Author Notes:
Hello everybody. The names Dylan Stalnaker, but i perfer my online persona of Dylonius Funk. This is my first attem pt at fanfic writing, so please be kind :). This was an idea i had running around in myhead for a while after eading some of the excellent Fruba fanfics here. There aren't really any romantic pairings since i couldn't figure out a way to make it fit in the story. There will be action and some angst. I hope you enjoy and give lots and lots of reviews :P
Prologue
She kneeled down in front of the two stones, two simple memorials sitting out in the middle of nowhere. There were no other memorials to keep them company, they were all alone. As she quietly kneeled in prayer, she remembered back to a time several years ago, when the people for whom theses stones memorialized were taken from her. It was a moment that was burned into her memory like a cigarette into a leather couch. She would never forget and that gave her resolve. She knew what she had to do now, and deep down she had always known.
She stood up, and turning around towards the entryway to the underground base she saw an old man standing there. He had come to collect her
"It's time. Are you ready?" he said to her with hardly any trace of emotion. She looked back at the two headstones planted in the ground next to the ramp leading into the ground. If she was right, they would no longer be there soon. Even the fact that there were no bodies actually there, that they had been incinerated long ago, didn't comfort her. The memorial was something she had insisted upon wherever they sit up base, so that none would forget. She hope whoever took up command would see to her wishes and try and save the stones. Turning back, she looked the older man in the eye. "Is it even worth it anymore, Haa-san" she asked with a hint of sadness in her voice. For a second neither of them spoke, then the old man walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. A comforting feeling it was, it reminded her of better times, "That's not for us to decide rida-san, all we can do is what we can and hope for the best. For what it's worth, I will be with you until the end." She looked up into her eye and smiled one her trademark smiles, the one that could make any problem you were feeling go away. "I had no doubt Haa-san. Now let's go, we have history to make, or unmake as the case may be" Together they walked down the ramp into the underground complex. The ramp went down and slammed into the ground tightening up, leavening no mark it had ever been there. All that was there were two unmarked stones. Stones for those who would soon be revenged. Those who were left would see it done, in memory of those who were not. Together they would see this end, one way or another.
Chapter 1
The two people who had just a few minutes ago been having a very emotional moment started walking down the long hallway to the elevator that led to their underground base. One of the few bases left in the AOTZ, it was vital to the effort, and in particular because it was also a lab where most of the weapons research for the war were taking place. And it was where Backtrack was located. The ability to travel through time, something mankind had only dreamed about. Now it was here, and it was to be used to a way no one, not even H.G Wells could have imagined. As they continued down gray sterile corridors soldiers and other base staff would stop what they ere doing to watch in awe as their leader walked past. For her part the leader had a smile or a wave for each of them, and in return received salutes from all the military personnel, even though it wasn't customary to do so. But for her they would do anything. That was the way of the AOTZ, The Army Of The Zodiac. And it's leader, Tohru Honda, had earned every bit of respect that she received. But for her, she sought none of it. Had she had her way, none of this would be as it was. This is why she proceeded down that hall with the old man at her side. Legends in the fight, they were an awe inspiring sight together. Finally they made it to a large chamber, where many high tech machines were hooked up. The center of the chamber contained a circular ring that was wide enough for a human to stand. This was Backtrack. There were others in the room as well. Two males, one with black hair on the neck and white everywhere else, and a young afeminent man of with blond hair, both in the earlier 40's Neither of them looked it though, it was more like mid 30's at worst. Tohru recognized them both from sight and despite it being a unmilitary thing to do, she could help but run over to her friends and give them both a big hug, seeing as how they hadn't seen each other since the two men were sent to the front lines for recon duty.
"Hatsaru, and Momiji, it's wonderful to see you both, I'm glad you could make it" said Tohru her eyes lighting up in joy at seeing her friends.
"Well the enemy has been moving quite slowly since that bashing we gave them near Osaka, so we've been able to let some guys off recon for a bit. I made sure Momiji and I were able to get R&R to see you off. I know the military brass doesn't think highly of us and thinks this plan's nuts, but I made sure they knew that if they didn't give me what I wanted the JDSF would be losing two of it's most experienced forward scouts" Hatsaharu seemed quite please with himself. 'Of course he did that by turning Black and nearly breaking a General's head open" Momiji added. 'Why you little twerp I did no such thing. I simply persuaded him a bit more forcefully than was required" Haru replied, a bit insulted by his friends implication. Tohru could only laugh as this went on, it was the same as it had been, the same Haru and Momiji. Momiji turned to Hatori, "So can this thing REALLY do what you guys say it can?" he asked skeptically, pointing at the device holding the rings in place. "The science is sound, and while I have some doubts considering the source, I don't believe we have any other options". "I wish they could be here, all of them" Haru said quietly, drawing everyone's attention. It was rare for him to get so introspective. Tohru smiled and put a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at her. "They're never gone", she said cheerfully, or as cheerfully as she could. "As long as we remember them, they're always here, with us.". That seemed to make Haru feel beter as he smiled and took Tohrus hand. "So how much longer before this thing's ready to try?" Momiji asked, trying to lighten the mood. Hatori turned to the device."We have all the components in place we simply have to wait until the power source has charged up enough."
"Well I don't know about the rest of you but I'm starving. I say we have a nice lunch together. It may be the last time we're all together, and I want to cherish every moment." said Momiji. Everyone agreed that this was a good idea, so they headed towards the base cafeteria, not knowing that even as they talked and laughed, a dark presence elsewhere was deep in thought.
"Is this all accurate?"
"Yes my lord. Soon they will active the device and we will be prepared for the kill. I have managed to convince those fools that the defeat at Osaka was greater than it really was. Right now two divisions from Kyoto, Okinawa and Tokyo, are prepared to move at your will."
"Excellent, you have done well, General Koreno. Prepare your attack but inform the men that they are not to destroy the device."
"Akito-sama, I don't understand." Koreno replied.
"I thought you wanted to destroy this Backtrack device and kill the Zodaic leaders in one attack.."
"Oh no, my friend. I don't want to kill them. They are like children to me. I don't even plan to kill that foolish bitch Tohru Honda. Instead I want her to return. I have set in motion a plan to help myself from 30 years ago, and when all is done, the Junnichi will be in so much despair they will beg for my comfort and guidance. I will make them rue the day they listened to that foolish creature. Only I can provide their salvation, and when this is over, they will finally realize that."
"An excellent plan as always Akito-sama"
"I did not ask for your opinion. Now send me Master General Takinawa. He will be leading the assault and I have instructions on what to do once the device is captured."
"As you wish my lord."
The conversation ended, one participant wrapped in shadow in the back of a large room, and the other on the floor knelling. The smaller man on the floor got up and wandered out of the room. The man in the shadow stood near the window and looked out, looked out on the world he had created. Soon now he thought. Very soon everything will fall into place, and I will have my Junnichi back, one way or another.