Chapter 22: Entrapment
Myzuki was sitting next to Kota trying to figure out how so many people fit in the living room. It looked like a small army in here. She vaguely heard Ikki and Kenshin arguing in the background. The whole thing was a little overwhelming. Kenshin had showed up with her old team and the remaining members of Kogarasamaru. He also came with a good bit of information on Katashi's location and his end game.
There are 28 known regalias and 16 unknown regalias. Myzuki's is one of the unknown. The 28 known came from the first generation gravity children. Each regalia posse a Rune Futhark that is a part of a quantum code to release and control the sky regalia. Each one was specifically designed to work with air in order to work in conjunction with the king's road; this is known as infinite atmosphere. A king or queen can only use their regalia a number of times before their bodies and regalia give out. This is where the Tuners come in. Without proper optimization from the tuner, the regalia will lose control and the rider will sustained irreversible injuries.
The 16 unknown regalias there isn't any information on them. The theory is that they belonged to the first generation of brain chargers in the US. The concept of them is the same as the 28. Unlike gravity children, brain chargers were ordinary people that had the traits of the gravity children transferred to their DNA. As well as the compulsion to fly, unlike the gravity children that lacked the drive. The only two known fact about the unknown 16 is that Dr. Minami is the one that headed both projects and the 16 were incomplete.
"I have a question," Myzuki said.
"What is it," Kenshin asked.
"Why go for ours? I guess what I mean to say is why not just go after the 28?"
"I'm not all that sure. I just know it has to do with the gravity kids and what happened here not too long ago," Kenshin looked over to Ikki.
Ikki cleared his throat.
"I'll explain it. Ikki can be slow," Kazu answered.
"Hey screw you man," Ikki threatened.
Kazu just laughed it off.
"I'm guessing it's because when Ikki's storm regalia were reconstructed they were merged with the remnants of the rumble regalia, flame, gem, fang, and thunder. He isn't aware that there are five codes embedded in it. So, he attempted to replace them from the unknown 16," Kazu explained.
"So where's the sky regalia then," She asked.
"At the top of the Trophaeum," Cokefire answered.
"What's his end game though," Myzuki asked.
"Sora and Nike are in jail. According to Simca, they're not involved. With that being said we should always be prepared," Cokefire added.
"If Simca said they're not then they're not," Ikki interjected.
Myzuki couldn't help but feel slightly jealous at his unwavering faith and loyalty to the girl. She had heard from Ringo a brief history of the two's involvement.
"He's probably trying to accomplish the same thing Sora was trying to accomplish though," Kazu said.
"Are you talking about what happened a few years ago? You know the whole anti-gravity field that encompassed the planet?"
"Yeah," Ikki said quietly.
"I guess it would make sense. He isn't a rider. I mean I have never seen him wear AT's before and he would always talk crap about people that rode," Kenshin added.
Everybody but Myzuki looked at him then.
"Are you serious," Ikki asked.
"Yeah, I really don't see anything wrong with what he is trying to do. I think everyone should have the ability to fly. I just don't agree with his methods. Especially when it means causing Myzuki harm,"
"You didn't seem to have a problem with it before," Ikki countered.
Kenshin didn't bother with a response and just gave him a dirty look.
"Not that I don't agree with Ikki on this matter. I'm wondering why the change of heart?" Kota asked.
"Like I said I don't agree with such underhanded methods," Kenshin retorted.
"Let's try to focus on the bigger picture mates. We need to come up with a plan to counter Kenshin. We cannot allow another incident like a few years ago to happen. We lost a lot of good people and I don't think it's anything anyone wants to relive again," Cokefire said.
"I already had something in mind," Kenshin replied.
"Oh, and what would that be," Kota asked.
"I've contacted Kururu Sumeragi the leader of Tool Toul To. I have asked for her helped for a special project. She agreed as long as Ikki was okay with it,"
Ikki perked up at this.
"What do plan on having her do," Ikki asked.
"I'm having her replicate yours and Myzuki's regalia,"
"I thought you had duplicates made," Ikki asked confused.
"I did, but I'm not a tuner. With the ones I created, you can't access any of the roads with them. However with the ones she will make she will be able to give off the illusion of the road. It will be enough to give us an opening while his guard is down," Kenshin explained.
"Is she the ones that has the real ones now," Myzuki asked.
"Yes,"
"You bastard! You've put here and Tool Toul To in danger," Ikki stood up and grabbed Kenshin by the collar of his shirt.
"The only one I care about is Myzuki. It was necessary to get it done. Besides Tool Toul To is like a fortress. You should have more faith in the people around you,"
"Get a hold of yourself Ikki," Kazu tried to pull Ikki off Kenshin.
"You should probably contact this girl. If she is capable of doing the replicas, she will need as much time as we can buy her," Kota remarked.
"I agree," Cokefire added.
Ikki let go of Kenshin and stormed off. Myzuki went upstairs to her designated room. She needed space. She was feeling overwhelmed, awkward, and confused. She didn't know how much to trust Kenshin and everybody just seemed to be on board with this including Kota. She needed to think. She did her best thinking while riding but with the given circumstances, it wasn't wise to just take off.
Ikki dialed Kururu's number. It rang twice before he heard a breathless Kururu answer.
"Is everything ok," He asked.
"Oh, hi Ikki; yes everything is fine. I'm actually working on those replicas if that's ok? I mean I figured it would be… I mean I hope you're not mad… I just wanted to make sure they would live up to your standards," She spoke quietly into the phone.
He let out a sigh. "Yeah, its okay. I was calling to let you know it was okay with me,"
"I'm glad. If you wouldn't mind, I would like you to come in to get your originals tuned. I mean if you are going to be battling I would like to do my duty,"
"I was thinking the same thing,"
"That's great! Oh, I almost forgot but the owner of the other pair. Do they have a tuner?"
"Yeah she does. Why?"
"Oh… well because she needs her tuned badly as well. It would be good if she came in. If her tuner isn't handy we ca-"
"He's here too. We'll come in tonight and get tuned. Is that ok? I mean I am not asking too much of you right?"
"No, not at all; that's what being the leader of Tool Toul To means. It's making sure all AT riders can fly to the best of their abilities. We're all on the same team…"
Kururu was blushing now. She was grateful that Ikki couldn't see her. She always admired how confident Ikki was and it was a trait she tried to emulate when she could; even though she would be very embarrassed after the fact.
"You're right Kururu! Thanks! See you later,"
Upstairs where Myzuki was busy pacing her room came a knock. The door opened without her approval.
"You're wondering why we trust him," Kota asked.
"Actually I am, and more importantly you," Myzuki inquired.
Kota came in the room fully, closing the door behind him. He walked over to her and stopped in front of her. She looked up at him curiously.
"That should be obvious; I trust that he is willing to do anything for you,"
Myzuki rolled her eyes at this and was going to walk away; he pulled her back to him. She arched her brow at him.
"I have also had Hiro tailing him since he arrived back in the states. I found it odd that he followed you all the way here only to return empty handed,"
"So, why didn't you say anything downstairs?"
"I didn't think it was wise to bring it up,"
"I see,"
"Myzuki, listen to me. You are my priority. Do you understand," he cupped her cheek and brought her face close to his.
Myzuki was only able to nod. She closed her eyes then and held her breath. She waited for a kiss that didn't happen. When she felt his hand on her cheek fall, she opened her eyes. Kota was glaring at the door. There stood Kenshin. He was glaring right back at Kota.
'This was just peachy,' she thought.
"Are you going to move or do I have to kick your ass to get in the room," Ikki asked.
He shoved Kenshin over to get inside. Kenshin rolled his eyes and left quietly.
'Phew disaster averted. Thank you Ikki,' Myzuki mused.
"What's his problem?"
Ikki looked out the door then looked back inside.
"I guess he doesn't like you either. I don't blame him," He followed.
"What do you want," Kota asked him.
"I just got off the phone with Kururu and told her it was cool. She wants me to go get my AT's tuned. She also suggested that Myzuki get her AT's tuned as well,"
"Very well," Kota replied.
"Sure, that's a good idea. When can we go," Myzuki asked.
"Whenever you guys are ready," Ikki answered.
"Let's head out then," She looked over at Kota and he nodded in agreement.
