Chapter 3 – The Dark One Attacks!

"The preparations are set, as the morning followed." Enju narrated, as it was the next morning, "After we failed to stop the Dark Ninja, we know a little more about her. And I, Enju Saion-Ji, led our team to the battle. There were a bit of confusion and drama, and not to mention a little headache or two, but either way, it does not matter to me, whatsoever. Lily and Tengge will be our anchor, as the rest of us will search the area. All that's left is the Dark Ninja's location, and we'll have her in control."

Enju pondered, "It's weird, isn't it?" She was sitting alone, concerned and worried.

A woman in long black hair and small pigtails appeared, as she saw Enju. She asked, "Are you Enju-02, uh… Enju Saion-Ji?"

She bowed and said, "My name is Tenma, and I'm like Kikuko 04. I am an android from the fut-."

"I know who you are!" Enju stated, "I mean… I remember who you were, a while back."

"Seems we've met before, have we?"

"Indeed."

Enju narrated, "How could I forget? This is the same android that saved our lives. If it weren't for her and Mariha, we'd be Osakabe-sensei's sex slaves, for the rest of our lives."

She asked, "Uh, why did you call me 02?"

Tenma stated, "No reason. I was thinking we'd use your body for newer models, since our older models were demolished by the Dark Ninja. I figured it's the least I can do, being we're friends from 250 years apart."

Enju smiled and said, "How nice. But I decline. The last time you had models of Akari and Myu, they were in the butterfly effect of your time, and caused you to be destroyed…"

She paused, "Eh? How did I-?"

Tenma nodded, as she said, "I was aware of the betrayal of Yakumo 2000, my sister. But that's all water under the bridge. Yakumo and Osakabe are dismantled and destroyed, for good. So, peace has been restored in Yagami City! …Well, until now…"

"And that's why you picked us to come over to your future, and fix up your damage? To be honest, we're saddened about this whole Dark Ninja situation… and I'll never forgive myself, should we all fail."

"Indeed. Tell me, what is this Dark Ninja in your past like?"

Enju narrated, as she told Tenma, "I told her about what happened long ago… Myu Momochi, lately she had a change of attitude, and a certain matter of wild behavior, including giving Suou-san a taste of her own medicine. Myu was the Dark Ninja from our time, only that she was chosen to release the dark part of herself. However, there is a bit of a weird confusion between her and the Dark Ninja of 2269. But there's no comparisons about her…"

Tenma nodded, as she grew worried, "I know… how you feel. Your time had a horrible drama, but… having to endure the loss of a friend, out of betrayal and hatred… I am not sure how'd I express it."

"I know. But I dread the mission. Should we fail, what happens?"

Tenma was concerned, but she would later reply, "Well, win or lose, no one's getting rid of you. You and your friends already know what goes on in this battle, and no matter what, you lose, then it's minor setbacks."

Tenma thought, "Though I worry about how she'll destroy you… much as what happened, long ago, back at the Yagami Inn… But I can't let them be defeated."

She held Enju's hand and said, "At any rate, you'll do just fine. Word of advice…"

She whispered into her ear, and then Enju widened her eyes in disbelief, "No…"

Tenma silently nodded, as she walked off. Enju was shocked, but she narrated, "What did Tenma mean? I know we won't fail, but… her words were cut deep… If you break apart or break down, you will be fixed…"

Kikuko returned, as she instructed, "How's it going? I hear that you're on patrol, looking for the Dark Ninja?"

Enju said, "Uh, yes. We are. We're all going into battle, and Tenma says that we will not fail."

"She did, huh? Well, I approve of her decision. Just know this… If we fail, who knows what may befall on you girls?"

Enju thought, "Yeah… We will be fixed… But I wonder what she meant?"

Kikuko offered, "My men will be on standby, if any injuries will befall. I'll be monitoring your actions, today, and will see if you have what it takes to survive the Dark Ninja. Anyways, have you decided where she'll strike?"

Enju said, "Not yet. But we do know it's somewhere near the northeastern part of the city, as there are a bunch of reports of delinquents being brutally beaten up, after a bloodied brawl with the Dark Ninja."

Kikuko smirked, "A 85% chance of appearance… Your probability of victory: 14%?"

"Huh? What that low percentage?"

"Because, there's seven of you, and you girls are experienced andr-, ohhh… and really flexible. I mean, you're ninjas!"

Enju glared at her, "Are you hiding something?"

Kikuko sighed, "Sorry. I almost said androids. The boss says that she wants to model you girls for newer models, after the Dark Ninja is destroyed!"

Enju said, "Yes, that's what Tenma said. However, I refused, on the grounds that in our time, Akari's body blueprints were presented here, causing a disastrous temporal time paradox."

"Oh?" Kikuko gasped.

Enju nodded, as she stated, "But that's all taken care of, and acted as if the Myu and Akari Robots never existed. Once you change something from the past, the future alters. Tenma's future was altered, in favor of the model, Yakumo 3000, her sister."

Kikuko stated, "I was aware of that. Yakumo 3000 was a defective model. She was purely bossy, uptight, and evil. She was jealous of Tenma 2000's perfections, being she is a model worker. Not to mention that she has a thing for Mari Hakenji, her lover."

Enju smiled, "I think I knew of her… but same sex robot girl relationships?! Ew. Give that to Suou-san, and she'll drool over the whole girls' love fiasco! Hentai."

Kikuko smirked, "Oh, I don't like gay lovers… especially lesbians. Give me the old fashioned boy harem thing…"

Enju smiled, "You know, when you say that, you remind us of the Kikuko-san from our time, being a fan of those dating sims for girls."

Kikuko said, "And yet they are still around, since we are the wave of the future. Video games exist, still! Anime, not so much. All the best ideas were done to death…"

Enju narrated, "She's like Kikuko-san, only she's bored out of her head. No wonder she's got about days left in her operating systems."

Enju asked, "Miss Kikuko… Pardon me for asking… but how long do you have left to live, before Kikuko-san 05 comes out?"

Kikuko stated, "Well… the android 05 model is still in its final test runs… and I'm already in working condition… I'd say about 10 days left."

"Wow… Ten days?"

"Well, approximately… By then, Kikuko 05 will be prepared."

"Sweet. I mean, I'm sorry to hear that. And if Kikuko 05 will be up-and-running, while you're alive, what happens to you?"

"Well, my memories will be transferred to the prime Kikuko 05 unit… and this body will be destroyed and dismantled. Or… they can just copy and paste my Loli personality, and give me reports of what I've done, during my time as the Kikuko 04."

Enju narrated, "No wonder Kazuki resents her. She's immortal, even in android form."

Kikuko said, "Well, since you girls are very prepared, lemme introduce you to two of my technicians, who will provide assistance."

She showed two men, one in short black hair and dark skin, and one with pale skin and brown hair, as they bowed to them. Kikuko 04 stated, "These two men will be offering to repair you-, uh, repair any injuries, if the battle ends in severe injuries."

Enju replied, "I understand. They are the robot repairmen?"

The man in black hair said, "We also work double as doctors, ma'am. My name's Harlow, and this is Derek."

Derek said, "Good afternoon, Miss Saion-Ji."

Enju bowed, "Good afternoon to you two. Well, we won't be needing you, since we can handle things. But if we do get injured, we'll let you known."

The technicians agreed, as Kikuko smiled, "Splendid. Once you have your full report on the Dark Ninja, we'll be happy to take her down, once and for all!"

Enju leaves, as Harlow asked, "Miss Kikuko… Does she know who she is, already?"

Kikuko said, "Almost. She almost suspects the truth."

Derek whispered, "I agree. We'll keep close tabs on her and her friends. Just remember, they may be human, but they're still delicate."

Kikuko responded, "This is my call. If we fail, then I will regret forcing my hand into this. These girls helped save Mariha and Tenma from a future to have become bleak in despair. Make sure that they're prepared, before the battle truly begins."

They bowed and said, "Yes, ma'am."

Enju already left, as Kikuko watches on in sadness. She then growled, "Crap… What'll I do, should they fail?"

That evening, the girls divided into three groups: Tengge and Lily, Yamabuki and Nanao, and Akari, Enju, & Ricka. They split up into three different areas in the city. They contacted each other in earpiece headsets.

"This is Saion-Ji, to all units." She spoke, "Is everything clear?"

Akari said, "All clear on this end."

Ricka stated, "All clear on my side."

Nanao said, "No trouble here… but at least that's a good sign."

Lily said, "No signs."

Tengge replied, "No disturbances."

Yamabuki smiled, "All clear, fam."

Enju said, "Great. Stay sharp, and remember, there is a 14% chance we succeed… I don't like the odds, but we have to work as a team. Lily, Tengge-san, save your strength, since you're our strongest."

Lily asked, "But aren't you, Ricka, and Akari the strongest?"

Akari said, "Not really. You two are experienced Ex-Obnubi Ninjas."

Tengge said, "But I hardly did much, long ago…"

Akari sniffled, "Oh, right… I forgot…"

Tengge stated, "When we get back, I have a score to settle with the Yatagarasu. This will be practice on this Dark Ninja, before the real deal."

Enju remarked, "NO KILLING! If she were to be captured, she must be detained! Harlow and Derek will handle her, being they're doctors."

Lily said, "We'll take Sector 12, and you guys take Sector 7."

Yamabuki replied, "We'll be in the middle of the town, in-between. Look at the debris in the pavement. Must be the work of her fierce weaponry."

Nanao added, "Quite the groundskeeper work for destruction."

Yamabuki and Nanao examined the asphalt, all cracked and mangled, as they were the work of the Dark Ninja.

XXXXX

Akari, Enju, and Ricka departed to another part of town, as Lily and Tengge stayed behind, examining the dark part of the city.

"So, this is what Yagami City looks like, at night…" Tengge replied, "It looks scary…"

Lily shushed her, "Stay on your toes, Tengge. It's too quiet…"

She put on her mask and looked around, walking in stealth. Armed with a spear, she traveled around the city, as Tengge has her Full Moon Fan, a huge folding fan. They searched the city, as they spotted two men, lying on the ground, badly scuffed.

"OH!" Tengge gasped.

The Dark Ninja appeared, as she struck down with her whip. She then turned to the two ninjas, "Well, surprised that you located me, dolls."

Lily asked, "Dolls?" She then barked, "Dark Ninja, this method of your dark dealings has to end! How dare you harm others, for your own brand of justice?"

Dark Ninja smirked, as she leapt up, and sat down on the fence, "With all due respect… There is a reason why I did all that… These people are so mean and cruel that they would force their hand onto their own opposite race. Androids should be treated with respect, and there are those that want to abolish them, preventing an end to the human race. I concur, but what would that make the android side? Are they evil, as they want to be the superior race? I think not. All people that do not obey the protocols of justice and heart will suffer! I, alone, am able to correct the right that is wronged. Humans should be in peace with robots, not this anti-android alliance or coalition, since most human beings are technophobes!"

Tengge asked, "Technophobic people, and they would-. Seriously?! They'd rebel against one another?! Is that why? Idiot, you know it works in the movies! Humans have to accept the new race, even in this bonkers world. If they do not get along, what else?"

Lily stated, "And what you do is brutally cruel! The human race deserves better, not from an unjustified busty ninja with no morale!"

Dark Ninja sneered, "What about you two? I suppose I have known much about you… Senpais."

They gasped, as she continued, "I overheard that you think of me as someone else. But you're close. I'm the real Dark Ninja, and I'll destroy anyone that is evil. If it makes you angry, I don't mind it. After all, I wasn't born or built to last, listening to sob stories about humanity's end. No! I'm not!"

She stood up and said, holding her whip, "I'm just… you could say… a guardian angel for both sides… only you'd flip a coin, to decide whose side I am on! So, ask me! Am I good? Either way, the most important part about being a hero to the race of your choice… … …is that you make your own choices."

Lily growled, "Damn you…"

Dark Ninja smiled, "I grow tired of this… Now, what do you say we end this charade?"

She struck at Tengge and Lily. They dodged out of the way, as Tengge roared, "YOU!"

Dark Ninja tripped her down, landing on her breasts. She held her whip high and shouted, "Now… Where to start? Want to know what I'm guessing about you two troublemaking toys? Well, here's why!"

SNAP!
Dark Ninja struck down, as Lily shrieked, "TENGGE!"

Meanwhile, Nanao and Yamabuki were searching the area, as Nanao was timid. Yamabuki whispered, "Keep on your toes, Nanao. I'll contact for anything weird. This is where the last battle took place."

Nanao contacted Lily, but there was no answer. Nanao called, "Lily! Lily?! Hey, speak up! You hear me?"

She called, "Bad news. We lost reception on Lily and Tengge! What's worse is that I cannot contact Kikuko!"

Yamabuki barked, "Calm down! Er'ry time this happens… Damn it, you! Dark Ninja, no… Dark Myu! Show yourself, you coward!"

"Dark Myu?"

"That was the name of our Dark Ninja in our time."

"There's no way. Besides, we didn't catch a look on her face, but she has pink hair and huge boobs!" Nanao complained, and then blushed, "I bet Yagami Inc. Robots are less than busty… but how can they move, while they're backs are uncomfortable?"

She drooled, "How I wish of Yagami Robots with big boobs~! I would be honored, comparing my boobs to them~!"

"And I thought you were insecure of your boobies."

"I am…" Nanao moaned, "It was a stupid dream…"

Yamabuki sensed the Dark Ninja, as she called, "MOVE!"

A black shuriken struck down. They turned to the Dark Ninja, as she smirked, "Hah! Why must you be so insecure over your boobs? Mine are exceptional!"

Nanao sobbed, "Well, this is the end…"

Yamabuki called, "No, it's not! We can't contact Lily and Tengge, so, we'll attack her, right now!"

They prepared, as Nanao held up her bow, while Yamabuki prepared her giant brush. Dark Ninja smirked, "How pitiful…"

Nanao fired, "Hold still, you tyrant!"

She shot arrows at the Dark Ninja, but she deflected it with a chakram in her wrist. Nanao cried, "BUT HOW? I thought I improved!"

Dark Ninja laughed, "You're stupid… I thought I'd enjoy catching arrows."

Yamabuki called, "You forgot about me!" She held up a paper and called, "ARISE-!"

RIIIIIIP!
The Dark Ninja slashed the paper with her whip, as she said, "How useless."

Yamabuki sobbed, "NO! Even this Myu-Myu knows how to interrupt my Puppet Jutsu!"

She was struck by the whip, and fell to the ground. Nanao shrieked, "YAMABUKI!"

She thought, "NO! She's down… again! I have to heal her! But I can't let this ninja know about me!"

Dark Ninja smiled, "Why act so glum? Are you angry at me? Hmm? Yamabuki's rendered immovable… just like the rest…"

Nanao gasped, as she roared, "Damn you… You would attack our friends?! Like that?"

Dark Ninja snickered, "Oh, puh-lease… Why would I destroy your friends, easily? Let's say… I demolished them! Don't believe me, have a look…"

Yamabuki was slowly getting up, but Nanao saw a gash on her chest. She growled, as the Dark Ninja smirked evilly. Nanao prepared, as she called, "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS! FIRE!"

She fired a barrage of arrows, but she caught the last arrow and said, "Aw, how pathetic. You're supposed to be a healer? HEAL THIS, YOU NURSEMAID REJECT!"

She threw the arrow towards Nanao, as Nanao shrieked, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

STAB!
She was stabbed in the stomach, and stumbled down on her back. She croaked, as she was fading, "Ah… Pain… Why? How?"

Dark Ninja approached a downed Nanao, as she held up another arrow, and she said, "You know… I like you better with you being insecure… But I prefer being dead, than anything else…"

STAB!
She jabbed another arrow, straight into her chest. Nanao's vision faded, as it went to black.

Moments later, Enju contacted Kikuko, but to no avail. Enju called, "Kikuko! KIKUKO! This is Saion-Ji! We lost contact with everyone! MAYDAY!"

Kikuko suddenly responded, "I'm sorry… But the radio signals have been jammed! Dark Ninja's hacked into our communications, and I lost contact with the others! I'll have it fixed up, before you know it!"

She added, "Also, the map is still up and running, but I'll send EVACs to bring your friends in! The Dark Ninja's heading to your direction!"

Akari called, "ON IT!"

They dashed off, as the Dark Ninja was waiting. Akari roared, "You twisted monster!"

Enju called, "You'll pay for this!"

Ricka said, "We'll not let you win!"

The Dark Ninja appeared in the shadows, as she said, "Well, well, well… All that was left… is you three…"

Akari asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Enju snarled, "You… You were the ones who jammed our communications grid! Now we cannot contact for help!"

Dark Ninja smiled, "Oh, I didn't do anything. Actually, I had a run-in with your friends… and I destroyed them all… the tall ones, the nerds, and now, the basic harem girls… all obsolete!"

They gasped, as Akari wept, "No… Nanao? Yamabuki?"

Enju sobbed, "Lily… Tengge-san…"

Ricka was coated in an icy aura and roared, "You… Myu-Myu, you are a twisted fiend!"

She charged at her, "DIE!"

Dark Ninja held her whip and said, "We'll do things the hard way, I see… YOU DIE!"

SNAP!
Ricka was snapped in the face, but she ducked out of the way. Ricka slashed towards the Dark Ninja, only to avoid each swipe. Myu laughed, "Oh, what thrills! Let's have a little fun, you dirty droid!"

Ricka roared, "SHUT UP! BLIZZARD!"

A huge snowstorm appeared, as Enju called, "LIGHTNING!" And she shot lightning at her.

Akari called out, firing a huge stream of fire at Dark Ninja, "Flame Jutsu – Koketsu!"

But the Dark Ninja was unaffected by the attacks. She brushed them off, like it was a child's plaything.

"Is that your best?" Dark Ninja smiled, showing herself. "I guess you're weak enough, as it is…"

She leapt towards Akari, but Ricka slashed upwards, "AKARI!"

SLASH!
She was struck in the face, as Ricka snarled, "Myu-Myu… You're a bad girl…"

Dark Ninja snarled, "You… Why… would you… hurt me… like that?"

She kneeled down and was badly hurt. Enju called, "Facts are made easily! There's now three of us, and only one of you! You're finished, Dark Ninja!"

Dark Ninja held her right cheek, as it was slashed off a bit. She smirked, "Actually… You're the ones that will be finished, for good… You actually beat me? I ALREADY WON!"

She struck her whip at Enju, but Akari shoved her out of the way. She avoided the whip strike, but the whip aimed at Ricka. She gasped, "Wha-?"

Akari and Enju screamed, "RICKA!"

SMASH!
The Dark Ninja struck Ricka's face, dead-on, and suddenly, her face fell off. Dark Ninja dispersed, as she covered her scratch with a black bandage. Akari sobbed, "No… Ricka?"

Enju called, "Machiyuki-san! NO, Don't tell me… Machiyuki-san! MACHIYUKI-SAN!"

She was faced down, as Enju was pleading to her. Akari called, "Hang on! I'll find help!"

She suddenly saw Ricka's face and said, "Huh… OH! Her face!"

She called to Enju, "I found her face! Now… How do we put it back on her, while she's lying on the ground?"

Enju gasped in horror, "WHAT?!" She then looked at Ricka's face and gasped, "Oh… No… No, it's… … … It can't be…"

Akari asked, "What's wrong? How's Ricka?"

Enju turned Ricka's body around, and she and Akari gasped in complete fright, seeing Ricka's face. Her face was exposed, showing LED lights for eyes, a speaker for a mouth, and wires and chrome. Ricka is a robot!

Enju gasped, "Machi… yuki? San?"

Akari shivered, "Wha-? Ricka's a robot?! But how?"

Dark Ninja snickered, as Akari growled, "You bastard! What have you done to Ricka? YOU MANIAC!"

Dark Ninja smiled, "Oh, just so you know… There were a lot of Yagami Inc. Robots that wanted to capture me. About 40 of them… and in one move, they all failed… like you…"

She grinned evilly, as Akari seethed, "Damn you… You rotten… And… and we cared for you… like you were our own… WHY NOW?"

Enju was in complete shock, as Akari was furious. Dark Ninja revealed her full face, as she grinned, with her eyes pink and her smile curled. Akari gasped, "That face… No… It's not true…"

Dark Myu laughed, "That's right. I am the Dark Ninja, Myu Momochi. And I come bearing justice to those that defy my order. You say it… Your Myu Momochi was the Dark Ninja, a vessel that harbors the dark persona of one's self – meaning me… I'm this timeline's Dark Myu, the Myu that wants to be free and be her own ninja! I'm your Myu-Myu… Akari-Senpai!"

She cackled, as Akari roared, "Why? WHY, MYU?! WHHHHHHHHHHHY?"

She charged at her, but Dark Myu avoided the attack. She kicked her down, and she crashed into the garbage cans, lying down on the floor.

Enju narrated, as she was lost for words, "Machiyuki's a robot… It can't be… It just can't! While Akari is fighting this Dark Ninja, I'm completely stunned by what I just saw! The faceplate… the circuitry… the firm shiniest of her skin… her… her… No… If… If she's a robot… then…"

Enju shrieked, "WHAT IS GOING OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON?!"

Next Chapter Preview

(Two girls appear in the background of Mizaki School)

(Tengge): It's time for the special Next Chapter Preview, with me, Tengge.

(Lily): And me, Lily.

(Tengge): Don't worry, we're okay. But the end of the chapter finally reveals a huge twist…

(Lily): Indeed. We're all robots. Of course, Enju thinks of that… But we're not sure why… Ricka's a robot, but what about us? Is this a trick? Or were we changed, like before? Something doesn't add up.

(Tengge): Poor Enju… Seeing Ricka down, makes her so scared.

(Lily): Scared nothing! We now know that Yamabuki and Nanao are dead, and that Myu has become a sentient evil ninja, with no end to her evil powers!

(Tengge): I know… This all feels sad. Please do not say that this will be the final chapter!

(Lily): Right. But for now, let's finish the preview. Our fates are revealed. If breaking off Ricka's face is one thing, what about the rest of us? Dark Ninja, no, Dark Myu was able to best most of us. However, in the next chapter, it'll be a very devastating showing.

(Tengge): No… I can't die again!

(Lily): You never died. But how will Kikuko-san pan this out, and will we ever save the world?

(Tengge): Here's a thought… Will we ever go home?

(Lily): You'll have to find out, in the next chapter. Stay tuned for Chapter 4 of "The Dark Ninja Rises".

(Tengge): "Dismantling Defeat"… What awaits you may be shocking.