No beta so if anyone finds an error, please do tell me about it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Guilty Crown or any of it's characters and story plot/arcs. What i do own is my ideas that are incorporated into the fic and the few changes that I've made.
"People speaking"
'People thinking'
Enjoy~ R&R
Guilty Crown - Sins of an Emperor
Phase 05: Preparation
Previously on Guilty Crown – Sins of an Emperor
He passed it back to me before saying, "Keep it for now, it might be useful. When we get back to base, pass that to Tsugumi for her to analyze it just in case… Although about the tracking part, it's alright as our base is jammed from any unknown devices detected by our security system."
Nodding at the orders I received, I allowed Inori to lean on my shoulders as I too went to sleep, tired with the events of the day. Just as I fell asleep, I had one last train of thought.
…So much for trying to live a normal life, I wonder… would GHQ publicly report me as an associate to the Undertakers? Or would the incident that caused Isolation Facility Four be more of a concern that they would ignore me?... Only time will tell I guess, for now I'll have to deal with the present.
After a short nap of course…
With that I fell into the domain of Morpheus.
Scene: An underground base
P.O.V: Shu
"Shu… Shu… wake up"
My whole body was being shaken in an attempt to get me up, my eyes shot open and I saw that we had arrived in some kind of base underneath the surface.
Looking at the direction where the voice of the person who shook me up, I saw that it was Inori and behind her was Gai and Oogumo.
I must've slept for longer than I expected as we've already arrived at their base, we began walking through the area and eventually stood before a huge steel door.
Oogumo went to the side and began inputting a series of numbers at the panel, after a moment… the door began opening.
We entered through the huge steel door and I was greeted by the sight of a spacious room that looked like a library but was modified into a strategy meeting room of sorts.
As I looked up, I found out that there were at least three floors and that the room was circular in shape. Members of the Undertakers were standing on each floor; some were even leaning on the railing as we entered.
Oogumo and Inori moved ahead while I followed Gai to the center of the room which contained four computers.
Standing beside one of the monitors was Shibunji and Gai asked him, "How's Kido."
Shibunji shook his head as he replied, "he shows no signs of waking up, probably due to the shock of having his Void used while being exhausted."
"I see…"
I looked at Gai as he replied while rubbing his eye looking tired and a bit sick. Concerned I was about to ask him if there was something wrong but he suddenly regained his composure and announced to all members in the room.
"Let me introduce you all, this is Ouma Shu, owner of the Void Genome. From now on, we'll be taking him as a central piece to our operations."
Wah… Pressure much; I wonder if I'll be able to meet their expectations… Wait… it's more like whether or not they will accept me as one of them first, I wonder will I have to take a test or something… Gai never did say anything.
Just as I thought that, everyone began muttering as they took in the statement that Gai made.
I looked around as Gai began saying, "With Ouma joining us and Kido Kenji obtained, our biggest objective, capturing the Leucocyte, has become possible."
Turning towards Gai, I wondered what this Leucocyte thing he mentioned is, but before I could ask anything; Gai went over to the monitors in the middle of the room and typed in a few keys causing various windows to cover the entire screen of all four of them.
"This is our plan; it branches out into 145 different patterns according to how the situation may change."
Damn… 145 different patterns for people to adapt to depending on the situation? But don't tell me we're going to have to memorize all-
Before I could finish that train of thought, Gai turned around and ordered, "Everyone, memorize all of these before we put the plan into action."
A male on the third floor who was the man who reported about the underground parking lot incident which I recognized by his voice questioned, "How much time are we given?"
"Three days…if you can't do that much. Don't participate."
My eyes widened at that info before sighing in resignation and hoped that I could manage.
It seems that I wasn't the only surprised with that info as everyone began muttering loudly to each other on every floor concerned about this.
I addressed Gai just as he turned to face the monitors once more, "Hey, Gai isn't that a little too short of a time period? I mean didn't we just go through the rescue just a few hours earlier?"
Shibunji approached Gai as he too stated, "Indeed, not even a full day has passed since our mission at the isolation facility. I'm concerned about how fatigued everyone is."
Gai turned to face me and Shibunji as he said, "That's not a problem, "
He then spoke to us in general, "What did you guys come here to do? It's not so you can just take it easy and sleep! Do you plan on stumbling out nonchalantly in front of the enemy with your eyes still blurry from sleep?"
The other members begrudgingly admit that Gai was right and I was slightly impressed by the charisma that Gai showed… to be able to influence people that easily.
He then turned to the side where I finally noticed Tsugumi and Ayase were at. I was a bit surprised at seeing Ayase in a wheelchair but shrugged it off eventually as I've experienced weirder things lately.
"Ayase"
"Y-yes"
She approached us as Gai addressed her, Gai then informed her while gesturing to me...
"It's your responsibility to give this guy sufficient training so that he can follow along for the operation."
So I was right… there is eventually going to be a test to see if I'm fit to join the operation… Though I wonder why I suddenly feel like smiling as I heard Ayase was going to be in charge of my training.
Shaking my head to get rid of weird thoughts, Gai continued as Ayase commented,
"I'm going to be doing that?"
What? Am I that horrible to look after…?
Gai glanced at me before saying, "It's just a safety precaution, after all if you value your life, do it."
With that he gave me a nod before walking up the stairs and leaving the room.
Feeling bad about being a burden, I approached Ayase as I said, "Um, its ok if you don't want to do it. I'm sure there's someone else might look after my training instead I don't want to trouble you seeing that you're in a wheelchair and what not."
Leaning down to her level, I didn't notice Tsugumi leaning her chin on her hand amused at us while people were shaking their heads at my statement.
An evil glint shone in Ayase eyes which I didn't take notice of for some reason as she approached me saying,
"Oh my, aren't you thoughtful. Ouma-kun." She then stretched out her hand as a greeting while smiling.
I couldn't help feel enchanted by the smile as I for some reason bashfully said, "You can call me Shu…" And as I reached for her hand with mine… her hand held mine in a tight grip.
Before I could ask or react, she quickly turned her wheelchair and used its side to hit my legs causing my world to be turned upside down.
As I slammed into the ground, I didn't notice that the pen I received had dropped and rolled away as I was at the brink of unconsciousness with my last thought being.
Way to go Shu, you just had to get her angry for having no tact… Shit that hurts.
With that my whole world went black just as I heard.
"My wheelchair is like a part of my individuality! I don't need you to hold back on me."
Flashback begins
A memory of what seems to be two kids playing around began flashing.
The concerned one asked, "Hey, are you sure it's really okay to jump?"
An energetic one shouted, "It'll be fine! Just come over here already! Believe in me!"
As the memory began to fade I wondered, who the two kids in my memory were…
Flashback ends
I shot up awake and found myself lying on a bed in an unfamiliar room. As I sat up, I felt a towel began sliding on my body which was weird since I should have clothes on and wouldn't be feeling the fabric of towel.
I looked down at my body and nearly screamed as I was stripped naked… a cold sensation filled me as I thought of the pen that was given to me. Scrambling out of the bed, I looked around it hoping that it had just fallen off the bed but I had no such luck.
Standing up while holding the towel around my waist, I noticed an outfit was laid on a chair near the door and as I dropped the towel in order to change. The door to the room opened and I froze.
Turning to face the door, I saw Ayase standing there with a dumbfounded face which turned into an embarrassed one as she screamed; came over and then slapped me before leaving the room.
Placing a hand on the stinging mark on my face only to recoil, I couldn't help but wonder. Why didn't she just have knocked?
Sighing at my misfortune despite how amusing it was to see Ayase go red like that, I donned the clothes and looked at the mirror while eating bread and drinking a cup of coffee for breakfast.
I have to say, the outfit seems nice, a white shirt with a long sleeved, black jacket that had a red line from the shoulder blades to the wrist and a cargo black pants.
Still rubbing the stinging spot on my face, I approached the door as I prepared myself for my first day of training and an awkward moment with Ayase… I hope I get to find the pen soon.
I exited my door and saw Ayase waiting outside, she was wearing a similar outfit except her jacket was buttoned while I left my as it is and she was wearing a skirt. On her lap was a file of sorts, probably mine.
Awkwardly standing, as I did not know what to say after an event like that, Ayase sighed and sternly said.
"There's no time for you to sleep anymore, you'd better prepare yourself!"
Rubbing my neck I said, "You know… that I did say that I would've looked for someone else to help me with this right?"
She snapped at me, "I don't like it, either! I'm just doing this because Gai said to."
As she turned back to face the front and away from me, I placed a hand on my heart and wondered to myself…
Why did I felt a pang right then, was I jealous or something? That can't be right; after all I just met her.
While I had my dilemma, Ayase continued to mutter about why I joined the Undertakers anyways… while fiddling…-!
The pen! Ayase had it, Shit… how the hell am I going to get it back without being suspicious and without them accusing me of bringing a tracking device into their base.
"You don't fit here at all."
I shrugged at the negative comments I was receiving, after all… I've just arrived. I muttered while pointing to the pen, "T-that…"
She saw me looking at pen and brought it up saying, "This?"
I looked at the pen that she held up as I commented, "Where'd you get it, it's a really nice pen."
As I approached her, she seemed oddly defensive before telling me with an annoyed face, "I found it, it wouldn't happen to be yours, would it?"
Sighing and praying mentally, I told her, "Well, yeah, it's mine. "
As I reached for it, I pleaded "Could you please give it back?"
Only to be rejected as she pulled it away from me saying, "Nope."
She looked to side as she had a mischievous face saying, "I just had a good idea. This is perfect."
Now worried I waited the verdict on what I would have to do to get the pen back.
"In one week, I'm planning to test you to see if you're worthy of joining the Undertakers."
That… was unexpected though I'm still worried about how the test is going to go.
She then smiled at me and playfully said, "If you pass… I'll give it back."
Turning my head abruptly as I blushed slightly, I told her that I accepted and asked that she kept her side of the deal.
Receiving a "sure" and regaining my composure, I was lead to a bar of sorts where I saw the male who asked Gai the time limit yesterday sitting on the bar's table with a huge knife by his side.
Ayase gestured for me to approach him while she went over to the side and watched.
Might as well get this over with…
I went over and he began to say.
"I'm Tsukishima Arugo, a second year student at Ryusen High School. What's your name?"
Well isn't he friendly… didn't Gai already introduced me? Nevertheless I answered.
"It's Ouma Shu."
"I know that."
Why the fuck did you ask then! I narrowed my eyes at him as he stood up and plucking the knife from its position.
He then grabbed my hand and placed it in while saying, "Come at me like you really mean to kill me."
Still with narrowed eyes, I confirmed, "Are you sure?" a glance at my side showed Ayase dropping the pen on the ground with a surprised face probably due to my reaction.
Though I nearly had a heart attack when that pen fell.
Arugo simply smirked at me before taking out a smaller knife and ran towards me.
"The Undertakers have a heavy reputation; don't get scared about something small like this!"
He slashed the knife as I used mine to parry it, though the grip was slick as it nearly flew away from my grasp.
Surprised that I managed to parry the slash, he smiled as he continued trying to slash me with it as I tried my best to parry and in between try to stab or slash him when the chance came. However Arugo easily parried or dodged my attempts like they were nothing and eventually me parrying one of his attacks caused my knife to fly away from my hand and impale itself to the wall on my left.
Thankfully, Ayase was on the right of the room. I gave out a sigh and said, "Damn, that was close."
Arugo smiled, "not bad though you could use some work on your parries, well go on, you have a lot more to do."
Bowing to him and saying thanks. I left the room, following Ayase who already picked up the pen and as we walked through the halls she asked.
"So…where'd you learn how to fight like that?"
Placing a hand on the back of my neck, I hmm'd before answering, "I'm not really sure, it might've been instinct… Maybe I've trained when I was younger?"
A glance at her, I saw her scribbling on the file, probably noting down what I said.
We eventually met up with Tsugumi who asked me to enter a room which was a simulation room and asked me to hold a rifle while a robot lead me through the course; this was to see how my stamina holds up.
In the end, my results were that of an average member but I was actually surprised but chalked it up to using voids increased my stamina somewhat as I knew I wasn't able to run that long or that far last time. I would have to continue going through these sessions for my whole one week training period.
Next, we went to the weapon storage where I saw Oogumo waiting for us carrying an RPG of sorts.
As I faced him, he simply commented. "This might be heavy." And passed it to me without any warning.
And damn if it wasn't heavy! As I tried to regain my balance my legs were practically shaking in effort to keep me standing… Well at least I didn't fall pathetically. Oogumo quickly grabbed the RPG and simply said that I needed to work on carrying weapons of such weight.
I sweatdropped as I thought to myself, I don't think they'd be of use to me considering my horrible aiming skills.
Sitting down on the floor, I tried to regain the feeling in my legs as Ayase asked Oogumo, how was I doing.
Oogumo in a gruff voice said, "Still needs work but passable."
I groaned at the 'work' part and as soon as I could I stand, I followed Ayase to what would hopefully be the last place I'd visit for the day.
To my horror, it was a shooting range. Inori was there and as we approached her, Ayase asked her to demonstrate how a perfect shot would be.
Loading the gun, Inori took aim and fired rapidly without any breaks. Eventually the bullets ran out and the target came rolling towards us.
All the bullets were either head shots or shots to the chest! Gah didn't think Inori was that good of a shot.
I tentatively approached a range as Inori passed the pistol. I loaded the gun and took aim just as Ayase said.
"I want you to aim for the same standards as Inori demonstrated earlier."
Great… that's the standard I have to meet? I shook my head as I prepared myself before shooting the first bullet
It simply went off target so badly that it didn't hit the target; I groaned and muttered, "How am I going to do this."
Sadly Inori went away saying that she needed to be somewhere so I knew I wouldn't be getting help and at my worst training session!
Ayase tilted her head as I continued to fire off the mark shots before asking me just as I was to fire yet another.
"So… you suck at using guns?" before giggling a bit.
I scowled slightly as I turned to face her, "it isn't funny you know"
That seemed to calm her down a bit before apologizing though I swore I could still hear a small snicker or two.
She came up to me before asking me to bend down slightly and moved closer to her as she began showing me how I should hold a gun and how to aim one.
As she finished her prompt lesson, she turned to face me just as I turned to face her to thank her and we both noticed how close our faces were and abruptly backed away blushing.
Gah! Her face was so close! Though her scent was nice… lavender I think. I then blushed bright red at how perverted I felt and couldn't bear looking at her to which she seemed confused about it after she got rid of her own blush.
I went up to the range once more and this time, despite my bad ratio of 2:10 shots hit, at least this time I managed to hit the target.
I smiled as I thanked Ayase who blushed slightly but I didn't see the confused look she had as I turned back to see how bad/good did I do.
She then told me that morning training was done after eating lunch, afternoon training would begin.
She simply smiled as I groaned but followed her to the cafeteria and after that more sessions of either hand to hand, shooting or stamina training continued until the night where I finally returned to my room.
Scene change: GHQ headquarters
"It seems everything's going according to plan with the Leucocyte. An invisible cage…"
A screen showing a figure eight symbol with two blue dots circling with the pattern.
"I like tasteless things like that."
Keido commented, "That's uncalled for. How is the wedge you've sent to drive into them?"
Segai smirked as he replied, "Chances are 50-50 he'll do it."
The scene then fades out.
Scene change: back at The Undertakers' base
P.O.V: Shu
Every day for the week, I've been subjected to hand to hand training with Arugo, shooting practice with Inori occasionally and weapon handling with Oogumo along with Stamina training monitored by Tsugumi.
Every night I'd go on the computer they provided me in my room and look up stuff that I was confused about.
I found out that the Endlave Ayase used to pilot was really an outdated model and it showed that her skills in piloting were top-notched as she managed to compete against GHQ soldiers who had better equipment.
Though now she has the Steiner which was a newer model and was the Endlave that Daryl 'the asshole' Yan piloted.
It was faster and had more offensive capabilities than the Endlave Jumeau which was most of the Undertaker's used along with the soldiers of GHQ, with the exception of Ayase of course.
Aside from the discoveries I made, I memorized and or at least tried to memorize the plans/tactics that included me being the center.
However, the only think I could garner from searching for Leucocyte was that it was freaking satellite weapon that the GHQ controlled!
Despite my worries that we might be shot by it, I recalled that Gai mentioned that this base was jammed from being tracked so it should be safe.
Nevertheless I wouldn't settle down until I finally got the pen that Ayase still had on her person.
It didn't help that Ayase had left to do something earlier and I was currently fighting Arugo once again.
As our session finished, I laid on the floor sweating with a towel on my face given by a girl known to me now as Kyo. As she placed the towel on me, she gave one to Arugo as I sat up while placing the towel on my neck.
Arugo took the towel as he said, "Thanks. Come to think of it, this time you're going with Gai, right, Kyo?"
"Yeah! I finally get to fight together with him."
I couldn't help but smile though I guess I was a little jealous at the attention or respect that these people gave Gai.
She turned to me as she said, "It's a shame I can't see your mock battle, but please give it your all, Shu-san!"
Giving me a peace sign, she walked off. Probably to meet up with Gai.
"Thanks!" I shouted as she left the room.
I muttered to myself, not knowing that I was being a little too loud.
"I guess when you have a lot of confidence, everyone follows you—even a girl that young"
Not noticing Arugo paying attention to my mutterings, I continued.
"I wonder if I were to try to do the same thing, would anyone follow me… I wonder do egotistical people really come out ahead in this world?" Yahiro…
I was startled when Arugo suddenly said,
"You probably can't see a thing right now, with the way you are now. I doubt the chances that you ever will."
Eh?
"And besides don't you think you're being a bit rude to Gai and the rest of us? Apologize now"
Despite not meaning to be rude at all, I looked away as I murmured.
"Sorry…"
After a moment of silence, Arugo questioned. "By the way, can a Void be extracted from anyone?"
As if nothing had happened, this was what I liked about this guy.
I thought about it for awhile and said, "I tried on students my age and younger but not those older than me so I'm not sure. But-…"
Scene Change: the hallway
P.O.V: Shu
That sure was interesting… I didn't expect that kind of Void from Arugo.
I went over to the showers and relaxed for awhile before changing and used a towel to dry my hair.
I thought to myself.
I wonder if I made the right decision in joining… not that I can complain as I didn't really have any choice in the matter at the time but still this training is hard.
As I walked through the corridor I heard a song that was very familiar to me, turning towards the source of the song, I entered an auditorium of sorts and saw Inori singing by herself.
I listened to song as she finished singing and turned to face me as if she knew I was here the whole time.
I raised my hand as a greeting before moving to sit next to her.
As I gazed through the windows in front of us I commented, "This is kind of like the first time we met doesn't it?"
Receiving a nod, I looked at her for awhile and asked, "Say, Inori. Why are you In the Undertakers?"
Instead of receiving an answer, she asked me instead.
"Why did you come here?"
Eh? I was surprised at the question and took a moment to ask myself before answering.
"I guess… I just didn't like the fact that I was going through life not knowing what to do, or I guess I just figured that you guys were doing the right thing."
I wondered… why I felt that Inori was being a little cold; she totally didn't react to anything I said.
I asked her, "Hey, Inori… what if, this is just 'if' but if someone were to ask you to leave the Undertakers, would you do it?"
She stood up abruptly as I turned to face her; she continued staring at the scenery in front of us as she said.
"Gai gave me a name, he gave me a name when I had nothing. He gave me the world."
Wow, I think my respect for Gai just shot up to think Inori was this loyal to Gai… though I think that goes without saying. That does make me wonder, why she went against Gai's orders when she came to find me back at GHQ's facility…
Confused by this, I asked her cautiously. "Inori, back then at Roppongi and at the train before I was captured. What made you say those words? What did you mean by saying them?"
She seemed sullen and I wondered briefly if it had anything to do wit-…
I was broken from my wondering as she answered.
"Gai… told me to do that, to make you more inclined to join us."
Ouch… I stared wide eyed at her confession and thought about the brief time I spent with her outside of this base.
When she came over to my house and moved in, asking me to make her Onigiri…
When we went to meet Gai and found out our association with the Undertakers was in danger…
When we went through all that trouble in school just to find Yahiro was Sugar…
When she met up with me to provide me with a means to fight back at the GHQ isolation facility when I was captured due to Yahiro breaking the promise we made…
Gai… really? Was it that necessary to use Inori to trick me?... Sigh, I guess that's how life works though… I can't really blame him… not when someone had the power that you wanted for yourself… But Inori…
I continued to look at her as she began to walk away and felt something break in my heart. I knew I had an attraction to her from before I met her in person, I guess I somehow knew that she was faking it as that attraction didn't grow at all when I got to know her as little as I did.
She then said, "Don't come close to me."
Following her as she seemed a bit sad for some reason though I should be the one heartbroken, I saw her enter a room with Gai holding the door open for her while he had no shirt on and only a jacket over his shoulders.
I backed away a bit as Gai closed the door and thought to myself…
Of course… Inori's loyalty, I must've been blind to not notice… Ahaha… how stupid I must look right now.
Was I really that convinced that she could possibly…? Shit how embarrassing.
Gritting my teeth in frustration, I closed my eyes as I ran in a random direction away from the door and the girl that tricked me.
As I didn't see where I was running to I felt a pain rushing through my veins as I impacted something metallic and a girlish shriek sounded in the hallway.
Getting up, I placed a hand on my head wondering if I had any injuries when I heard a familiar voice saying.
"Why don't you watch where you're going?"
I looked in front and blushed as I saw Ayase was the person I knocked over and she was wearing a night gown that had slid down a bit.
"Sorry!"
She seemed to notice what I saw as she blushed and right her gown as I turned away abruptly and apologized once more.
"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!"
She seemed to find my reaction quite funny as she smiled and approached me.
"Did you see that room?"
"You like Inori, don't you?"
I used to… but now I don't think so; I glared at the direction of the room that Inori and Gai were in.
"My condolences"
Annoyed I was about to say something as I turned back only to be sternly told.
"Don't look over here." And I recalled the image of her gown and noticed that it was a bit transparent and blushed once more.
"Sorry…"
She accepted my apology despite not knowing what I was sorry about as she continued.
"The two of them spend the night together like that two or three times a month."
I didn't need to be told that… is she trying to make my mood even worse than it already is?
I listened silently as she continued.
"Everyone pretends they don't see it, but I think they've all noticed. It's too bad, isn't it?"
I wonder about that actually… now that I think about it, ever since meeting Ayase, the weight I felt in the pit of my stomach grew as we continued to interact… maybe, just maybe I could try and go for her. Wait a minute, doesn't she like Gai?
I asked her without turning back, "And you Ayase? Are you alright with it?"
She seemed confused at what I was talking about as she said, "With what?"
Bracing myself, I asked. "Well, you like him, don't you? Gai I mean…"
I was then abruptly grabbed by the collar as she pulled me towards her shouting.
"Just what are you basing that on?"
Confused and a bit happy I said, "Eh? It's not like that?"
She continued shouting, "It's not an issue of whether or not I like him!"
She didn't deny it yet I get the feeling that she really doesn't like him that way.
"I simply respect him."
I see… I smiled a bit when she couldn't see only to get thrown back to the floor and losing my smile as I muttered.
"I don't get it though, 'Gai's so great' and so on… I can't help but feel that's only because girls have a weakness for cocky guys with good looks. Although I might be wrong…"
Sitting up while facing the other direction again as to not earn her ire, I continued.
"Maybe I'm still just a kid who can't see anything… but-"
I heard shuffling behind me and Ayase placed a hand on my shoulders causing me to turn but I stopped remembering that she told me not to look.
I was surprised though when she told me. "You can look."
Tentatively, I turned to face her and she looked at me with an understanding smile.
"If you want to know why, then win the mock battle tomorrow, Ok?"
Blinking, I wondered what that would do.
"If you win, you'll be clearly recognized as one of us. And then you'll definitely be able to see some things."
I see…
I stood up and righted the fallen wheelchair as I brought it closer to her and went over to help her into it.
She stopped me as she said. "Its fine, I've decided to never take anyone's help"
I smiled impressed by her strength though I thought she looked cute as she told me.
"But I don't look very elegant getting back up into it by myself, either. So I don't really want to be seen."
Understanding the situation, I smiled one last time before saying.
"Good night."
"Night" she smiled as I walked away after making sure that the wheel chair wouldn't roll away by applying the brakes.
I then headed to my room and fell asleep thinking about Ayase's words and the final smile she gave me.
Scene change: The room Gai and Inori are in while Ayase and Shu were having their conversation.
A machine monitoring the heart rate and a blood transfusion pack was hooked up to it, is seen to be transferring someone's blood to Gai probably Inori's as she was the only one there.
Gai's voice muttered. "You've come to look like that girl more and more." As he laid on a bed.
Inori looked at him asking, "Is that a bad thing?"
Gai seemed troubled as he sighed, "I don't know."
The scene fades out
Scene change: an airport of sorts
A vehicle pulled over and Gai exited the vehicle to meet Kyo who greeted him.
Kyo was holding a report and showed it to Gai as she said.
"It's one company of troops."
Gai smirked and said, "Just as planned." Before taking out a pair of binoculars and looked up; to see three transport military planes coming in.
He then muttered. "The OAU and the Leave Nations. These guys have integrity." The hatch of each plane was opening. We see numerous military-like people and a number of Endlaves in each plane.
The scene then fades out once more.
Scene Change: Back at the Undertakers' base.
P.O.V: Shu
I had just gotten dressed when Arugo came knocking on my door and told me that the test was ready and he was to bring me there.
As I was given a rifle, I was told that it was loaded with paint bullets and that I was to go to the center of the room where I saw Ayase beside her Steiner.
Steeling myself for whatever the test would need me to do; I nodded to Ayase as she began the briefing while the rest of the members were by the sidelines watching the test.
"All right. Now starting the mock battle. Based on scenario D-14 from the operation to capture the Leucocyte."
D-14… the plan where If I were to encounter an Endlave.
"This is assuming you end up having to face an Endlave alone. If you can get past Steiner and run into the train car behind me, it's your win."
"I see… Well wish me luck"
Receiving a slight smile, she returned to her stoic expression to show that this was not a joke.
"Even paint bullets can knock unconscious if they hit you in the head. So focus, ok?"
I gazed at her with determination as I said, "Understood."
I readied my gun as Ayase made her way to the cockpit of her machine.
As the room was pretty silent I could hear Arugo muttering to Oogumo.
"This is definitely too much for him, even I can't avoid Ayase's Endlave"
The Steiner stood up and Ayase's voice sounded from it, "Shall we begin?"
I couldn't help but sweatdropped. Was this test a game?
Giving a nod despite how I felt about that question, I noticed that a small robot came up at the side and Tsugumi's voice came from it.
"Well then, ready…"
I braced myself as everyone watched in anticipation.
"Go!"
I tried to rush in between the legs of the Steiner but of course that wouldn't work as Ayase quickly blocked that route by shouting a few rounds of paint at me which I dodged to the side and began running about.
I tried shooting at her but it seemed that a moving target was a little too much even now, I wasn't able to hit her at all and could only duck in behind pillars as she returned fire.
She shouted, "It's pathetic to only run away!"
Frustrated, just as I ducked behind a pillar, I fired the rifle once more and this time I actually managed to hit thought it was merely luck as only a bit of paint appeared on the chest piece of the Steiner.
That only seemed to enrage her even further, as she chased me with even more vigor while firing from her gun.
I muttered as I continued to try and use the paint to blind the sight of the Endlave which was failing due to my aiming.
"Damn, if only I had a Void…" my eyes widened as a bullet nearly hit me, I recalled the night before when I pulled out Arugo's Void.
I quickly searched for him as I continued dodging and was frustrated when I couldn't find him at all.
As I turned to the right just as Ayase was right behind me firing, I nearly collided with Arugo who was drinking a soft drink but I had managed to jump back just in time.
With wide eyes, he said, "Shu!"
Narrowing my eyes as I landed, I threw away the rifle and a blue aura surrounded me as I jumped saying.
"Sorry about this!"
I plunged my hand into Arugo's chest and pulled out his void causing a bright light to cover the area for a moment making Ayase unable to aim at us properly as she too was blinded by the light.
As the Void finished materializing, I holding an object that looked like a torch with a button on the handle despite at first thinking it was a beam saber of sorts like in the movies, it was totally different.
Running out to meet Ayase as she was about to aim at me, I pointed the Void at her and activated it, causing a black light to appear from the tip and eventually a sphere of darkness surrounded Ayase's Steiner causing all her sensors to haywire.
Quickly placing the Void on the ground still activated, I dashed for the train and as I made it in, I shouted.
"Goal!"
I turned back to see Arugo's Void's effect ending and Ayase was looking around wondering where was I.
"Huh?"
I looked out as people began muttering,
"He did it!"
"No way…"
I then thought to myself…
Oh crap, Ayase never mentioned about me pulling a Void out, I wonder if that counts as me cheating...
That train of thought ended as everyone was clapping at my performance which was a huge improvement considering they were all disappointed at first.
Walking out of the train, I smiled as I gazed at everyone applauding, I entered the trailer where Ayase was and saw her just taking out her helmet.
She seemed a bit down and I bowed my head a bit saying, "Sorry I cheated."
She seemed surprised at this but smiled at me while telling me.
"It's fine. You just used your own individuality."
I was surprised at how she was taking this, she then continued to say.
"Great job on passing the test, Ouma Shu." She then smiled causing me to blush slightly as I smiled in return.
"Thanks. I look forward to working with you."
As she got in her wheelchair, we made our way out of the trailer where everyone was gathered. I noticed that Arugo was by the side and heard him mutter as I approached him.
"A light that turns into darkness… Is my heart really that dark?"
Noticing me, he turned to face me and I bowed to him saying.
"Thanks for earlier and sorry once again for using it without permission."
Arugo simply smirked and ruffled my hair as he said, "No prob, just don't do it again."
We then headed back to everyone as Arugo joined the group with Oogumo in front.
I stood in front of them as Oogumo began.
"Welcome, Shu. From today on, you're one of us."
I smiled at the group of people in front of me and felt a sharp pain on my ankle; I turned around to see Ayase smiling at me while I mock scowled at her.
My scowl disappeared as she brought the pen forward and said. "Here's your reward."
Just like that I was reminded that the GHQ had wanted me to use this pen to send a signal that would cause everyone here to be captured, I reluctantly took the pen which I tried not to show as Ayase told me.
"If this is important to you, make sure you keep it and don't lose sight of it again, ok?"
As I gazed at the pen, an unfamiliar voice was heard and I turned to the side.
"Playing nice, huh? That looks fun."
I was surprised to see that it was-...
"So you've woken up, Kenji."
Shibunji's voice broke me from my stupor and I looked at Shibunji and asked.
"By Kenji, you mean…"
Shibunji turned towards me to explain. "Kido Kenji. He's the person you rescued from Isolation Facility Number Four."
Looking back at Kenji, I noted his appearance. He had gray hair with a patch of black, it was spiky and he was wearing a collar of sorts with a lock on it and a key necklace around his neck. He was wearing a black outfit like most of us but his had a red stripe in the middle of his chest.
Ayase seemed annoyed by his comment as she said. "What do you mean by playing nice?"
I was surprised however when Kenji simply commented. "You're a little dull, aren't you? In more than one way."
I wonder why I felt a bit of anger seeping through my mind when I heard that comment as he muttered.
"What's Gai doing?"
Ayase bristled at the comment, she then shouted "Hey!-"
But before she could complete whatever she wanted to say, Tsugumi came rushing in shouting, "Big trouble, everyone!"
I snapped up to look at her as did everyone else; Arugo and Oogumo said respectively, "What happened?" "Did something happen?"
They all had horrified expression as Tsugumi told them.
"Leucocyte was just fired at point Delta."
It took awhile for the information to process in mind but as soon as it did, I realized the horror of the situation…
Point Delta… that was where Gai and Kyo were at.
We all rushed into the meeting room as we gazed at the monitors where Tsugumi was showing us the feed from the ground zero.
Arugo muttered, "This…is horrible."
That's an understatement… the whole place was in ruins, fire was everywhere and everything seemed to be burnt with no signs of survivors.
I looked to my right and saw Ayase trembling in fright as she thought of what had happened to Gai.
I placed my hand on her shoulders as an attempt to comfort her though I knew it was futile, she seemed to be appreciative of the thought as she smiled a bit before returning her gaze towards the monitors.
I swore in my mind before muttering.
"Gai you had better be alright…"
Scene change: at GHQ headquarters.
"We fired with 3% output, target destruction percentage was 110%; the margin of error is 0.7 meters."
Keido was receiving a report from the officer who fired the Leucocyte and as the report ended, Keido began saying.
"I am the way to a forsaken future, abandon all hope, ye who enter here."
And I'm done with chapter 5! hope the chapter is alright... I have some doubts about this particular one with the changes I made . Anyways, please review/comment what you liked and hated about the chapter.~~ And as usual, what are your thoughts on the latest episode? (Don't read past the lines, If you haven't watched episode 19!)
Shu just got badass! Trace on Void Arm... Though it's probably something like taking in their voids for himself but yeah... I was really scared that Shu wouldn't be getting the Void Genome and Ayase would instead... Though that would make things interesting... It's kinda sad that Shu took in Souta's cancer virus... I still think he should be a bit more resentful towards them but I guess Shu will be Shu regardless of his reign as a temporary tyrant...
Arisa fangirling Gai as usual... Shibunji's new goal: killing Gai... Inori either dying to save Shu in the end or simply curing him of the cancer... Either that or Shu might sacrifice himself to save everyone from some disaster... Anyways I wonder will we ever get to see a combined Void like the Inori+Kenji huge ass gun laser...XD
I honestly expected the Void Genome to provide Shu with a totally new arm but who knew it gave him a Void which was an Arm that can copy/take in Voids from other people... Ayase screaming Shu's name will tiny tears falling from her eyes was... .! Anyways, We now have proof that Haruka isn't Shu's real mother though that begs the question on how does Mana have pink hair ... Anyways we're going to have to see in next week's episode~~