady trust between us and our clients?"
Toda just scoffed and chuckled at the statement, "Steady trust? Who needs trust when we could just…?"
Toda stopped talking when Dr. Rina glared at him. "Finish that sentence and we'll have a problem."
"Okay. Okay. Does anyone ever told that how attractive you look when you get angry like that?"
Dr. Rina walked past him and stood at the glass door. "Seriously Toda-san, I wouldn't know if you were flirting or sexually harassing me. If it's the latter, I have to report you."
"Come on. It was a joke. But seriously, ever thought of getting back out there? I'm available. If not for you, do it for Rin-chan. I know she would love to have a father figure in her life"
Toda stood beside her and they looked out of the glass door to see Rin practicing her spelling by reading magazines on the coffee table.
"I don't need another man in my life. I couldn't bring myself to replace him."
"Even after he only used you to make another girl jealous? Don't do this to yourself."
Dr. Rina shook her head. "He only said that but I know he loved me as much I loved him. That woman took everything from me."
"Did he know of Rin-chan?"
"No. I didn't tell him. I want to but couldn't find the time. That woman has him wrapped around her finger."
"Okay, that's enough sobbed story. I think it's time for you to go home. Rin-chan probably tired by now."
"Yes. You see next week Toda-san. Enjoy your weekend."
"You too, Dr. Inuzaki."
Dr. Rina took Rin's hand and they walked out of the office. Rin glanced back to see Toda-san smiled and waved at her, which Rin smiled and waved back. She always felt Toda-san was weird but he was among the few adults in the company she could hold some conversation with without the feeling that they want to eat her whole.
The drive back home was full of life as Rin told Dr. Rina what she wants to do with Hiroshi the next time they went to see him like painting and even having themselves a spelling competition. When they arrived home, without even properly turning on the light, Rin sprinted up the stairs to her room.
"Rin. Don't run. It's dark, you might trip and fell."
"Okay!" Rin shouted as she continued running.
Dr. Rina sighed and walked into the dark living room. "Fell onto deaf ears."
"I could say the same thing about you."
An annoying high pitch voice came from within the dark living room. Dr. Rina jumped and hit her hand onto the light switch. As the light brightens the room, she saw a young woman in a light blue outfit that has a Smart Brain logo on her clothing, sitting in one of the chairs. She wore a cheeky and friendly smile on her face.
"Where have you been? It's rude to keep people in the dark you know. Literally."
Dr. Rina crossed her arm at the Smart Brain's so-called 'mascot', or as she like to call her, 'Smart Lady'. "It's also rude to break into someone's house."
"I wouldn't have to if you were at home when I came here. Yet again, I don't have to come here if you did come home when you're supposed to, so this is quite a dilemma."
"What are you doing here? Did the higher up send you? Is this about…?"
"You interrupted a session with that boy? Yes."
Dr. Rina greeted her teeth. She doesn't know what's worse. Her action caught wind by the higher-ups or this 'poster girl' interrupted her mid-question.
"Doesn't feel good being interrupted now, do we? Maybe you should consider what those two men might feel before ruining their hard work."
"Hiroshi-Kun is my responsibility. I will guide him to where it will best for him."
The young girl raised a finger. "Tch. Tch. Tch. That's where you're wrong. You were assigned to lead him where it's best for the company."
She stood up, spread her arms wide and look up to the ceiling. "That's the goal of every Smart Brain employee. To dedicate their lives to the betterment of the company."
She slowly lowered her head and flashed a friendly smile at Dr. Rina. "You do know that, don't you? Dr. Inuzaki Rina. Because, I don't have to explain or remind you what would happen if you disobey that rule, right?"
Dr. Rina choked on her words. "Yes. I do."
She happily giggled at Dr. Rina's answer.
"Good. Let's not have this kind of meeting again, because next time wouldn't be this pleasant. As much I loved meeting employees personally like this, this neighborhood isn't my style. So, bye-bye. Say hello to Rin-chan for me. She's so cute, I could just eat her up like an apple pie."
With that, the lady left while giggling at her comment about the little girl.
Dr. Rina closed the door and let her forehead rest on it.
'This is bad. If anything happens to Hiroshi-Kun. It would be my fault.'
"Mama? What are you doing? Are you alright?" Rin, in her yellow pajamas, walked down the stairs while wiping her hair after a bath. It was still soaking wet.
"Nothing Rin-chan. Come now. Let mama dry your hair."
"Believe me, mama. One day, I will cut Hiroshi-ni's hair."
Dr. Rina laughed at her daughter's fighting spirit. "I'm sure one day, Hiroshi-Kun will come personally to you, asking to cut his hair."
"Are you sure, Mama? I want to make sure Hiroshi-ni looks good. So that he could get a girlfriend. If he gets a girlfriend, then, I will have a sister. Yay!"
Rin clapped her hands as she loved the prospect of having an older sister.
"Where did you learn all of this stuff? My Rin-chan doesn't usually talk about stuff like this." Dr. Rina was surprised by her daughter's 'planning' that involves her big brother figure.
"The girls at school talk about it sometimes."
"Kids these days sure grow up fast. There, all done." Dr. Rina finished drying and brushing Rin's hair and the girl immediately went to watch TV before bed. It was the weekend, so she was allowed to do her homework the next day.
"Do you want some tea, sweetie?"
"Sure."
Rin was laughing at the TV while eating a cookie when she heard Dr. Rina screamed and a loud clang was heard from the kitchen. She ran over to see her mama held her burned hand.
A teapot was dropped onto the floor with hot water spilled all over.
"Mama. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Rin-chan. Just a little spillage" She answered and quickly put her injured hand under rushing water at the sink. Rin stood beside her and held her mama's hand. After ten minutes, they examined Dr. Rina's hand.
"What happened?" Rin asked curiously.
"Nothing. Just a little accident. Lots of things to think at work." Her mama reassured her.
Her hand now was red and some of the skin slowly peeled off. It was quite painful and even she, an adult woman, might admit it's quite painful.
"Mama. It's getting worse." Rin panicked.
"Calm down. This is normal. It might take a few days or even a week or two to fully heal. I'll be fine with some ointment and bandages. You're making it sounds like I'm dying. It might look bad but every second, our body is fixing itself. It might small and slow, but there's progress." She chuckled.
Rin thinks hard and deep about what her mother said. Slowly, huh? It would be great to speed things up. In that instant, Rin was surrounded with a slight reddish glow. Dr. Rina was agape at the sight before her.
The light reddish glow spread onto Dr. Rina's hand. She felt a cold sensation from it. The right degree of coldness was effective against the pain. Right before her eyes, the red color and the pain on her skin slowly began to disappear.
Her hand was healing right before her eyes.
By the time she looked at Rin, the glow around her already stopped. The injury, especially the pain was almost gone. From the looks of it, the injury that might take up a week or two to heal might only need a couple of days.
"I'm so tired," Rin said as her eyes slowly becoming sleepy. She looked down at her mama's hand and smiled. "Look, mama. It's healing. My wish came true. Isn't it great, mama? Mama?"
Instead of answering, Dr. Rina's eyes slowly filled with tears. She wrapped her arms around her daughter. She caressed Rin's hair slowly and lovingly as her motherly instinct could.
"Mama? What's wrong? Are you happy that I speed up the healing process?"
"Yes. Sweetheart. Mama is very happy. Thank you."
Her mouth might be thanking her, but in her mind, another statement rushed through her head.
'We need to escape tonight.'
Hiroshi smacked his lips as the taste and memory of a filling dinner still strong in his memory. It was almost midnight, and it is time to sleep. The room was dark, and the whole facility was quiet. The only sound was the footsteps of the security guards that were on shift.
As much as he should hate Dr. Rina for being one of them and keeping him here, but Hiroshi could not deny that the woman was the closest thing he had to a mother. He knew, that one day, whatever they have between them will be severed once and for all.
He almost fell asleep when the alarms in the facility began to blare. He fell out of bed and smacked his nose onto the floor. Not only the alarm drove him crazy, but he also heard the guards screaming at each other.
"What is happening?"
"I don't know sir!"
"The captives! They're escaping!"
Hiroshi picked himself up and banged loudly on the one-way glass. He couldn't see anything except for his reflection.
"Hey! What's going on out there?! Turn off these stupid alarms. My ears!"
Without expecting it, the door to his room opened to see Dr. Rina in her work clothes, with a lab coat and all entered. Behind her was Rin in brown pants, white sneakers, and a black hoodie that covered her face.
"Dr. Inuzaki-san? What's going on?"
"Questions later. Put these on." Dr. Rina handed him a bag of clothes.
"What? Why?"
"Stop asking questions and just do it. We do not have much time."
Hiroshi nodded and immediately changed clothes. As he put on his dark blue hoodie to go along with his black pants, he turned at Rin that looked quite pale. She didn't say much and only stared at her mother that guarded the door.
"Okay. Now would you tell me?"
"We're leaving. Come on. Follow me and stay close." Dr. Rina held Rin's hand and she carefully ran out the door.
"Leaving? Like escaping?" Hiroshi asked for confirmation but she ignored him. For the first time in almost a decade, the reason Hiroshi left the room that wasn't to get 'treated' but for his survival. Once outside of his room, Hiroshi clearly could see what's truly going on outside. The only way to describe it was that it was a warzone.
Outside, the guards were battling against the other captives that also escaped their captivity. It was a good chance for them to try to escape as the rest of the guards haven't arrived yet. The ones already on this level were outmatched almost 4 to 1.
Hiroshi walked a few steps to only being blocked by the body of a security guard that being threw by one of the captives.
"Come on, Hiroshi-ni!" Rin called out to him as she and her mother entered the elevator. Hiroshi sprinted and managed to jump in at the last minute before the door closes.
"Why are we escaping? Where are we going?" Hiroshi asked but Dr. Rina just stared at the floor numbers in the elevator.
"Mama?!"
"Stay quiet for now! I promise to explain everything once we're safe. Please trust me!" She screamed at them. Rin jumped and Hiroshi hugged her from behind.
Dr. Rina realized what she had done and covered her face. "I'm sorry you two, but please trust me. We'll leave all of this behind us and find a better life for us. I promise. Do you two believe me?"
Rin nodded, "I believe you, Mama."
Dr. Rina turned to Hiroshi.
"I do too, Dr. Inuzaki-san."
"Thank you. We'll get through this."
The elevator door opened and they arrived at a laboratory filled with computers and unknown techs.
"I'm surprised that no one is here. Did you have something to do with this, Dr. Inuzaki-san?"
Dr. Rina pressed a few buttons on a padlock and the door opened to reveal a dark-lit corridor.
"I have my ways. Wait here you two."
Dr. Rina disappeared into a long corridor as the two stood there, hoping no one would find them.
"Are you okay Rin-chan? Are you hurt anywhere?" Hiroshi asked her.
"Why are we running, Hiroshi-ni? Did we do something bad?"
"Did something happen?"
"Mama burned her hand due to hot water and I healed it by speeding up the healing process and…"
Hiroshi shook his head. Did he hear that correctly? "What do you mean by, 'speeding up the healing process?"
"I wished mama's hand to heal quickly instead of taking weeks and then it happened. Her hands healed up in an instant. Then mama told me to pack my things and told me that we're running away after getting you. Did I do something bad, Hiroshi-ni?"
Hiroshi went paler than he already was. He got an idea of what might be happening and prayed that Dr. Rina returned soon so that they could ultimately leave this hell they found themselves in. Though, he was touched that Dr. Rina thought of bringing him along. It was a huge risk she's undertaking.
Footsteps were heard and Dr. Rina returned with a black and silver metallic briefcase with a Smart Brain logo on it. "Let's go."
"What's that?"
Dr. Rina patted the briefcase and bit her lips. "Something we might need down the line. Don't worry. Come on."
They made their way down to the parking lot and avoided many guards that were trying to round up the captives. The parking lot was empty except for a few cars. Dr. Rina led them to her car.
"This way. Stop!"
They stopped in their tracks when a dozen of men in black suits appeared in front of them. Walking confidently in front of the men was Eiichi Toda. He smiled at her and waved at Rin that was behind the woman.
"Get behind me, both of you."
"Can't say I'm surprised that it was you that sabotaged the system and let the captives out. You're always the type to do the unexpected. All I got to ask Dr. Inuzaki, is why?"
"I'm not letting you have her."
"Have her? Oh, you mean little Rin-chan here? I see. If you kept it a secret, we still would find out eventually. Smart of you to take things into your own hands. But you could always leave undetected. Why risking yourself by coming here? It can't be because of him?"
Toda glanced at Hiroshi, who had his arms protectively around Rin.
"As I said, he's, my responsibility. No one will take the people I loved away from me anymore."
Hiroshi instantly snapped his head to Dr. Rina. Did she say she loved him? Unbeknownst to everyone, Dr. Rina was secretly pressing a few buttons on a black and silver flip phone that's hidden in her lab coat's pocket. Once ready, she pressed ENTER.
LOGIN INTO PROJECT AUTO
DATA UPLOAD COMPLETION AT 100.00%
ACTIVATION READY
ACTIVATING NOW
At an unknown part of the building, a quite futuristic black, silver, and red motorcycle laid still. In an instant, the engine comes to life and the headlights shine brightly. As if it was possessed, the motorcycle started to move on its own and sped off to whenever its caller summoned it.
"Come now, Dr. Inuzaki. It wouldn't be that bad. Now, even Rin-chan could contribute to the glory of Smart Brain. I'll give you an offer, surrender now, and I'll make sure to put all of this off the records. You and Rin-chan could have a good life as part of the higher up of Smart Brain. Even that boy could have a good life."
"No, they won't. I won't let you force them to be part of this. We're leaving, and there's nothing you could do to stop us."
Toda signed and cracked his neck. "Looks like I couldn't convince you huh? After all my best effort to keep you safe all these years, and this is the way you repay me? So be it."
The men behind him were revealed to be wearing a belt with the buckle in the vertical position.
"Who are they?" Hiroshi asked Dr. Rina.
"Smart Brain's lackeys."
"Henshin." The men said at the same time before pushing the buckle down horizontally.
COMPLETE
The bright glow engulfed them, and when it dimmed down, all of them were wearing brown and black armor with a silver circle on their faces.
Toda smiled before he morphed into a gray-colored monster that resembled a squid. The monster's shadow that formed on the ground turned into the torso of Toda's human form.
"This is as far as you go."
"What is that? What happened to Toda-san?" Rin asked as starting to get scared.
"That's an Orphnoch. The next stage of human evolution." Hiroshi answered her.
"Hiroshi! Take this and run!" Dr. Rina threw him the briefcase and the flip phone. Hiroshi pulled Rin away as Toda, the Squid Orphnoch, grabbed Dr. Rina by the arm. He saw the two running with the briefcase.
"Is that? You bitch. Riotroopers! Get them!" He ordered the foot soldiers to chase the two. The soldiers gave chase.
"No. Stop. Please."
"Should've taken the offer."
One of the soldiers almost got a hold of Rin's hoodie but a loud rumble of an engine distracted the soldier before a rider-less motorcycle crashed into the dozen men. The motorcycle spun around them a few times, knocking them away and all over the place.
As if that weren't impressive enough, it proceeds to transform itself into a towering robot mecha and grabbed two Riotroopers and threw them into their friends.
"Woah." Said Hiroshi and Rin as they were amazed by such a robot.
"What is that?" The Squid Orphnoch himself was surprised.
The robot scanned the area and the enemies around it to make sure of the situation.
"Scanning. Scanning. Hostile enemies still detected. Dr. Inuzaki, may I proceed to eliminate them?" It asked in a cheerful boyish voice.
"Yes, Auto!" Dr. Rina ordered it.
"Understood." Auto proceeds to propelled itself forward with the booster on its back, which was the motorcycle's back wheel, and into the Riotroopers. It managed itself well as it was able to withstand attacks due to its metallic body and advance fighting AI. The second wheel acted as a shield on its hand, either to block attacks or to smack enemies away.
"Stay here Rin," Hiroshi told her to stay hidden behind a car before running towards the two adults with the briefcase.
"Hey, you want this? Let Dr. Inuzaki-san go."
"Hiroshi, no." Dr. Rina pleaded, but the Orphnoch twisted her arm to keep her silent.
"The briefcase for her. You let her and Rin-chan go and I'll come back with you. You also need me for something right?"
"Hiroshi. Forget about me. Take Rin and..." She stopped talking as she was punched in the stomach and plopped to the ground. She held her stomach as the pain was unbearable.
"Stop hurting Mama." Rin ran over to them, but Hiroshi stopped her from getting closer.
The Squid Orphnoch turned back into Toda. The man smiled at the little girl. "Rin-chan. Be a good girl and come to me with the briefcase, and there's no need for me to hurt your mama."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Rin pushed Hiroshi's hands away and took the briefcase out of his hands. She dragged it over to the man, and Toda was excited. He ruffled Rin's hair and pinched her cheeks playfully.
"What a special girl you are."
"I am?"
"Yes. You just don't know it yet. You'll be the talk of this company."
He opened the briefcase and smiled at what's inside. Inside was a belt with an empty buckle slot and few other items.
"Perfect."
He brought out the belt and the flip phone. He looked at it in pure bliss as if he just scored a jackpot.
"So, this is the Faiz belt? I'm surprised you have it, Dr. Inuzaki, but it doesn't matter anymore. I'm…"
He was interrupted as Dr. Rina tackled him to the ground. The belt landed in front of the two youngsters.
"Hiroshi. Put it on and transform. The code is 5-5-5." Dr. Rina told him as she tried to keep Toda down.
Hiroshi picked it up and put it on his waist. He flipped the phone open and entered the code.
5-5-5
He pressed ENTER
STANDING BY
He closed the phone and raised it above his head.
Toda pushed Dr. Rina off of him and transformed back into the Squid Orphnoch. He summoned his staff and aimed it at Hiroshi.
"Give it back."
"You forced my hand. Henshin."
He placed the phone vertically on the right side of the buckle slot and slammed it down horizontally.
COMPLETE
Four red lines flow out of the belt. Two went downwards to the leg as the other two raised to the torso. The two moving upwards also wrapped around Hiroshi's shoulders, his back, and his front. The red lines emitted a bright red light and blinded them.
As their vision sunk back in, Hiroshi was in a suit of armor with the red lines running along the arms and legs. He has a black bodysuit with a large silver chest piece. The armor also gave him silver handguards and silver shoulder guards. On his face was a black helmet with large yellow eyes that were split in the middle by a small antenna. He also has a mouthpiece that resembled sharp teeth.
"So, this is Faiz? Not bad. I must commend you for able to transform on the first try. Now I must kill you."
The Squid Orphnoch shot out multiple black ink blobs out of his staff and Faiz dodged it.
"Rin-chan. Get Dr. Inuzaki-san and run." He told her as he tried to fight the Orphnoch.
"Okay. Mama, are you hurt?" Rin ran over to her mother with a worried look on her face.
The Squid Orphnoch turned to them and raised his staff at them. Faiz rushed in and punched the monster in the face.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
And the fourth strike was a kick to the chest and send him crashing into the wall.
"That's for hurting Dr. Inuzaki-san."
Faiz subconsciously flicked his the wrist of his right hand as he curled it up into a fist to get ready to fight. He went in a threw a punch but it was blocked by the staff and kneed in the gut. A blob of ink landed on his chest and it exploded, blasting Faiz backward.
"Hiroshi-ni," Rin called out called as she helped her mother escape.
Faiz tried to follow but another ink blob landed near him and blasted him away from them.
"Run! Go without me." Faiz was grabbed by the throat and hit mercilessly by the Squid Orphnoch's staff.
The Orphnoch turned to the mother and daughter pair.
"Look what have you done, Dr. Inuzaki. This could be all avoided if you didn't grow conscious, and wanting to save the two that could be beneficial to the company. I'll give you another chance to turn yourself in, Dr."
"Keep your chances. Auto!"
The mecha tossed a Riotrooper away and ready its boosters. "Order received."
It burst forward and hit the Orphnoch so hard in the chest, it flew and crashed into the ceiling.
"If you're this strong, to begin with, you should be fighting Toda-san," Faiz complained.
Auto picked Faiz up and put him on his shoulders. "Let's go Auto."
"Let's."
Auto blasted off and grabbed the other two. Faiz and Dr. Rina hang onto Auto's shoulders on its back while Rin was safe in Auto's arms. They flew through the underground parking lot and try to find the exit.
"Where did you find this guy?" Faiz asked.
Dr. Rina smirked proudly, "I build it myself. You like it?"
"Like it? I love it!" Faiz screamed.
"Aww, you made me blush." Auto responded.
"Crap. I forgot you have a personality."
"Hiroshi-Kun, watch your language!"
"Crap." Rin imitated.
"Inuzaki Ringo, watch your language missy."
"Mama, don't call me Ringo. I don't like it."
Their happy conversation was suddenly gone when Auto interrupted them. "Um, I don't like saying this but we got company."
They looked in front of them. It was the parking lot's exit but dozens of Riotroopers were already on standby with their weapons.
Auto stopped and landed a few feet away from the barricade. They turned around but six black cars stopped behind them. Dozens of Riotroopers exited the car, blocking the path behind them.
"What now mama?" Rin asked them.
"Auto, is there a way you could blast your way through them while carrying us?" Dr. Rina whispered.
"Scanning. There's a small chance I could maneuver myself to avoid getting shot. There's lots of them and some bound to hit you two if I didn't do an unpredictable pattern."
"Let's do that then. What could go wrong?" Faiz gets ready as he eyed the group behind them.
"Just one." Auto corrected him. "Too much weight. I can't maneuver as much."
"I'll stay behind." Dr. Rina said to them.
"No mama!" Rin hugged her tightly. "If you're staying, I'm staying."
"Me too," Faiz told her.
"Listen to me you two. You don't want to be part of Smart Brain. The only reason I worked for them this whole time was that I'm being petty of a person who cannot let go of the past. Don't be like me."
"No! We won't leave you!" Rin cried out.
The Riotroopers slowly make their way towards them.
"I wouldn't stand here and let you two being used by them. I loved both of you. Never stop loving others, Rin-chan."
She kissed Rin on the forehead.
"I loved you like a son. The moment I laid my eyes on you, nine years ago."
She kissed Faiz on his helmet.
"Take care of each other. You will only have each other to depend on. Auto. Activate Code Red1224. Go!"
The visor on Auto's helmet flashed the code before it grabbed Rin and Faiz. Before either of them could protest, Auto blasted off.
"Mama! Don't leave us! Auto! Put me down!"
"Stupid robot! Put us down!" Faiz punched it himself but only managed to hurt his hand.
Rin trashed in Auto's grip but the robot had its arms tight around her and Faiz. She felt lots of bullets being shot at Auto but she was safe in the robot's arms. She turned back and saw her mama for the last time.
"Mama loved both of you! Look after each other!"
That was the last thing she heard her mother said before Auto rammed through the Riotroopers and exited the parking lot.
Faiz turned and saw the Riotroopers surrounded Dr. Rina and aimed their weapons at her.
"Dr. Inuzaki-san!"
It doesn't matter how loud he shouted for his mother figure, they already far away from the building. They dashed past buildings and away from the city center. His eyes teared up in his armor.
After half an hour of flying, they landed in a small tunnel that goes under a small road. Auto put down a silent Rina and Faiz violently pushed Auto away from him.
"What was that, you stupid robot?!"
"That was an override code. Created by Dr. Inuzaki. If it's read, it'll overwrite all my instructions, and saving you and Rin will be my top priority. It felt quite tingling, to be honest. Instructions overwrite are never pleasant. It's like someone tickling your kneecap."
Faiz pulled out the phone from the belt and canceled his transformation. "What?"
"You asked what was just happened to me, so I answered."
Hiroshi lets out a frustrated groan and kicked Auto's legs, which only hurts him and now he's hopping on one leg.
"Ouch! Damn you."
"I'm suggesting you try to kick me while wearing your armor."
"Shut it!"
"Sure, boss. I'll be in ride mode if you need me." Auto turned back into its motorcycle mode.
Hiroshi limped slowly over to Rin, who was sitting on the ground, and buried her face in her knees. Hiroshi could hear her sniffling.
"Rin-chan? Are you okay? Talk to me."
Hiroshi crouched near her only for Rin to suddenly got up and pushed him down to the ground. He got up to see Rin running away from him.
He ran after her and grabbed her arm. She hit and kicked him with her arms and legs but Hiroshi just let her.
"Rin, stop this."
"I want to save Mama. Let me go Hiroshi-ni."
"There's nothing we can do for her. If there's more of those guys and monsters, there's no way for us to save her."
"We're just going to leave her?!"
"What could a 13- and 9-year-old do anyway?"
"Well, mama didn't leave you! You don't want to save her? You're already a bad son! No wonder you don't have real parents!"
A wave of guilt ran through Rin as Hiroshi let go of her arm. He walked back into the tunnel and sat down. Rin just stood there.
"Hiroshi-ni? I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."
But Hiroshi didn't answer her. He just stayed silent. Rin slowly felt her chest getting heavier and heavier. Her eyes slowly filled with water. The longer Hiroshi sat there, the louder he heard her sniffling. After a few seconds, Rin burst into tears. Her wailing and cries pierced through the night and into his ears.
But Hiroshi still ignored her.
Rin ran to him and she rocked him side to side as hard as she could.
"Hiroshi-ni! Hiroshi-ni! Please say something! Rin-chan didn't mean it. Rin-chan sorry!"
Still no answer.
Rin buried her face into Hiroshi's jacket. A wet dark blue patch was present on it.
Hiroshi turned to her. He put a hand on Rin's head on softly ruffled her wavy dark red hair that went down to her shoulders. "I'm sorry too. I should have considered your feelings."
She lifted her head and leaped into his arms. The two shared a hug before interrupted by a loud growling of Rin's empty stomach.
"Let's see what's in our bags, shall we?"
Hiroshi opened the bag they brought with them. They were some clothes for them, a few 10000 Yen notes and a few energy bars. He gave one to Rin.
"We got some money. So, we could get some real food when we find a convenience store or a cheap restaurant to fill our stomach. We need to make sure that we're far enough, so Smart Brain couldn't find us."
"Hiroshi-ni. What's that?" Rin pointed out something at the bottom of the bag.
Hiroshi picked it and it turned out to be two sealed envelopes. One of them was addressed to the two of them and the other one was addressed to no one.
"A letter for us?"
"It could be from mama. Open it, Hiroshi-ni. Open it, open it."
"Okay. Relax."
He opened it and Rin sat in his lap. He lifted the letter in front of them.
Dear Hiroshi and Rin,
If you're reading this letter that means you two escaped from Smart Brain but I'm not there with you. I'm sorry. There's must be some kind of reason why I'm not there, and whatever it was, I stand by it. I'm sorry that I have to leave you but I always knew we have to be separated for an unknown amount of time.
Now both of you must have lots of questions, and I couldn't tell you everything as I'm afraid this letter could fall into the wrong hands. What I could tell you is that Smart Brain is your enemy. Humanity's enemies. You must be wondering why I worked for them. That's a long story, one that I greatly regretted.
My past is none of your concern but your future is. You two need to hide. Someplace where Smart Brain couldn't find you or at least, they would have a hard time finding and getting to you. I know a place. A place I thought that I wouldn't think of affiliating with again, let alone sending you two there.
Alice Academy.
A special school for special people like Rin. Yes Rin, you're special. You're an Alice holder. I always knew you might be one but as you grow older, I thought you wouldn't be one as Alice shows itself as early as the toddler phase. You could only imagine my surprise when you accelerate the healing of my hands. I knew this day would come as I once one myself at your age but my Alice disappears as I grow up. Your Alice is Amplification Alice. I knew it right away because it was my Alice as well. You could amplify others' Alice or almost anything and anyone around you to its maximum potential with hardly any effort. That's how you speed up my healing. You amp up my body's healing rate to the max. Now you could see why it's dangerous if Smart Brain gets to you. They will use you for their evil benefits.
Hiroshi, please keep the Faiz belt away from them. Right now, only you could wear the belt without any complication. I'm not asking you to fight Smart Brain but to protect your sister. Protect Rin-chan. You could not rely on anyone else but each other.
Now, you two must head to Alice Academy. I have already put the coordinate in Auto. When you get there. Please give the other letter to any of the Alice Academy staff. They will know what to do and it is the only way for Hiroshi to enter the school. They do not let anyone without an Alice enter.
I'm sorry for leaving you two. We will meet again. When the time comes, we will be a family again. The three of us. Until then, mama loves both of you very much.
Your loving mother,
Inuzaki Rina.
The two adoptive siblings could not stop tears from running down their cheeks. She loved them very much and vice versa.
"We love you too Mama." Rin let out a small croaked.
After eating an energy bar each, Hiroshi packed the bag and the briefcase onto Auto. They both put on their helmets and get on the motorcycle.
"Ready Rin?"
Rin sat in front of Hiroshi and smiled at him. "Ready, Ni-chan."
"Auto, take us to Alice Academy."
"Roger. Next stop Alice Academy."
Auto came to life and start moving. They rode into the night with only Auto's headlight shined the way. It will be a new point in their life. A new life where they only have each other to depend on. Whatever this Alice Academy might be, Dr. Rina must have some reason why the use of bitter tone when addressing that school. Whatever it might be, it must be a safe place if she sending them there to get away from Smart Brain.
'I will protect Rin. I'll protect everything that's precious to her.'
Hiroshi glanced at the briefcase behind him and smiled confidently.
'I promised you that, Mama.'
That's it for this prologue. I never thought of this crossover, but I just got the idea one day and I know I must write it. Tell what you think of the story. Please favorite, follow and leave comment. It is greatly appreciated.
Stay safe and healthy everyone and I'll see all of you next time.