Disclaimer: I don't own GK, blah, blah, blah. All I own are my original characters and this damn computer.
AN: For Hans Cartegie's German accent, I changed all Ws to Vs, Ss & Fs to Zs, SHs to ZHs, Ands to Unds, and Ths to Ss and Zs, except for some words that just won't do to make him sound more accented. As for Goddarov's Russian accent, I changed all his Ths to Ds. Also, the 'Ruriko gets raped' concept was inspired by a couple of fanfics concerning just that: the 'Ruriko gets raped' concept. One concept from the action/adventure: Time Trax, and the other from a Lemon: The Untold Story. One last thing: Just because there's a scene where Bates gives a hint that he doesn't like the way Jim, Jun, and Misao work, doesn't mean that I don't like the three. In fact, I'm one of their biggest fans! Anyway, on with the story!
CHAPTER 2: CHOOSING COMPANIONS
TOKYO TOWER, TOKYO CITY, JAPAN, January 10, 1971…
The winds of the chilly January 10 winter, several stories up in the tall structure played with Hans Cartegie's dark brown trench coat and his short, graying hair. He was at least 57, but still in incredible shape. He just stood there, waiting for someone. Vhat's taking Alexei zo long!? He thought, He zhould've been here zix minutez ago… His plane of thinking was interrupted when a black Gate appeared beside him and a Russian hunting cap slowly began to rise out until the entire man was visible.
"You are late, Alexei," Cartegie said blankly, "Vhat took you zo long?"
Alexei Goddarov could only fidget with his gloved fingers as he thought of the perfect alibi, "I was delayed."
"Vhy vere you delayed?" Cartegie asked, his German accent was now audible, but hard to understand, even though Goddarov had spent the last ten years running around the world with him.
"I got into a fight wid an old friend." Goddarov replied nervously.
"Und who might zis old 'friend' be?" Cartegie inquired even deeper.
"Kyle Donnehue."
"Kyle, eh? How vas he?"
"He was stronger den when we last saw him. Frighteningly much stronger."
"I zee." Cartegie shoved his hands into his coat's side pockets, "Vell, it doezn't matter. Vee have zee upper hand. Negotiations vith Kageyama are complete, und vee have agreed on an alliance."
"What!?" Goddarov was shocked as well as angry. He didn't like the idea of forming an alliance with that punk, "Why did you agree on his terms!? We don't need to work wid dat juvenile delinquent! We are far more powerful den him!"
"Can't you see zee point!?" Cartegie was on the verge of exploding, "Who do you zink iz in control of mozt of zee invaderz in zis locality? Him or us!?"
"Den my answer would be him of course." Goddarov answered ruefully, knowing he had been defeated once again by his by far much wiser comrade.
"Zee plan has been finalized," Cartegie started, "Vee begin Vorld domination from zis area. Ztarting vith zee fall of AEGIS Far Eazt Divizion."
"And how do you plan to do dat?" Goddarov asked.
"Zee zpy is vithin zeir ranks at zis very moment, picking out zee veaknesses of zeir Gatekeepers, und giving zee feedback to me."
"What is da use of finding deir weaknesses out?"
"Zimple, Alexei. Vonce vee know of zeir emozional veaknesses, Akuma vill do hiz end of zee bargain und turn zee most potenzial veakling againzt all zee ozer Gatekeepers…" he thought for a moment, "Ekzept for Ruriko Ikuzava."
"Why not her?"
"Becauze zey have tried zat on her vonce, und zey failed." Cartegie stated, reminding Goddarov of the battle where Kageyama lost just because some big dark door opened and swallowed him up. Of course, he also knew that that portal was of Cartegie's doing in order to save Reiji from certain death at the hands of Shun Ukiya. It was done because he wanted to preserve Shadow for latter usage.
"He told me of vhat he did in order to achieve zee correct amount of hatred. I don't vant to tell you vhat he did or how he did it." Cartegie mentioned, "Oopz, my mouth must've zlipped. Forget I mentioned zat to you, Alexei."
"You don't have to tell me what he did, Hans."
"Vhat do you mean?"
"I've seen many movies where people are brainwashed by sticking a patetic suggestion into deir heads using televisions dat affect da entire visual plane."
"Zat's not vhat I meant."
"Den what do you mean by dat?" Goddarov's brow furrowed as he asked a question whose answer would make his stomach churn in disgust (I don't have to tell you what I mean) when it was given out to him.
"You really vant to know zat badly?" Cartegie asked invitingly, obviously piquing Goddarov's interest.
"Yes." The Negative Russian Gatekeeper replied expectantly.
"All right, you azked for it." Cartegie said before he began to explain in every explicit detail on how Kageyama had defiled Ruriko, repeating everything that the man calling himself Shadow had told him word for word (I'm sheeewwwww evil!) slightly causing Goddarov to weaken as though he was ready to empty his stomach's contents of biscuit through the mouth. Furthermore, he totally keeled over, letting go of his partaken biscuits at the edge of the tower's platform as Cartegie mentioned something about 'zhooting zee hell out of her' or something like that.
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"Zer. I told you everyzing I know about vhat he did. Are you zatizvied?" Cartegie said as he finished.
"Of course." Goddarov replied to the man in a trench coat, still slightly green. He hated stories concerning copulation, human, and animal alike, and he did not intend to start liking it. He was a 49-year-old virgin, and detested the need for sexual intercourse, freestyle or otherwise. His Babushka (meaning grandmother in Russian) always told him when he was a little boy, that his virginity was his soul, his essence, and his very life force. He did not like the idea of two souls 'melding' into one.
"Now all vee have to do is vait. Vonce zee zpy contactz me und tellz me everyzing, vee zhould notivy Akuma." He let out a sinister chuckle as Goddarov stepped up beside him to witness the dark clouds coming their way over the horizon.
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AEGIS FE HQ, UNDER TATEGAMI HIGH SCHOOL…
Supreme Commander Steven Bates was on the main view screen, talking to Shirei about a possible invader threat heading towards them from overseas. Bates was of course, referring to the mysterious blade swinging invader that penetrated AEGIS US's heart of defense just about an hour ago. However, Bates kept the secret that the invader was also a former member of the Templar Gatekeeper force from Shirei, namely one Alexei Goddarov. "Know this, Commander," Bates presaged, as the Universal Translator translated everything he said into Japanese, "This Negative Gatekeeper is powerful. Our agents had a hard time dealing with him." Bates gave Shirei that stern look of concern he always let out during dire situations. This was one of them.
"I'll remember that," Shirei replied, "Anything else?"
"We've found several messages from the intruder's beeper, discerning the presence of a spy probably planted in your organization." Bates followed up blankly.
"What!?" Shirei exclaimed, flattening his open palms on the Commander's desk, "How could that be?"
"I don't know. All I do know is that he or she plans to destroy your branch from the inside to the out." He stiffened, "We'll keep you posted on any updates with the situation. That will be all." The talk over, the transmission ended, leaving a three-dimensional map of Japan, and Shirei to think over what he was going to do.
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AEGIS US HQ, UNDER THE UN BUILDING…
Bates swirled around to face Kyle after his talk with Shirei ended.
"Do I have a go?" Kyle asked.
"It's confirmed. You have a go for the operation." Bates replied judiciously, "Select two Templar to accompany you on your mission. Your top priority is to keep the FE branch from knowing you're there."
"And that meaning?"
"Once you are on site, we will commence total radio silence until your mission is accomplished."
"Hey, no problem! How many missions have we gone on with total radio silence? A lot of them!" Kyle responded confidently, "And we didn't even call you once!"
"Also, keep the use of Gate Powers to a minimum." Bates added, giving a stern look that could send chills down even Kyle's spine.
"WHAT!?" Kyle was flabbergasted, "Then how in the hell could you expect us to survive out there!?"
"I said keep Gate Powers to a minimum," Bates accentuated, "Not refrain from using them. Use them only, and I repeat, ONLY when necessary."
"Okay."
"It's good that you understand everything I say. You are like a son to me Kyle, and I don't want you to run around, wreaking havoc with your apocalyptic Gate Powers. Now go!" Bates commanded, thrusting his index finger at the door.
"Affirmative, AEGIS!" Kyle saluted as he proceeded to the profile archives in search of the right two companions.
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AEGIS US PROFILE ARCHIVES, UNDER THE UN BUILDING…
Kyle searched the Templar Gatekeeper profiles for suitable companions. There, he came across two familiar files, containing two familiar profiles. The first was Goddarov, Alexei Nolovitch—Gender: Male, Age: 38, Height 6ft.5, Eye Color: Black, Hair Color: Brown, Nationality: Russian, Date of Birth: August 16, 1922, Gate Power: Shields and Protection—Profile last updated: May 3, 1960, Civil Status: Single, Current Status: Deceased. Kyle reminded himself that Goddarov was still alive.
He opened the second file, Cartegie, Hans Schneider—Gender: Male, Age: 46, Height 6ft. 1, Eye Color: Blue, Hair Color: Gray, Nationality: German, Date of Birth: November 12, 1914, Gate Power: Purity and Healing—Profile last updated: May 3, 1960, Civil Status: Single, Current Status: Deceased. He closed the file, his chest bearing a thousand-pound weight. He could never forget seeing Cartegie's lifeless legs sticking out from under the huge collection of boulders that fell on top of him just a second before he could get out of the mine.
He tried another file. It was the new girl, McCarxander, Eve Jansen—Gender: Female, Age: 13, Height 5ft 3, Eye Color: Blue, Hair Color: Blonde, Nationality: British, Date of Birth, June 8, 1957, Gate Power: Minds—Profile last updated: August 27, 1970, Civil Status: Single, Current Status: Alive. Kyle was curious of what the Gate of Minds could do, very curious. He had never seen her in action before, mainly because of two things: A: She was new, and B: Whenever she was sent on a mission, she had never gone with him yet. This was Kyle's chance to see her fighting style, her Gate ability, and most importantly, her face. Looks like I found teammate number one, he thought.
The person in the next file he knew very well. It was his best friend, Tripley, Jason Vincent—Gender: Male, Age: 27, Height: 6ft. 1, Eye Color: Purple, Hair Color: Light Brown, Nationality: Australian, Date of Birth April 6, 1943, Gate Power: Burning Earth—Profile last updated: September 29, 1970, Civil Status: Single, Current Status: Alive. Jason was the irresponsible, cocky, and impulsive type. Always rushing into fights, Gate Unlocked, ready to melt invaders into a pile of green sludge with his Mantle-based powers. He won't do for this mission, he thought, I need someone responsible and obedient. Sorry, Jason. Not this time. He closed the file and picked up the next.
Avaltero, Mica Cruz—Gender: Female, Age: 23, Height: 6ft, Eye Color: Green, Hair Color: Brown, Nationality: Argentinean, Date of Birth: June 4, 1947, Gate Power: Sky—Profile last updated: September 11, 1970, Civil Status: Single, Current Status: Alive. Maybe, he pondered, I'll have to check out the others first. He opened the last non-restricted file.
Yuki, Maya Kiyosaki—Gender: Female, Age: 10, Height: 4ft 8, Eye Color: Red, Hair Color: Pink, Nationality: Japanese, Date of Birth: October 21, 1960, Gate Power: Fundamental Elements—Profile last updated: October 23, 1970, Civil Status: Single, Current Status: Alive. She's too young and still has to hone her skills. We'll see, anyway. His eyes fell upon the last file under the Classification: Templar Gatekeeper. He decided to check it out anyway.
"Damn!" He cursed mildly as he read the two words written in bold red: Access Denied, on the monitor. It changed, Please Enter AEGIS US ID Code…
AEGIS62874TGK001, Kyle typed.
Searching ID Records…
ID Code Found, the monitor read, Showing Kyle's profile. Donnehue, Kyle Bradford—Gender: Male, Age: 29, Height: 6ft 2, Eye Color: Brown, Hair Color: Brown, Nationality: American, Date of Birth, December 7, 1941, AEGIS Position: Templar Gatekeeper Unit Captain, Gate Power: Light—Profile last updated: January 3, 1971, Civil Status: Single, Current Status: Alive. Access Granted.
Kyle blew a sigh of relief, "For a moment, there, I thought they weren't gonna let me in!" Kyle quickly opened the file.
???, Darla ???, Kyle was surprised that they only knew her first name. Even her background was shady and hardly understandable. Gender: Female, Age: 8, Height: 4ft 7, Eye Color: Azure, Hair Color: Purple, Nationality: ???, Date of Birth: MM, DD, 1962, Gate Power: Adaptation—Profile last updated: January 1, 1970, Civil Status: Single, Current Status: Confidential. Kyle closed the file. "I don't think I'd like to go with somebody I don't know. Let's see what Maya can do." He called Bates, "I've made my choice."
"Good," Bates replied, "Bring them here ASAP."
"Right."
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AEGIS US COMMAND ROOM, UNDER THE UN BUILDING…
Kyle, accompanied by two shorter and younger women, walked up to Bates' desk, Bates' back facing them as to the fact that he was facing the main monitor. "We're here, sir."
Bates was startled by the Templar's sudden statement, which was displayed by the sudden jerking of his chair before he swiveled around until his gaze met Kyle's. He looked over to the two girls behind Kyle and said, "So, you've chosen the younger ones, eh?"
"Yes sir," Kyle replied, "I looked up their techniques and found out that they are useful for a lot of things." He stated matter-of-factly.
"Alright then," Bates acknowledged, "You may commence the operation anytime." He gave Kyle that stern look of seriousness, "But note that once you are on site, you have exactly 120 hours to complete your objective."
"Oh great." Kyle answered sarcastically, "Five days. We've got lots of time!"
"Consider yourself fortunate, Kyle." Bates warned, "Skylark, Thunders, and Sakimori don't even get as much as half the time
I'm giving you." he paused, "Namely because they tend to do things hastily, running around in their Gate Robots, bashing invaders, completing their objectives without thoroughly scanning the details." He picked up his cup and sipped some coffee; "A method I don't exactly vie for is what they've been doing 'in the name of humanity' for the past five years." He motioned towards the corridor leading to the launch bay. "Go now. There's a chopper waiting for you. I've already told the pilot what to do."
"Got it, AEGIS!" The three Templar Gatekeepers saluted as they departed for the hangar, carrying their luggage and some expensive military equipment with them.
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AEGIS US HANGAR 1, UNDER THE UN BUILDING…
"Sorry, sir." The pilot spoke, "Looks like there's some trouble with the landing gear—"
"What in the hell do ya mean by 'trouble with the landing gear'!?" Kyle retorted. He didn't wait for 38 minutes just to be told that the Nighthawk Transport Chopper's Landing Gear had a problem. "How long will it take you to fix it?"
"That depends—" again, the pilot was interrupted by a steaming Kyle Donnehue who had just lifted him by the collar.
"Depends on what!?" Kyle was ready to burst.
"Put him down Kyle!" Eve beamed, her British accent taking on an angry state, making her sound somewhat haughty. But no matter how much she tried, she never seemed to get his attention.
Maya could only watch the scene as Kyle drew the poor pilot closer to him with clenched teeth.
Just then, an excellent idea popped into Eve's head. Why don't I use my Gate for this problem? She thought to herself as she slowly removed the red gem from her Gate Seal ring and whispered, "Unlock the Gate," Her pupils then dilated, and a pair of royal blue Gates began to swirl within them, intensifying their sapphire-like luster. (She already has Blue eyes, why give her a blue Gate you ask? I don't know!)
"Mind Talk," She said, extending her palm towards Kyle who was just about to beat the crap out of the pilot who at this time had probably already pissed in his pants.
Just as Kyle was about to knock a good one into the pilot's face, all went black, and the pilot disappeared. All he could see besides the eternal gap was he himself. Stop it, Kyle. A young feminine voice told him. It had a British accent, and it sounded familiar.
Who are you? Kyle answered.
You don't recognize my voice? The voice asked, playfully as it giggled.
I know I've heard you somewhere before, but I don't remember.
I'll give you a hint, the voice replied mischievously, I'm thirteen years old, am 5ft 3, have blond hair—
It was cut off when Kyle suddenly boomed, Aha! I now I remember! You're Eve! He paused for a moment, But how did you get into my head?
Silly! Eve's voice taunted, It's my Gate Power! The Gate of Minds, remember?
Now how could I have forgotten that? Kyle asked himself, So why jump into my head just before I could show that fat ass pilot who's boss?
Simple, the child like voice continued, the very reason I jumped into your thoughts is to stop you from 'showing that fat ass pilot who's boss'.
Am I that impulsive?
Yes.
Aaagh! Look, Kyle said, I'm sorry about almost beating the crap out of that pilot. I promise I won't kill him. He paused for a moment, Just let me outta this trance!
As you wish--Eve was cut off when a third entity joined the conversation. The voice was even younger than that of Eve's; and sounded much more innocent at that.
Um, excuse me, Donnehue-san. She said, But I think I know a faster and far more convenient way to get to Japan without having to cause that nice pilot any trouble.
Okay, Kyle answered, But eh…who are you?
The voice didn't answer. Kyle then saw a small girl with ruby eyes and pink hair, appear before him wearing a purple raincoat. "It's me," she said, "Yuki Maya."
Hey Eve, Kyle spoke slyly, How come you can't do that? He pointed at Maya who was by now sitting on the 'ground', playing with jacks.
That's because she owns the Gate of Fundamental Elements! What do you think!?
Oh! Kyle exclaimed, So Maya, he said, getting her attention, What exactly is this other way?
She looked up at him with her own large, innocent, fiery orbs and said, "Using my Gate."
You've gotta be kidding me! Kyle retorted, Only experienced people could spare enough energy to use for the Gate Transit Action! And even they can only transport themselves via GTA! The Gate Transit Action as the name states, was the fastest way of travel for high-level Gatekeepers. Using the powers of their own Gates to pierce the delicate fabric of time and space, it takes them to their destination almost instantly; the long part caused by the slow process of the Gatekeeper entering and exiting the Gate Transit Tear.
Kyle suddenly snapped back into reality. He was still holding the pilot by the collar. The only difference was that there were faint traces of wet on the crotch part of the pilot's uniform. (I don't have to tell you what that stuff is, do I?) He immediately put the frightened man down, "How long did I black out?" Kyle asked him.
"J…j…j…just t…t…ten s…s…seconds ag…g…go. Why?"
"Never mind," Kyle cooled down, "Here, go get yourself a break." He handed the man a 5. The pilot gladly accepted, and made a run for the nearest exit. He turned back to face Maya, "So how exactly does your Gate work?"
"Let me explain that to you." Eve cut in, "Maya's Gate, the Gate of Fundamental Elements takes control of the three Fundamental Elements that comprise our universe."
"Und vhat might zose elemunts be, Profezzor McCarxander?" Kyle asked in an Albert Einstein Accent.
"Stop teasing me!" She hollered, starting to sound like Elizabeth Hurley throwing a temper tantrum, "Those elements are of course, Time, Space, and Matter. Now from what I have heard, she has developed a unique method for teleportation, using her space element. She calls it the Space Shift," She smiled at the little girl, "Isn't that right, Maya?"
The young Gatekeeper could only stare back, as if trying to read the older girl's mind, when finally, she gave her answer, "Yes, Miss McCarxander."
"Oh, quit flattering me!" She shoed the thought, "Just Eve is fine." Kyle let out a childish giggle, "In any case, that was for personal transportation. When it comes to mass-transport, however…" She paused, "She has developed a way to transport deadweight objects as well."
"Really…so what's that technique called?" Kyle asked, by now his interest was very piqued.
"It's called the Shift Gateway. A larger version of the Gate Transit Tear… a much larger version."
"So it's just like a Gate Transit Tear only bigger? That won't work! The Gate Transit Tear only responds to the Owner's Gate Frequency!" Kyle commented.
"You didn't let me finish!" She shouted again, annoyed, "It doesn't use a Gate Frequency, and thus, anyone and anything can go in without any Warp Resistance!"
"You mean they won't slow down? Then how do they go in any way?"
"They go through it just like a door, or fall through it just like a hole. It depends on the altitude of the location compared to this place."
"Uhuh. Not like a regular GTT I see." Kyle looked at the little girl who by now was wearing a yellow sweater and had somehow gotten rid of the jacks and had replaced them with stuffed animals, "How in the hell did she do that!?"
Eve once again explained, "That is a mystery that has two explanations: Either A: She used her Time and Matter powers in this order: She froze time and created a stuffed toy and new clothes while it was frozen, and reanimated it. Or B: Using her Time and Space powers, she froze time, teleported into her room to get the toys, changed her clothes and came back here to reanimate time."
"She's one mysterious little girl." Kyle thought for a moment, "Come to think of it, she reminds me of another mysterious little Japanese girl I encountered before." He scratched his head, "I think her name was Yukio or something like that."
"You mean Yukino? Yukino Houju!?" Eve snapped.
"Yeah! She's the one! Do you know her?"
"Of course I know her! She's the mysterious High-level Gatekeeper who helped out the Far East Branch during the Political Invasion Campaign!" The Political Invasion Campaign was the label given to Kageyama's attempt to take over Japan.
"Really?" Kyle asked, somewhat exited, "Ah who cares?" he shrugged off the feeling, "I can't wait any longer! Let's go!"
"In any case," Eve concluded, "We can easily go there anytime." She looked at Maya, "Maya, If you please, open the Shift Gateway so we can get to Japan now."
As if the little girl understood, she stood up, removed the gem from her Gate Seal, extended her open hand to an empty space in the hangar, and shouted at a surprisingly loud volume, "UNLOCK THE GATE!" Almost immediately, her red eyes had glass-transparent rings swirling within them, as a set of silver rings with a diameter large enough to fit a helicopter through appeared in the once empty space, emitting a strong wind like that of a black hole. "Please…go…through…now…" she struggled to say as though short of breath, "Can't…keep…it…open…much…longer…" she took a choked deep breath as the two other Templar jumped in and landed on top of a rather large mall in Tokyo. Sweating as though she had been running for miles, she then clenched her teeth as though resisting agonizing torture as she herself jumped into the Shift Gateway and landed, gasping for breath, on top of Kyle just as the massive portal disappeared.
Eve wiped the sweat off of Maya with a handkerchief as Kyle stood up and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, synchronize your watch timers to 120 hours." He fixed his own watch, "Let the countdown… begin."
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AN: Hope you liked this chapter! It took me three days to write it! Please review!