GATEKEEPERS 21: TWISTED HEARTS, TORTURED
SOULS
CHAPTER ONE = " INTO THE ABYSS "
by Fergie
Disclaimer: All characters are property of Studio Gonzo. This is a fanfic written purely for the enjoyment of other Gatekeepers fans. Do not copy/ distribute/ sell this work. Any other fanfic authors who share the same passion as I do for Gatekeepers are welcome to contact me (for permission) if they want to use any situations or interactions portrayed here for their own work.
Author's Note: If you haven't seen the Gatekeepers 21 OVA , stop now and watch it first. This story takes place after the end of episode 4 and into thru most of the final episode. Believe me, it'll make a lot more sense.
Ayane Izuzu felt the bullet pierce her back and explode out from her chest. She collapsed face first onto the sidewalk. As she fell, the left lens of her glasses shattered, the shards flying in all directions. The AEGIS laptop computer she carried everywhere lay in a crumpled heap, its monitor screen was broken from the impact. The tiny bell, her only cherished possession, tinkled as it bounced along the ground. Her trembling hand desperately tried to reach for the bell but it was too far away. Ayane tried to pull herself along the sidewalk, leaving a trail of blood behind her. She couldn't speak; only gurgling sounds that escaped from her mouth. She was still reaching out for that tiny bell when unconsciousness mercifully took her away from the city she hated so much.
Sakota Tachikowa, the gatekeeper of blades, was still collecting Invader crystals when she heard the gunshot. Damn, the feisty teen thought to herself, I'm going to have to finish this later. She opened a small gate and extracted a razor-sharp tanto knife; its blade was eight inches long. Sakota smiled. From this kill alone, I'll be able to go to the Diesel store and pay for a whole new wardrobe. She sprinted towards the underpass and checked to see if any Invaders were lying in wait. She was disappointed. Then, it caught her eye. A few red specks that melded into a liquid path. "No", she whimpered, "It can't be. " She ran faster, tears forming in her eyes. As Sakota hurried towards the prone body of Ayane, she speed dialed Reiji Kageyama's office number.
Thirty-six hours later.
" So, what's your verdict? Will Ayane make it? "
The doctor looked up from the charts she was studying. Her eyes were red and watery from too much strain. From that and other emotions she felt as she looked at Ayane, who was now sleeping in a private wing of the penthouse. Nakitomi Tower is palatial compared to the cramped quarters we had several miles underground Tategami High, the doctor thought to herself. How the times have changed.
Reiji Kageyama waited patiently for the doctor's reply. He wiped away the sweat from his forehead with his prosthetic hand. He had just finished testing the monitoring equipment attached to Ayane's body. He adjusted his jet-black Oakley sunglasses as he checked the heart monitor for the umpteenth time.
" The surgery was successful. If Satoka Tachikowa didn't find her in time, Ayane would have died from the blood loss alone. The imitation recovery gates have already repaired the torn muscle, ligament, and lung tissue that was damaged when the bullet passed through her. Megane and I have already deployed the nanomachines that will finish anything else that we missed. So, Ayane's out of any immediate danger. However, she did suffer a concussion from the fall. Her brain activity according to the EKG monitor is normal but she's lapsed into a coma. It might be awhile before she regains consciousness. "
Dr. Keiko Ochiai, the former private secretary to the Commander of AEGIS-Far East now Chief Surgeon of the International Medical Center for Japan, let her voice trail off. It had been a difficult operation, even with both Megane and Reiji assisting her. Thirty-one years later and she was still looking after the health and well being of the gatekeepers. It still mystified her and the other doctors working with the AEGIS Network: how to synthesize a cure for the adverse physical deterioration that afflicted gatekeepers who overused their power. Thirty-one years later and only more questions than answers. She took a sip of her coffee and made a sour face.
" Is this instant? ", she asked.
" I'm sorry, doctor, " Reiji smiled, " that's all I had left in the kitchen. Starbucks won't be open for another hour. Would you like tea instead? "
" No, this will be fine, thank you. Have you looked at the disk I brought you? "
" Yes. It is an interesting proposal that Fei has brought to the Network. I'll have to discuss it with Jim in London. But it'll have to wait until we discover what the Invaders are up to here in Tokyo. That, and Ayane's recovery take priority over anything else. " It was then that Reji's cell phone chimed.
Reiji looked at the message on his screen. He uttered a curse and turned to Dr. Ochiai. " I'm sorry, would you please excuse me? Urgent business calls. Will you be all right by yourself? "
" Don't worry about me, Kageyama-san. Megane offered to pick me up at the helipad in an hour or so. I'll keep an eye on Ayane and lock up the penthouse before I leave. "
" Arigato. " Reiji picked his car keys on his desk. He took a last look at Ayane's sleeping form. There are days when I curse the gods and wish children like Ayane didn't have to fight anymore. Yet, this is a war we cannot afford to lose. With Ayane injured and Miu refusing to fight, there's only Satoka and myself left to hunt the Invaders. We need more soldiers. Maybe I should seriously consider Fei's offer. Reiji exited the penthouse and took the elevator to the garage level.
Dr. Keiko Ochiai finished updating the charts. She checked the Invader Early Warning System in Reiji's loft to make sure there would be no threat to the recovering Ayane. Satisfied with the monitor reports, Keiko finally looked in on Ayane. She looked so peaceful sleeping in that large bed. Who would have thought Shun would be a father? Keiko thought back to that day in the school clinic where the whole team talked her out of marrying someone she didn't love. Kaoru Kanoe's declaration of her feelings for Shun took them unawares. I'm pretty sure it surprised Ruriko Ikusawa. Keiko gathered up her bag and coat. Goodbye for now, Ayane. She keyed in the security system and took the elevator to the helipad.
Where am I?
Ayane Izuzu woke up feeling woozy. Her head was throbbing with pain. It was then that she noticed her clothes. Instead of being dressed in her Tategami High uniform, she was dressed in a kimono. It was silk and decorated with the hollyhock crest of the Imperial Court in Edo. The kimono was soft to the touch and comfortable besides. She thought it looked familiar but she couldn't think of why. Ayane looked around the room. She was sleeping on a mat with pillows and blankets strewn about. She saw a small table that had a kettle and some cups on it. Ayane went over and poured herself some tea. Ahh, she thought, that's much better. The pain in her head receded and she sat with her back against the table. Did Reiji redecorate while I was gone? Ayane saw a mirror in the corner.
What she saw disturbed her even more.
Ayane looked into the mirror but the image that stared back at her was the girl she was at age four. No glasses to obscure her beautiful face, her eyes big and wide as she started to make faces in the mirror. She remembers falling, falling down. somewhere. It was a city, yeah, that's right. But which city was it where she fell down? Kobe? Osaka? Tokyo? As she was pondering this question, the door to the room slid open. Another girl peered inside and smiled at her. Like Ayane, she too was dressed in a kimono. But the other girl had cranes on her kimono. This other girl was also older, probably in her teens. She had long, flowing hair that was made even more beautiful by a bright ribbon she wore. She continued to smile at Ayane. Ayane was unsure of how to respond.
The older girl continued to smile at her. They looked at each other like that until the teen introduced herself. Ayane felt a chill crawl up her spine. This can't be, she thought to herself, I must have hurt my head harder than I thought.
" Hello, Ayane. My name is Ruriko. Ruriko Ikusawa. There are a lot of things we need to talk about and not enough time to do it in. Let's go for a walk, neh? "
A confused Ayane Izuzu, four years old, took the hand of a ghost. A ghost that haunted the one man she has hated all her life. Her father. The legendary Shun Ukiya.
END CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER ONE = " INTO THE ABYSS "
by Fergie
Disclaimer: All characters are property of Studio Gonzo. This is a fanfic written purely for the enjoyment of other Gatekeepers fans. Do not copy/ distribute/ sell this work. Any other fanfic authors who share the same passion as I do for Gatekeepers are welcome to contact me (for permission) if they want to use any situations or interactions portrayed here for their own work.
Author's Note: If you haven't seen the Gatekeepers 21 OVA , stop now and watch it first. This story takes place after the end of episode 4 and into thru most of the final episode. Believe me, it'll make a lot more sense.
Ayane Izuzu felt the bullet pierce her back and explode out from her chest. She collapsed face first onto the sidewalk. As she fell, the left lens of her glasses shattered, the shards flying in all directions. The AEGIS laptop computer she carried everywhere lay in a crumpled heap, its monitor screen was broken from the impact. The tiny bell, her only cherished possession, tinkled as it bounced along the ground. Her trembling hand desperately tried to reach for the bell but it was too far away. Ayane tried to pull herself along the sidewalk, leaving a trail of blood behind her. She couldn't speak; only gurgling sounds that escaped from her mouth. She was still reaching out for that tiny bell when unconsciousness mercifully took her away from the city she hated so much.
Sakota Tachikowa, the gatekeeper of blades, was still collecting Invader crystals when she heard the gunshot. Damn, the feisty teen thought to herself, I'm going to have to finish this later. She opened a small gate and extracted a razor-sharp tanto knife; its blade was eight inches long. Sakota smiled. From this kill alone, I'll be able to go to the Diesel store and pay for a whole new wardrobe. She sprinted towards the underpass and checked to see if any Invaders were lying in wait. She was disappointed. Then, it caught her eye. A few red specks that melded into a liquid path. "No", she whimpered, "It can't be. " She ran faster, tears forming in her eyes. As Sakota hurried towards the prone body of Ayane, she speed dialed Reiji Kageyama's office number.
Thirty-six hours later.
" So, what's your verdict? Will Ayane make it? "
The doctor looked up from the charts she was studying. Her eyes were red and watery from too much strain. From that and other emotions she felt as she looked at Ayane, who was now sleeping in a private wing of the penthouse. Nakitomi Tower is palatial compared to the cramped quarters we had several miles underground Tategami High, the doctor thought to herself. How the times have changed.
Reiji Kageyama waited patiently for the doctor's reply. He wiped away the sweat from his forehead with his prosthetic hand. He had just finished testing the monitoring equipment attached to Ayane's body. He adjusted his jet-black Oakley sunglasses as he checked the heart monitor for the umpteenth time.
" The surgery was successful. If Satoka Tachikowa didn't find her in time, Ayane would have died from the blood loss alone. The imitation recovery gates have already repaired the torn muscle, ligament, and lung tissue that was damaged when the bullet passed through her. Megane and I have already deployed the nanomachines that will finish anything else that we missed. So, Ayane's out of any immediate danger. However, she did suffer a concussion from the fall. Her brain activity according to the EKG monitor is normal but she's lapsed into a coma. It might be awhile before she regains consciousness. "
Dr. Keiko Ochiai, the former private secretary to the Commander of AEGIS-Far East now Chief Surgeon of the International Medical Center for Japan, let her voice trail off. It had been a difficult operation, even with both Megane and Reiji assisting her. Thirty-one years later and she was still looking after the health and well being of the gatekeepers. It still mystified her and the other doctors working with the AEGIS Network: how to synthesize a cure for the adverse physical deterioration that afflicted gatekeepers who overused their power. Thirty-one years later and only more questions than answers. She took a sip of her coffee and made a sour face.
" Is this instant? ", she asked.
" I'm sorry, doctor, " Reiji smiled, " that's all I had left in the kitchen. Starbucks won't be open for another hour. Would you like tea instead? "
" No, this will be fine, thank you. Have you looked at the disk I brought you? "
" Yes. It is an interesting proposal that Fei has brought to the Network. I'll have to discuss it with Jim in London. But it'll have to wait until we discover what the Invaders are up to here in Tokyo. That, and Ayane's recovery take priority over anything else. " It was then that Reji's cell phone chimed.
Reiji looked at the message on his screen. He uttered a curse and turned to Dr. Ochiai. " I'm sorry, would you please excuse me? Urgent business calls. Will you be all right by yourself? "
" Don't worry about me, Kageyama-san. Megane offered to pick me up at the helipad in an hour or so. I'll keep an eye on Ayane and lock up the penthouse before I leave. "
" Arigato. " Reiji picked his car keys on his desk. He took a last look at Ayane's sleeping form. There are days when I curse the gods and wish children like Ayane didn't have to fight anymore. Yet, this is a war we cannot afford to lose. With Ayane injured and Miu refusing to fight, there's only Satoka and myself left to hunt the Invaders. We need more soldiers. Maybe I should seriously consider Fei's offer. Reiji exited the penthouse and took the elevator to the garage level.
Dr. Keiko Ochiai finished updating the charts. She checked the Invader Early Warning System in Reiji's loft to make sure there would be no threat to the recovering Ayane. Satisfied with the monitor reports, Keiko finally looked in on Ayane. She looked so peaceful sleeping in that large bed. Who would have thought Shun would be a father? Keiko thought back to that day in the school clinic where the whole team talked her out of marrying someone she didn't love. Kaoru Kanoe's declaration of her feelings for Shun took them unawares. I'm pretty sure it surprised Ruriko Ikusawa. Keiko gathered up her bag and coat. Goodbye for now, Ayane. She keyed in the security system and took the elevator to the helipad.
Where am I?
Ayane Izuzu woke up feeling woozy. Her head was throbbing with pain. It was then that she noticed her clothes. Instead of being dressed in her Tategami High uniform, she was dressed in a kimono. It was silk and decorated with the hollyhock crest of the Imperial Court in Edo. The kimono was soft to the touch and comfortable besides. She thought it looked familiar but she couldn't think of why. Ayane looked around the room. She was sleeping on a mat with pillows and blankets strewn about. She saw a small table that had a kettle and some cups on it. Ayane went over and poured herself some tea. Ahh, she thought, that's much better. The pain in her head receded and she sat with her back against the table. Did Reiji redecorate while I was gone? Ayane saw a mirror in the corner.
What she saw disturbed her even more.
Ayane looked into the mirror but the image that stared back at her was the girl she was at age four. No glasses to obscure her beautiful face, her eyes big and wide as she started to make faces in the mirror. She remembers falling, falling down. somewhere. It was a city, yeah, that's right. But which city was it where she fell down? Kobe? Osaka? Tokyo? As she was pondering this question, the door to the room slid open. Another girl peered inside and smiled at her. Like Ayane, she too was dressed in a kimono. But the other girl had cranes on her kimono. This other girl was also older, probably in her teens. She had long, flowing hair that was made even more beautiful by a bright ribbon she wore. She continued to smile at Ayane. Ayane was unsure of how to respond.
The older girl continued to smile at her. They looked at each other like that until the teen introduced herself. Ayane felt a chill crawl up her spine. This can't be, she thought to herself, I must have hurt my head harder than I thought.
" Hello, Ayane. My name is Ruriko. Ruriko Ikusawa. There are a lot of things we need to talk about and not enough time to do it in. Let's go for a walk, neh? "
A confused Ayane Izuzu, four years old, took the hand of a ghost. A ghost that haunted the one man she has hated all her life. Her father. The legendary Shun Ukiya.
END CHAPTER ONE