Earning Stars; Chapter 2: The Word is Determination Resonating From Deep Destruction
Ryuko and Ei stood before the newly two-star uniformed club presidents, each ready to do battles, the air was tense as the two groups faced each ready anxious to see who would make the first move.
"So what's the plan?" Ei asked holding her stance
"Simple, we fight, we kick there asses, then we go to class" she said simply
"You make it sound simple" Ryuko gave a chuckle, before returning to her serious demeanor
"Listen I won't sugar coat it, these guys might look like idiots, but with those two-star uniforms their serious business" she said
"Huh?"
"Just don't let your guard down!" she said bringing up her arm, "Senketsu!"
"Ready!" the Kamui roared, "Let's go!" clipping the device on the red fingerless glove with her teeth, she activated her uniform, completely shedding her clothing.
"Life Fiber Synchronization, Kamui Senketsu!" she declared as she stood completely transformed,
Ei blushed seeing her new and skimpy outfit, the small amounts of fabric that nearly cover her boobs or her private areas.
"Oh my…" now Ei was not prudish by any means, this actually wasn't the worst she had seen in terms of less fitting clothing. Compliments of her 'guardians'
"Um Ryuko-san?"
"Don't worry Ei, this battle is going to be over really quickly! Senketsu!"
"Ready Ryuko, let's go!" he declared with a spin of her blade she was prepared to do battle
"That's what you think!" the boxing club captain grinned activating his uniform, the red lined gloves, "Prepare yourselves!" jumping into the air he brought his fist back,
"Eat this, Iron Fist Pulverizer!" a long punch of multiple gloves rained down towards them
"Ryuko-chan look out!" Mako warned
"No you don't!" using her blade she blocked the steal attacks, as the boxing club president kept her busy, the tennis club president decided to seize the opportunity to attack.
"Now's my chance" she grinned with her shark teeth gleaming, "Say your prayers Matoi Ryuko!: her uniform gleaming
"Ah she's gonna attack Ryuko-chan!" Mako gasped, Ei looked to see the student bring out a large, over-sized tennis racket, along with other tennis club student's behind her.
"110 Million Cannonball Serve!" suddenly dozens of cannonballs rained from sky like meteors
"Ryuko-chan look out!" Mako cried
"Damn it!"
As the tennis balls rained in a sudden flash Ei appeared over them
"What is she doing!?"
"Ei-chan!?"
Like before a blue energy appeared around Ei, as the attacks neared she reached into her backpack and pulled out something, the attacks colliding, but seemed to be pushed back and stopped
"What the hell did she do!?" Omiko demanded
"Ei stopped the tennis balls!" Mako awed
"Defend; Disassembling Wavelength!" in a burst of energy the attacks were sent flying back before being scattered.
"My Cannonball Serves!" Omiko gasped, "She completely blocked my attacks with some old book!" she growled not happy
"Wow Ei-chan is amazing!" Mako cheered
"Incredible…" Senketsu said in disbelief
"That girl…."
"RYUKO-CHAN!" not paying attention, she was caught off guard as Takaharu delivered a right jab to her face sending her sliding back, though she recoiled blood dripped from her mouth.
"Bastard!" she received only a laugh
"Pay attention to your own fights!" he boosted retracting his glove back, "I'm your opponent!"
Ryuko growled prepared to attack, using her blade she blocked something being thrown at her
"Knives?" she groaned, it was Jack Naito president of the knife throwing club, "Did ya miss me!" he hissed
"As if!" she yelled
"Whatever, take this!" a rain of knives rain down, with various swipes they were countered by Ryuko
"I won't let you show me up take this!" stated the other club presidents
"This is annoying! Don't you ever take a hint!" she roared as she continued to block and counter the attacks
"Hang on Ryuko-san!"
"Where do you think you're going!" Ei gasped as she was suddenly tied up by a rope, "What is this?" she struggled
"This is a specialty of club captain Masuya Watari!" looking back she saw what she hoped was a female, a clown who was practically naked save for the red lined stars covering her breast and the heart on her stomach.
"Your mine!" with a pull she began reeling her back
"Let me go!"
"Ah! Ei-chan!" Mako gasped making a run toward her somehow dodging the flying attacks before finally grabbing hold to Ei.
"Mako-san?"
"Don't worry I'll get you free!" she stated and began biting and pulling on the rope like some kind of animal.
"Oh no you don't!" the captain stated inciting a scream from the girl
"Mako!?" Ryuko called seeing the other girls in trouble, "Back off!" she roared sending the attacks flying back.
"Senketsu!"
"Right!" with a sudden burst of energy, her uniform changed, the bottom part of the uniform becomes a jet propulsion, and the crest became wings.
"Senketsu Gale!" like a rocket she took off, zooming through the yard
"Ryuko-chan!" with a slash she freed Ei from the rope
"I'm free!"
"We have to retreat!" Ryuko said, not wanting to run, "Grab onto me!" she commanded, not waiting to be told twice and the three took off much to the charging of those behind them.
After finding a place to rest, Ryuko made sure the cost was clear, before the three gave sighs of relief
"Ah man this is ridiculous" Ryuko groaned after the fight she just had
"I am so sorry!" Ei apologized, "This is all my fault! I should just go and face my punishment!" she wept
"Don't talk like that!" Ryuko said sternly
"But the entire school is out to get me, and because you guys are with me you're going to hurt too!" she cried sadly
"So what"
"Huh?"
"News flash, this school's been out to get me from day one" she admitted
"Why you?"
"It's true! On the first day Ryuko-chan challenged the head council president! Since then she's been fighting against all the presidents and clubs! There was even a time when they put a bounty on her head and everyone wanted to fight her!" Mako explained
"So don't get all worked up" Ryuko shrugged, "I'm sure at this moment the ice queen is probably thawing out about this whole situation"
"You think so?" Ei said a little more hopeful
"Ryuko-chans right! Plus remember you still have us! We won't let you get expelled or executed!" Mako declared vehemently
"Thank you" she said with a small smile, her voice a little over a whisper, "Alright I won't worry about this"
"That's the spirit!"
"By the way" she began, "I've been meaning to ask you"
"What?"
"Well, it's about the students, the club presidents, you said something about their uniforms. Two-star…what does that mean?" she asked a little confused as the two girls looked at her
"Right I guess you don't know…" Ryuko replied remembering she was new
"It's because of the Life Fibers!" Mako intervened
"Life Fibers?" the brown haired girl nodded furiously
"Right! See all the uniforms in the school have these threads in them call Life Fibers. The number of stars represents what percentage of fibers are in each uniforms that give students superhuman strength and powers!" she said using the club presidents as examples
"So it's the clothing that makes them strong" she said a little doubtful
"It's true! Most students are no star students! Only a few students are given one-star uniforms, but mostly those who serve Lady Satsuki, two-stars are strictly for club presidents and three-stars and higher are only worn by the Student Council or the Four Devas!" she said and instantly Ei remembered the golem sized giant student sending cringes up her spin
"Okay I think I get" she stammered understanding, "So, is that what your uniform is Ryuko-san?" she asked looking at the girl
"Actually Ryuko-sans Senketsu is different from the uniforms, he's specially made to stand up to the uniforms!" Mako explained
"He?"
"Yeah, he's rather stubborn at time, but he's a good partner" Ryuko stated
"He's Ryuko-chan's friend! Like me!" she added happily
'Her friend' Ei thought
"Anyway we should probably keep moving" Ryuko said, "No doubt they have the whole school looking for us" she said
"But who knows this might blow over by the end of the day"
In the school high tower of the student council,
"Unacceptable!" Gamagori stated angrily and sternly as he looked down at the kneeling club captains
"We're sorry Gamagori-sama!"
"Please forgive us!" the presidents begged having been reprimanded for these lost and failure at defeating Ei Nova or Ryuko Matoi.
"Silence!" he roared silencing the captains, "You were given orders, had your uniforms graciously bestowed by Lady Satsuki, and you still failed!" the captains trembled
"We're sorry!" the begged
"It was all Ryuko's fault! She intervened in our fight!" Omiko blamed
"Says you!" Takaharu scoffed catching a glare from the girl, "You're just mad because that girl beat you with a book.
"Oh shut up like you did any better!"
"What was that!" he growled, "I did better than the rest of you!"
"Huh!?"
"You wanna repeat that shorty!" Jack growled
"Shorty!?"
"ENOUGH!" the room was silent as the others nearly jumped out of their skin, "You are in the presents of Lady Satsuki! Show respect!" the others bowed again begging for mercy and forgives. In the throne chair, the student council president Satsuki Kiriyuin, sat drinking her tea gracefully. Bringing it down, her steely eyes of ice leered down at the individuals who cringed anxiously.
"So Ryuko is protecting the girl" she said evenly, folding her leg over, "Do we know where they are now?"
"Lady Satsuki, the three students; Ryuko Matoi, Ei Nova, and Mako, have been located in the eastern half of the school" a voice said as fingers tapped quickly on the keys of his laptop, with teal hair and a collar-neck suit uniform and blue tinted glasses that reflected the light from the computer screen. He was council member, head of Information and Strategy, Hōka Inumuta.
"Good, keep an eye on them" she ordered
"Yes Lady Satsuki" he obeyed without hesitation
"Also find me any information on Ei Nova"
"As you wish" the hacker said and began his information gather.
Back with Ryuko and the others, they moved stealthily through the school dodging any and all students who might be looking for them.
"So their still at it?" she whispered peering around the corner
"Well Ryuko-chan?"
"Looks like we have to find another way" she whispered, "Man this is annoying" she groaned
"Oh no I just remembered!" Mako gasped, "I missed three of my classes today!"
"Focus Mako, we need to get out of this school before the others find us" she said sternly to the air headed girl who apologized if not cutely.
"Sorry"
"Anyway we can't go this way, maybe we could..." before she could finish her sentence the foundation seemed to explode sending debris.
"What's happening!?" Ei gasped as they floated with the debris
"Ahhhh!"
"It's a trap!" with another burst Mako was grabbed
"They got me!" she cried
"Mako!" Ryuko called seeing her friend capture
"Save yourself!"
"Hold on!" she called back, "We have to go get her!" as they tried to go after her more snares seemed to burst out of the smoke and debris
"Damn it!" they were coming straight for them
"We need to move!" Ei gasped seeing them coming straight for them, suddenly she found herself being grabbed.
"Ryuko-san!"
"No time!" stated seriously with a spin she threw the other out of the debris, something ripped as Ei was sent plummeting to the ground, managing to land safely with a thud.
"Ryuko-san!" she cried out, looking up at the hole now in the school
"Well, well look what we have here!" came a boastful voice, from the smoke revealed the club presidents, as she looked closer she saw they had Mako and Ryuko tied up.
"Ryuko-san! Mako-san!" she gasped, "Let them go!" she demanded
"Runway Ei-chan!" Mako cried
"Get away while you can!" Ryuko added
"Looks like you're in quite a predicament!" Omiko snickered, "What will you do now without your bodyguard to protect you!"
"You bitch!" Ryuko growled from her confinement
"Leave them alone!" Ei cried out, "I'm the one you want! Just let them go!"
"As if" the boxing club captain scoffed, "If you want to save your little 'friends', come to the arena and face us!"
'The arena?'
"Be there or the next time you see your friends will be in little pieces!"
'No!' she trembled not wanting to think what would happen
"Remember either you come or they die!" with that Ei could only watch as her friends were carried off leaving her.
'I can't let this happen' looking down, her eyes began to water, the fear building up, 'I'm not strong enough' she never believed she was strong, what good could she do.
"I can't let this happen"
In the arena, the stands were filled with attendants of the student council and students alike, having came upon word that Ryuko had been captured…again.
"Looks like a full house"
"Everyone seems to have come out for the fight"
"If there is a fight"
"Hey you bastards!" Ryuko growled, she and Mako had been bound cross-style to two large metal pillars.
"Hey simmer down you" Uza said casually as Ryuko growled
"Let me down from here!" she demanded, "So I can wipe that condescending smirk off your face!" she threatened pulling at her binds
"I worry about your own self, Matoi" Immuta said, "As it stands, your 'friend' seems to be a no show"
"So the new kid ran away, typical" Nonon hummed flicking her wand about
"Not true! Ei-chan is our friend!" Mako stated
"That's funny, but she's just some weakling who ran away with her tail between her legs" she stated,
"No way! Ei-chan is strong!"
"She's a weakling, what could you possibly know you underachiever" Mako puffed out her cheeks, small tears in her eyes.
"Face it, she ran away"
"She's here!" someone called out, all eyes turned to the entrance as the figure of Ei walked through the gates,
"Ei-chan!"
'She came'
"So the little weakling decided to show up after all" Nonon hummed still waving her wand around.
"She's either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid" Uza summed folding his arms
"I guess will see, this will make for some interesting data" Immuta stated adjusting his glasses
Ei stood before the council, the audience, her opponents, and her friends,
"I here!" she called out,
"Why did you come here, you idiot!" Ryuko yelled, "Why didn't run away!?"
"Who cares why, she's still gonna die!" the attack began
"Take this!" pulling back his fist, "Iron Fist Pulverizer!" the attacked connected with Ei sending her to the ground, cracking the it as she hacked.
"Ei-chan!" Mako cried out
"Leave her alone!"
With a short chuckle, he released a series of attacks, pulverizing her into from every direction. Barely standing straight, when the final attack seemed to come down, with a sudden swipe she was able to use her broom to defend herself.
"Why you!" he growled, with a good jump she managed to put some distance between her and the boxer
"Release; Counter Reversal Movement!" with a whip of her broom an energy pulse was sent toward the boxing president, who using his gloves blocked it was sent back hitting the wall leaving a crater in it.
"You little brat!" the blond growled, "Let's see you handle this!"
"1 Billion Cannonball Punishment Golden Slam!" she declared sending billions of tennis balls raining down hard and fast.
"Don't leave me out of this!" Jack cackled, "Block this, 1000 Descending Steel!" with swiftness he sent dozens of knives raining down
"Watch out!" reaching into her bag, she pulled out her book, holding it a seal appeared in blue light, inside the lines were various markings and notes,
"Protect; Energy Barrier!" the barrier protected and disintegrated the attacks as they connected with the field.
"Oh this is getting interesting" Nonon seemed amused watching the fight
"She might not be such a weakling after all" Immuta said, seeming to mock Nonon who glared at him
"Little brat!" Takarada growled emerging from the wall to rejoin the battle
As the attacks seemed to stop, the barrier went down, Ei however, seemed exhausted. Her breathing was labored and sweat pulled down her foreword.
"Tired already"
"I'm…not done" she breathed
'Those last two moves took a lot out of me' she thought, 'But I need to hang on, Ryuko….Mako, are counting on me'
"Stay on your toes!"
"Huh?" distracted by her thoughts, Ei found herself kicked back, "What was that?" she coughed standing back up,
"I'm Folk Dance Club President, Maimu Okurahama!" introduced the glass jar wearing girl circled with other girls with glass jars around her head,
"Prepared to have the tables turned!" she declared blowing her whistle, "High Speed Mayim Mayim!" she ordered, soon Ei was circled as the others danced around her to folk music.
"Dancing?" while it seemed unusual she had faced weider, "It will take more than dancing them stop me!" she said
"Be-sasson!" suddenly she was kicked and punch simultaneously before they went back to dancing
"What was that!?" she said surprised
"Be-sasson!" again she was hit multiple times
"This is insane!" she yelled, as another attack was coming she jumped up dodging the kicks,
"I have to go on offensive" taking out her broom again she gripped the handle,
"Alright take this! Re…." before she could finish her attack she was struck from behind, the force sending her plummeting to the ground with a bounce knocking the wind out of her.
"Ei-chan!"
"Ei!"
As she stood, the tennis and knife throwing captains attacked her again, taking out her book to defend she only managed to stop a small fraction of the attacks, before her book was knocked out of her hand by a cannon tennis ball.
'My book!' she gasped as it flew a ways from her,
"Not so tough without you dumb book!"
"He's not dumb!" she stated, but gasped as she was delivered as series of punches by Takaharu, the steeled punches pulverizing her.
"Ei!" Ryuko called out trying to get out of her binds.
"She's getting beaten up!" Mako cried not liking seeing her friend get hurt.
"Looks like the weaklings luck ran out" Nonon sighed rather disappointed
"I was expecting to get more data, shame"
Ryuko growled, how could they allow this, one student fighting against two-star uniform wearers. Out-numbered and out-powered, of course she was getting beaten.
After being punched, kicked, pelted with tennis balls, pottery, and even pierced with knives Ei was sent to the ground, her clothing tattered, her skin covered in dirt and blood, cuts and bruises.
"Ei Nova!" the voice rang out, "Have you decided to surrender!" as the questioned mauled through her head, she laid there as silence filled the arena.
'Remember this' a memory, a lesson playing in her mind, 'Winning isn't the victory, losing isn't the lost' it had been a long time since she heard the voice.
'Because of what you are and who you chose to stand with, destruction will follow you' looking forward, her eyes half-lidded fighting the realm between sleep and consciousness, navy blue eyes spotted something laying near here. With a tired hand she managed to grab it, feeling the soft fabric in her palm.
'But as long as you have something to stand for, to live for, stuff like that doesn't really matter, right?' clutching the black fabric.
'Without something to truly fight for, all the energy in the world means nothing. If you have it, protect it or watch it ripped away from you' she knew what she had to do, she made her resolve
"I don't want to…" she coughed, eyes watched as her body staggered upwards, trembling back and forth, but managing to stand.
"I admit it" she breathe, "I'm weak, I've always known that…" she replied, "But…" looking up those timid eyes seemed too hardened even only slightly
"I won't back down, I'm not going to let my friends suffer!" she declared her voice weak, but stern
"I made a resolve!" she gripped the fabric tightly, "Not to lose!" she could feel her heart pulse, her blood race as a feeling surged through her. Was it fear? Sadness? No it was different…a strength that willed her to go on.
"Because….", yes she knew it was her determination, "RYUKO AND MAKO ARE MY FRIENDs!" she cried out, her voice booming carrying her determination, her courage to protect her friends. Suddenly an intense energy form around her, the thick blue energy surged around.
"What's that!?"
"It can't be…?"
"It's…"
"Ryuko-chan!?"
"No way…" she gasped silently
'That's…'
The light surged before releasing the star activation, in an explosion of series of pulsating stars that wrapped around Ei, stripping her of her old self and creating something new. Black thread serging with Ei's essence covering her body and tightening around her.
'I feel it…that determination' she could feel the energy surging through her, above her head a large seal appeared, spinning around her creating her new clothing like a needles on a sewing machine. On her chest was a black fabric that formed downwards moving to the back to show off her stomach and went into black shorts with a yellow unclipped short suspenders on both sides. Sporting two black fingerless gloves with death embroidered on the right glove. Long socks appeared on her feet, one was a solid dark blue and the other had yellow stars scattered on it. Finally three star clips, one black, one blue, and one yellow appeared on the side of her head which had become loose and sharper with a glistening navy blue sheen. Finally she wore large blue and black sneakers with shooting stars on the side and star choker around her neck.
As the energy disappeared, the newly fitted Ei stood, still sparkling with energy.
'Is that…her?' two navy blue eyes looked upwards, a smirk on her face
"Death Fiber Resonation, Godrobe Nagareboshiketsu!" she declared as all eyes, emotions ranging from shocked, surprised, to utterly speechless filled the arena.
"Where did she get that?"
'Just as I thought…'
...To Be Continued…
Next time; Even Cowards Can Show Courage!
'I don't know what's happening, but…"
"I refuse to be defeated!"