Chapter 2
The Student Body Council
"If it cannot break out of its shell, a chick will die without being born. We are the chick, the world is our egg. Smash the world's shell." Touga intoned as the elevator rose to the open platform high above.
"For the revolution of the world." Several voices responded from the elevator's other occupants. As the council members strode out onto the platform, they took seats that had been set out for them. Looking slowly about at the council, both old and new. Things had changed since those days, he though to himself, and too much of it had remained a secret from him.
"As you all know, we have a serious concern on our hands. End of the World has called us together to discuss an issue of the highest importance to this council, miss Utena Tenjou."
"She should be put out, before she has a chance to cause any more trouble!" Saionji didn't hesitate to vocalize his opinion, standing sharply to his feet. A stampede of bulls rushed along behind him, bellowing and snorting.
"It's just as well she returned, since as I understand it, nothing has been accomplished since she left." Juri retorted, standing in gold matador's uniform with a red cape over her right shoulder.
"True, but as I understand it, she failed to bring about the revolution. She is a tool to be used, not a hope for our future." A newcomer said, pushing a pair of glasses to the bridge of his nose.
"Edric is right, of course. While miss Tenjou may indeed prove to be the beginning a change, we must be firm about the end. If we do nothing, we shall become nothing." Touga stood and began walking upon a treadmill, his eyes gazing into the west. The sun lowered in his gaze, dropping behind the clouds on the horizon.
"Perhaps we should just speak to her." Miki said as Mitsuru, a young blond boy, clicked a stopwatch from the chair next to him.
"Your proposal is unacceptable. It would make us look like we were bowing and scraping to this girl. We must keep her at arm's distance, or she might decide that we are weak. We must be stronger than we were two years ago, when we failed." Another newcomer said, brushing her shoulder length teal hair out luxuriously. She leaned back and began sucking blueberry lemonade through a straw.
Juri looked over at her, annoyance concealed by the coolness of her tone. "An easy thing to say, but you weren't on the student council two years ago."
Leaning forward on the lawn table, the girl gave a challenging smile to Juri. "Then why don't you let us deal with her, since we didn't fail at it."
Nearly falling into the trap, Juri withdrew, putting up her facade. She looked to Touga, who had returned to his seat. "Fine, I think we should let them try their hand. We will lose nothing for their efforts, therefore, we should agree to Venetia's terms."
"Very well, it is decided. Edric, Venetia, you may assemble your duelists to carry out any plan. Bear in mind that End of the World will not tolerate violating the rules of the academy, so you must be tactful and discreet. Report your progress at our next meeting." Touga said, rising from his seat. Each member began to filter out, until the platform was empty once again.
***
"That may have been a bold risk you took back there. Are you really that sure of yourself?" Touga questioned as he walked out with Juri, his tone soft and level.
"Of course, besides, if she has shown up, the Rose Bride can't be far behind. This could be exactly what we want." Juri answered. "If there are two of them, we may drive them to retrieve her."
"As usual, your observations are astute. They will bring the Revolution to us." Both turned and headed their own way, as if their path had only been shared for a moment.
Touga still didn't like where this was going, especially if End of the World judged against them. They had defended her as his champion once before, then rejected her. If they were as enigmatic as they had proven in the past, there was no telling what would happen.
"There you are, big brother." Nanami, Touga's younger sister, came hurrying up. As usual, she showed her affection to him the moment no one was looking. She took his arm and hugged it firmly, then releasing and stepping up to face him.
"Guess what? I wanted to throw a big party tomorrow night, for all the newcomers to our school. That way, they'll all get a chance to meet us, won't it be wonderful?"
"Of course, Nanami. I hope you made sure to invite everyone, since it seems someone has moved into the East Dorm just this morning."
"Oh my, we mustn't let them miss it. I'll make sure to get an invitation to them right away!" Eagerly, she turned and hurried to send the invitation. Touga smiled as she ran off. Even when he wasn't sure about everything, he still had the reins of the situation. Nanami would bring Utena to him, and he would find out for himself what was going on, one way or another.
***
"Fools! Past their prime! They are nothing more than tools for us to use!" Venetia rambled at Edric as they walked. He only nodded, speaking nothing as she vented her anger. "That Juri, a washed up has been, dares to speak to me like that!? Well, we shall see who is victorious after we have the Rose Bride! She thinks I don't know about the girl who followed this Tenshu girl, but I'll beat her!"
"It's Tenjou," Edric corrected. "and besides, we must be careful of what End of the World has given us, lest the other members of the council discover that we have as much power as we do."
"You're right, but she just burns me so." Venetia sighed, glaring off in the direction of Juri's dorm.
"Bide your time, and strike when she doesn't see it coming. She sees only what she wants to see. If you use her blindness against her, then she will be helpless after you strike her down."
"Yes, yes, I understand. So have you selected the first duelist yet?"
"Of course." He handed her a photo. "All that is left to be done is make him ready, then the first of our champions shall be revealed."
"Good, I trust it won't take long, or am I going to bring him in?"
"I shall handle it." With that, Edric bowed and turned, heading his own way.
"They're all pawns in my little game." Venetia thought gleefully to herself as she headed home.
***
"You remember miss Utena Tenjou, right Mitsuru?" Miki asked as they headed away from the elevator.
"Hmm, I think so. She was the one who wore a boy's uniform, right?
Miki nodded in response. "She just came back to the academy today, and everybody has been talking about it."
"Isn't that a good thing? I remember miss Nanami say you were friends with her."
"Yeah, we were, but I'm not sure we are anymore." Depression rang in Miki's voice.
"Sure you are! You just need to go talk to her again, then I'm sure she'll tell you that you're still friends." Mitsuru said encouragingly, his boyish enthusiasm drawing a smile from Miki. "Ever since you became my friend and teacher, I've been much happier, so why wouldn't a friend from before be happy to see you again?"
"You're right, Mitsuru. I'll go talk to miss Utena tomorrow!"
"That's the spirit!" Mitsuru's grin became infectious, and the two started laughing.
"Well, see you tomorrow then." Miki finally managed.
"Tell me how it goes." Mitsuru waved as he headed off.
***
Nemo's shoulders slumped as he walked out of a small passage in the school and staggered home. The memories were coming back, and he could hardly keep himself from breaking. The further he got, the stronger, until he was walking upright again. His eyes betrayed the truth, however, showing an echo of something deep inside, a loneliness that wouldn't go away.
As he walked, night set in, and the street lamps started to flicker. The ones ahead of him refused to come on. A weak, defiant smile crawled onto his face as he walked, still fighting the void within himself. "Nemo, no one, alone and unwanted. This world wants to kill me, but I refuse. I will not die, even if I am unwanted, I still have a mission. My mission will not let me die." His voice rose until it resounded, challenging the darkness with a shout. "I will not die! I will succeed, and nothing you can do will ever stop me!"
Another figure had been walking through. He stopped and strode towards Nemo, a face of smugness firm on his face. "Why don't you keep your worthless barking to yourself, Nemo."
"It's none of your business what I do, Leander. Coming from the biggest windbag in school, I shouldn't be surprised that you can't keep out of other people's way." Nemo countered, his voice growing scornful.
"Shut up!" Leander snarled. "You think you're so tough, don't you. You were half drowned, like a puppy dragging itself out of a river, when you came here. Starving, snarling, treating everyone like trash. You are a pitiful waste, Nemo, and you'll always be alone, no matter what you do. Who could care about an animal like you?"
"No one." Nemo's response came quietly, but a spark crackled, like an unburned fire from deeper within. "But at least I have something to fight for," his eyes glinted dangerously, "unlike you. You can do nothing but tear people down. You harass them, beat them with your words, try to make them nothing. You judge them, condemn them before even understanding why. I may be a half drowned dog, unwanted in this world, but you are nothing more than a crow. You mock, and pull flesh from the dead, then you move on, looking for another near dead to harass, until you can pick its flesh clean."
Leander backed up, shaken by Nemo's demeanor. Snorting, he turned away, trying to show disdain. "I've heard enough of your ramblings, Nemo. I have better things to do." With that, he strode away. Nemo stood in the dark road, watching his opponent hurry away. He turned and walked off, leaving a trail of rain in his wake.
***
High over Ohtori, he sat watching. He had watched the council meeting, seen them heading to their dorms. He had seen them part ways, all thinking they had the upper hand in the game. They were all pawns and rooks, bishops and knights. Only he could be king, and soon, his queen would be coming back to him. Everything was going according to plan.
He thumbed open a small case, looking at four identical white rings. Each bore the crest of the academy upon them, a pink rose. Each would introduce another piece to his plan, and another opportunity to succeed.
The elevator bell rang, bringing with it the girl in the dark uniform. She walked up slowly, her pale face cold and emotionless. He gestured for her to take a seat as he switched a small control. As they sat down, a massive machine sitting in the center of the room hummed to life. The curtains of the encircling chamber windows lowered, and the machine filled the darkening domed chamber with stars. Silence reigned as everything settled underneath the artificial sky.