The Forces That Control You And I: Misguided Ambitions
Harsh light blinded his eyes.
He instinctually shielded them, looking out from the corner of his eye to see the source of it. He could vaguely see a blurred outline of a girl in a bubble, mechanical apparatus plugged into her. He could hear her shallow breathing, as if the machine was sucking the very essence of her away.
Slowly, his vision cleared, and now he could see clearly. He gasped in recognition.
Rurippe...
Sharp pain flooded his brain, and his vision blurred again. He could only utter another weak cry before darkness took over.
Ichiro stealthily moved against the walls of the main building, the only building of the complex to remain standing. His hunch was that his nemesis was there. Suddenly, a flash of lightning burst to the top of the building, before spreading itself out like a large blanket, covering the whole building with a dark barrier. Ichiro stared in amazement.
They spotted me, he muttered, feeling the barrier with his hands. The work of Megumi, he thought.
He was locked out.
Kageyama sat at his desk, Megumi standing stoically next to him. His interwoven hands were placed on the desk, chin supported by them. He stared at the computer screen in front of him.
"Excellent. With him out of the way, we can get rid of the rest first."
Megumi kept quiet.
"Is everything ready with our captive?" Kageyama asked.
"She is ready." Megumi replied in her low voice of hers.
Kageyama smiled evilly. "Then it's time I exterminated the lovebirds, in the worst way possible."
Saemi Ukiya and her mother stood in front of a tombstone, sobbing quietly.
Shun, confused, rushed up to them.
"What's going on?"
To his utmost surprise, they glared intently at him, faces contorting in anger. Shun blinked and took a step back.
Saemi spoke with venom in her voice. "You killed her!"
Shun's foot caught something and he fell awkwardly on his back. The next instance, he saw the two of them standing around him, both repeating the same words.
Dazed, Shun tilted his head. He read the inscription on the solitary tombstone.
Ruriko Ikusawa-Ukiya, 1952-1969.
Before he had time to recover from his shock, the darkness took over once again, but his kin's words were echoing throughout the spiralling darkness.
"You killed her! You killed her..."
Shun awoke suddenly, cold sweat forming on his forehead. He was alone in a dark room.
Suddenly, the door at the far end flew open, and light flooded part of the room. Shun could see clearly the outline of a person.
"I see that you are awake." Kageyama.
Shun reacted quickly, reaching for his weapon and readying it.
Kageyama saw his actions and laughed at them.
"Let's see if you have the stomach to fight after you see this." Behind him, three figures entered the room, one of them chained to the middle one. Suddenly, the room's lights were turned on, and Shun realised that the whole area was a fighting arena.
"What are you up to now? Where are the others?"
"Tsk, Tsk. Compassion will be your downfall, Captain Ukiya."
The three figures reached the lit area, allowing Shun to see them clearly. The middle figure was Megumi, eyes glowing darkly.
The other two were identical copies of Ruriko Ikusawa.
"Surprised? Megumi here has managed to isolate her dark side from her whole self. Therefore, what you are seeing is the two halves of Ruriko Ikusawa, the bad, and the good." He said, pointing to the one in chains.
"If you kill anyone of them," Kageyama continued, "the other will not exist as well."
Kageyama laughed evilly. "Well, now I leave you to have fun. It will be interesting to see whether you have the guts to kill her when she pulverises you."
As the door closed, Kageyama let out one last parting shot. "Compassion IS your downfall."
Shun reeled back, astonished by the turn of events. However, he had no time to think.
Megumi raised her palm and opened her dark Gate. Suddenly, the evil Ruriko's eyes opened, now flashing with black light. Slowly, she spoke. "Gate of Genocide, open!"
A dark arrow materialised before her. She positioned her bow and loosed the deadly projectile straight towards Shun's heart.
Ichiro smashed his fist against the barrier, which just responded with a hollow sound.
He frowned. There has to be a way, he thought. Think Ichiro, think! The others are counting on you. This is an energy barrier. If enough energy is supplied, the barrier will break.
He raised his short staff. The staff underwent its transformation and became the Gate Gun 00, but its barrel was slightly charred after Ichiro used it the last time.
Gripping the weapon tightly, Ichiro opened his Gate at the end of the gun's barrel, and energy started to fill the energy cores inside.
Shun dodged the arrow and fired a Vacuum Missile just to disorientate his target. It worked, and she moved backwards in defence, leaving a large gap between them.
Shun's mind was reeling. He did not want to hurt Ruriko, but her evil self will try and kill him.
"Why don't you just give up?" Megumi's soft voice came from the corner. She was restraining the good Ruriko.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you helping the enemy?"
"Because it is worthless to help you. You and A.E.G.I.S never appreciated me. And now I can get my revenge on Ruriko and all of you!"
"This will be my ultimate revenge on the Gatekeepers, the ones who did not appreciate me, the ones that looked down on me, the ones who made me look inferior." she said. "I will destroy every one of you, starting with you, dear Captain. I am helping Kageyama as at least he appreciates my worth, not like you!"
Shun rolled left as another arrow whizzed past his ear. "We tried to talk to you. But you never seemed interested in our stuff. That's why we left you alone."
Megumi scoffed at that remark. "Don't try to fool me. I know what I have to endure. Your taunts behind my back. Looking down on me because I am not rich, popular or beautiful like Ruriko."
She activated her dark Gate once again, and the evil side of Ruriko readied three arrows. Her dark Gate opened, and she fired all three arrows at Shun. Shun fired his Vacuum Missile at them, thus destroying them.
So she is controlled by Megumi, Shun realised. I have to break her control, he thought.
Charging forward, he performed his Ultra Whirlwind Slash move. Megumi did not expect such a bold move and was disorientated. She was open to attack.
As Shun raised his weapon to strike, it was suddenly knocked out of his hands with such force that his palms stung. He cried out in surprise, giving Megumi enough time to recover.
"Wall of Steel!" A barrier composed of dark energy materialised in front of Megumi, before slamming straight into Shun. The impact caused Shun to fall down on his back.
The evil Ruriko stood above him, bow ready, eyes emotionless as she prepared to strike the final blow. She was the one who shot Shun's sword out of his hands.
"How ironic," came Megumi's voice, "that Shun Ukiya, Captain of the Gatekeepers party should be killed by the person he loves, and she is being controlled by her greatest rival. How sweet revenge is." She opened her dark Gate again, and the evil Ruriko responded by drawing her bow.
"Rurippe!" Shun cried desperately, before closing his eyes in anticipation.
The blast shook the very foundations of the building, causing it to shake violently. Ichiro made his way into the premises via the large hole in the barrier.
Now to find the rest, he thought as he proceeded to ascend the first flight of steps.
Megumi's concentration was snapped at the vital moment, causing the arrow of death to imbed itself harmlessly into the floor. The destruction of the barrier caused her to be distracted, and thus she missed the crucial shot.
Shun heard the thunk of the arrow hitting wood, and quickly decided to seize his chance. He rolled to the right and used his leg to kick out at his would-be killer. She fell down in surprise.
Before she had a chance to recover, Shun opened his Gate with his fist, which he drew back and slugged Ruriko right on the chin. She slumped to her knees unconscious.
"I always wanted to do that." He muttered sarcastically.
Megumi, sensing that the tables were turned, attempted to escape through her dark Gate. But she was stopped in time by Shun. She put up a terrific struggle.
"If you still have a shred of humanity left in you, tell me how to get Rurippe back!"
She laughed as she wrenched herself away from his grip. "It's no use! She will remain separated forever! And when the time comes, you have to kill her!"
With that, she disappeared without a trace.
Shun slumped to his knees. He never felt so hopeless in his life. He could not save his childhood friend, and eventually he may have to kill her with his bare hands.
He brought the unconscious halves together. "Rurippe...can you hear me? Please come back. I promise never to call you Rurippe ever again if you do."
No response.
"Rurippe..."
Still no response.
"Rurippe..."
She could only see a blizzard in front of her, yet she did not feel cold. From the blinding snow, a figure materialised. She gasped.
She was staring at a carbon copy of herself.
Another figure appeared. Yukino.
Ruriko stared at herself. "Yukino, what is going on?"
She spoke slowly in her low voice. "Good and evil cannot exist separately, or there will not be balance."
"What are you talking about?"
Yukino held both of their hands. "He is waiting for both of you." She brought both hands together, and both bodies started to shudder. A Gate opened above their heads, and first it flashed yellow, before turning black and repeating.
Slowly, the two entities became one. "Now there is balance." Yukino said. "Go now, for he is waiting."
Ruriko felt herself falling, and the surroundings twisted and contorted. When her vision returned, she saw the concerned face of Shun.
"Rurippe! Rurippe! Are you okay?"
She opened her mouth to speak, but could not find the words to say. Instead she held up her right palm.
On it was a magnificent snowflake.
Ichiro burst into the room, Gate Gun 00 ready. Instead he wished he did not enter.
He had just ruined a tender moment between the two lovers, both of them staring into each other's eyes.
"Oops! Pretend that I didn't come to save you."
They composed themselves, before being led out by Ichiro. Shun filled Ichiro in on what happened.
"Have you completed your special task?"
Ichiro's face clouded over. "No."
Kageyama sat fuming, wondering secretly why the Gatekeepers kept on eluding destruction. Just then Megumi arrived.
"I'm sorry, Kageyama, I did not manage to kill Shun Ukiya."
Kageyama said nothing.
"I think that they are going to save the others. Let me go and stop them."
"That would be unnecessary."
"Huh?"
"Let them save the rest. They will inflict more damage on themselves instead."
With that, Kageyama let a mysterious smile curve on his face.
Ruriko was still weak after being spilt into separate entities, and the two boys helped to carry her. They walked some distance down the corridor, before they stopped to rest. Shun placed Ruriko gently on the ground as she supported herself against the wall.
Ichiro spied a door down the corridor, and went forward to investigate. Shun stayed behind to look after Ruriko.
The room was dark, and Ichiro felt for the light switch. He eventually found it and switched on the lights. His eyes adjusted quickly to the light surge.
In the centre of the room was a cage, and in it were the unconscious bodies of Kaoru, Feye and Reiko. Bancho was nowhere to be found.
Elated, Ichiro proceeded to try and break open the bars. However, they were made out of titanium alloy, and Ichiro could not even dent them. He removed his Gate Gun 00 from his pocket. This should do the trick, he though as he powered up the gun.
So engrossed in his task that he absolutely did not hear a hissing noise behind him.
A snake invader wrapped itself around Ichiro's left leg, yanking him off balance. Ichiro cried out in surprise, the Gate Gun 00 dropping to the ground. A wayward blast from it ripped a hole through the far wall.
"Why are we not doing anything?" Megumi queried.
"Why? Because we don't have any hearts, and we refuse to feel any emotion." Kageyama started to walk towards Megumi. "They will now hurt each other by emotions."
He grabbed Megumi by the chin. "Don't ever fail me again." His voice was harsh.
"It won't happen again." Megumi replied in a small voice.
Ichiro felt a severe crushing sensation, and he gripped his leg in pain. He turned to face the invader. It was a cobra, the core right on the top of its hood. Ichiro brought his free foot down on the reptilian invader, which then released its grip. Ichiro rolled back, before standing up unsteadily. His leg still hurt and he had difficulty moving.
Worse of all, the Gate Gun 00 was on the invader's side.
The snake now raised its head up, hood totally open. Ichiro took a second to register the latest happening before dodging to the right.
The snake fired a sonic beam at where Ichiro was a second ago, leaving a large hole behind.
Ichiro knew he had to act fast. His leg was feeling better, but any stray blasts from the invader and it is curtains for the three of the others. He opened his Gate with his left palm. "Photon Blast!"
Blinding light filled the room, and the snake recoiled under the sheer brilliance of the ray. Seizing the opportunity, Ichiro rushed forward and grabbed his Gate Gun 00. He converted it back into the short staff and pointed its end at the invader's weakness.
"Gamma Ray!"
The high-frequency wave ripped through the red portion.
A heartbeat later, the invader dissolved into a cyan crystal.
The unconscious trio was awakened by the sounds of the battle, and Ichiro blew the bars apart with his Gate Gun 00. Kaoru ran up and hugged him.
"I thought I couldn't see you again."
Ichiro smiled faintly. "Don't be silly."
"It's working." Said Kageyama in a voice filled with satisfaction.
Shun and Ruriko entered the room, and they decided to recuperate here. Ichiro told them that he had injured Kageyama earlier, and he would not be appearing until he was healed.
Shun, sensing something amiss, bluntly asked Ichiro. "Ichiro, I think it's time you come clean with us. I believe that you are hiding something from us. From day one you seemed to have another agenda altogether. "
Ichiro stared into Shun's eyes. He sighed. "It's better you know anyway. I was sent here only to exterminate Reiji Kageyama. I was once his protégé, and helped him in his plans to conquer Japan. But I returned to A.E.G.I.S, and now I have to destroy him."
"How about the weird hatred I had?"
"That is because I am a high level Gatekeeper. Being one, I can control pure energy, not in its intermediate forms like all of you. Therefore your Gate power is limited. However, the price I pay is that I cannot control some of my powers, like radio waves."
"Radio waves?"
Ichiro sighed. "I emit radio waves, scrambling anyone's brain waves. For you, prolong exposure has caused your brain to give signals. These signals are hate in your case. But..."
"But what?"
"But in the battle against the helicopter, you resisted them. Therefore, I dared to interact with all of you. I was afraid that my power will cause all of you to turn against me, like..like..some of my 'friends'". Ichiro hung his head.
Kaoru placed her hand on her shoulder. "Don't be sad, Ichiro. We are all your true friends."
Her touch felt warm. Ichiro felt that it was very familiar.
"Poor, poor Ichiro. You never got over Georgina, didn't you? Now you are taking her as a cheap substitute. This is very interesting. I don't need to do anything and you are already weakened."
Reiko felt someone tugging her sleeve, and a hand covered her mouth as she was dragged out of the room.
Feye placed her finger in front of her mouth. "Shh! Give Kaoru and Ichiro some privacy!"
Ruriko looked at Shun. "Do you think we should do this? Kageyama may attack anytime."
Shun shook his head. "The only way we are going to win, is that we humanise Ichiro."
Kaoru lifted Ichiro's chin slightly.
"I like you, Ichiro. I really do."
"Don't be mistaken. It's just...."
"I know what I feel. I like you very much, Ichiro." Her large eyes peered into his. Involuntarily, Ichiro turned away, as the back of his mind screamed "Danger!"
"I....can't....love you, Kaoru."
"Why not?" She asked. "I understand what you are feeling. You are afraid that you will get hurt, just like what happened with Georgina!"
"How did you...?"
"I checked up on you. I know your past, Michael Tay Zhen Feng, also known as Ichiro Kaketa. Please love again, Ichiro. Please accept the fact that people care for you! I do care about you! We all care for you! Let go of the past, and think ahead. Otherwise, you will forever be living in regret and unhappiness!" she cried, before falling on to his lap. She sobbed quietly.
With an unsteady hand, he slowly placed it on top her head. He began to caress her short boyish hair, uncomfortable at first, but slowly he moved fluidly.
"I....love you too, Kaoru." He said in an uncertain voice.
The two of them huddled together in the centre of the room, both of them relying on each other for emotional support.
1 Emotion, Ichiro thought, strength....or weakness?
"The time to strike is now!" Kageyama stood up straight. "Megumi! Send the rest of the invaders out. It's time we destroyed the Gatekeepers."
A loud explosion rang out, and the Gatekeepers felt the ground shake under them. Ichiro and Kaoru rushed out of the room. "The building's collapsing. We have to leave now!"
Shun nodded, and he created a hole to the outside with his Vacuum Missile. Fortunately, they were only on the second level, and they could leap to safety.
They hit the ground with seconds to spare. The building practically imploded, and the only thing left of it was a heap of debris. The Gatekeepers groaned and dusted themselves.
Ichiro stiffened.
He heard clapping.
Slow clapping.
Indicating that the person was mocking them.
Kageyama.
"Now is the time where darkness rules."
"Kageyama! We finish this right now. You and I. No running away this time."
Kaoru gripped his arm. "Be careful."
"Unfortunately, I am more interested in exterminating all of you in one fell swoop! Megumi!"
Megumi appeared from her dark Gate, regarding the Gatekeepers with a cold stare.
This time, she thought, I will prove that I am better than all of you.
Invaders appeared from every crevice until they surrounded the Gatekeepers. "Unite with the nucleus." The red invader intoned, and the shapeless mass contorted until it finally took its ultimate form.
The Grim Reaper. Only this time, it is much larger.
"We have finally re-established contact with the Gatekeepers!"
Shirei nodded. He watched silently as the screen in front of him flickered to life.
He gasped as he saw the Grim Reaper invader, before recovering.
"Immediately send the Gate Robot to the battle field!"
"Roger!"
Shirei sat down and thought again. "Ochiai?"
"Yes?" his secretary responded.
"Get a separate helicopter to send it there."
"It?" she wondered aloud.
"Just do it." He turned his attention back to the screen.
The invader brought its massive scythe down, causing the Gatekeepers to scatter in various directions. They fought back, but they did no substantial damage to the invader.
Shun's watch burst to life as he heard Specs' voice crackle through the speaker. "Shun! The Gate Robot is above you! Get ready to receive it!"
Shun looked up and spotted the red robot gliding down to the surface with a large parachute attached to its back.
The invader, aware of the threat it posed, moved swiftly to take it out before it could harm him.
Shun felt his heart sink as he shouted. "It's heading for the Gate Robot!"
Ichiro dashed unseen to his car. Once in the driver's seat, he could see the Gate Robot dropping.
And he could also see the invader closing in on it.
"Open the Gate!" he shouted, fuelling the ZY-75 with raw energy. The Gate Engine in it roared to life, and it reached 200 km/h in 4 seconds. Ichiro initiated the transformation, and the car transformed into the sleek aircraft. Ichiro accelerated and powered up his main cannon.
A brilliant grey beam struck the back of the invader, causing it to howl in pain. The distraction was enough for Shun to get into his Gate Robot.
Ichiro saw Shun enter the Gate Robot, and silently wished him good luck.
But the invader was not finished with him yet.
It opened its mouth and started to build sonic energy. It released the energy in a purple beam. Ichiro, caught off guard, could not avoid the blast. It blew away the back portion of the craft, causing it to spiral down to Earth.
Ichiro fought the controls, but it was no use. He was most certainly going down.
He sank back in his seat, and felt a sense of déjà vu as his mind wandered again.
Is it going to end like this?
He saw a blue flash streaking its way under his craft. He felt a jolt as the ZY-75 was eased down slowly. He felt strong yet feminine arms drag him out of the wreckage, before lying on top of him to protect him from the resulting explosion.
He also felt hot tears splashing on his face as the person cried. "Ichiro, Ichiro! Wake up!"
"I'm alright, Kaoru." He said, as he got up slowly.
Shun realised that Ichiro was fine as Kaoru, who was now bringing him back to where the others are, saved him. He turned his attention to the menace in front of him. It raised its great scythe again, before embarking on a charge straight at Unit 00.
"Open the Gate!" Shun commanded, as the various dials and panels flickered to life. "Vacuum Missile!" he shouted, and a blue bolt of energy sped towards the invader. But before it could register a hit, it dissipated against an invisible barrier.
"What the.." Shun called out in amazement, before crying out in terror as he saw the scythe hurtle towards him at top speed, its grim blade gleaming in the sunlight.
Megumi felt more hate well up inside her.
Why is the world so unfair? She thought, people are so shallow, only noticing beauty and popularity, never looking for anything else. She narrowed her eyes towards Ruriko Ikusawa, who was now desperately trying to battle the invader.
Your time is up, she thought, it's time for me to take over.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the fallen figure of Ichiro Kaketa. He was only slightly wounded, and he should still be able to fight.
She remembered feeling something about him when he first came. She was right. He was once a negative Gatekeeper.
But why, why would he want to return to A.E.G.I.S? Didn't he hate those people who did not appreciate him, like herself?
For the first time in a few weeks, she felt confused over her true objectives.
Ichiro stared at the lone figure of Kageyama. "Quit stalling," he muttered under his breath, "and get it on."
Kageyama was lost in his thoughts as he watched the epic battle happening in front of him.
"Man, machine. Too often Man has relied too much on machinery. Today, Shun Ukiya, machinery, together with your fatal compassion, will be the cause of your ultimate defeat.
Behind him, an ominous shadow loomed.
It was huge.
Harsh light blinded his eyes.
He instinctually shielded them, looking out from the corner of his eye to see the source of it. He could vaguely see a blurred outline of a girl in a bubble, mechanical apparatus plugged into her. He could hear her shallow breathing, as if the machine was sucking the very essence of her away.
Slowly, his vision cleared, and now he could see clearly. He gasped in recognition.
Rurippe...
Sharp pain flooded his brain, and his vision blurred again. He could only utter another weak cry before darkness took over.
Ichiro stealthily moved against the walls of the main building, the only building of the complex to remain standing. His hunch was that his nemesis was there. Suddenly, a flash of lightning burst to the top of the building, before spreading itself out like a large blanket, covering the whole building with a dark barrier. Ichiro stared in amazement.
They spotted me, he muttered, feeling the barrier with his hands. The work of Megumi, he thought.
He was locked out.
Kageyama sat at his desk, Megumi standing stoically next to him. His interwoven hands were placed on the desk, chin supported by them. He stared at the computer screen in front of him.
"Excellent. With him out of the way, we can get rid of the rest first."
Megumi kept quiet.
"Is everything ready with our captive?" Kageyama asked.
"She is ready." Megumi replied in her low voice of hers.
Kageyama smiled evilly. "Then it's time I exterminated the lovebirds, in the worst way possible."
Saemi Ukiya and her mother stood in front of a tombstone, sobbing quietly.
Shun, confused, rushed up to them.
"What's going on?"
To his utmost surprise, they glared intently at him, faces contorting in anger. Shun blinked and took a step back.
Saemi spoke with venom in her voice. "You killed her!"
Shun's foot caught something and he fell awkwardly on his back. The next instance, he saw the two of them standing around him, both repeating the same words.
Dazed, Shun tilted his head. He read the inscription on the solitary tombstone.
Ruriko Ikusawa-Ukiya, 1952-1969.
Before he had time to recover from his shock, the darkness took over once again, but his kin's words were echoing throughout the spiralling darkness.
"You killed her! You killed her..."
Shun awoke suddenly, cold sweat forming on his forehead. He was alone in a dark room.
Suddenly, the door at the far end flew open, and light flooded part of the room. Shun could see clearly the outline of a person.
"I see that you are awake." Kageyama.
Shun reacted quickly, reaching for his weapon and readying it.
Kageyama saw his actions and laughed at them.
"Let's see if you have the stomach to fight after you see this." Behind him, three figures entered the room, one of them chained to the middle one. Suddenly, the room's lights were turned on, and Shun realised that the whole area was a fighting arena.
"What are you up to now? Where are the others?"
"Tsk, Tsk. Compassion will be your downfall, Captain Ukiya."
The three figures reached the lit area, allowing Shun to see them clearly. The middle figure was Megumi, eyes glowing darkly.
The other two were identical copies of Ruriko Ikusawa.
"Surprised? Megumi here has managed to isolate her dark side from her whole self. Therefore, what you are seeing is the two halves of Ruriko Ikusawa, the bad, and the good." He said, pointing to the one in chains.
"If you kill anyone of them," Kageyama continued, "the other will not exist as well."
Kageyama laughed evilly. "Well, now I leave you to have fun. It will be interesting to see whether you have the guts to kill her when she pulverises you."
As the door closed, Kageyama let out one last parting shot. "Compassion IS your downfall."
Shun reeled back, astonished by the turn of events. However, he had no time to think.
Megumi raised her palm and opened her dark Gate. Suddenly, the evil Ruriko's eyes opened, now flashing with black light. Slowly, she spoke. "Gate of Genocide, open!"
A dark arrow materialised before her. She positioned her bow and loosed the deadly projectile straight towards Shun's heart.
Ichiro smashed his fist against the barrier, which just responded with a hollow sound.
He frowned. There has to be a way, he thought. Think Ichiro, think! The others are counting on you. This is an energy barrier. If enough energy is supplied, the barrier will break.
He raised his short staff. The staff underwent its transformation and became the Gate Gun 00, but its barrel was slightly charred after Ichiro used it the last time.
Gripping the weapon tightly, Ichiro opened his Gate at the end of the gun's barrel, and energy started to fill the energy cores inside.
Shun dodged the arrow and fired a Vacuum Missile just to disorientate his target. It worked, and she moved backwards in defence, leaving a large gap between them.
Shun's mind was reeling. He did not want to hurt Ruriko, but her evil self will try and kill him.
"Why don't you just give up?" Megumi's soft voice came from the corner. She was restraining the good Ruriko.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you helping the enemy?"
"Because it is worthless to help you. You and A.E.G.I.S never appreciated me. And now I can get my revenge on Ruriko and all of you!"
"This will be my ultimate revenge on the Gatekeepers, the ones who did not appreciate me, the ones that looked down on me, the ones who made me look inferior." she said. "I will destroy every one of you, starting with you, dear Captain. I am helping Kageyama as at least he appreciates my worth, not like you!"
Shun rolled left as another arrow whizzed past his ear. "We tried to talk to you. But you never seemed interested in our stuff. That's why we left you alone."
Megumi scoffed at that remark. "Don't try to fool me. I know what I have to endure. Your taunts behind my back. Looking down on me because I am not rich, popular or beautiful like Ruriko."
She activated her dark Gate once again, and the evil side of Ruriko readied three arrows. Her dark Gate opened, and she fired all three arrows at Shun. Shun fired his Vacuum Missile at them, thus destroying them.
So she is controlled by Megumi, Shun realised. I have to break her control, he thought.
Charging forward, he performed his Ultra Whirlwind Slash move. Megumi did not expect such a bold move and was disorientated. She was open to attack.
As Shun raised his weapon to strike, it was suddenly knocked out of his hands with such force that his palms stung. He cried out in surprise, giving Megumi enough time to recover.
"Wall of Steel!" A barrier composed of dark energy materialised in front of Megumi, before slamming straight into Shun. The impact caused Shun to fall down on his back.
The evil Ruriko stood above him, bow ready, eyes emotionless as she prepared to strike the final blow. She was the one who shot Shun's sword out of his hands.
"How ironic," came Megumi's voice, "that Shun Ukiya, Captain of the Gatekeepers party should be killed by the person he loves, and she is being controlled by her greatest rival. How sweet revenge is." She opened her dark Gate again, and the evil Ruriko responded by drawing her bow.
"Rurippe!" Shun cried desperately, before closing his eyes in anticipation.
The blast shook the very foundations of the building, causing it to shake violently. Ichiro made his way into the premises via the large hole in the barrier.
Now to find the rest, he thought as he proceeded to ascend the first flight of steps.
Megumi's concentration was snapped at the vital moment, causing the arrow of death to imbed itself harmlessly into the floor. The destruction of the barrier caused her to be distracted, and thus she missed the crucial shot.
Shun heard the thunk of the arrow hitting wood, and quickly decided to seize his chance. He rolled to the right and used his leg to kick out at his would-be killer. She fell down in surprise.
Before she had a chance to recover, Shun opened his Gate with his fist, which he drew back and slugged Ruriko right on the chin. She slumped to her knees unconscious.
"I always wanted to do that." He muttered sarcastically.
Megumi, sensing that the tables were turned, attempted to escape through her dark Gate. But she was stopped in time by Shun. She put up a terrific struggle.
"If you still have a shred of humanity left in you, tell me how to get Rurippe back!"
She laughed as she wrenched herself away from his grip. "It's no use! She will remain separated forever! And when the time comes, you have to kill her!"
With that, she disappeared without a trace.
Shun slumped to his knees. He never felt so hopeless in his life. He could not save his childhood friend, and eventually he may have to kill her with his bare hands.
He brought the unconscious halves together. "Rurippe...can you hear me? Please come back. I promise never to call you Rurippe ever again if you do."
No response.
"Rurippe..."
Still no response.
"Rurippe..."
She could only see a blizzard in front of her, yet she did not feel cold. From the blinding snow, a figure materialised. She gasped.
She was staring at a carbon copy of herself.
Another figure appeared. Yukino.
Ruriko stared at herself. "Yukino, what is going on?"
She spoke slowly in her low voice. "Good and evil cannot exist separately, or there will not be balance."
"What are you talking about?"
Yukino held both of their hands. "He is waiting for both of you." She brought both hands together, and both bodies started to shudder. A Gate opened above their heads, and first it flashed yellow, before turning black and repeating.
Slowly, the two entities became one. "Now there is balance." Yukino said. "Go now, for he is waiting."
Ruriko felt herself falling, and the surroundings twisted and contorted. When her vision returned, she saw the concerned face of Shun.
"Rurippe! Rurippe! Are you okay?"
She opened her mouth to speak, but could not find the words to say. Instead she held up her right palm.
On it was a magnificent snowflake.
Ichiro burst into the room, Gate Gun 00 ready. Instead he wished he did not enter.
He had just ruined a tender moment between the two lovers, both of them staring into each other's eyes.
"Oops! Pretend that I didn't come to save you."
They composed themselves, before being led out by Ichiro. Shun filled Ichiro in on what happened.
"Have you completed your special task?"
Ichiro's face clouded over. "No."
Kageyama sat fuming, wondering secretly why the Gatekeepers kept on eluding destruction. Just then Megumi arrived.
"I'm sorry, Kageyama, I did not manage to kill Shun Ukiya."
Kageyama said nothing.
"I think that they are going to save the others. Let me go and stop them."
"That would be unnecessary."
"Huh?"
"Let them save the rest. They will inflict more damage on themselves instead."
With that, Kageyama let a mysterious smile curve on his face.
Ruriko was still weak after being spilt into separate entities, and the two boys helped to carry her. They walked some distance down the corridor, before they stopped to rest. Shun placed Ruriko gently on the ground as she supported herself against the wall.
Ichiro spied a door down the corridor, and went forward to investigate. Shun stayed behind to look after Ruriko.
The room was dark, and Ichiro felt for the light switch. He eventually found it and switched on the lights. His eyes adjusted quickly to the light surge.
In the centre of the room was a cage, and in it were the unconscious bodies of Kaoru, Feye and Reiko. Bancho was nowhere to be found.
Elated, Ichiro proceeded to try and break open the bars. However, they were made out of titanium alloy, and Ichiro could not even dent them. He removed his Gate Gun 00 from his pocket. This should do the trick, he though as he powered up the gun.
So engrossed in his task that he absolutely did not hear a hissing noise behind him.
A snake invader wrapped itself around Ichiro's left leg, yanking him off balance. Ichiro cried out in surprise, the Gate Gun 00 dropping to the ground. A wayward blast from it ripped a hole through the far wall.
"Why are we not doing anything?" Megumi queried.
"Why? Because we don't have any hearts, and we refuse to feel any emotion." Kageyama started to walk towards Megumi. "They will now hurt each other by emotions."
He grabbed Megumi by the chin. "Don't ever fail me again." His voice was harsh.
"It won't happen again." Megumi replied in a small voice.
Ichiro felt a severe crushing sensation, and he gripped his leg in pain. He turned to face the invader. It was a cobra, the core right on the top of its hood. Ichiro brought his free foot down on the reptilian invader, which then released its grip. Ichiro rolled back, before standing up unsteadily. His leg still hurt and he had difficulty moving.
Worse of all, the Gate Gun 00 was on the invader's side.
The snake now raised its head up, hood totally open. Ichiro took a second to register the latest happening before dodging to the right.
The snake fired a sonic beam at where Ichiro was a second ago, leaving a large hole behind.
Ichiro knew he had to act fast. His leg was feeling better, but any stray blasts from the invader and it is curtains for the three of the others. He opened his Gate with his left palm. "Photon Blast!"
Blinding light filled the room, and the snake recoiled under the sheer brilliance of the ray. Seizing the opportunity, Ichiro rushed forward and grabbed his Gate Gun 00. He converted it back into the short staff and pointed its end at the invader's weakness.
"Gamma Ray!"
The high-frequency wave ripped through the red portion.
A heartbeat later, the invader dissolved into a cyan crystal.
The unconscious trio was awakened by the sounds of the battle, and Ichiro blew the bars apart with his Gate Gun 00. Kaoru ran up and hugged him.
"I thought I couldn't see you again."
Ichiro smiled faintly. "Don't be silly."
"It's working." Said Kageyama in a voice filled with satisfaction.
Shun and Ruriko entered the room, and they decided to recuperate here. Ichiro told them that he had injured Kageyama earlier, and he would not be appearing until he was healed.
Shun, sensing something amiss, bluntly asked Ichiro. "Ichiro, I think it's time you come clean with us. I believe that you are hiding something from us. From day one you seemed to have another agenda altogether. "
Ichiro stared into Shun's eyes. He sighed. "It's better you know anyway. I was sent here only to exterminate Reiji Kageyama. I was once his protégé, and helped him in his plans to conquer Japan. But I returned to A.E.G.I.S, and now I have to destroy him."
"How about the weird hatred I had?"
"That is because I am a high level Gatekeeper. Being one, I can control pure energy, not in its intermediate forms like all of you. Therefore your Gate power is limited. However, the price I pay is that I cannot control some of my powers, like radio waves."
"Radio waves?"
Ichiro sighed. "I emit radio waves, scrambling anyone's brain waves. For you, prolong exposure has caused your brain to give signals. These signals are hate in your case. But..."
"But what?"
"But in the battle against the helicopter, you resisted them. Therefore, I dared to interact with all of you. I was afraid that my power will cause all of you to turn against me, like..like..some of my 'friends'". Ichiro hung his head.
Kaoru placed her hand on her shoulder. "Don't be sad, Ichiro. We are all your true friends."
Her touch felt warm. Ichiro felt that it was very familiar.
"Poor, poor Ichiro. You never got over Georgina, didn't you? Now you are taking her as a cheap substitute. This is very interesting. I don't need to do anything and you are already weakened."
Reiko felt someone tugging her sleeve, and a hand covered her mouth as she was dragged out of the room.
Feye placed her finger in front of her mouth. "Shh! Give Kaoru and Ichiro some privacy!"
Ruriko looked at Shun. "Do you think we should do this? Kageyama may attack anytime."
Shun shook his head. "The only way we are going to win, is that we humanise Ichiro."
Kaoru lifted Ichiro's chin slightly.
"I like you, Ichiro. I really do."
"Don't be mistaken. It's just...."
"I know what I feel. I like you very much, Ichiro." Her large eyes peered into his. Involuntarily, Ichiro turned away, as the back of his mind screamed "Danger!"
"I....can't....love you, Kaoru."
"Why not?" She asked. "I understand what you are feeling. You are afraid that you will get hurt, just like what happened with Georgina!"
"How did you...?"
"I checked up on you. I know your past, Michael Tay Zhen Feng, also known as Ichiro Kaketa. Please love again, Ichiro. Please accept the fact that people care for you! I do care about you! We all care for you! Let go of the past, and think ahead. Otherwise, you will forever be living in regret and unhappiness!" she cried, before falling on to his lap. She sobbed quietly.
With an unsteady hand, he slowly placed it on top her head. He began to caress her short boyish hair, uncomfortable at first, but slowly he moved fluidly.
"I....love you too, Kaoru." He said in an uncertain voice.
The two of them huddled together in the centre of the room, both of them relying on each other for emotional support.
1 Emotion, Ichiro thought, strength....or weakness?
"The time to strike is now!" Kageyama stood up straight. "Megumi! Send the rest of the invaders out. It's time we destroyed the Gatekeepers."
A loud explosion rang out, and the Gatekeepers felt the ground shake under them. Ichiro and Kaoru rushed out of the room. "The building's collapsing. We have to leave now!"
Shun nodded, and he created a hole to the outside with his Vacuum Missile. Fortunately, they were only on the second level, and they could leap to safety.
They hit the ground with seconds to spare. The building practically imploded, and the only thing left of it was a heap of debris. The Gatekeepers groaned and dusted themselves.
Ichiro stiffened.
He heard clapping.
Slow clapping.
Indicating that the person was mocking them.
Kageyama.
"Now is the time where darkness rules."
"Kageyama! We finish this right now. You and I. No running away this time."
Kaoru gripped his arm. "Be careful."
"Unfortunately, I am more interested in exterminating all of you in one fell swoop! Megumi!"
Megumi appeared from her dark Gate, regarding the Gatekeepers with a cold stare.
This time, she thought, I will prove that I am better than all of you.
Invaders appeared from every crevice until they surrounded the Gatekeepers. "Unite with the nucleus." The red invader intoned, and the shapeless mass contorted until it finally took its ultimate form.
The Grim Reaper. Only this time, it is much larger.
"We have finally re-established contact with the Gatekeepers!"
Shirei nodded. He watched silently as the screen in front of him flickered to life.
He gasped as he saw the Grim Reaper invader, before recovering.
"Immediately send the Gate Robot to the battle field!"
"Roger!"
Shirei sat down and thought again. "Ochiai?"
"Yes?" his secretary responded.
"Get a separate helicopter to send it there."
"It?" she wondered aloud.
"Just do it." He turned his attention back to the screen.
The invader brought its massive scythe down, causing the Gatekeepers to scatter in various directions. They fought back, but they did no substantial damage to the invader.
Shun's watch burst to life as he heard Specs' voice crackle through the speaker. "Shun! The Gate Robot is above you! Get ready to receive it!"
Shun looked up and spotted the red robot gliding down to the surface with a large parachute attached to its back.
The invader, aware of the threat it posed, moved swiftly to take it out before it could harm him.
Shun felt his heart sink as he shouted. "It's heading for the Gate Robot!"
Ichiro dashed unseen to his car. Once in the driver's seat, he could see the Gate Robot dropping.
And he could also see the invader closing in on it.
"Open the Gate!" he shouted, fuelling the ZY-75 with raw energy. The Gate Engine in it roared to life, and it reached 200 km/h in 4 seconds. Ichiro initiated the transformation, and the car transformed into the sleek aircraft. Ichiro accelerated and powered up his main cannon.
A brilliant grey beam struck the back of the invader, causing it to howl in pain. The distraction was enough for Shun to get into his Gate Robot.
Ichiro saw Shun enter the Gate Robot, and silently wished him good luck.
But the invader was not finished with him yet.
It opened its mouth and started to build sonic energy. It released the energy in a purple beam. Ichiro, caught off guard, could not avoid the blast. It blew away the back portion of the craft, causing it to spiral down to Earth.
Ichiro fought the controls, but it was no use. He was most certainly going down.
He sank back in his seat, and felt a sense of déjà vu as his mind wandered again.
Is it going to end like this?
He saw a blue flash streaking its way under his craft. He felt a jolt as the ZY-75 was eased down slowly. He felt strong yet feminine arms drag him out of the wreckage, before lying on top of him to protect him from the resulting explosion.
He also felt hot tears splashing on his face as the person cried. "Ichiro, Ichiro! Wake up!"
"I'm alright, Kaoru." He said, as he got up slowly.
Shun realised that Ichiro was fine as Kaoru, who was now bringing him back to where the others are, saved him. He turned his attention to the menace in front of him. It raised its great scythe again, before embarking on a charge straight at Unit 00.
"Open the Gate!" Shun commanded, as the various dials and panels flickered to life. "Vacuum Missile!" he shouted, and a blue bolt of energy sped towards the invader. But before it could register a hit, it dissipated against an invisible barrier.
"What the.." Shun called out in amazement, before crying out in terror as he saw the scythe hurtle towards him at top speed, its grim blade gleaming in the sunlight.
Megumi felt more hate well up inside her.
Why is the world so unfair? She thought, people are so shallow, only noticing beauty and popularity, never looking for anything else. She narrowed her eyes towards Ruriko Ikusawa, who was now desperately trying to battle the invader.
Your time is up, she thought, it's time for me to take over.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the fallen figure of Ichiro Kaketa. He was only slightly wounded, and he should still be able to fight.
She remembered feeling something about him when he first came. She was right. He was once a negative Gatekeeper.
But why, why would he want to return to A.E.G.I.S? Didn't he hate those people who did not appreciate him, like herself?
For the first time in a few weeks, she felt confused over her true objectives.
Ichiro stared at the lone figure of Kageyama. "Quit stalling," he muttered under his breath, "and get it on."
Kageyama was lost in his thoughts as he watched the epic battle happening in front of him.
"Man, machine. Too often Man has relied too much on machinery. Today, Shun Ukiya, machinery, together with your fatal compassion, will be the cause of your ultimate defeat.
Behind him, an ominous shadow loomed.
It was huge.
