I don't own Kamen Rider Kabuto or Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne, those belong to their creators. This is for fun, not profit.
Chapter 13: A Lolita in Kamogawa
In the skies of Kamogawa, things were calm, then suddenly flying in the sky were the Vox belonging to Lan and Muginami, after settling her issues with her friends, Muginami had renamed Vox Ignis as Hupo.
Muginami was following behind Lan until she caught up and spun around Orca before she sped up which caused Lan's cockpit to shake.
"Muginami! That's dangerous!" Lan told her.
"Lan-chan, you're so slow!" Muginami said with a playful tone, and Lan smiled.
"Why you-!" Lan said before she pushed down her controls to make Orca go faster.
Then the two Vox were now flying beside each other, inside their respective machines both Lan and Muginami smiled at each other.
"Out of the way! Out of the way!" Madoka said in their coms as she flew past between them at high speed.
Lan was startled at first before she smiled at Madoka in Midori.
"Madoka!"
"Now you've done it!" Muginami said.
Midori spun around for a bit before Madoka turned and smiled at her friends.
"Whoops, sorry!" Madoka said.
Lan and Muginami smile at each other.
"Muginami!" Lan said and Muginami saluted.
"Roger that!" She said before they sped up to catch up to Madoka.
"Here we go, Midori!" Madoka said before she and the others pulled up and flew up in the sky.
In the Pharos base, the commander staff were watching the Vox flying in the sky along with the Riders and Moid.
"Look at them go." Tetsu said.
"Man, I'm so jealous. Wish I could fly around in a cool toy like that." Maito said with a pout.
"There's no reason to pout about it." Tetsu said.
"Commentary aside, they're as agile as cats." Moid said.
"It's mostly due to their crafts' capabilities." Tadokoro said with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Even so, standard fighter planes are no match for them now."
The commander was about to drink his coffee, but then the three Vox flew in front of the command room which caused a shake and Tadokoro spilled his coffee on his shirt.
The Vox then flew up in the sky. Tadokoro was looking at his now stained shirt before he called out to one of the operators.
"Uehara! Tell those three not to fly into space." He told her.
"Yes, sir!" She said before she chuckled.
Tadokoro leans on his chair and tries to clean his shirt with a napkin.
"Given how much fun they're having, safe to say, Muginami is feeling a lot better now." Mirai said, and Souji nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. Same with Mado-chi too." Souji said.
"Then it's a good thing that Villagiulio hasn't made any moves lately." Moid said.
"However, we can't expect him to leave quietly." Tadokoro said.
"You're right about that." Moid said, but Souji looked at him in suspicion.
"But at the same time, we don't know what his next move is. Unless you know something about it." Souji said.
Moid shrugged.
"Don't look at me. I'm not a mind reader. I really have no idea what that man is thinking right now." Moid told him.
"Sure you do." Souji said.
That's when one of the operators received a transmission.
"Cap, you have an outside call." He told him.
"Okay…" Tadokoro said before he pressed on his earpiece. "This is Pharos, Tadokoro speaking. What? At what time?"
He then checked his watch for the time and his eyes widened before he stood up and shouted.
"That means he's practically here!"
The Riders were surprised to see him shout like that.
"Wow! What's up with you?" Maito asked.
The three Vox pilots soon received a transmission from Uehara.
"Calling all Vox Units. Return to base immediately."
"The base?" Madoka said.
"What? But we were just starting to have fun!" Muginami said.
That's when Tadokoro appeared on another screen as he was leaning close to Uehara.
"Just get back here stat!" He told them.
"Tadokoro-san?"
"The chairman will arrive at Pharos shortly!" He told them.
"What chairman?" Madoka asked.
"Our boss, the chairman of Novumundus!" Tadokoro answered.
Tetsu then whispers to Maito.
"Looks like you got your answer."
"Yeah. So, I guess that means we're meeting the boss who runs this place." Maito said.
"Seems like it." Souji said as he wondered what sort of person this chairman is.
(Play Next Level by YU-KI)
(Instrumental) (As the song begins the screen is covered by insect wings which soon fall apart revealing Kamen Rider Kabuto in Masked Form. The next show Kabuto in Rider Form arrives being by Worms. He gets ready for battle as the next scene shows him riding on the Kabuto Extender.)
(Kimi ga negau koto nara. Subete genjitsu ni naru darou. Erabareshi mono naraba.) (Kabuto continues to drive in a wide open area in which he is soon replaced by Souji, Hiyori, Madoka, Lan, and Muginami walking in different paths. The next is a meteor crashing into a city.)
(Bousou wo hajimeteru.) (The next scene shows how many Worms can disguise as normal people. The scene soon shows lights in the sky by a tower.)
(Sekai wo moto ni modosu ni wa mahout. Jikan ga nai.) (Scene shows Souji on his bike, getting off, and walking away. Meanwhile a ZECT van was going to a Worm attack scene.)
(Moving Fast. Kokoro mo. Tokei hashirase.) (Hiyori looks at her family photo. A child Madoka, was looking at the ocean. Lan was working at Hiroshi's restaurant but was clumsy carrying the dishes. And a child Muginami was feeding a young weak Villagulio.)
(Ashita no sono saki e) (Souji was standing back-to-back with Kabuto Masked Form. Next, a child, Souji and Hiyori, was crying at their parent's funeral.)
(Kimi no tonan tatakau tabi. Umarekawaru. Nani mieru. Speed koeteku motion.) (Kabuto uses Cast Off and transforms into his Rider Form. He shows off his Clock Up as he runs past the frozen explosions.)
(Ittai jibun negai. Dare no tsuyosa. Shinjirareru.) (Hiyori cried as green slime dropped from the ceiling.)
(Kousoku no vision minogasu-na. Tsutie koreru nara.) (Kabuto starts fighting in Clock Up before the screen is covered by insect wings and soon the logo.)
Tadokoro along with Moid, the Riders, and Vox pilots were standing on the shipyard as a large and expensive looking yacht had docked close to them.
The Riders question if it was really alright to be here, Tadokoro said that it was and that the chairman had been wanting to meet them for a while. Tadokoro saluted to greet the Chairman while others acted naturally but Maito looked at the large yacht on the dock as he whistled.
"That is a nice looking boat." He said before Mirai elbows on his side.
"Would you act mature for once? We're meeting someone important." Mirai told him while Maito rubs on his side.
"Jeez, sorry…Miss stuck in the mud." Maito said, and Mirai elbows him once again only this time it was harder. "Okay! I'm shutting up now!"
The yacht's door soon opened, and the first thing they saw was a parasol umbrella. Seeing that umbrella confused Tadokoro, Madoka, Muginami, Maito, Tetsu, and Mirai, Lan narrows her eyes while Moid smiles, and Souji blinks to see that.
Walking down the steps was a young girl and following behind her was a maid. The girl soon steps on the dock and reveals her appearance to them.
She appeared to be a small 12-year-old girl with long blonde hair with bright blue eyes. She was wearing a long sleeve dress with a long skirt with black shoes with a brooch under her collar which had a blue gem and a pale white cloth, she was also wearing a yellow rose shaped hairpiece on her head.
Tadokoro, Madoka, Muginami and the Riders were confused to see this girl instead of the said chairman of Novumundus while Lan and Moid knew who she was.
"Is that little girl the chairman?" Maito asked before Mirai slams him on the head.
"What are you stupid? Does she look like an old man to you?" Mirai asked while Maito rubs his head.
"Where's Tadokoro?" The blonde girl asked, and Tadokoro straightened his posture and saluted the girl.
"That would be me." He answered, the girl hummed as she walked closer to the commander of Pharos.
"So you are the Tadokoro Shouzou?" She said before she looked up and down at him, she sighed in disappointment before she moved in front of everyone and introduced herself. "Asteria Lizamarie de Roschefall…I'll be representing my great-grandfather."
"Representing him?" Tadokoro said in confusion.
"He's getting older and doesn't like to travel long distances." Asteria explained.
"But we didn't receive any notice." Tadokoro said before the chairman's granddaughter darkly smiled at him.
"Was that necessary?" Asteria asked.
"Oh no…I guess it wasn't really…" Tadokoro said as he placed a hand on the back of his head.
The Riders and Vox pilots were whispering among themselves.
"Tadokoro-san looks uncomfortable." Madoka said.
"That's an understatement." Tetsu said.
"She's clearly overwhelming him." Lan said.
"Agreed." Souji nodded, and Muginami chuckled.
Then Asteria turns to the Vox pilots.
"And you're the Vox pilots?" She asked which made Madoka and Muginami to straighten their posture before she walked to them.
Lan did her usual greeting.
"Woof."
"You still do that?" Asteria asked.
"It's a greeting." Lan said, and Asteria hummed.
"I was lying when I said that was a greeting on Earth." She told the princess.
Lan's face fully blushes to hear that.
"A lie?" Lan said.
"Oh, so that's where it came from.' Souji thought.
Asteria then turns to Madoka.
"You're Kyouno Madoka?" She asked.
"Huh? Uh, yes." Madoka answered, and Asteria smiled while Madoka blinked in confusion before she groped one of her breasts.
Madoka gasps in shock and embarrassment before she stumbles back and falls to the ground and covers her chest. The others were surprised to see that before Souji moved to Madoka.
"Mado-chi!" Souji said before he knelt down to his cousin and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Souji-nii…She just…she just…" Madoka said in embarrassment before Souji rubs on her head.
"There, there it's okay. At least she wasn't a man." Souji said.
"That is besides the point!" Madoka said.
Asteria was looking at her hand in some disappointment.
"You're so-so…" She said.
"What?" Madoka asked.
"I think you'll make good scissors." Asteria said before she raised two fingers.
"Scissors?" Madoka said in confusion.
As Souji and Madoka stood up, Asteria then turned her attention to him and the other Riders which made Madoka hide behind her cousin.
Asteria eyed Souji, Maito, Tetsu, and Mirai which made the user of the Drake Zecter cover her chest to protect herself.
"Ah, yes. You four are the renowned Kamen Riders, correct?" Asteria asked.
"That's right. We are." Souji said.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Tetsu asked.
"Not quite." Asteria said before she used her other hand to lift up her skirt and bowed her head to the Riders. "On behalf of my Great-Grandfather, I want to thank you. From what I heard, you help defend this base when those Worms attack. He was truly grateful for that."
"Oh I see. Also, you don't have to thank us. There was trouble, and we wanted to help." Souji told her.
Asteria chuckles to hear that.
"My aren't you the humble one." Asteria said.
Souji and Madoka walk close to their friends before Maito whispers to Souji.
"Hey, Souji, did you notice that maid with her?" Maito asked.
Souji then looks at the maid who was standing behind Asteria.
The maid had short blonde hair and their cheeks were red. Souji raised an eyebrow as he could tell that despite how feminine the maid looked, Souji could definitely tell that he was a man in that outfit.
"Yeah. It seems like he's a man under that outfit." Souji said, and the maid flinched to hear that.
"So I wasn't imagining things. Who crossdresses as a maid these days?" Maito said, and the male maid lowered his head in shame.
"Hey. You shouldn't be rude like that." Tetsu said, and the maid smiled to hear that. "Everyone has their own hobbies, so we shouldn't make fun of them for it."
The maid then shed tears of shame, and Asteria notices them talking about her maid.
"Oh, I see you're talking about my maid here. Please don't mind him, he just likes crossdressing in that outfit." She told him. The maid was about to say something but Asteria darkly looked at him, forcing him to stop and lower his head.
"You don't have to worry about it. I completely understand…" Souji said before he raised his finger. "Because, Obaa-chan once said this…being true to yourself is the best way to love yourself. Only then can people accept you for who you are."
Almost everyone sweat drops to hear that while Asteria just chuckles.
"Your grandmother sounds like a wise woman." She said, and Souji huffed with a confident smile.
"Thank you. I get that alot." Souji said.
"More like, never." Madoka said.
But little do they know, is that the maid they were talking about was the Ovid pilot Array, the same pilot who attacked the Pharos base on the day Madoka first piloted Midori.
But now for some reason, he was currently serving as a maid for Asteria.
Asteria and her maid were brought to the base's briefing room, Tadokoro, the Vox pilots, and Kamen Riders were standing on the platform while Asteria was seated on a chair in front of them while Maid Array was standing behind her.
Lan had her hand on the wall with her head lowered while Tadokoro spoke to her.
"You should have received detailed reports already. Is there anything that concerns you?" He asked.
"No, I've been briefed quite thoroughly." Asteria said. "But I wanted to hear everything directly from the people that were involved."
The Riders and Vox pilots were whispering to themselves.
"I wonder if Lan-chan has met with Asteria-chan before." Muginami whispers.
"It seems so. She was the one who taught Lan about the customs on Earth. But…" Madoka said before they turned to Lan as she had a gloomy expression right now.
"It was a lie. 'Woof' was a lie. 'Woof' was a lie." Lan mutters to herself as she is still trying to process that.
"Still, I can't believe she actually bought that. But then again she is gullible like that." Souji said as he chuckled.
"Hey, Souji-nii, you shouldn't be rude like that." Madoka said.
Asteria then calls out to Madoka.
"Kyouno Madoka." Madoka turns to her before the lights turn off.
Then everyone saw the large screen turning on as they turned to it. The screen showed footage of Midori, where Villagulio had attacked the base and where that giant flower had suddenly appeared in the sky.
"Hey, isn't that when that giant flower appeared when that…Villa-guy attacked?" Maito asked, and Mirai nodded.
"Yeah, it is." Mirai said.
"Tell me in your own words what happened during that incident." Asteria said.
"Well, I don't remember very clearly…" Madoka said before she placed a hand behind her head and then she and Muginami smiled at each other. "But…well, we were having a little argument. I lost my temper and got upset with Muginami and…"
Tadokoro's jaw drops in shock as he tries to tell her to stop.
"An argument?" Asteria said in confusion before she picked up her tablet which had Tadokoro's report of that incident. "Tadokoro…The report I received said the cause was due to differences in tactical decisions made during an extreme battle situation."
"Wait…" Maito said before he turned to the base's commander. "You left out that argument part?"
"I think it's more like he lied to his own boss." Mirai said.
"No, that was…" Tadokoro tries to explain to the chairman's granddaughter.
"So, to be more precise, these girls were fighting amongst themselves during a mission. Is that correct?" Asteria asked.
Tadokoro flinched before he lowered his head and reluctantly answered.
"Hai…"
Madoka then steps forward to explain herself to Asteria.
"Wait! Let me explain. It was a very important and sensitive problem."
Asteria leans on her hands and smiles at her.
"What kind of problem was it?" She asked, and Madoka blushed.
"Well…basically, it was about love." Madoka said in embarrassment.
Tadokoro sighed while Souji just chuckled to hear that. Then the screen turns off and the lights turn back on.
"Very well. You may all go." Asteria told them.
The Riders, Madoka, Muginami, and Tadokoro soon leave the room while Lan was left behind as she is still glooming about the woof thing.
Now that they are gone, Asteria opens her eyes and looks up.
"Who would've thought a girl like her would bring the legend to life?" Asteria said, Lan heard that as she turned to the blonde hair girl.
After the Vox pilots change into their school uniforms, they and the Kamen Riders are on the shipyard as they head to the water taxi.
But then they stopped as they turned to Lan who was standing still a few feet away from her friends.
"Lan, let's get on." Madoka said.
Souji then notices the look on her face.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"Everyone…Would you mind coming with me?" Lan asked.
"Huh?" Madoka said while Souji raised an eyebrow before they turned at each other.
After accepting Lan's request, the Riders and Vox pilots had arrived at Kamogawa's aquarium, known as the Kamogawa Sea World.
People of all ages were enjoying the themes and events of the aquarium. Some were watching a couple of large ducks walking in a line while some children had their photos taken with some mascots.
The Riders and Vox pilots were inside of the aquarium looking at the fishes in large tanks. They then moved to the marine theater watching a beluga whale performance.
Muginami smiles in amazement to see such underwater creatures like this, she then notices Lan's expression being reflected on the glass in front of her and the others.
Souji notices the look on her face as well. Lan had a conflicted look on her face and Souji could tell she wanted to tell them something.
After the show, they soon moved to another area to look at penguins.
"You're usually not one to take a detour home." Madoka said.
"Yeah. You've always been a bit uptight sometimes." Maito said.
"I know." Lan nodded.
"Don't you want to tell Madoka-chan something?" Muginami said, and Lan turned to her in shock. "You tend to be awkward about these things."
"Is that right?" Madoka asked.
"I'm concerned about something." Lan told them.
"Concerned?" Tetsu said.
"Does this have something to do with the Vox?" Souji asked.
"There you again with that sharp intuition. Yes, it does involve them and us pilots." Lan said.
"Alright. Then we'll leave you three alone then." Souji said and pointed out the Riders including himself.
Lan shook his head.
"No, I want you to listen to this story as well. Because at this point, it concerns all of us now." Lan said.
The Riders then looked at each other before Souji nodded.
"Then let's hear it." Souji said.
"I'll start at the beginning. The Vox Legend." Lan said.
(Meanwhile)
In the Pharos base, Asteria was her own private quarters with her was Tadokoro, Moid, and Youko as they were sweating on a table together to have their own private meeting. But first, Asteria was the phone speaking to someone.
"Anyway, I want a wider circuit laid between here and NORAD immediately." Asteria said as the others were looking at her. "What are you crying about? You know you can be easily replaced."
Youko whispers to Tadokoro.
"By any chance, is the person on the other end of the line…"
"It's the President of the United States." Tadokoro told her, and Youko frowns to hear that.
After she finished talking with the said president of the US, Asteria put her phone down as her maid was carrying it on a tray.
Asteria flicks her hair as her maid walks away to put the phone away, she then smiles at her guest.
"My apologies, Miss Nakaizumi." Asteria said.
"Not at all." Youko said.
"What do you think of this place?" Asteria asked.
Youko looks at the room she was in along with Tadokoro and Moid. The room had an expensive taste to it, filled with decorative furniture and vases. There were even cabinets filled with china dishes, silk curtains hanging in front of the large glass door behind Asteria, there was even a fireplace on the wall and a chandelier hanging on the ceiling.
"I never imagined Pharos having a room like this." Youko said.
"I made them use lots of aged mahogany and oak. I believe that being surrounded by steel and plastic corrupts a person." Asteria said before Youko turned back to her.
"I see…" Youko said as Asteria was drinking a cup of tea, Youko had this thought in her mind. 'Is she really younger than me?'
When Asteria put her tea cup down, she smiled at Youko before she had a serious look on her face.
"I asked you to come here in order to exchange information about the Vox." Asteria said, and Youko narrowed her eyes.
"The Vox Legends?" Madoka said before she turned to Muginami. "Have you heard about it, Muginami?"
Muginami then looks at Lan.
"You mean the scary story about Vox?" She asked, and Lan nodded.
"Yes." Lan story.
"A scary story?" Mirai said.
"What is it about?" Madoka asked.
"I just know that a story exists." Muginami said.
"20,000 years ago, civilization on Earth collapsed." Lan said as the penguins began to fall into the water in their tank.
Hearing that surprised the Riders, Madoka, and Muginami.
Asteria's maid placed a newly filled teacup close to her before he moved to give the others a cup as well.
"As an archaeologist, what is your assessment of what the world was like 20,000 years ago?" Asteria asked.
"That would fall under the Last Glacial Maximum. However, there are no archaeological traces from that period." Youko told her.
"Thus, you can't analyze it?" Asteria asked.
"Not too long ago, my answer would have been 'Yes'." Youko answered.
"But the truth is different. 20,000 years ago, a superior civilization existed on Earth." Asteria said before she turns to Moid.
"We are the descendents of those who left Earth back then." Moid said.
The Riders and Vox pilots were seated on some chairs as they were watching a show of an orca as it jumps and falls into the water much to the audience's enjoyment.
As they were watching, Lan had told them the same story.
"I see." Madoka said as she leaned on her hands. "So in a way, you and Muginami are both from this planet."
"Guess that explains why you two look so human." Souji said.
"Aren't you shocked?" Lan asked.
"Yeah, I am. But also a little disappointed." Madoka said, Lan blinks to hear that. "I mean, if you're both earthlings, this is just like coming home for you."
Lan was surprised by that while Souji just chuckles, and Muginami was enjoying the show as she claps.
"Huh? Coming home?" Lan said before she sighed. "Anyway, our ancestors left this planet 20,000 years ago after a great war took place. It was because the Vox had lost control, nearly destroying the planet."
Her friends were once again surprised to hear that.
"The giant green demon will rip the heavens…The giant blue demon will devour the stars…The giant orange demon will spew out darkness…Through countless sacrifices, they will rule the land. Feeding off a tainted heart, they awaken from within the mind. The demons shall then rise." Lan told them.
"Jeez…that sure is spooky." Maito said.
"A green, blue, and orange demon. Those were the Vox, right?" Mirai asked, and Lan nodded.
"Yes. This poem has been passed down for generations in Le Garite. When I was little, my older brother used to scare me by saying that the giant blue demon was going to eat me up." Lan said.
"And let me guess…You believe in that story?" Souji said with a teasing tone, and Lan's cheeks turned red.
"Well…I was only a child back then. You shouldn't patronize me for it." Lan said, and Souji chuckled to hear that.
"A giant blue demon…Is that like the bogeyman?" Madoka asked which confused Lan and Muginami while Souji chuckled once again.
"Okay. I sort of get all of that. But what I don't get, if that story is true, then how come there are still humans living here?" Maito asked.
"Yeah. I was wondering about that too. Especially since we never heard about people living in space, or countries like Le Garite and De Metrio until now." Tetsu said.
"I was getting to that actually." Lan said.
"New nations were established in a faraway galaxy, and now a pact was signed to perverse Earth, humanity's birthplace." Asteria said.
"We established Earth as an inviolable neutral territory, and severed all contact with those who remained." Moid explained to them.
"For what purpose?" Youko asked.
"We feared that the Circle of Rin-ne forged by the Vox would once again destroy the world." Moid answered calmly.
After they left the aquarium, the Riders and Vox pilots were walking to Hiroshi's restaurant. As they were walking, Lan had also told them the rest of the history that she knows.
"I see how it is. So the people who were left behind on Earth were abandoned by the other survivors, like we were nothing but trash to them. Isn't that right?" Mirai said.
"Hey! You didn't have to say it like that!" Madoka said.
"No, it's alright Madoka. There is some truth to her words." Lan said.
"Lan…" Madoka said.
Muginami then taps on Mirai's shoulder to get her attention.
"Ano…Mirai-chan, I understand that you're angry about it. But, you shouldn't blame Lan-chan for something that our ancestors did. Besides, it's not like those of us who live in space had an easy life either. Trust me, I can speak from experience." Muginami told her as she lowered her eyes, and Mirai could tell that she must have a rough childhood growing up.
"I see. I'm sorry to hear that." Mirai said before she turned to Lan. "I guess I was taking things too far with you. Forgive me." She bowed her head and Lan waved her hand.
"No, it's alright. You don't have to apologize for it." Lan told her.
They soon arrive at the restaurant but Madoka stops as she realizes something, the others stop as they turn to her.
"But wait…If that's what happened, then why did you two come to this planet?" Madoka said.
"Yeah. I'm also curious about that too." Souji said.
"The situation has changed and the Vox has become necessary again." Lan told them.
"Oh, I see." Madoka said.
"But this has served to revive the legend as well." Lan said.
"The legend…" Madoka said.
"And let me guess, that giant flower was only the start, wasn't it?" Souji asked, and Lan nodded.
"Yes, it was."
"This is all very interesting. But I don't know what I can do." Youko said.
"You are an archaeologist and have researched the Vox for a long time. We'd like you to shed some light on this legend from your vantage point." Asteria told her.
"I'm not a fan of science fiction." Youko said.
"Let me put it this way then. A child who ran away because of familial strife now returns only to claim his inheritance. What would you do if you were the parent?" Asteria asked.
Youko simply smiles and punches her hand.
"I'd give him a good punch." Youko answered, and Asteria smiled to hear that.
"I'm glad we agree!" Asteria said before she and Youko drank their cups of tea and smiled at each other, Tadokoro sighed as he looked at the two females in the room.
After the restaurant closed, Souji and Hiyori were having dinner together in their home. As they were eating Souji had held his sister about the story Lan had told him and the others, about the Vox and the history of Lan's ancestors.
"Man…That really sounds unbelievable. But then again, this is our new normal now." Hiyori said as she ate a piece of her fish.
"Indeed. I wouldn't consider believing in some legends about demons. But after seeing that flower, I can't help but wonder." Souji said before he drank some of his miso soup.
"I suppose that's true. But do you think Madoka will be alright after learning all of this?" She asked.
"I'm sure she'll be fine. This is Mado-chi we're talking about." Souji said as he ate some fish with some rice.
"Yeah, you're right about that." Hiyori said before she ate some rice as well.
In Hiyori's restaurant, the Vox pilots were in their rooms to get ready for bed.
Muginami was seated in front of her makeup desk brushing her hair as she hums and reads a book in her other hand.
Lan placed two of her favorite orca stuffed animals on her bed, but soon heard something outside as she flinched. Lan looked out the window and only saw it was the wind blowing on some trees and bushes.
But despite that, Lan was still a little afraid right now.
In her room, Madoka was looking at a picture of herself, Lan, Muginami, the Riders and their Zecters as they were standing on top of Midori together. As she was looking at that picture, Lan's story about the three demons was still on her mind.
"That giant green demon…" Madoka said.
Madoka then heard a knock on her door and she turned to it.
"Madoka, are you still awake?" Said Lan from behind the door.
"Lan? Yeah, come in." Madoka answered.
Lan slightly opens the door and pokes out her head as she is holding a pillow in her arms, Lan then pushes the door further back.
"Ummm…Can I sleep here tonight?" Lan asked.
"Huh? Sure, but what's wrong?" Madoka asked.
"I…I thought you might be scared." Lan stated.
"Huh?" Madoka blinks in confusion.
Lan covered her mouth on her pillow, and that's when Muginami appeared close to her side with a teasing smile on her face.
"I bet you're the one who's actually scared." Muginami said, and Lan stepped back from her.
"I'm not!" Lan denied as Muginami moved in front of her.
"You remembered the scary story from this afternoon and got frightened, didn't you?" Muginami concluded.
"Really?" Madoka asked.
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm not a child!" Lan denied, and Muginami pointed at the window.
"Look! A demon!" Muginami shouted, Lan flinched in fear.
"No!" Lan screams as she falls on her knees.
"Huh?" Madoka said as tears of fear began to form on Lan's eyes.
After turning off the lights and closing the curtains, Madoka, Lan, and Muginami were lying on the bed together with Lan between her friends as she covered her mouth with the blanket while Muginami rubs on her head to comfort the scared little girl.
"There, there, little Lan. You don't have to be afraid anymore." Muginami said as Lan was feeling embarrassed right now.
Madoka was staring at the ceiling as she was in deep thought right now.
"Midori isn't a demon, right?" Madoka asked as her friends turned to her. "The first time I touched Midori, I had this nostalgic feeling. I think I might have known Midori from before. I believe that meeting Midori was fate. I love things like that. It's so poetic."
"It's illogical." Lan told her.
"And demons are logical?" Muginami asked, which made Lan blush before she covered her face with the blanket and her friends smiled at her.
"Shall we hit the hay?" Madoka asked.
"Uh-huh." Muginami said.
"Good night." Madoka told them.
(Meanwhile)
In the Pharos base, Asteria was standing in Midori's hangar as she was looking at the green Vox.
"What are you afraid of?" Youko asked as she was standing behind the chairman's granddaughter.
Asteria smiles at her.
"Do I look scared?" Asteria said.
Youko then looks at Midori.
"If the legend is true…" Youko said.
"This time, the Earth may really be destroyed. That's why I want your help." Asteria said before she turns to Youko. "To prevent the tragedy that occurred 20,000 years ago from repeating itself."
Unknown to Asteria and Youko, is that Moid was hiding behind a wall listening to their conversation.
(Next day)
After getting a call from Asteria saying she wanted to meet with them, the Riders and Vox pilots were now in Pharos' briefing room.
Asteria was standing in front of them with Tadokoro, Moid, and her maid standing with her as well.
"As of this moment, all operations associated with Vox Aura are to be put on hold. I am banning Kyouno Madoka from piloting Aura." Asteria told them.
The Riders and Vox pilots were surprised by this, especially Madoka herself.
"What?" Madoka mutters before she stands up. "Why is that? Is it because I might cause Midori to lose control again?"
"Yes, exactly." Asteria told her.
"But…!" Madoka said before Lan stood up.
"Please rescind your orders!" Lan said.
"Lan…" Madoka mutters.
"You based your decision on a groundless legend that's never been proven." Lan stated, and Souji stood up as well.
"I'm with Lan on that one. What happened that day was an accident, you can't force this decision on Mado-chi because of it." Souji said.
"Yeah! That's right!" Maito said.
Muginami raised her hand.
"I agree too! What's wrong with piloting Midori?" Muginami said.
"You kids…" Tadokoro said.
"If you know the legend surrounding the Vox, I shouldn't have to explain. The continued operation of Aura poses a risk that cannot be ignored." Asteria said, and Tadokoro closed his eyes.
"But isn't that more of a reason why Kyouno should continue to pilot it?" Mirai asked. "I understand that using that thing is risky, but how is Kyouno going to master it if she can't pilot it anymore?"
"That's right. And Villagulio is still out there no doubt plotting something, and we also have that gold Rider and the Worms to worry about. We need her help in case either of them attack again." Tetsu said.
Tadokoro opens his eyes before he moves in front of Asteria.
"Begging your pardon, ma'am, but they're right. We don't stand a chance without Aura. Please reconsider." Tadokoro requested, but…
"Request denied. Set up a defense strategy immediately centered on Vox Lympha and Ignis." She told him.
"But…!" Tadokoro said.
"This is the decision reached by the Novumundus High Council. It will not change." Asteria told them.
Hearing left the Riders, Lan, and Muginami disappointed, and Madoka herself was left saddened that she may never pilot Midori again.
Youko was standing on the balcony outside of the base, where she was staring at the ocean knowing what was going on in the briefing room right now.
"There won't be a resounding 'perfect' this time around. What will you do, Madoka?" Youko said.
Unknown to everyone in the briefing room, is that in a dark room, the Gold Rider Issei was secretly spying on them using a small spy camera and using his handheld device to watch them.
Issei hummed as he placed a hand on his chin after hearing that all operations on Vox Aura will be put on hold.
Inside the changing room, a disheartened Madoka had changed into her uniform and left the room. Waiting for her was her cousin Souji with his Kabuto Zecter.
"Souji-nii…" Madoka mutters before Souji places a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you going to be okay?" Souji asked, and Madoka lowered her head.
"Honestly…I'm not sure." Madoka said.
Both Souji and Kabuto Zecter looked at her in pity as they could understand, if the same happened between them, they might be saddened about it too.
"Mado-chi." Souji said.
Kabuto Zecter's eyes lit up a few times as he received a transmission.
"Uh, Souji." Kabuto Zecter said, getting his partner's attention. "I've gotten a message from Tadokoro. There's trouble in Midori's hangar."
Souji blinks to hear that as Madoka raises her head.
Both Souji, Kabuto Zecter, and Madoka soon rushed to Midori's hangar, they soon saw Tadokoro along with two operators and a few guards standing in front of the door as they were trying to open it.
One of the guards notices them coming as he informs the commander.
"Cap, it's Kyouno and Tendou."
Tadokoro turns to them as they stop in front of him.
"Oh, you're here." He said.
"Tadokoro-san, what's this all about?" Madoka asked.
Tadokoro turns to the sealed door and explains what was going on inside.
"Laffinty and Muginami are responsible."
"What?" Madoka said.
"What are they doing exactly?" Souji asked.
Inside the hangar, both Lan and Muginami were standing in front of Midori as there was keep out tape around the green Vox.
Both girls were holding a stick sign in their hands and wearing a sash around their chests with some headgear, Lan was wearing a bandana and Muginami wore a helmet with an apple symbol on it.
The signs 'No Aura, No Life', 'Say no to the shutdown of Vox Aura'.
"They've locked themselves up in there and said they won't open until we rescind the orders to shutdown Aura." Tadokoro told them.
"So in other words, they're going on strike." Souji remarked.
"No way. Why are they doing this?" Madoka asked.
"Didn't you put them up to it?" Tadokoro said, and Madoka frowned at him and the commander smiled. "I didn't think so. Well, those two are going the extra mile for you."
"Oh, I see now. They're doing it for you." Souji told her, and Madoka was surprised by this before she understood.
"Lan…Muginami…" Madoka said.
Asteria and her maid soon arrived.
"Just what is all this nonsense?" Asteria said before she and her maid stop walking.
"It's exactly as you see." Tadokoro told her, and Asteria sighed.
"They're just like children whose toys were confiscated." Asteria said in annoyance.
One of the operators then speaks to Tadokoro.
"It's no use, Cap. All entries have been locked from the inside and we can't access them."
Madoka then spoke up.
"I'll go in and talk to them." Tadokoro turns to her.
"Nani?" He said before Madoka went into her pocket.
"We can't let this go on, can we?" Madoka said as she brought out her hair band.
"How do you intend to get in?" Tadokoro asked.
Madoka soon puts on her topknot.
"From there!" Madoka said as she looked at the nearby air duct and the others looked at it as well.
"Clever plan." Souji said.
After they open the air duct, Souji, Madoka, and Asteria are crawling inside as they head to the sealed hangar. Souji was leading them with a flashlight in his hand with Madoka and Asteria following behind him.
"I'm amazed that you thought of this." Asteria said.
"You didn't have to come along." Madoka said.
"Yeah. You could've just waited on the other side." Souji said.
"Don't mind me. It's a parent's job to spank children who don't listen." Asteria said before she touches Madoka's butt.
She gasped in shock as she accidentally bumps her head on the ceiling.
"Oww!" Madoka said with her head on the floor and her hands on top of it.
Souji turns to them to see what was going on.
"Do I even want to know?" Souji asked.
"It was Asteria…" Madoka mutters before she turns to the blonde hair girl. "Why did you do that?"
"Why didn't you go along with them?" Asteria asked.
"Huh?" Madoka blinked.
"I was certain that if anyone tried to do something, it would be you." Asteria said.
"I'm in too much pain to think of an answer." Madoka said.
"If you two are done, can we go now please?" Souji asked.
"Right. Sorry." Madoka said before she and Souji crawled forward as Asteria watched them before she followed.
As Lan and Muginami continue to stand their ground to defend Midori, they soon hear voices nearby.
"I think I see the exit!" Said Souji's voice.
"Then hurry up and go!" Said Asteria's voice along with Madoka screaming.
"Hey, wait! Don't push!" Said Madoka.
"Hold on! Just let me open-!" Said Souji.
Lan and Muginami turn to each other in confusion before the vent cover suddenly pops open as Souji falls to the floor as he screams and Madoka falls on top of him as she screams.
"Ow!" Souji said.
Asteria then climbs out of the vent before she falls on top of both Madoka and Souji.
"Ow!" Both Souji and Madoka said before Lan and Muginami turned to them.
"Madoka?" Lan said.
"Souji?" Muginami said.
"Itai-tai-tai-tai…" Madoka mutters before she raises her head and turns to her friends. "Hey…Lan…Muginami…"
"Can you two please get off now?" Souji told the two girls who were on his back.
Souji, Madoka, and Asteria soon stood up, Asteria was dusting her clothes while Souji stretched out his sore back. Lan and Muginami had removed their gear.
"That was quite an unusual experience." Asteria said before she smiles at the two Vox pilots.
"Can't we ask you to reconsider? Madoka and Aura are both essential to our team." Lan told her.
"I'd be uneasy with just Lan-chan with me." Muginami said, and Lan turned to her.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Lan asked.
"Well, you know…" Muginami said.
Madoka then steps forward to talk with her friends and Jersey Club members.
"Listen, you two. Let's stop this." Madoka told them, hearing that surprised Souji, Lan, and Muginami.
"Mado-chi." Souji said.
"Madoka?" Lan said.
"Madoka-chan?" Muginami said.
Madoka then walks towards Midori.
"I really appreciate what you're doing, but this isn't the right way." Madoka said before she placed a hand on her Vox with a sad smile on her face.
"But that means we won't be able to fly together anymore." Muginami said, and Madoka closed her eyes.
"It would be terrible if what happened last time repeated itself." Madoka said.
"If it does, we'll stop it." Lan said.
"What if it doesn't stop?" Madoka asked.
"I'll make it stop!" Lan said, and Madoka flinched as it almost sounded like… "That's what Madoka of the Jersey Club would say."
"Wow…You really did sound like her." Souji said.
"Yeah, yeah!" Muginami nodded in agreement.
Madoka smiled before she said.
"Perhaps, but not this time." Madoka said, surprising Souji and the others. "The thought of you two getting hurt because of me is even worse. I don't have the confidence to promise that it won't lose control again. I'm just not that strong."
"Mado-chi…" Souji mutters.
Madoka then turns to her friends.
"Besides, even if I can't pilot Midori, it's not like you and Muginami are going away. And you have Souji-nii and the others to back you up, so I have no reason to worry. Right, Ms. Chairman?" Madoka asked.
"Is that the answer to my earlier question?" She asked.
"Maybe it is." Madoka said with a smile, and Asteria smiled as well.
"I only ordered Aura to be grounded." Asteria told her.
"Then I'll accept that decision. Even if I can't Midori, nothing will change between us." Madoka said, leaving Lan and Muginami speechless, she then turns back to Midori.
Madoka had a sad expression before she removed her hand from it. Madoka then turns to her friends.
"Thank you. I'll be okay. We will always be the Kamo Girls' Jersey Club." Madoka said with a smile.
Souji, Lan, and Muginami smile when they hear that.
"So I guess you're back to your usual self." Souji said.
"Madoka…" Lan said.
"Madoka-chan!" Muginami said as she ran and hugged Madoka and she hugged her back.
Lan sighed.
"Now I feel so stupid for doing this." Lan said.
"Don't be." Madoka said, and Lan looked at her. "It made me really happy."
Madoka reaches out her hand, and Lan walks forward to grab onto it before they smile at each other, then the three Vox pilots soon do a group hug with each other.
Souji smiles at them.
"Honestly. Girls can sometimes be so emotional." Souji said.
Asteria looks at them as well.
Tadokoro was looking at his watch before he noticed the door opening behind them.
He looks at the three Vox pilots who turned to him before Madoka traced a circle with a finger.
Tadokoro was in Asteria's private room to discuss the incident.
"Disregard it? Are you saying you'll overlook everything regarding this incident?" He asked in surprise.
"Yes." Asteria answered.
"But…It was a serious violation of service regulations." Tadokoro said.
"This is my decision as the representative of the Novumundus High Council." Asteria told him, and Tadokoro was secretly relieved to hear that. "By the way, how are the preparations to equip Lympha and Ignis proceeding?"
"Equip?" Tadokoro said in some confusion.
"Check it out immediately and get it done." Asteria told him, and Tadokoro saluted.
"Yes, ma'am." He said.
"I'm going out. Get the ship ready." Asteria said.
"Ship?" Array said before Asteria turned to him.
"You are coming too." Asteria told him, and Array blinks to hear that.
"Huh?"
Both Asteria and Array were now riding on the latter's yacht as it was heading towards the mainland.
In his room, Moid was speaking with his superior in Le Garite as they appeared as a holographic projection.
"Yes, Your Highness. We must be even more wary of the actions of those who oppose the blossoming of the Circle of Rin-ne. In fact, since Villagiulio is openly taking action, we cannot waste any time whatsoever." Moid told him.
"Very well. Then speed up the retrieval schedule for the Vox units as much as you can." He instructed him.
"As you wish, sir." Moid said.
"Isn't it ironic, Moid?" He asked.
"Sir?" Moid said.
"The light moves so slowly, but time cruelly pushes us forward." He said.
The person that Moid was talking to was a young man in his 20s, he was wearing a blue jacket with a long tail with a light brown belt and cuffs on his sleeves, he was wearing black pants with white boots, and wears a white cape on his shoulders with a double blue winged symbol on both arms.
He also had the same sky-blue hair and violet eyes just like Lan.
This is Dizelmine, the crown prince of Le Garite and Lan's older brother.
(Later)
The sun was beginning to set on Kamogawa, Asteria's ship soon arrived on a ship dock that was far from the city.
There Villagulio along with Kirius and Izo had arrived to greet, where Kirius and Izo reunited with their old friend Array and they were left speechless to see the outfit he was now wearing.
"Array…" Kirius mutters.
"What the-!" Izo said.
Array blushes as he nervously turns away from them.
"Don't look at me like that. I mean, just don't look, damn it!" Array shouted at them.
Villagulio turns to the trio.
"Didn't I tell you? He's the personal maid for the chairman of Novumundus." He told them.
"Maid?" Kirius said.
"But he's a guy…" Izo pointed out, and Array lowered his head in shame.
"A lot of things happened." Array mutters.
Villagulio chuckles before he turns to Asteria who was looking at the setting sun.
"So what is your answer?" He asked the chairman's granddaughter.
"The answer is no. We will not hand over the Vox to you." Asteria told him.
"What? Are you sure? You'll live to regret it." Villagulio warned her.
Asteria then turns to him, and the look on her face makes Villagulio lower his cocky smile.
"The Flower of Lagrange must never be allowed to blossom again." Asteria told him.
To Be Continued…Lan Wants to Swim
And there you have it, I hope you like it. Review to tell me what you think of the story.