Pinpoint Desire
Chapter 3: Support From The Dark Side
There were two figures, wrapped in tight black cloaks and wearing apparels on their heads. It was a man and a woman, the man himself sported a large brown hat while the woman wore a much smaller cap over her own. They moved through the crowded city, doing their best to remain as auspicious to the human crowd. To their left they saw a sign, a wanted poster of sorts with their names and faces on it. The woman bowed her head low as if hoping to shade her face.
"Calm yourself…" The man replied in a stoic tone.
"I know that Julius." The woman replied. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to be worried."
Feeling her discomfort, Julius reached down and gently grasped her hands. Feeling the warmth of her lover's fingers, Victoria's heart relaxed and they continued on their way. Their journey took them to a small worn down building where they entered in through the back door. Almost at once, three armed guards aimed them, their guns loaded and at such a range, even if they hadn't be .50 calibers, it would've been difficult to block them at the both the distance and in such close quarters. The two figures removed their outfits and the guards upon seeing them lowered their weapons and smiled.
One was a young man in his late 20s, his body lean but natural and his facial expression one of simple emotion. The woman next to him, a few years younger than him sported vivid hair that ran down her back. Her face was one of beauty that had seen a lot of battles.
Julius Javel sat down in one of the chairs near the door, needing to relax after the long journey. His lover, Victoria also sat next to him on the other side, pushing her head against his shoulder his fingers traced through her strands as she sighed with joy. About a minute later another girl came in from the other side of the room once the guards and explained who had come.
She was a small girl, her appearance looking at a little less than 20 years who sported thick purple hair with ribbons tied on either side and a plain but cute purple dress with white scruffs around the hands and neck.
"Julius-san! Victoria-san! It's good to see you back again!"
Julius nodded and closed his eyes, not saying much after that. So it was Victoria who continued the conversation.
"Thanks Nana-san. You'll have to forgive Julius, we had some trouble getting here. About a day ago we were attacked while trying to make our way here. Julius can't use his powers for long periods of time and it took a lot out of him yesterday."
Nana understood that Julius' powers worked different from most Diclonius. Instead of forming vectors, he could essentially turn his entire body into one. However long exposures in that form drained him in the same way that overuse of the use of vectors caused the entropy to rise. She managed to get a good at the young man's face and saw what she meant. He was drenched in sweat and his face was red. His breathing was calm but shallow as well and the thing he obviously needed most was sleep.
The first thing they did was get him into a room where the young man was laid against one of the beds and Victoria by his side. It was by then that another man had entered. He was middle aged, wearing a blue suit and pants and a pair of thin glasses. His black hair was messy and there were traces of a stubble on his face.
"Here…" Dr. Kurama remarked, handing a saucer of Japanese tea to Victoria who gladly accepted it and sipped it. There was another saucer obviously meant for Julius as well.
Kurama and Nana and now been living together, staying at Kurama's workplace as a sort of hidden base where they could gather and keep supplies and giving new messages to their allies from elsewhere. It was Nana's dream to always live with her papa but it also meant having to say goodbye to her family that once lived at Maple Inn and who currently resided at the S.S. Diclonius. But she had always wanted to be of help to her the person she cared for the most.
"It's not easy out there Kurama, the Anti-Diclonius forces are still large and it seems our support is getting smaller and smaller." Victoria muttered, brushing her hair out of her eyes and sighing deeply before taking another drink.
Dr. Kurama nodded in agreement. "That's not surprising Victoria, Director Morotisan's forces are keeping a keen eye on the area and any pro-Diclonius agendas are met with hostile forces. Even now I don't think we can take on the JADF at our current state, not at least without Kaede-sama and she needs to be there to protect the S.S. Diclonius. She's their strongest defense and if that place goes, we'll pretty much lose our only real home."
She was right, the JADF, or the Japanese Anti-Diclonius Force ran a strict regime in Japan. For humans, this meant little but to the Diclonius and supporters of them, it was the clear sign of prejudice and discrimination and death. Supporters were locked up, Diclonius…well it was obvious what that meant. If they could defeat the JADF, it would mean effectively turning the tides against their enemy and spreading the idea of a pro-Diclonius world across Japan. If they could do this, it would be an amazing victory.
But that wasn't possible right now. The strength of the JADF was too powerful at this moment and there was still trouble from the other countries as well who were heavily anti-Diclonius as well. Kurama had thought about it a month ago and talked to Kaede about it.
Her reaction was clear.
"Are you joking Kurama!?" She yelled after hearing him give his idea.
"I know how you feel about it, but we need someone with both keen knowledge on the Diclonius and anti-Diclonius technology. This person is probably our best option at the moment." He replied glaring rather darkly at the pink haired woman. Some things would changes but the history between the two was not something that could be washed away even after so many years. He understood why Kaede would be angry, he himself didn't like the idea any more than she did. But he had to think of things logically and that meant doing things that he himself may not necessarily like.
Kaede hissed under her breath. "I don't like it Kurama, you know what he's like. There's no way we can trust him and hope he doesn't try to betray us."
"I know Kaede, but it's the only option I have left. Besides at any point even Director Morotisan might try to bring him in. I think you'd agree you would rather him on your side than his."
She clenched her teeth and muttered under her breath. "I don't know about that…but…" She added. "I do agree that I'd rather have him not with Morotisan. Kurama, if you think it's the right thing to do, I'll let you do it. But if he causes even one problem, says one stupid thing I'll do what I should've done years ago. But your right." She finally admitted.
"We need as much help as we can. I might be the leader of this force but I'm still an amateur."
Kaede had many years to see herself different than in the past. She was prideful but not ignorant and she knew that as much as she might hate some ideas, if they ended up helping their cause. But she was also keen on making sure he didn't screw anything up.
There is a four year old human girl running around the floors of the S.S. Diclonius, her face beaming happily at everyone before she sees a figure afar. Her smile grows and she races across the floor, nearly running into a few people. Closer and closer she ran and with a leap Kanae was knocked off her feet and they two roll about on the floor.
Giggling happily, the little girl looks down at the Diclonius with red circles around her cheeks. "I got you, Kanae Onee-chan!" The child replied jovially. At first angry, Kanae hearing the voice smiled happily as well and returned the hug with deep affection.
"Nyuu Onee-chan!"
Nyuu was the one and only daughter of Kouta and Yuka and the resemblance to her mother was so uncanny that one would've thought it was a miniature Yuka. Named after Kaede's special personality that they had met and taken care of years ago, she was the splitting image of her mother and had the sheer personality of the person she was named after. She was great friends with Kaede and Elrya's children as well.
"What are you doing Kanae Onee-chan!? What are you doing? Hello Carlin Onee-chan!" Sure enough Carlin saw the waving figure and brightened her own smile. With a flip of her vectors, Nyuu watched in awe as the young girl flew into the air and landed right next to her, embracing her.
"It's so good to see you!" Carlin remarked. "Did you get out of school early?"
For them, there were two types of school, the Diclonius educational institution that Kanae, Carlin and Routa went to and then the normal schools that the human children attended. This was the S.S. Diclonius for them, it was a place not only of defense but to live normal lives. It also meant that they were taught at a relatively early age as well.
"Yes I did, we got out early today! Let's play together!" Nyuu cried out, grabbing both their hands before running off.
"Wh-Whoa!" Carlin yelled. "We can only play for a few minutes, we have to go to school as well!"
Stopping in her tracks. Nyuu gave the impression like she was about to cry. "A-Alright then. But you promise that once your done you're going to come right back and we'll play right!?"
"Of course!" Kanae answered, rubbing the small girls' head. "You're our best friend Nyuu Onee-chan! Maybe tonight we can eat over at Kouta-san and Yuka-san's place!"
"Yes!" The young human girl replied back. With her friends heading to school, Nyuu ran down to her own home where she ran through the door and saw the first person before her. A young teenage girl with short black hair barely saw the figure bounding towards her before she was knocked down.
"Whoa!"
"I'm back Mayu-san!" Nyuu shouted at the girl who picked herself up. "Oh welcome home." Mayu replied brushing herself off.
"Yes I am! Is mama or papa home? What about Nozomi-chan?"
"They're still working right now." Mayu replied, picking up the sheets of paper that Nyuu had knocked out of her. Sighing disappointedly, the girl felt like a child stuck in a waiting line. She hated having to wait for her friends. It was fun hanging out with Nozomi and Mayu, but they were always so busy with things. She wanted to have fun right now!
"So…bored…" She muttered distastefully, kicking her feet while she laid on her back. Nozomi was most likely working in the botanical gardens, where one could hear her singing every so often when they passed by. Mayu usually was down in the basement but it would seem today she was working at home. Their home to speak of, was a lot like Maple Inn, though to compensate for space much smaller. It was composed of essentially 4 rooms total, the main room that similar to the living space where the table was set and they all set around at, a small kitchen, a room for Mayu, Nozomi and Nyuu and another room for Kouta and Yuka.
But these kind of living spaces had to be made with their current lifestyle. Speaking of Kouta and Yuka, they too provided their own duties on board the ship. Kouta was usually helping out the crew outside and Yuka was a teacher for the human school. Though Yuka specifically taught grades higher than the one Nyuu was in so she never got a chance to seeing her mother but every so often.
Everyone had to play their part.
The Diclonius Educational Institution may have had to make some changes from its location but didn't mean the aspect of it changed that much. Near the top floor, was an area composed of what would be similar to a large grocery store area, composed of four sections.
A, B, C and D. With "A" being for the mature Diclonius who had already had education at Osaka and "D" for the new Diclonius like Carlin and Kanae. Routa meanwhile was set in group "C" under special care as nobody wanted another mishap when his device came out.
"Come on Kanae! We're going to be late!" Carlin cried out, a small bag over her back along with Kanae the two rushed into the classroom just as the ding of the bell rang.
"Whoo! Just in time!" Kanae replied finding her seat near the window. Instead of sunlight, artificial light was given off to brighten up the ocean where Kanae would often watch the fish and other marine life pass by. Carlin was near the back, getting her pen and paper out, their teacher had already gotten to the lecture.
"Good afternoon!" She replied and was greeted with a chorus in response of "Good afternoon Anna sensei!"
Anna had been part of the group for a long time and for as long as Carlin and Kanae knew, had been around eve since they were babies. She was a young woman with long black hair that ran down her back and thick enough that they effectively hid her own horns without the need of accessories. Though despite the fact that she had them, the other Diclonius knew she wasn't like them because they couldn't sense her like they could with each other.
But Anna sensei was a kind woman, playful and apparently terrible at math as many of the students joyfully corrected her own. It was also a rule that she never told them her full name. Being younger, they probably wouldn't understand but Anna knew the kind of trouble that could occur because she was the daughter of Director Kakuzawa.
So for the students and for most of the people onboard, it was just Anna K. or Anna for short. It was never Kakuzawa sensei either, as such a name left too many implications to her older brother.
"Last time…" Anna began as the Diclonius ranging from all sorts of ages listened carefully. "We were discussing the control of vectors around humans. Now then, what was it that I told you?" Like an overexcited student wanting to answer a question, Kanae was literally on her chair waving her hand around so much that she threatened to smack one of her classmates with it.
Anna giggled. "Yes Kanae-chan?"
"Ahem…" Kanae cleared her throat trying to sound important. "We should ever use our vectors around other humans unless its absolute necessary!" She replied, beaming happily when Anna told her she was correct.
"That's correct." Anna restated and continued. "Your vectors are very powerful but also very dangerous things that you have to be very careful with. It would be horrible wouldn't it? If you were to accidently hurt of your friends or family with your hands. You may think it's fun to play around with your hands." She began to demonstrate with a ripe peach, showing it to everyone.
"What would happen if you accidently misused your power, perhaps around your mother, father or friends and this happened to their head?"
She squeezed the peach tightly, crushing it the palm of her hand and letting the juices slide between her fingers. Kanae imagined her mother in its place and shuddered, clasping her hands over her mouth and shaking her head.
"That would be awful Anna sensei!" Carlin replied. "That's why we have to be very careful when we're using our vectors. I'm always sure to be aware of my surroundings when I use them." She responded with cute proudness, puffing up her chance for correctly answering her teacher.
"But there is another very important thing you must remember and that is to control the inner voices that live inside of you."
There wasn't a single Diclonius on the ship that didn't know about their own voice and if there was one, in less than day they would find out. More so than keeping a watchful eye on their vectors, it was imperative above all else to teach the Diclonius about their own internal voices and to learn to both accept them and control them as well.
At this point in class, the horned girls would essentially speak to their own voices, many of them having already given then manes. But for Carlin, hers was a special kind. Everyone else mentally spoke to their own voice including Kanae was busy sporting a vivid conversation with her own voice she named "Kalana" despite the fact that she only had to think about it.
But Carlin's voice was a bit different. Specifically to the point that for her, the voice she was talking to was standing right next to her, sharing an appearance very similar to her and so physical in appearance that at points Carlin was sure she was physically real.
"Carlin-chan!" The young girl replied, beaming excitedly.
"Kuroko-chan!"
Kuroko, the name that Carlin gave to her internal voice. The two of them were more similar to their mother than even they realized. Her mother's voice had been distinctively different from other voices due to the fact that it literally took up a completely difference consciousness of the brain. For Elrya her voice, Alya was not a voice but literally a completely different person that stood by her side.
It was a huge shock to her of course when she found out the true years ago. And now it would have appeared that her own daughter was sharing that same trait. There was Carlin the true side and then Kuroko the internal voice of Carlin's Diclonius mentality. The voice invisible to everyone but Carlin, wrapped her arms around the young girl in a kindly hug.
"I love you Carlin-chan!"
"I love you too Kuroko-chan!"
There were many different forces and points the pro-Diclonius had to deal with. They had to stop Garder from killing all the Diclonius. They had to stop Onyara and Lugasa from killing all the humans. They had to find and stop Vladimir from basically trying to kill everything.
Kaede and her group protected the SS. Diclonius.
Carentorzulan and her team was trying to find a vaccine to truly stop the biological hatred of humans.
Bando was on his lonely road to stop Onyara and Lagusa.
Julius and Victoria meanwhile were trying to stop the Anti-Diclonius forces in Japan.
Roy was in Europe as well, defending the Diclonius cause and supporting his wife from over there.
And lastly, Lilian and her fleet were protecting the Japanese waters and the S.S. Diclonius.
There is an area devoid of only the most basic light, the special prison kept for only the most heinous of criminals. It was there that Dr. Kurama walked down the ominous hallways, hearing the chatters and jeers of the prisoners. He paid no attention to them. Instead he walked down to the very last hallway, to the very end where he turned to the last cell in the block. There sitting on a bench with his hands folded over his lap is an old man, around 70 or so years old. His appearance is ragged, unkempt and dirty. But he has the appearance of a person who is holding themselves tall and proud. No, the better word would be to say arrogantly. His face is lined with age and dust, his uniform torn and dusty but there is confidence, pride and arrogance in those elderly eyes.
Kurama stopped and glared at him from his spectacles.
"Hello…Kurama." The man replied. His voice is deep but gravelly and clearly old. It is also somewhat soft as if working it too hard would hurt him.
Kurama stared at the old man there, memories that he wished would disappear forever flooding him. In his hand was a gun, and like Kaede he too had to suppress the urge to shoot him. But this was for the sake of his loved ones. The sake of giving Nana a better world to live in.
"…We need your help… Director Kakuzawa."
Characters Introduced:
Nyuu Jr: The daughter of Kouta and Yuka who shares a strong resemblance to her mother. Though only human, she has lived all her life with the Diclonius and is close friends with Carlin and Kanae.
Kalana: The internal voice of Kanae.
Kuroko: The internal voice of Carlin. Unlike other voices, Kuroko appears as a physical person in Carlin's mind that only she can see.
Julius Javel: One of the few male Diclonius in the world, once serving under Director Morotisan he is now traveling with Victoria in the hopes of helping to stop the war and Garder. He possess the ability to turn his entire body into a vector, passing through objects as he pleases.
Victoria Javel: Julius' companion and lover, she is a strong willed woman.
Dr. Kurama: The man who once worked at the Diclonius Research Facility now does all he can to help fight against the Anti-Diclonius forces.
Nana: Sipilet Number Seven that now lives with Dr. Kurama, helping her Papa out in any way that she can.
Director Kakuzawa: The main antagonist of the original series and first story, he has been reduced to a broken and bitter mess. However it would appear our heroes need his help.