Ch.25 Prelude to the Dark
Aboard the Bifrost, Kotori is learning more of the controls to the ship. Ellen taught her about the weapons, so she isn't at risk of accidently firing any. She is currently looking at the cameras at various directions to get a better handle on the controls. Mana is inspecting the other areas of the ship. She is also making a grocery list since the food is getting lower with the increasing members of their group.
As Kotori looks around the city, she notices the AST making a move; this concerns her a little.
"Oh great, what are they up to?"
Kotori fiddles around with the controls, and discovers that a reading of a Spirit's power was detected moments before the group arrived in this time. The areas where it occurred was the supermarket and the shrine. Kotori looks around the shrine, only sees Hiro and Saori; they arrived in that area about a minute ago. Being years later, the team that is being deployed is different. Kotori isn't worried since Hiro is human, and Saori is more than powerful enough to handle them.
Elsewhere, Shido and Kurumi are taking a winter trip through the aquarium since it has a special arctic exhibit this time of year. It is even showcasing three new species of arctic sea life that was recently discovered. Kurumi stares at a Celestial Blue whale through the glass as it has a calf with it. Kurumi finds it adorable. Shido then reads the note card on it and it says that this whale was discovered a little less than four years ago. Shido then walks up to Kurumi and says.
"It's amazing what kinds of animals exist without us knowing."
Kurumi stands and looks at the whales; she is caught up with a daydream that gets her to blush a little. Shido then notices a stand nearby that is selling hot drinks. He decides to buy himself and Kurumi a hot coffee to warm up from the cold weather.
In another part of the city, Yoshino has invited her newfound friends to her home for tea to thank them for finding her daughter. Ellen and Akane walk close to her in case she experiences anything from being this far into her pregnancy. Ellen asks her what is probably her most frequently asked question.
"So have you thought of a name yet?"
Yoshinon responds first in her usual way.
"I suggested Yoshinon jr., but Miyuki's daddy said no."
Yoshino responds, calmly.
"Yoshinon, we want her to have special name. She's a new member of our family."
Yoshinon turns her head and retorts.
"Well I still stand by my choice."
The group then shares a hearty laugh with each other as they continue to the Itsuka residence.
At the shrine, Hiro and Saori take a break from their walking to enjoy the shrine a little. Hiro went here a lot in his time after the war because it would calm him down a bit. Saori just hates walking around for prolonged periods of time. Hiro takes a minute to draw a fortune, pray, and catch his breath; Saori just sits on a bench and waits for Hiro to finish. She sarcastically asks.
"If you're going to big brother me, then why give me a pair of handcuffs?"
Hiro answers.
"Because then I'd attract too much attention to us. Otherwise, I would."
Saori chuckles a little as she finds it amusing.
"I was wrong about you. You're more fun than I'd originally realized."
Hiro stops the conversation right there; he doesn't want to entertain Saori's psychotic ramblings. As Hiro prepares to leave with Saori, someone says.
"Hold it!"
Hiro looks towards the stairs leading to the shrine, and sees Aki below. He walks up the stairs and calmly says.
"I've got something to say to you."
At the Itsuka residence, Yoshino unlocks the door leading into her home she politely tells everyone.
"My husband is on a business trip until tomorrow, and we have a housekeeper who cooks and cleans for us until I have my baby."
Upon entering the home, Yoshino announces.
"Tohka, we're home, and we have guests."
Tohka, who is now coming through the room with a vacuum, says.
"Okay, I'm just finishing the cleaning.
Akane snickers a little as she thinks.
"Another Tohka that works for the family, go figure."
But to her, and everyone's surprise, this Tohka is much younger looking; Akane and Ellen instantly realize that this is the Tohka that Shido has been looking for. Akane and Ellen instantly go for their communicators and contact the ship. Luckily, Yoshino and Miyuki move towards the kitchen in a hurry to get the tea ready. Shiori doesn't recognize this because her Tohka barely looks any older than this one, so she thinks it is normal.
Back at the shrine, Aki is standing straight across from Hiro, and Saori is standing away as she watches them. Aki then bluntly asks.
"How many people did you kill in that last fight?"
Hiro simply responds.
"One, and that is all."
Aki clenches his fist despite already knowing the answer, and asks.
"Why did you kill her?"
"I have no reason to answer you. I also don't need another lecture."
Hiro tries to walk away, but Aki grabs his shoulder as he demands.
"Why did you kill her!?"
Hiro shoots Aki a cold look and grabs his hand to take it off his shoulder. Saori laughs in her head as she fantasizes in her head what this would be like if their mother's where in this situation. Aki then uses his other arm to forcibly turn Hiro around. Aki, now angered, says.
"I'm not letting you kill more people, Hiro."
Hiro coldly retorts.
"Then there shouldn't be any problems, because haven't killed any "people" on this venture."
Kotori is listening to their argument through Hiro's communicator as she says.
"Okay, boys, break it up."
Hiro then yells into communicator.
"Stay out of this!"
He then puts his attention back to Aki as he says.
"It's clear you don't know how DEM fights. I do; so I think it's in our best interest that you back down."
Aki's body begins to emit the aura again, and Hiro gets a little nervous from it. Saori sees it, and thinks.
"Oh, he's already gone that far. Shinra is going to be very happy about that."
Aki then pulls out his sword and assumes his partial spirit form, which with his new outfit, causes his vest to turn to the colors of spirit form with a slight glow, his jacket grows longer to simulate his cape, and his shoes turn into his greaves. He jumps back and responds.
"I'll show you how I fight, murderer."
Hiro pulls out his dual blades and doesn't equip any of his armor. He then gives Aki a warning.
"Stand aside; I'd rather not fight an ally."
Aki doesn't answer, he just runs in to attack. Hiro dashes past him and lightly cuts his face. Aki responds by launching a Rending Edge at him, but he back flips out of the way. Hiro falls in front of Aki and kicks him in the chest which knocks him off of his feet. The dodged Rending Edge cuts down a statue. Hiro notices this, and says.
"Aki, we'll cause more damage to the shrine if we keep this up, so I say we stop."
Aki ignores Hiro and continues to swing his sword at the soldier, but Hiro dodges every swing with relative ease. The AST members that Kotori saw are almost at the shrine. Saori notices this and thinks.
"Hmm, I should show these two how a pro does it."
Saori enters her spirit form and equips her swords while the boys are still having their squabble. She intends to show the two boys her definition of fun. At this point, Hiro puts away his blades and fight Aki with his bare hands. Hiro dodges and punches in tandem. Eventually, Aki runs out of energy from his swinging and being punched so much. Hiro then finishes it with single strong punch to Aki's face and knocks him to ground with a bloody lip. Hiro says to his ally.
"Aki…I don't think you an enemy. Rather…forget it."
Aki picks himself up as his power dissipates, and his sword warps away. Hiro walks away from the shrine and a little ways down the streets, but he stops as soon as he hears fire from weapons coming from the shrine. He runs back up the stairs to check on what is happening.
Upon reaching the shrine again, Hiro sees six wizards cowering in fear as Saori is holding onto the squad's captain. Their Realizers and weapons are ripped into scrap metal. Aki is knocked out from an unknown cause. Saori then taps her forehead as she looks at the falling snow; she then says.
"Raining snow is pretty, but boring."
Saori closes her eyes as she think. Then she smiles sadistically as she then says.
"I have a better idea."
Hey eyes shoot open as she then says, sadistically.
"How about I make it rain blood instead?"
The captain shows no fear, but is visibly shaken. The others are just plain afraid. Even Hiro is flabbergast at this.
"She beat all of them in the time it took me to run back here!?"
Back to Shido and Kurumi, Shido has purchased a small kitten plushie in winter clothes for Kurumi as a gift. She appreciates it, but is still not showing signs of letting Shido seal her powers yet. Shido asks her.
"Are you having fun at all?"
Kurumi puts a content smile as she answers.
"Yes, I'm having fun, believe it or not."
Shido then pats her head as he is happy that she's happy.
"Good; I'm glad you said yes to go on a date with me. It's been a long while since we've actually gone on a date."
Kurumi then asks Shido a question that she really doesn't care about the answer to, but just feels like it.
"Where did you get the money to pay for this date?"
Normally, Shido would get help from Ratatoskr, but this time, he got money from Ellen. She gave him money to take Kurumi on date since she knows that he is still trying to seal her (Kurumi's) powers. But she isn't showing any signs of letting Shido do that yet.
Aboard the ship, Kotori is seeing the carnage at the shrine with disgust. She needs to tell Shido about Tohka, but she thinks that Kurumi is needed at the shrine. However, she can't let Shido go to the shrine because he shouldn't see what is going on. If she contacts Ellen or Akane, then the others would want to join in. Hiro and Kurumi are among the only members of their group who could stomach what is going to happen, and stand up to Saori's power. Mana can't beat Kurumi, so she thinks that it isn't a good idea to send her.
Back to the shrine, Saori lets the captain go, and the captain jumps back and produces a new sword. She then confidently says.
"If you think you can kill us. Then just try it!"
Saori smiles wider and reaches into a shadow to pull something out. Hiro is tempted to help the wizards since he is part of the AST, but Saori's killing intent is keeping him from moving. He wonders with fear.
"What's she pulling out? It can be good."
Saori begins to pull out an object, which turns out to be a simply white umbrella. The wizard continues her charge and Saori extends her hand which causes her shadows to rush towards the wizard. They erupt from the ground and completely engulf the captain's body.
The captain's body is completely covered by the shadow as she is flailing around from inside. The other wizards are watching in horror as Saori then has the shadow float higher in the air. She then opens her umbrella and holds it to cover herself. Kotori, who is watching from the ship, says.
"Oh, she isn't really…"
Saori smirks as she snaps her fingers on her free hand, and the dark sphere then suddenly bursts and a crimson rain falls upon the once beautiful snowy shrine. The other wizards are beyond horrified, and even Hiro is repulsed by what just happened. Everyone except Saori gets covered by the crimson, much to their horror. Saori lifts her stained umbrella with a large smirk as she utters.
"Wow, that was satisfying than I thought it would be."
The rain doesn't last long which makes Saori put on a slight frown. The other wizards stand up with horrified expressions on their faces. One of them even begs.
"We'll withdraw, and never bother you again."
Another begs.
"Yes, please don't kill us!"
Saori throws her umbrella into the air and then says, with cold eyes.
"Ah, I was only beginning to like it. Oh well, (face turns very sadistic) I have more sources to start it again."
Kotori turns off the monitor because she can't stomach another show again.
The screaming coming from the wizards alone is enough to make anyone horrified. Saori has her shadows envelop each of them at once. Saori then begins to hum a song to herself as she begins repeating her previous actions.
(For copyright reasons, I can't use the lyrics for the song I chose for her to sing, but it's supposed to be Singing in the Rain)
Saori even starts dancing as she continues to make it rain.
Kotori decides to not waste any more time, and contacts her brother. Shido is still with Kurumi, and immediately, Kotori asks to speak with Kurumi. Shido is confused and asks out of concern.
"Is there something wrong, Kotori?"
Kotori tries to stay calm and insists it is just because she has question for Kurumi. Shido hands over his communicator and Kotori tell Kurumi what is going on.
"Kurumi, I need you to do something."
Kurumi playfully responds.
"So, the flame girl needs my help."
Kotori continues to be serious.
"We don't have time for antics. Saori went feral, and Hiro is the only one in the area who can fight her. I need you go and help him, quick. They're at the shrine. Please, don't tell Shido about it. She's really gone overboard this time. Also, I've got something to tell Shido."
Kurumi gives back the communicator, and Kotori tells Shido about Tohka. He is excited and loudly shouts.
"Really!?"
Kotori says that Ellen and Akane confirmed it. Shido, more excited, rushes to the Itsuka residence since Kotori has given him the directions. Kurumi lies, and says that she has a job to do on the ship; which Shido doesn't question it. He goes his way, and Kurumi goes to the shrine.
To the shrine, Hiro has his dual blades ready and has a very upset look on his face. His clothes are stained with red as Saori looks at him with a slight smile. She asks.
"Why are you so upset? All I did was kill some enemies."
Hiro doesn't answer as he is too angry to say anything. Kurumi arrives mere moments later. She is a little worried upon seeing the sight. Hiro explains to her about what has just happened. Saori shrugs and tells Hiro.
"If it makes you less pissed, I crushed them so fast that they didn't really feel any pain. I wanted to make it rain, so I did."
Hiro finally responds through his anger.
"They were AST…I know they could have change."
Saori then starts laughing as she finds his response funny.
"AST makes it different? *Laughing* they came here to kill a Spirit. I thought you hated people like that. You must be big hypocrite to think like that."
Aki begins to rise up from the ground; Saori looks at him and playfully says.
"Well, this just turned more interesting."
Aki summons Azael, and his clothes begin to change into his spirit form again, but this time, his jacket begins to tear at the bottom, spiked gauntlets cover his hands and forearms, his vest turns into a thin sheet of armor with a red crack-like design, and his greaves have jagged, beast-like, toes with the same crack-design as his vest. His overall clothes turn a very dark shade of purple and almost appear black. He assumes his over the shoulder stance. Aki turns his attention to Hiro and utters.
"You…why did assault my child?"
The voice that came out wasn't just Aki's, sounded like a female voice mixed in with his. Saori rubs her chin and says.
"Wow, I've never seen a partial inversion before."
Kurumi, now ready to say her opinion, asks Hiro.
"I think we may need help."
Hiro equips his arm and leg armor and says.
"I think we can handle her. It's Aki that worries me."
Kurumi can sense something different with Saori since the last time they've fought, and it worries her.
Back at Itsuka Residence, Yoshino and Ellen are talking about mother stuff. Akane is checking with Tohka and informs her about their journey. Shiori is making a snow angel outside the house. She does this in order to prepare her for Shido coming to see her; to which she shouts.
"My Shido is here in this city!?"
Tohka's powers start to back to her since Shido is in the same dimension as her now. This causes the house to shake a little. Miyuki, who is coloring in her room, hides under her bed because of the sudden shaking. Miyuki is easily startled by many things, and Yoshinon always tells her something encouraging to help her with her confidence. This time, Yoshinon says.
"Hey, big sisters are supposed to be braver than this!"
Miyuki, timidly, responds.
"But, Yoshinon, I don't like it when the ground shakes."
Miyuki starts crying again, and a light engulfs her room. A little later, Shido finally arrives at the house and is out of breath since he ran all the way. Because of his anxiety, he immediately opens the door, Tohka, expecting him, runs to the doorway. Their eyes meet and everything just seems to slow down. Tohka starts crying tears of joy and Shido smiles warmly. She runs over to him and immediately hugs him. She holds him tightly as she says.
"I missed so much, I was afraid I'd never see you again."
Tohka has actually been stuck in this time for about two months; whereas Shido has only gone through this journey for a little over a week. They spend a few minutes just comforting each other. Akane and Ellen decide to leave them alone. Yoshino is actually somewhat aware of the situation. She explains to Ellen, upon seeing Tohka and Shido that Tohka showed up about two months ago. She was shopping, when she found Tohka begging for food on the street. She (Tohka) couldn't access her powers, was scared, and didn't have any money. Yoshino thought that something was up, and brought her home to give her some food and a home. Tohka wasn't very happy to see Shido married to Yoshino, but didn't exhibit any signs of jealousy around them out of gratitude for taking her in during her time of need. This world's Shido was very understood about it; despite no one really understanding the situation, life just went forward for them.
Tohka then backs off a little and asks.
"Have you been looking for me this whole time?"
Shido quickly admits.
"Yeah, I have. I also had to find Kotori too. Mana also got lost, and we still have to find Origami."
Tohka then feels a little jealous that Shido hasn't been thinking about her exclusively, but empathizes with the other girls plights. Shido even goes on to explain that by everything that happened, Tohka had it easy. Mana was attacked by Hiro and arrested, Kotori was taken prisoner by DEM, and Origami may be in just as much trouble.
Tohka then requests.
"Shido, I haven't seen you in so long…so can we just spend the day together?"
Shido rubs Tohka's head and warmly answers.
"Sure."
Then it hits Shido.
"Oh, that reminds me, Tohka. I met someone who I think you'd love to meet."
Tohka becomes curious, and Shido talks about Aki. He feels that since Tohka has spent the last two months watching this world's Shido and Yoshino share such joy in having a second baby, that Tohka deserves to know that he has met a Tohka who has married him (in her world) and has two children with her husband. Tohka becomes enthralled at this reveal.
"We have two children!?"
Shido has to quickly remind Tohka that is one of the realities he has been to, but assures her it is a possibility. Tohka has a sparkle in her eye, and Shido thinks that he should contact Kotori to find Aki so Tohka can meet him.
Kotori, looking at the monitors, is getting anxious. She's afraid to send anyone else to the shrine. She's even afraid of confronting Aki and Saori at the same time. She doesn't respond to Shido talking to her from his communicator. She's contemplating her next move. However, things take a very bad turn when another Spirit's energy shows up on the radar. It's at the shrine again, and Kotori sees something she wishes isn't there.
"Oh this is just freaking perfect!"
At the shrine, Miyuki has appeared suddenly. She is upset, but luckily is still in her snow clothes. She walks through the shrine, confused, and asks Yoshinon.
"Yoshinon, are the painting the shrine or something?"
Yoshinon covers her face with her little paws and responds.
"I don't know about that, but it sure smells stinky."
Miyuki covers her nose with her right hand, as she is not aware that she is at what anybody else would consider a horrifying site. This worst part is, the fighting has yet to begin.