Academy Chronicles: Rise of the Skylanders

Chapter 4: Devising a Plan

"Well, that went about as well as I expected…"

I rubbed the temples of my head, frustrated at what just transpired. Makoto did tell me Kyosuke was a stubborn guy, but sheesh…

Me, Sayaka, the other Disciples, Makoto and Kyoko walked with me out of the conference room as we discussed the refusal to form a team capable to stop threats regular humans can't handle.

"I understand Kyosuke's paranoia, Sonic. After being brought on to lead the Future Foundation again, he takes his role very seriously," Kyoko piped up. "Alas, though, I'm with you here."

I turn to Kyoko and sigh. "Thanks."

Neptune then snapped her fingers. "Ooooh! Idea! How about we try hypnotism! Pop Fizz can brew a potion, we slip it in his coffee and we make him approve your proposal! Ehhhh? Come on, it's a pretty genius idea."

Pop Fizz rubbed his hands. "Oh-ho! I'll start brewin' the recipe!"

Homura, being the skeptic as ever turned to the purple haired Disciple. "And when he snaps out of it?"

"Oh, it's simple. Just make sure to put more potion mix in his coffee on a regular basis!" Neptune confidently replied. "Fool-proof!"

Makoto sheepishly scratched his head. "I'm… not sure if that's a good long term plan."

Neptune shrugged. "Well, I got nothin' then."

Our group was then met with silence.

"…So, can I make the brew or not?" Pop Fizz asked.

I began to rub my chin… or, you could say the lower half of my body considering I'm one big circle. "We just need to find some way to convince Kyosuke. If we can gather some sort of evidence that LOSE is planning something too dangerous to handle as we are now, he's gotta approve the idea!"

"So, you're saying we investigate for evidence of any major LOSE plans?" Madoka asked.

"Pre-cise-ly!" I confirmed.

Sayaka nodded in agreement, but also a bit of doubt can be seen on her face. "Yeah, but… where do we start? There are countless worlds out there and we don't have the time to search them all if they do have a plan brewing, you know?"

"True. Guess we need to narrow down our options…" I grumbled, tapping my foot.

"It's a good thing you have me, then."

Sayaka turned to Kyoko. Her eyes practically lid up. "For real? You'll help us investigate?!"

Kyoko nodded with a small smile. "Yes, I suppose my reports can wait. Maybe I can have Alter-Ego carry the rest out."

She then turned to her boyfriend. "Sorry, Makoto. I suppose that date will have to wait until later."

Makoto didn't seem distraught at all. "Y-Yeah, sure. I mean, it's just a silly date. The fate of the world is more important and all."

…Okay, he was slightly distraught.

"Well, with the Ultimate Detective on our side, there's no way LOSE can't be sniffed out!" I chuckled.

Me and Sayaka then fist bump, celebrating our first step to victory. Still, it's a long road ahead.

Suddenly, we heard Kyoko's name get called out from afar

"Kirigiri!"

We turned to see Byakuya Togami standing before us. "I have an order for you sent by Mr. Borg."

"What does he want, now?" Makoto asked.

The wealthy teenager whipped out a clipboard and adjusted his glasses. "Reports of a security breach in the server room has reached Alter-Ego's scanners. Someone has entered the room unauthorized."

Sayaka frowned. "Someone's trying to steal files?!"

Byakuya nodded. "Most likely. The cameras went out for a moment before the break in. Once everything went back up, we saw five members already investigating the opened door."

He then gritted his teeth. "However, I don't trust them to pick up on any clues in time. So, I ask you to use your detective skills to figure this out."

Kyoko accepted this task with a small hum. "Very well, I'll look into it."

Byakuya then walked off. Kyoko turned and gestured us to follow her.

"Wait, why do you need us?" Tails asked, beginning to walk her way.

Kyoko gave a small smirk. "Something tells me we're going to find what we're looking for."

We all looked at each other. Is this a simple hunch from Kyoko, or had she already put some pieces together?

Wasting no time, we followed her to the elevator.

Pop Fizz, who was the closest to the control panel inside the elevator proceeded to inch his finger towards one of the buttons. "Neeext stop, Server Room!"

"Pop Fizz, that's the button which leads to the cafeteria… idiot." Homura slapped Pop Fizz's hand away and presses the appropriate button.

"Heh! Sorry! Stomach's making the choices again!" Pop Fizz laughed it off as the elevator began its descent.

"…But seriously, though. Can I make that hypnosis brew just in case?"

The gremlin alchemist was then assaulted with a unified "NO!"