[DISCLAIMER: Still just a fictional story about Hololive V-Tubers.
I realized I needed to develop some bad guys behind the opening of Hell Realm, and so enter the CEO of Comet Corporation, Hoshimachi Suisei. I hope you all like this development. Her cold-blooded killing of Gura in Among Us made me realize she would be an awesome bad guy.
More Pekorone moving through MoonaTech, featuring our Super Doggo Korone. Botan, Lamy and Okayu heading to MoonaTech and then all kinds of action and friendships developing. Thanks for reading.]
Chapter Seven
The shareholders meeting adjourned, and Hoshimachi Suisei, CEO of Comet Corporation, an umbrella company that was in the business of secret developments and buying out smaller companies, walked out to see an old college friend.
"Hello, Sora Senpai."
They pecked each other on each cheek – a very continental maneuver.
"Hello, and just call me Sora please. I'm no longer your Senpai. I heard you just got back into town after some intense martial arts training in the Demon Realm."
"Yes," Suisei smiled gleefully. "I like to keep my skills in shape… Sora."
"I suppose being a master in martial arts and weaponry wasn't enough for you." Sora laughed, "you always were an overachiever."
"Nothing worth doing is worth doing badly."
"Of course," Sora watched the beauty in front of her. She was always such a gifted school mate. "Have you found the area you want to develop?"
"Oh yes. I've already secured a proper arrangement with MoonaTech and Usada Construction. They've agreed to my terms – Chairman Usada needed some extra incentive, but she came around realizing how it would benefit her."
"And the shrine? Do they want to move to another area?"
Suisei did not answer immediately, but only smiled. "I am positive she will see… the benefits to move. The gods are not tied down, and neither should those who serve the gods be tied down by location and buildings."
Sora remembered how Suisei was always known for being the brilliant and cunning, at times, younger classman.
"I know Fubuki questioned the decision for you to drill in that area."
"Well, she's always been a little too wishy washy and sometimes doesn't see the bigger picture – unlike you."
"She grew up here and loves it. I feel the same way, but I know growth is important."
"Of course, I'd never think anything negative of Fubuki. She's been a fantastic replacement for you as mayor."
"Well, I was assured by Airani Iofiteen that your project would be one of the best things for our economy. We have become such good friends."
"Well Iofi-sama is a smart woman. I hear she's the better half of Dr. Moona Hoshinova."
They both laughed easily and then continued to head out for the dinner date. Suisei always enjoyed a nice dinner before sealing a deal. She needed to head out and have a chat with that Shrine maiden once again. She was being stubbon.
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Pekora continued holding tightly to Korone, hearing the growling coming down the tunnel to their right.
"Is it close?"
"Yes – Peko," the bunny answered.
When they turned there were two creatures. They turned their heads simultaneously, snarling, snapping, and growling, when Korone turned the corner.
Something inside her clicked. She had never had this type of feeling, and it was a rush of adrenaline, like she wanted to attack the creatures. It wasn't merely survival; it was utter annihilation coursing through her veins. Even her thoughts were swirling with wanting to kill those things.
She growled, low and threatening. At first, it scared Pekora, but Korone, within her growl stated, "don't worry, I'll protect you."
"Thanks." She tucked in closer to the Doggo.
"Let's go!"
Korone rushed forward, to the point Pekora couldn't keep up, and she pounced at the first creature, swinging her ax violently down at it's shoulder, removing the arm.
The other moved toward her, but then saw the bunny slightly behind and went that direction.
Korone turned in an instant and threw the ax at it's back, ripping the arm off the creature in front of her, pulling it to the ground, before leaping on the other creature's back – stopping it before it attacked Pekora.
She gripped it's head, whipping it backward so that an ungodly crack came forth.
The other creature with the missing arm, ran over and in one smooth maneuver the Doggo turned, lifting its arm from the ground and then ramming its into the creature's mouth, choking it, and not just choking it but painfully shoving the arm further and further down the creature's esophagus so that it cried in pain.
Pekora's eyes widened, almost unbelieving this beast in front of her. What had she created? She looked the same. But everything about her was different.
The scientist was taking mental notes: speed enhanced, strength enhanced, and then a berserker type of bloodlust. Interesting.
Pekora took the lead, to unlock the door to the room with weapons.
"Follow me… Korone."
The Doggo nodded, following her inside the room. Pekora closed and locked the door behind them.
"You're a mess," Pekora stated. "Let me find you some shoes and clothes."
"Oh, thank you."
Korone looked down. She was covered in demon blood and had been walking without shoes. She hadn't noticed.
"Let's enjoy this respite and get some food. There's a shower this way and you can clean up - Peko. I'll leave a towel and the change of clothes and boots for you."
Korone followed the Chairman to the back.
"What about the weapons?"
Pekora laughed in her usual cadence of "HA!\/HA!/\HA!\/HA!/\/
"You need to also relax doggo. You must be hungry."
"I guess I am."
"Hmm…" Pekora was constantly observing the experiment, wondering if it had done something more and she wanted to take tests, but knew right now the most important thing was to survive. She pointed to the wall of weapons, guns of every kind and her cross bow. "We'll grab those before heading out again."
"Okay."
Korone took her shower, noting how she looked the same, but her muscles were tighter, and she felt stronger. When she dried off, looking at herself in the mirror she didn't think she really looked that much different, just more cut and more defined possibly. Her eyes were very bright, the gold at the center of the brown more distinguishable. Perhaps that was different.
"I wonder what that rabbit did to me?" She continued to get dressed in a set of dark green camo khakis and shirt, with a similar matching military-like green camo light jacket. She put on the socks and then lightweight boots, lacing them up. She looked like military personnel and wondered where Pekora had gotten these clothes. You'd think she was in a military facility.
She walked out to find a bowl of rice with lots of carrots and a small bit of fish on a table.
She sat down across from the Chairman, who was busy reading through some papers with a small pair of glasses on her face.
"You look so smart," Korone snickered.
"I am – Peko."
"I have a question."
"Sure." Pekora sipped her cup of tea. She'd made them both tea, and Korone helped herself to a cup.
"Isn't it odd that the door was suddenly unlocked and two creatures – no more than two – came into the room just in time for me to prove to you my skills? I thought you kept the door locked and so how was it suddenly unlocked?"
Pekora stopped drinking her tea, staring at the doggo across from her.
"And then," Korone considered how to word everything, "we came here, and this place wasn't crawling with those creatures – only two again."
"What are you insinuating?"
"I think… maybe," again Korone wasn't sure how to interpret what she was thinking, but Pekora answered.
"You're right. It's like they were well-placed." She began to consider the fact Moona was missing but there was no sign of her being attacked by those things. She knew there were cameras throughout the facility and realized they were probably being watched and her experiment, Inugami Korone, was being watched.
"Of course – Peko." She stood up in an instant. "They knew." Her eyes widened. "They knew and…" looking down at Korone. "I think they wanted me to complete the experiment on you and now they're testing it." Peko laughed again, "it's exactly what I would do."
She kept laughing but Korone didn't find it funny. Very seriously she asked, "What do you mean I'm your experiment?"
"Oh," Pekora held up her hands, "No, I mean you ended up being the experiment. Otherwise you would have died. I… I owed it to Okayu to make sure you didn't die."
Pekora sat back down at the table, her eyes lowered in consideration of why she went through with using the doggo as her test subject.
"I still don't like being an experiment."
"But you're… like a superhero." Pekora was very animated. "You have super strength, super resilience and speed. You are amazing. And I'm realizing you're pretty smart too." Her eyes glistened near tears proud of her creation. "This is very unexpected. I was just trying to get the demon venom out of your system, but possibly your own DNA as an inugami made you metastasize my chemicals to what you've become." Pekora scratched at her head. "I'm just not sure and won't be unless I run tests on your blood. I need to take time to find out what's going on. Do you mind if I take some of your blood right now?"
"Not really. I still don't like being an experiment. But…" she then grinned widely, "I like being a superhero. Do you think I should get a cool spandex outfit? I'm not sure the military garb is very superhero-like."
Pekora didn't answer immediately but suddenly laughed, "Peko, peko, peko – I like your attitude."
They continued eating and talking over everything, and Pekora was surprised how much she opened up to the doggo and realized this was why Okayu was in love with her. She always respected the cat girl greatly and trusted her honesty and stalwart character.
After dinner she drew some blood from Korone and then pulled out her microscope to inspect. She had to set it all up and Korone watched her closely, as she looked over the small amount of blood. She consistently asked questions that Pekora surprisingly found astute.
She explained in lay language and Korone continued nodding her head, listening intently.
"So, my DNA has changed?"
"It's morphed into something that's unusual. Different. Almost like you've evolved."
"Will I grow like spider legs or something?"
"Oh no – Peko. HA! HA! HA!" Pekora continued laughing. "You've become stronger in every way. I think maybe even smarter." Pekora was impressed with her own genius. "I can't believe this worked so well." She patted Korone's lap as she sat beside her. "Let's try to get a little sleep – Peko. I'm extremely tired."
"You sleep and I'll keep watch."
"You must be tired."
"I think I probably slept a lot already. I don't feel tired."
Pekora again considered the change in the doggo and was somewhat concerned falling asleep when she wasn't positive the effects wouldn't take a negative turn.
"Okay, just wake me in an hour. I don't want to oversleep."
"Will do boss."
"Boss?" Pekora laughed wildly.
"Honestly," Korone was very serious, "I'm trusting you right now. Because you were friends with Okayu and I trust her, I'm going to trust you. So yeah, for now you're the boss."
Pekora only nodded with a grin that usually meant she was thinking over all possibilities. Her mind was always processing two or three steps ahead and considered what was going on with the doggo, but she did trust her and decided to catch some sleep.
Korone walked over to look over all the weapons on the wall. She smiled, her eyes lighting up. There was a chainsaw.
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The truck continued through the darkened tunnel. Okayu drove, as Lamy sat between her and Botan.
"You know how to drive, right?" Botan asked.
"I've been driving since I was a small kitten."
"Doubt that."
Lamy snickered. "You two sound like you get along."
"Eh, the little cat is okay."
"Oh hey… I'm not that little."
The truck continued bouncing along, and there was light further ahead.
"I think this is where we get out. Ready?"
They both stated a "yes," and Okayu began to drive toward the light. It was still raining, but it was dissipating, and she saw there was a gate. She'd have to get out and unlock it so they could leave the tunnel.
"Looks like the end of the tunnel," Lamy stated.
"I'll get out and unlock the gate." Botan was ready to leave. Lamy held to her arm.
"Someone has to do it." She smiled, her gaze catching her wife's. "I'll be okay."
Lamy gave one quick nod. Botan gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. "I'll be right back."
Botan grabbed her pistol and a crowbar from the back of the truck, and then slowly walked to the gate. She could hear sounds from around the edges but saw no creatures.
As she neared, she tucked her pistol into the holster, and then with both hands held to the crowbar, ready to break the chain holding the gate together.
"I really hate this," she breathed to herself.
That's when she could see movement to both sides of the gate. They knew she was there. She walked up to the gate and jumped backward, as the gate was hit hard by one and then another of the creatures, and another. There were so many, and they were multiplying, snapping and banging on the fence.
Their eyes were wild and hungry and being born as a half white lion – a predator - she hated the feeling of suddenly becoming the prey.
She realized the moment she unlocked the gate they were ready to pounce. She'd have to open it and then get back in the truck within seconds.
She turned to catch her wife's gaze. She could see the worry across her eyes and Okayu watched her friend closely, ready to hit the gas.
Okayu lowered the window. "Shishiron, maybe you should just get back in!"
"No."
"We can break the gate with the truck."
Botan gulped, and then yelled back, "That could damage the truck and if we lost our transportation, its on foot." Again, she caught her wife's gaze. "I can't risk it."
Okayu looked over to Lamy, seeing how she looked at Botan. She put the truck in park and hopped out in an instant.
"What are you doing?!"
"Listen." Okayu walked up to the lion, the creatures just outside the gate snapping and growling. She'd never been so scared when she saw how many were out there. "You've been injured and its obvious I'm way faster than you."
"Are you seriously trying to compete right now?"
"No, just hear me out." Okayu glanced back at Lamy and then back to Botan. "You and I both know that's true. You are recovering and I'm faster. That means… you need to get back in the truck with your wife and drive. Just… just hit that gas once I do this. I mean it."
Okayu's eyes met Botan's.
"You know what?" Botan placed her hand on Okayu's shoulder. "I would have loved serving with you."
"I'm not dead yet."
Botan snickered, and so did Okayu. She slowly handed the crowbar to the cat, and said, "Wait until I'm in there and you hear me press on the gas. I'm going to leave the passenger window open."
"Yeah, I can leap into the seat from there."
"I know. You're small and fast, right?"
Okayu nodded.
"Let's do this."
They gave each other a bro fist and Botan went back to the truck. She turned before hopping in, "Wait for me to give the signal."
"Got it."
Botan revved the engine, and Okayu placed the crowbar on the chain that held the gate. It was being pushed by the creatures, as they kept snapping and one scratched at her hand and she pulled it back quickly.
"Back off," she yelled at the creatures. "I'm running you all over when I get the chance."
She turned back to see Botan give her a thumbs up.
Okayu snapped the chain.
The truck moved forward.
Okayu ran back and leapt into the window, as the hoard rushed through the fence on her heels.
Her eyes were wide, as the was stuck on the ledge of the window, but Lamy grabbed her and pulled her in quickly.
Botan in an instant shot at the creatures that came close, while Okayu pulled in her legs within a second, rolling up the window of the older model truck as fast as possible.
"Your hand." Lamy looked down at Okayu's bleeding appendage.
"The thing scratched me."
"It's going to burn," Botan stated, the gas being hit and driving through a bunch of creatures leaping at the truck.
Lamy instantly began healing her, as Botan drove the truck, coming up onto the road and then headed in the direction of MoonaTech.
"We made it," Okayu grinned, "Wow, I thought I was a gonner."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves; we only made it out now we have to drive through that crowd of creatures."
They all looked in front of them. There had to be 30 or 40 creatures there on the road, and all looking like something out of a zombie movie, but with sharper teeth and bodies that moved like something out of a dinosaur movie, clawed hands outward and crouching stances.
"That… is really creepy. It's like we landed in a horror movie."
"Its like," Botan suddenly had a flashback of larger Primals chewing on her unit, grabbing anything in sight when there was a breach, her being saved only because she was hit so hard she was buried under piles of bodies. She began to drive off the side of the road, when Lamy grabbed the wheel, waking her up.
"Shishiron?" she asked.
Botan was woken by her voice. "Sorry, I'm good hon."
Okayu realized the lion was having a PTSD moment. She'd seen it before, and she started talking over some random joke about how Korone had made up this song, Sea Chicken, that became a hit. It was to ease them all, as Botan hit the gas driving through the hoard.
Her hand did burn, just as Botan had told her. She held to it, Lamy having stopped healing to take care of her wife.
"At least the rain is thinning," the cat commented. "Anybody else hungry?"
She really didn't feel well because of the scratch, but she didn't want to bother Lamy. She sat there quietly, until Lamy realized she needed to heal her once again.
She was apologetic, but Okayu told her it was nothing.
As the truck finally made it past the creatures and was on the road, Botan driving as fast as it could possibly go headed to MoonaTech., Okayu stared out at the forest.
This was where she'd grown up, just a country cat. Life was so easy and happy. She loved the beauty of nature and only moved to the city to be with Korone and her job with the TV station – their star reporter.
She considered if she found Korone alive how she'd ask her to move in with her and find a quiet place in the country. That would be nice, she thought, as her head leaned against the glass – feeling more and more tired.
Please be okay, Koro-san… she thought to herself, staring out the window, the hand burning in a pain she'd never felt, her body shaking with the pain.
Lamy continued trying to heal it. The thing is, she'd used most of her healing powers on her wife earlier, and was drained, so the heal wasn't moving as quickly as the pain.
Okayu closed her eyes, hearing Lamy and Botan yelling to her, asking if she was okay, but she couldn't stay awake. She just knew she was wanting to sleep as the rain slowly fell against the windshield.
[END NOTE: Hope you all like the story thus far. Please let me know in a review what you all think. Thank you for the follows and faves. There will be more bad guys in the next chapter. Thank you for reading.]