Chapter 24: Allegiance

Sasaki slowly opened her eyes and found herself in a hospital bed. Her arm had been reattached and was heavily bandaged. Two nurses were outside. As she sat up she realized a heavy collar was around her neck and she couldn't use any of her powers. Then the door to her room opened and Hikaru and Kurumi walked in.

"So, this is Sasaki?" Kurumi asked. Hikaru nodded. "How are you feeling?"

"Why are you keeping me alive?" Sasaki asked. "I'll never betray Lord Derek."

"Actually, it's only thanks to Hikaru that you're still alive," Kurumi said. "I wanted to kill you, but Hikaru insisted on helping you."

"Why?"

"Information," Hikaru answered. "I want to know the location of Derek's base."

"I'll never tell you!"

"I can take the information from you're mind, but there is a chance it would kill you."

"Then do it. It's the only way you'll get anything out of me," Sasaki said.

"Why are you so loyal to Derek?" Hikaru asked. "What did he do for you? He created you and sent you out to fight. Did he ever give you anything? Did he ever SAY anything?"

"He created me, gave me a purpose, and I failed him," Sasaki replied, a tear running down her cheek. Hikaru wiped it away.

"You failed him because he didn't care about you. I've been where you are. When I was reborn into the body I have now, I was scared and confused just like you are now. But Bloom, Kurumi and the others helped me, helped me to find my place. We can help you too."

"I know what you're trying to do," Sasaki said. "You're trying to make me doubt Lord Derek and betray him. It won't work."

"I'm just trying to help you see beyond what Derek has told you. You have the power to become more than you are," Hikaru replied. "Tell me, what does Derek want?"

"To bring order and peace to the anime realms," Sasaki answered.

"Oh really? Let me show you something." Hikaru placed her hands on either side of Sasaki's face and suddenly she found herself floating above a burning city. "This is what Derek's parents did in their attempts to 'bring peace' to the anime realms." Sasaki saw Invaders and Zerevire slaughtering men, women and children by the thousands. The streets flowed with blood. Dead bodies were so thick you could walk across the city with your feet never once touching pavement. "Ten million people died in this city. They posed no threat; they were simply used as an example. Derek looks at his parents with pride. He wants to follow in their footsteps. Is this what you want to be a part of?" Hikaru brought them closer to the ground where they watched helpless people die one after another. They watched children cut down as they ran in terror. Sasaki was beginning to cry. Hikaru waited a few moments, then broke the connection. Sasaki was back in her bed, tears dripping down her face.

"So, what do you think?" Kurumi asked. "Is Derek still as great as you believed?"

"H-he didn't do those things! He never would!" Sasaki defiantly replied.

"Are you sure?" Hikaru asked. "He's already attacking other anime realms. Thousands are already dead. How long before he starts destroying cities? How long before he starts massacring entire realms? Think about that Sasaki." Hikaru and Kurumi left.

…

"Do you think she'll be of any use to us?" Kurumi asked Hikaru as they entered Central Command. Hikaru had made a brief stop at her room and picked up Angel and her mobile persocom Kurumi.

"I'm not sure. Derek made her to be loyal to him, but she has so few memories. If we can get her to feel anger toward him she should join us. Have Washu send over the same information she showed me. That should help Sasaki make her decision." Kurumi nodded. They both reached the main control chamber where dozens of persocom officers monitored the situations in the different realms.

"Mistress Hikaru. I have the status report you requested," one of the persocoms said, holding out a data chip.

"Thank you," Hikaru replied, feeding the chip into Kurumi's ear. Her eyes glazed for a few moments.

"Derek's forces have attacked five realms, including the Chobits realm, the Vandread realm and the Tenchi realm. All attacks have been defeated, though the Chobits realm has sustained heavy damage."

"I'm sorry," Hikaru said. "The Chobits realm is your home."

"I'm all right Hikaru. After Derek is defeated the realms can be restored."

"You've certainly changed recently."

"Oh, and you haven't?"

Hikaru smiled. "Good point. So, do you think Sasaki will join us?"

"Hm, not sure, but if she does I already have a persocom designed for her. All we have to do is build it."

"Well, I hope she joins us too. It would definitely help us in locating Derek's base and ending this war quickly. Also, she's cute enough to be my younger sister. I've always wanted a sister."

"Well then I hope she makes the right choice," Kurumi replied.

…

Derek watched proudly as the Maguar were dissected and their DNA analyzed.

"Soon my army will be unstoppable," Derek said.

"Indeed," Dr. Satome agreed. "I believe our next target should be the Tenchi realm again. If we can assimilate a Tree Ship, our space force will be unstoppable."

"But the Empire of Juria is extremely powerful Dr. Our initial push into the Tenchi realm was completely annialated within minutes."

"We can do it. But first we should test Kiriko's new powers. She should be emerging from her chamber in a few minutes."

"Then let's go and greet her."

Satome and Derek walked the short distance to the genetics lab. Kiriko's chamber was just beginning to open. Steam and fluid gushed out. Kiriko emerged a moment later, her sky blue hair plastered to her still dripping skin. Her red eyes quickly scanned the room around her. She saw the two guards at the door and, in a move so fast she was nearly invisible, Kiriko used her Diclonius vectors to tear both guard to pieces. Their blood splashed over Kiriko, who zipped back to her original position. She then bowed to Derek.

"Hello Master."

"Hello Kiriko. How do you feel?"

"Fine. A little hungry."

"Come with me then. We'll get you something to wear and I'll have meal brought to you."

"Thank you," Kiriko replied.

"Satome, continue troop production. I'll join you soon."

"Yes sir," Dr. Satome replied, walking off.

…

Derek waited as Kiriko chose cloths to wear. She finally settled on a black v-neck shirt and black pants.

"How do I look?"

"You look prefect," Derek replied. "Now come on. It's time for you to eat something, and after that your training will begin."

"I can't wait." As the two of them walked down the hallway, Derek couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. At last, Hikaru was going to die, and this time he was sure of it.

How was that? So, will Sasaki betray Derek and join Hikaru? Will Kiriko be strong enough to beat Hikaru? Will the Tenchi realm be able to resist Derek's attack? Find out in the next exciting chapter. See ya then, and don't forget to review!

ENTILZA