The Template
An ocean away from Japan, there was a top-secret military base in the deserts of Nevada. Formerly the sole property of the United States, it had been placed under the command of a certain international coalition decades ago after the Avatars first emerged.
Even the name of the base was changed. Before, it was Area 51 under American control. Now, it's called Potnia Therion.
Inside Potnia Therion, however, its personnel were facing a technical problem. Everyone was running about, as if some chaotic situation had befallen.
Groups of scientists rushed up to an observation deck with a large window in front of them. As the entourage could plainly see, it was a chamber full of ice and frostbite. A giant cavity on the floor of the chamber suggested that something huge was once its inmate. Another massive hole was seen in the same chamber, leading to the hot Nevada deserts.
"This exceeds all of our postulations. Th-there's no way it could move even an inch under absolute zero. No living being could!" A scientist exclaimed.
"That… that thing is not what I'd call a living thing." Another scientist shot back.
"But it did nonetheless… The Template has escaped…" the leading scientist acknowledged, "And we all know where it's going. Notify Phoebus Apollo immediately. They're expecting a familiar face."
Back in Tokyo, Japan, Nico and Maki were having another private meeting inside a maid café in Akihabara. In between eating their omelette rice, the two chatted.
Unknown to them, a disguised Eli sat adjacent to the couple. Her eyes seemingly on her book, her ears were glued to their chat.
"So far, there's still nothing from him eh?" Nico pointed out, "Nico's getting impatient."
"Nothing from him? Are they expecting a package of sorts?" Eli thought.
"I kept calling him. Gosh, he can be quite slow." Maki agreed.
"Yeah, it's boring doing the same thing everyday…" Nico said, "He's not the most reliable of sources."
"The same thing! Everyday!" Eli thought, "Could this package be…"
"Guess we'll make do with whatever we have right now, until he updates us," Maki concluded.
"Make do… so it's expendable…" Eli thought.
Inside the Chairwoman's office, Chairwoman Minami continued her daily paperwork as the school's chairwoman of the board. All of the sudden, her hand phone rang and she immediately picked it up.
"Yes? Minami here." She responded.
"Captain Minami, I bear to you urgent news." The Superintendent's emotionless electronic voice echoed, "Potnia Therion had called in to report that the Template is freed."
"What?! But that thing's locked in an absolute zero chamber! No molecule could move in those conditions!"
"On the contrary, reports suggest it had indeed moved inch by inch over the decades. As of now, it appears to be marching across the Pacific Ocean and believed to arrive in Tokyo in an estimation of 21 hours."
"So we are to recapture the Template."
"It must not be killed. Its death will not benefit us. Furthermore, the pilots need not to know of the Template's existence or true nature."
"Roger that… Superintendent-sama."
Eli had left the café right after Nico and Maki left, and retreated to Nozomi's apartment. There, her host had prepared tea for her best friend.
"Nozomi, you were right! There is something fishy going on with those two!" Eli declared, "They're doing it everyday! I heard it myself!"
"By it? You mean…" Nozomi began to ask.
"Don't say it! What's worse is that they are receiving supplies from someone." Eli continued, "What could it be? Drugs? Toys? Pills? The man's role is also suspicious…"
"Maybe the cards can guide the clever and cute Elichika," Nozomi suggested.
"You know I don't buy this spiritual stuff… but… Okay, entertain me," Eli relented.
Nozomi cheerfully clapped her hands, taking her Tarot deck and quickly taking out the top card from the deck.
The Devil.
"Oh?" she thought, "So that's what he is eh?"
"Devil? Are Nico and Maki okay?" Eli demanded to know, "Are they in danger?"
"Relax Eli-chi, they should be fine… though The Devil traditionally represents addiction," Nozomi explained.
"Addiction! Of course!" Eli declared, "It's so obvious these two young impressionable teenagers to be caught up in their passion! I should give those two a nice long talk."
"Ha-ha, you sound like an old granny, Eli-chi," Nozomi laughed.
Then, both their phones buzzed. Taking them out, they saw the following text:
Urgent meeting in Phoebus Apollo. Time 2000.
Time was 2000, and all of µ's were gathered inside a conference room inside Phoebus Apollo. Captain Minami, Hideko, Mika and Fumika were there as well.
"So… why are we here nya?" Rin asked.
"We should begin. The Superintendent called in about this," Captain Minami began, "There's another Avatar on the loose. It's heading towards Japan as we speak."
The screen displayed an archived black-and-white photo of a black giant, whose body was encased by layers of ice. It resembled a skeletal frame with its core visible.
"Current co-ordinates suggest the Pacific Ocean, as monitored by the United Nations Pan-Pacific Command." Hideko followed up.
"Estimated time of arrival upon the Home Islands is tomorrow 1000." Mika reported.
"Your objective is to capture the Avatar, codenamed as Lilith." Fumika addressed.
"Capture?" Umi exclaimed, "But aren't we supposed to eliminate all the Avatars?"
"We are currently researching to understand the Avatars, so we require a live sample for better data assessment… which means an undamaged core. It was initially captured in a dormant state by the Americans, but it's recently active." Captain Minami explained.
"You guys just need to avoid hitting its core, via disabling it by damaging its body until it cannot move." Hideko continued.
"I see… but why all nine of us for a simple capture mission?" Eli asked.
"It's much more complicated. I will need some of you to engage with the Avatar en route to Japan initially, with the rest on standby." Captain Minami said, "In particular, Kousaka-san, Hoshizora-san and Ayase-san will deploy at 0900 towards the Sea of Japan to engage Lilith."
"All of you should rest here for the night." Hideko mentioned, "Tomorrow will be quite a day."
"And don't worry about school. The Captain will settle them," Mika noted.
After the meeting, in Captain Minami's office, Eli was speaking with the captain.
"Since the school is confirmed to be operational next year," Eli began.
"It could be in Tokyo or Osaka, you know," Captain Minami clarified.
"Either way, the campus needs a new Student Council President to rule the peace," Eli continued.
"You speak as if you have someone in mind," Captain Minami said.
"I do. Honoka would make a great President," Eli answered.
"Kousaka-san?" Captain Minami pondered, "She's uh… somewhat tardy with her schoolwork… and occasionally sleeps in class… and does things last minute. Did you knock yourself on your head, Ayase-san?
"Uh yes, Honoka does have her flaws… her numerous flaws. But this position looks out for one's strengths," Eli explained, "Honoka has this… how to say it… charisma, she has this drive that once ignited, she will stop at nothing to get it done. The school was only saved because of her. I concede that I alone can do nothing to avert it, but she and the rest of us… we did it."
"That's quite a glowing testimonial of Kousaka-san you had given there," Captain Minami applauded.
"It may not apparent, but she has a knack for communicating with others. I've seen it first-hand in fact," Eli continued, "Someone like her could definitely rouse the student body to greater heights."
"I must admit, it's odd to discuss campus matters in this context," Captain Minami remarked, "But I will consider Kousaka-san as an option."
About two hours later, it was time for the iDol pilots to sleep. In the bunk where all nine of them were to sleep, Honoka and Rin were restless and they ended up in a pillow fight.
It began with those two, but soon… everyone joined in. Umi was last to join, but it only woke up the sleeping dragon. Armed with pillows in her hands, Umi made short work of anyone who dared to oppose her with her throws.
Umi stood before her next victim – Honoka, who was visibly frightened by Umi's rage.
"You… it's always you…" Umi mouthed.
Before the blue-haired girl said anything else, two pillows simultaneously hit her in the face. Maki and Nozomi stood in Umi's sides, both with arms having made the throws.
"Thank you, Maki-chan, Nozomi-chan!" Honoka let out a sigh of relief, "Umi-chan can be so grouchy sometimes."
"And you still wanted to do a pillow fight, knowing that." Maki bemoaned, "You, of all people, should be resting up right now."
"I just thought that it would be fun to have a pillow fight to lighten things up," Honoka answered.
"I suppose it was all good practice for us here," Nozomi laughed, slamming a pillow into Maki's face, "Gotcha!"
"Besides, tomorrow will be an easy one." Honoka said, "We don't need to kill it and we won't be endangering civilians… Dunno why the Superintendent wants the fights to be within the city… Uh…"
What Honoka just said did not fall upon deaf ears. But with almost everyone else were knocked out by the pillow fight, only Maki and Nozomi heard her words.
"Fights within the city…" Maki thought.
"Oh, the Superintendent eh?" Nozomi thought.
"Uh… Let's sleep. After a good pillow fight, sleeping is good." Honoka haphazardly suggested.
"Oh God…" Maki groaned.
"Such a Fool…" Nozomi laughed.
As µ's was sleeping for the big thing on the following day, Nero was pointlessly on his phone. He said no word, mainly because there was no one on the other end of the line.
"C'mon! Pick up the line, you stupid Superintendent!" he cursed.
The next day, in the midst of the Sea of Japan, the three iDols – Calliope, Terpsichore and Thalia – stood upon three aircraft carriers of the Japanese Self-Defence Force. Those along with several warships were all that stood in defence of the incoming Avatar.
Across the horizon was their target, the Avatar Lilith. It was a monstrosity that could easily stand among the mountains and waist-deep in the seas. It had a shrivelled black skeletal body and its hollow eyeholes stared into blank space. The only thing not in black was the glowing active core on its chest, held in place by what that seemed to be a ribcage.
Lilith might have seen the entourage heading its way, as it began marching onward. In response, the three Avatars charged on from their platforms and prepared to engage with the Avatar.
Calliope led the charge, quickly brandishing its sword against the Avatar. Lilith stared at the attacking iDol and made a loud shrill. After that, Calliope somehow stopped right before she hit Lilith and it simply punched its foe and stomped through it as it marched along.
"Honoka!" Eli cried, "Rin, remember the objective. Capture it."
"Understood nya!" Rin replied.
Both Terpsichore and Thalia prowled around the approaching Avatar, encircling it like vultures to cadavers. The naval forces that arrived with the iDols backed away slightly, clearing the area for the iDols to operate.
"Okay Rin, on my mark…" Eli said, "Three, two, one… Now!"
Upon Eli's cry, the two iDols charged in towards Lilith in hopes of overpowering it. Once more, it responded with a loud shrill and both iDols were paralysed at once.
With all three iDols incapacitated, Lilith was free to advance towards its unknown objective. The naval forces attempted to fire back, launching their jets and missiles on it.
But alas, they were to the Avatar what insects were to humanity – an annoyance. Lilith made them no heed and advanced not caring for them.
Meanwhile, in Phoebus Apollo's Central Command, the rest of µ's and staff were also observing the incident occurring in the Sea of Japan. Logically, it was very disturbing and worthy of concern to them as well.
"Madam, pilots' physiological status appears to be fine. However, their Interactive Movement Systems appear to be temporarily shut down." Hideko reported.
"Rin-chan…" Hanayo muttered.
"Honoka-chan…" Kotori muttered.
"That sound it made… it's as though it had disabled the iDols' Interactive Movement System…" Umi exclaimed, "… Like an EMP…"
"Such an ability, we have no records of it in its initial capture." Captain Minami cursed, "Fumika, search for its capture log! There must be a means for its initial capture!"
"What an absurd power…" Nico admitted.
"No, it's just that the creations will never surpass their template," Maki added.
"Maki…" Nico muttered.
"Behold, the Empress' wrath… The cry of the primordial mother…" Nozomi calmly thought.
In the wake of Lilith's march, the three defeated iDols still remained immobile in the high seas. Inside the Thalia's cockpit, Rin tried her best to move her iDol. However, the hulking machine remained stationary despite all her might.
"Rin, give it up. There's no use over-exerting yourself," Eli pointed out, "The entire system's disabled."
"But…" Rin groaned.
"Now, we have to trust the rest of them to settle this Avatar." Eli explained, "But at least we have deduced one of its properties, so they may at least prepare countermeasures."
"No!" Honoka declared, "We cannot give up! We are the frontline! We cannot just stand here when the others are fighting for their lives! I will not stand for it!"
From her cockpit in Calliope, Honoka continued fidgeting and swinging her limbs wildly about. It was all to no avail, for Calliope just stood still.
In the Central Command of Phoebus Apollo, everyone was still planning what to do with Lilith that was approaching Tokyo and bypassing all that the military could resist.
"The capture log has nothing to help us!" Fumika conceded, "It was an accidental shot that stunt it to begin with."
"But we have to do something," Hanayo supposed, "It's still heading our way."
"But without a suitable countermeasure to deal with it and its strange ability, it would only be foolhardy to charge on recklessly." Nico rationalised.
"The Self-Defence Forces are unable to hold it back anymore! They're requesting for our immediate aid!" Mika yelled.
"But the question is… How do we go about with this?" Captain Minami pondered.
"Hmm… think Maki think…" Maki contemplated.
"The so-called EMP affected Calliope first, and then both Terpsichore and Thalia on a separate occasion." She thought. "Perhaps there is an upper limit or range to its ability… which means…"
"We need long-range attackers to deal with it!" Maki voiced out.
Everyone suddenly turned to Maki, who began proposing her idea.
"We've already seen Lilith's strange ability to disable the Interactive Movement System, so that alone rules out all close-combat type iDols from even being near it," she elaborated, "However, if we can hit it from range and overwhelm it with firepower, we can stop it."
"But that would mean…" Umi interjected, "Nozomi and I."
"Sonada-san, Toujou-san, get ready for sortie. We have no time to waste," Captain Minami ordered.
"Oh, guess it's go time for us," Nozomi smiled.
In the hands of the spiritual girl, she was holding yet another Tarot card.
The Moon.
With nothing to really stop Lilith's march, the Avatar was nearing Tokyo and the creature's silhouette was a shadow in the morning light, observed from Tokyo Bay itself. The alarms have been sounded, sending civilians fleeing for their safety.
The two iDols, Clio and Polyhymnia, stood prepared in Tokyo Bay, the legs of their respective iDols knee-deep in the waters. Clio even crouched down as it readied its massive sniper gun, out towards the rising Sun, from which Lilith would arrive.
"Clio is ready to engage." Umi declared, "The target is within sight."
"So is the Polyhymnia," Nozomi affirmed.
A gunshot from Clio's gigantic sniper began their battle, the shot skimming across the surface of the ocean and heading straight for Lilith. It actually managed to hit the Avatar's left shoulder, pushing it back slightly.
"Umi-chan, take caution not to kill it!" Hideko called out.
"Ah yes, understood." Umi understood.
That first shot seemed to have warned Lilith of more enemies, as the Avatar shrilled and began running towards Tokyo Bay. In response, Polyhymnia also moved out seaward to confront Lilith.
"Nozomi! Don't get too close to it!" Umi cried.
"I know, I know. I got here a plan," Nozomi answered calmly.
As distance between Lilith and Polyhymnia closed in, Nozomi redirected her iDol and moved sideward to the right. A series of micro-missiles fired out in that instance, hitting Lilith's limbs. Care was taken to avoid the Avatar's glowing core and maintain the distance.
Whenever Lilith got too close to Polyhymnia, it was ambushed by a gunshot from Clio from the city. It kept the Avatar at bay, stuck between Polyhymnia's barrage and Clio's ambushing. A shot from Clio had even shot off the Avatar's head, yet it still moved.
However, even without a head, the same terrible cry still resonated from the skeletal Avatar. The seawater trembled from its mighty roar and spread outward to all directions…
Inside the Central Command, the remainder of µ's stayed behind and continued to monitor the situation out there. All three technicians were busy at their respective computers, keying away and their eyes glued at their respective screens.
"Madam! Everyone! From Umi-san!" Fumika exclaimed, "Playing back from records."
"Lilith screamed. Polyhymnia disabled. Charging towards me. Head blown off. Keeps screaming."
"Based on satellite footage, Polyhymnia was about 10 metres away from Lilith." Mika analysed, "That was about 4 times further than earlier ranges estimated."
"Its range expanded!" Maki exclaimed.
"And how can it scream without its head?" Nico wondered.
"So scary…" Hanayo muttered.
"Inform Sonada-san to disable the Avatar immediately. Leave only the core undamaged; the rest can be shot off!" Captain Minami issued her orders.
"Everyone, we got another complication…" Hideko called out, "Calliope is mobile again and presumed to be pursuing Lilith."
"At least the EMP is proven to be temporary," Maki remarked.
"Get Kousaka-san on the line! Right now!" Captain Minami yelled.
"It is done…" Hideko calmly complied.
"Kousaka-san, I order you to cease and desist!" Captain Minami ordered, "Lilith cannot be defeated in close range! You have to retreat!"
"No… I cannot let that Avatar destroy the city!" Honoka responded over the communications system, "I will never let it do so."
"Kousaka-san! I am warning you! There will be consequences if you do not comply!" Captain Minami yelled.
There was no reply from the other end.
At Tokyo Bay, it had transformed to a warzone. Lilith was in the midst of pummelling and smashing Clio to submission. With the Clio completely disabled, Lilith's assault on it was likened to bullying than a battle.
Even without its head, the Avatar 'screams' from the various small orifices across its body. Its left arm was completely blown off by Clio's and Polyhymnia's combined attacks, but that did not hinder Lilith using its right arm to hurl and throw Clio like a ragdoll.
All this time, Umi had been battered and brutalised by the ruthless retaliation. She panted as Lilith continued attacking it, unable to fight back at all.
Nozomi was stuck inside Polyhymnia's cockpit, unable to help Umi at all since her own iDol was immobilised. However, there was not a sign of worry or concern as her ally was pummelled viciously. Sitting down as she watched the scene unfold, two Tarot cards were clutched in her hands.
The Fool. The Wheel of Fortune.
Lilith manhandled Clio and smashed the iDol on the Bay area. It lifted its lanky legs and stomped on Clio repeatedly, brutally taking down the iDol. Lilith kept staring down at Clio as it attacked the iDol.
Then, it all stopped.
A familiar massive sword pierced through Lilith's core, freezing the creature's assault. An even louder monstrous cry echoed and resonated throughout the air, rocking the very waves of the seas.
After the final roar of agony, the Avatar slumped and fell to its sides. Behind Lilith was Calliope.
"Umi-chan…" Honoka panted.
"Ho-Hono-ka…" Umi murmured.
"The Fool possesses such a potential eh?" thought Nozomi.
Hours had passed since the fight against Lilith, and the iDol pilots retired to the medical bay for medical treatment. Mrs Nishikino was busy treating Umi, who suffered gravely under Lilith's assault. Everyone else in µ's was there as well.
"You will be alright, Sonada-san. Rest is key to your recovery," Mrs Nishikino concluded her session, "Alright, I will leave you to your friends."
As Mrs Nishikino left the room, Captain Minami walked in shortly after.
"Uh… thank you, Honoka…" Umi thanked her friend.
"It's all okay Umi-chan," Honoka insisted upon.
"Sadly, all is not okay." Captain Minami grimly said, "Kousaka-san, you have disobeyed my direct orders and that cannot be tolerated."
"Mum, but Honoka-chan defeated the Avatar in the end." Kotori defended her friend.
"It was Umi-chan's life on the line! I can't let her…" Honoka protested.
"For the time being, you are indefinitely suspended." Captain Minami ordered, "You are prohibited from the use of Calliope until further notice. Please leave Phoebus Apollo. And Kotori will be Printemps' acting centre."
"To punish Honoka for doing the right thing is absurd!" Maki protested.
"Please reconsider, Mum!" Kotori cried.
"Captain!" Eli protested.
However, Captain Minami's judgment was final and she left the room.
Hours later, Maki loitered around the iDols bay and was staring intently at the iDol assigned to her – the Urania. Nico stood behind Maki, staring at the redhead.
"You know, you won't get answers staring at a soulless thing," Nico remarked.
"I know that, you idiot!" Maki snapped, "We've seen that capture log for Lilith. It happened to be exactly the same as the Template's."
"So you're saying that…" Nico supposed.
"That Lilith is definitely the Template," Maki concluded.
Meanwhile, inside Captain Minami's office, she began typing in an email in regards to today's events. The report read out as follows:
The Template (codename: Lilith) has been destroyed, with confirmed damage to its core. Requests to salvage older iDols for the construction of newer iDols must be looked upon as a viable option.
P.S. The Template has displayed a previously unknown ability involving a type of EMP that targets the Interactive Movement System of iDols. Possibility of proposed "master control for iDols" is implied to exist and highly recom…
While Captain Minami typed away, the electronic voice of the Superintendent echoed throughout her office once more.
"Minami-kun…" it spoke.
"Superintendent-sama!" Captain Minami exclaimed, "I was about to send you a report of Lilith's… uh…"
"I understand that the Template has been eliminated by Kousaka Honoka." It droned on, "That has already happened."
"But you ought to know of its ability. I believe that the hypothesis of a master control is possible," Captain Minami said.
"However, that would no longer be necessary." The Superintendent spoke, "The Template's fall has drastically altered our course of action."
The voice stopped speaking for a moment, quickly resuming after a second or two.
"And the multitude of the essences of the Two rain upon the land and rise above the seas upon the fall of the mother of false gods… or so it was foretold in the Book of Prophecies, the final chapter of the Romance of the Gods."
"Understood, Superintendent-sama…" Captain Minami acknowledged.
That day at night, Nero was lying down on his bed. Still attired in his trench coat stained with pieces of food and his hair a mess, he was likened to a hobo.
Suddenly, his hand phone rang and the self-proclaimed "master detective" quickly grabbed the phone.
"Nero-san, good evening." The Superintendent's voice spoke.
"You! You gotta help me! That Nishikino girl wants me to get more Intel from ya!" Nero shouted, "Please! Send me more!"
"I understand. That is in fact my purpose with you tonight." The Superintendent said, "I have sent you a lil' something for Nishikino. Deliver it for me."
"Uh… you got it…" Nero replied.
With Lilith killed, the members of µ's were able to return to their respective homes. She checked her email, where she expected a new message delivered to her.
"That idiot of a so-called master detective better have something good…" she thought, "Gosh, contacting me only after so long..."
The attached file was successfully downloaded, a small message written on a Word document.
Dear Maki-chan,
I know you. You know me. I say Find me.
With love
The Superintendent, Phoebus Apollo
"Who on Earth is he?" Maki thought, visibly shaken.
Alas, a new chapter to kick off the new year of 2015. Now we will finally get to the gist of this here fanfic and get straight to the story starting with "The Template". Ending with a potentially 8-man µ's and the Superintendent aware of Maki's investigations, please await for what is to come.
For Tarot symbolism:
The Template: The Empress (progenitor of all iDols)